The Event Expert: Event Management Case Study
As part of a year long programme of events, a local authority wanted to organise a free public event based entirely on a 1940s theme.
The two day event was to be held in a public park. The local authority had a long tradition of delivering high quality public events, so the pressure was on to make sure that this new event continued the trend. We got a call.
So, how did we help?
Tasked with designing and delivering the event we set about researching the 1940’s, so we could get a real feel for what it was like to live and work in that era; what were the sights, sounds, tastes and day-to-day memories of the period. We needed to ensure that all visitors to the event, got as real a 1940’s experience, as was possible to produce.
We had a large public park to fill, so in the first instance to give the event some structure we decided to use the old style pole marquees, as our base for any performances and exhibits, complete with wooden trestle tables and chairs.
Having found a company who specialised in supplying war time memorabilia, all the marquees were suitably decorated and draped in red, white and blue bunting. Music was provided by a Big Band, dressed in army fatigues. A local re-enactment society provided some dancers, as well as, a number of period characters.
To add to the experience British and American army encampments were set up between the marquees with the occasional skirmish being played out. Exhibits of photos of the time, newspapers and magazines, radio broadcasts, old time fun fair rides and Charlie Chaplin, just added to the occasion. All my event stewards were also required to dress up costumes, of the period too!
The outcome
The period style advertising attracted over 10,000 visitors to the event. A gloriously sunny weekend just added to the sense of occasion – so just for a few moments, visitors to the event were transported back in time to experience the sights and sounds of Britain in the 1940s.