AmCham ball hits HK

The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Ball is a major fundraising event and is also one of the highlights of the Hong Kong social calendar. Previous events have earned a reputation for spectacular entertainment and memorable evenings. The event is also an opportunity for benefactors to entertain friends and business associates. This year's ball was held at the Convention Hall and Foyer of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), which was transformed for the night into the theme of 'Celebrating American Classics'. The theme was chosen to highlight aspects of American life such as entertainment, sports and business, as well as the arts, design, music, personalities and famous icons. Early planning "We began planning the ball and brainstorming the event six months before the ball started," says Carol Wang, committee liaison manager of the American Chamber of Commerce. The event was organised by Impact Asia, a HK-based PR and events company specialising in creative concepts and promotions. The ball attracted 800 attendees across 73 tables. "Guests were encouraged to dress up for the evening as their favourite American icon and many embraced the challenge with creative and entertaining costumes," says Eric Herrera, head of events for Impact Asia. Upon arrival the guests were greeted in the reception foyer by an Uncle Sam stilt-walker and a human Statue of Liberty. Sponsored photo opportunities included a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with a backdrop and a mockup of the White House Oval Office. The convention hall was transformed through slides projected onto the walls of the room. These alternated throughout the night displaying iconic American skylines, landscapes, people and places. The stage-floor consisted of a tailor-made marquee laced with fibre-optic lights and shaped to look like a 1960s jukebox. This effect was also used on the white stairs leading up to the stage where a starcloth created the backdrop. Star treatment Sponsors of the event were treated like stars themselves, with their names literally up in lights. "Three large sculptural lamps were specially made and hung over the room, with internally lit sponsors' logos," says Herrera. Tables were decorated with red-rose floral centrepieces by Rococo and stylish table dressings, which Impact Asia created in tandem with the HKCEC. Sponsors on the President's Tables were treated to even more elaborate centrepieces involving candles hanging from tall branches of the flower arrangements. Iconic American show band, The Infernos, provided the music. The Infernos are a 16- piece show band and DJ from the US, including Kenny Simmons from the Grammy-Award winning group, The Commodores. They were specially flown to the event by United Airlines. This opening was followed by a memorable entrance by AmCham chairman, Steve Marcopoto, dancing onto the stage dressed as John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. Large screens Marcopoto's welcome preceded a video provided by Turner Broadcasting and Asia Pacific Vision, displayed on two large screens either side of the stage. The clip began with a personalised welcome message to the 2006 Ball from US talkshow host, Larry King, before moving onto a montage of classic American television and cultural footage, all played to the James Brown song 'Living In America'. The MCs for the event were Chris Graves, president, Asia Pacific — Ogilvy Mather Public Relations Worldwide and RTHK presenter, Jennifer Su. They entertained guests through rounds of table prizes, charity raffle prizes and grand draw prizes, so nobody went home empty-handed. Quality meals The four-course dinner was catered for by the HKCEC F&B team, with a main course of grilled US super-prime beef tenderloin, airfreighted by the US Meat Export Federation. "The attendees were very happy with the food quality," says Wang. "The US beef was great as were the meals from HKCEC." During dinner, The Infernos' singer, Frank Sinatra sound-alike, Vince Torrell, impressed the audience as he sang familiar favourites such as 'My Way'and 'New York, New York'. The Infernos played four sets throughout the evening, packing the dance floors each time and even pulling some guests onto the stage for cameos as back-up singers. Favourites during the night included 'I Love The Nightlife' and 'Disco Inferno'. VERDICT CAROL WANG, AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The organising committee for the American Chamber of Commerce Ball was generally pleased with the way the event turned out. "There were no planning problems that we did not already anticipate," says Wang. "There were the normal challenges that go with event planning, such as communicating with committee members and internal staff, but that is the same as any other events organisation. "Events planning is all about timing so we expect that in dealing with different companies and members and staff that communication is the key. "We chose HKCEC for location and size, and the good relationship we've had with them over the years is also key as we always hold our balls there," says Wang. "For an event of our size the HKCEC is the best option on Hong Kong Island. "Impact Asia did most of the decoration. It was the same venue as last year, but the way that Impact executed their decoration ideas and the way they utilised colour and different fabrics was memorable. "We were in the old wing of HKCEC but because of the material and product that Impact Asia used, we had a very cosy feeling. We received positive feedback on the decoration from our attendees."