Client: Unicef
Event: Unicef Soccer Aid Dinner
Date: 12 June
Venue: Illuminate
Number of guests: 320
In-house partners: Moving Venue and White Light
Why did you choose Illuminate at the Science Museum for your event?
Illuminate is a brand new exciting space that had the modern feel we were looking for. We also chose the space because we needed plenty of time for set up and Illuminate is available to hire all day, so we could make sure everything was ready for our guests.
Wonderlab: the Equinor Gallery was perfect for the VIP reception as it was completely separate from the main space but located in easy reach of Illuminate, so the spaces worked really well together.
The panoramic window with views over London made the perfect backdrop for our guests as you could see the London attractions lit up including Harrods, the Shard and the London Eye.
Please describe the brief of the event, when did it take place? Who was the event for? How many people? What were the core goals and objectives?
The event was primarily a fundraiser, bringing together guests, organisers and participants of the annual charity football match Soccer Aid for Unicef, and creating the perfect atmosphere to raise vital funds for Unicef’s work with children.
Which spaces at the museum did you use as part of the event and how did they enhance the experience for your guests?
Guests arrived on Exhibition Road and entered via the main entrance of the museum. We held a VIP reception in Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery, making use of the unique setting for special guests.
The gallery was interactive and very atmospheric, so we didn’t need to add much to the space.
We also held the main reception in Illuminate on Level 4, before moving up to Level 5 for dinner and performances.
What happened throughout the event?
Guests enjoyed a drinks reception with canapes in Level 4 before moving to Level 5 for a delicious tailor-made three-course meal served by Moving Venue, set against the backdrop of the London skyline through Illuminate’s panoramic window.
Dinner was interspersed with a freestyle football performance by 18 year old Ben Nuttall, auctions, a raffle and Unicef speeches. Actor and Soccer Aid for Unicef England goalkeeper, David Harewood spoke to guests about his recent trip with Unicef UK to Sierra Leone, where he saw first-hand how Unicef programmes are improving child health, early childhood development and education in vulnerable communities.
People also pledged their support for Soccer Aid for Unicef at a money-can’t-buy auction, which included a chance to win the ultimate ‘Three Lions Experience’ with tickets to England’s Euro 2020 qualifier match against Bulgaria and the opportunity to meet the whole team alongside Gareth Southgate. Guests had the chance to bid on some Sir Mo Farah and Usain Bolt signed boots.
The evening concluded with an exclusive performance from singer and Soccer Aid for Unicef co-founder Robbie Williams, with the event raising a staggering £425,000 to support Unicef’s vital work protecting children in danger around the world.
What brought about the decision to work with a Masterchef contestant on the menu design?
We wanted to enhance the exclusive feel of the dinner by working together with Masterchef and drawing on the calibre of the competition’s chefs.
How did caterers Moving Venue bring to life your overall theme and vision?
Moving Venue’s canapé trays reflected the football theme. Trays were designed to look like football pitches, with canapés placed amongst mini players, whilst being hidden within glass to enhance the overall theme. This added a fun and interactive element for guests to enjoy during the drink’s reception.
How did you want technology to play a part in this?
White Light’s AV solution really brought the event together, as both the audio content and campaign videos running throughout the night were integral to our crucial pledge moment. The lighting design in Illuminate really encompassed our brand and enhanced the whole event with a luxurious feel and finish.
How did you work with White Light to choose the best technical equipment for your event? What technical support was needed and what impact did the AV set-up make?
There were many different elements to the content throughout the night, from silent and live auction lots to soundscapes, campaign footage and live performances. White Light’s advice was invaluable and their team were great at liaising with all our suppliers to create and manage the ambitious set-up really effectively. With our ambassador Robbie Williams performing, the audio had to be top notch and we had total faith in White Light’s expertise to deliver flawless quality.
What feedback did you receive from the guests on the venue/catering?
We received a lot of great feedback after the event especially regarding Illuminate and the beautiful views over London. In addition, guests were particularly complimentary about the menu which Moving Venue created in association with the Masterchef contestant Nisha Parmar. The starter of Crispy Coconut Prawns was also a particular guest favourite!
