Event Australian Grand Prix BallVenue Palladium Ballroom,Crown Towers, MelbourneOrganiser Peter JonesSpecial EventsGroup size 1,000 guestsDate March 16Budget UndisclosedThe BriefPeter Jones Special Events (PJSE) was hired to organise a gala to highlight
Melbourne as The home to the world’s best Grand Prix, and create one of the city’s social events of the year. ChallengesThe ball has been held at the same venue for the past ten years, so trying to create a differentexperience for repeat guests posed a major challenge. PJSE wanted guests to say, “Wow, I haven’t seen that before”. Multiple stages and lighting helped create a different feel for this year’s event.A second challenge was scheduling. The venue was booked for a breakfast function.Both event-planning teams worked together to ensure that the ball’s set up – its theme, staging and technical production – could also be used for the breakfast.Execution Guests were welcomed by 65 pipers playing the famous AC-DC song, ‘A Long Way to the Top’, to a backdrop of images from the Australian Grand Prix. Formula One chief, Bernie Eccelstone, and world champion, Fernando Alonso, then made speeches.The evening continued to rock with Renee Geyer, Ross Wilson and Glenn Shorrock performing with a symphony orchestra.International star Leo Sayer and Australia’s own Marcia Hines provided the cabaret.An auction raised US$166,000 for the St Vincent’s Foundation.The foundation’s spokesperson was US television host Dr Phil. Verdict“We couldn’t be happier with what Peter Jones Special Events were able to deliver and achieve.Melbourne shone again. How are we going to top that next year?” says Grand Prix events manager, Kirsty Moffat.