Corporate Galas & Celebrations

The IBEW Local 617 gala and conference in San Mateo is the fullest example here: a branded backdrop and stage columns in red, royal blue and gold, built once to serve a working conference stage during the day and an awards and photography backdrop in the evening. A corporate awards night on the Peninsula used the same palette to different effect, pairing a stage arch with helium bouquets that carried the color out to the guest tables.

Awards formats concentrate value in one place. Every presentation photograph includes whatever sits behind and above the stage, which makes the stage surround the most important part of the room.

The GRAIL 10-year anniversary used three separate elements — an arch, a backdrop and starburst columns in purple, lavender and gold — spread across the guest journey rather than concentrated into one feature. The Learning Policy Institute's tenth anniversary took the opposite approach, holding to navy, blue, black and silver so a research organization's event stayed institutional in tone. The Daly City Partnership 50th Anniversary Luncheon combined a backdrop with helium bouquets in blue, teal and white, covering both the front of the room and the tables where guests spent the event.

Themed corporate events have to be recognizable in seconds while still looking like something an employer would commission. The Wizard of Oz event in San Francisco carried Emerald City and Glinda motifs through emerald green and pink rather than through props. Skyline Construction's March Madness office event handled a sports theme through orange and black, with navy and silver keeping the installation tied to company branding. Intuit's Halloween office event was restricted to black and white, which is what keeps a spider-themed arch graphic rather than novelty.

The category also includes a corporate holiday party in silver and white, a Valentine's Day office event, an outdoor fall event with an arch and pumpkins, a Disco Wild West themed event and an annual corporate event at the Oakland Marriott.