Client: UKBAA
Event: UKBAA Angel Investor Awards 2024
Date: 3rd July 2024
No of guests: 300-400
Venue: Illuminate
What was the event brief & objective?
The event brief for the UKBAA Angel Investment Awards focused on creating a memorable awards night that celebrates the remarkable achievements within our industry. Our primary objective was to honour and recognise the successes in the angel and early-stage investment market, highlighting the contributions of founders, angels, crowd funders, and early-stage venture capital investors.
We aimed to provide exceptional networking opportunities, allowing attendees to connect, share insights, and explore potential collaborations. Ensuring a smooth and seamless experience for both the planning team and the guests was a key logistical consideration, avoiding unnecessary complexity.
Another crucial objective was to generate excitement and achieve a sell-out event, making it an occasion that people were eager to be part of. Additionally, we aimed to foster a sense of community within the investment sector, doing our part to support and celebrate the ecosystem that drives innovation and growth.
Why was the Science Museum chosen for this event?
Logistically, the museum offers an exceptional space that is well-equipped to handle an event of our scale, ensuring a seamless experience for all attendees. The venue’s excellent facilities, quality vendors and accessibility make it an ideal choice for our logistical needs.
It was also the cultural significance of the Science Museum that was an important factor for us. It is an inspiring venue that perfectly aligns with the spirit of innovation and excellence that we celebrate at the UKBAA Angel Investor Awards. The spirit of groundbreaking advancements and historical achievements in science and technology underscores the importance of innovation. This unique setting not only enhances the prestige of our event but also provides a memorable experience for all participants.
What sort of experience did you want to create?
For the annual UKBAA Angel Investment Awards, we aimed to create an unforgettable and inspiring experience that celebrates the remarkable achievements within the angel and early-stage investment market. Our goal was to recognise and honour the fastest growing brands, alongside the founders, angels, crowd funders, and early-stage venture capital investors who drive this success.
We envisioned an event that not only highlights these outstanding contributions through engaging award presentations but also fosters meaningful connections among attendees. Networking was a key component, providing opportunities for industry leaders to connect, share insights, and explore potential collaborations.
As our flagship event, we wanted to generate excitement and anticipation, ensuring that attendees leave feeling inspired, valued, and enthusiastic about the future of investment and entrepreneurship.
How did you choose which space at the museum you wanted to use?
Our decision to use Illuminate came down to several factors. Primarily, the purpose-built nature of the space, designed specifically for events, was highly appealing. Its layout and amenities are perfectly suited to accommodate our needs, ensuring a seamless and professional experience for all attendees.
Having used the same space last year, we appreciated the familiarity and continuity it provided. This allowed us to continue our successful partnerships with our trusted suppliers, Moving Venue and White Light, ensuring consistency and high quality in event production.
Logistically, the space is ideal for managing the movement of guests between different areas, which is crucial for maintaining the flow of the event. The opportunities for branding and customisation also played a role in our decision, as they enable us to make the space truly our own and enhance the overall experience for our guests.
How was Illuminate utilised for the event? What was the benefit of using this space?
We used Level 4 for our drinks reception and after-party, and Level 5 for the awards and dinner. The flow and proximity between spaces made our guests’ transition between the two areas very swift – ideal for keeping to time! The capacity on Level 5 suited us perfectly as it was able to comfortably fit all of our guests, as well as our stage and set. The views were really standout – it was gorgeous to watch the city light up as the sun went down!
Who were your catering and AV partners? Did they create anything bespoke for the event?
We worked with Moving Venue and White Light, both of whom were exceptional in the quality and professionalism of service provided. MV’s food was great, and the service very unintrusive – I was particularly impressed with how they handled a significant number of pop-up dietaries! White Light ran the AV flawlessly, were agile in dealing with some impromptu speeches and a scheduling change – they also provided our custom backdrop and lectern signage, which looked great.
What feedback did you receive from guests?
Our guests continue to be impressed by the experience we’ve had at the Science Museum – we have only received positive feedback so far!
Client testimonial:
“It was a fantastic experience from start to finish. The venue itself is iconic, offering a unique and inspiring atmosphere that perfectly complemented our event. The onsite team was exceptional, going above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. Their professionalism and attention to detail were evident throughout the planning process and on the day of the event. The vendors they recommended were top-notch, contributing significantly to the success of the event. I couldn’t be more pleased with how everything turned out and highly recommend the Science Museum as a premier event venue.” – Chez McKinney, Events Manager at UKBAA
