Background
The NFRN (Federation of Independent Retailers) was founded in 1919 by independent retail newsagents to represent their interest; it now represents over 15,000 retailer members providing a comprehensive range of services and benefits. To celebrate its centenary year, the 16th annual awards ceremony needed to be a lavish affair to suit the prestigiousness of the occasion.
Solution
Inspired by the large projection mapped screen that NFRN had seen at another Corporate Event show back in November 2018 at the East Wintergarden, Corporate Events were tasked with finding a solution that would work in the smaller Nine Kings Suite at the Royal Lancaster Hotel.
The solution proposed by Corporate events was to use a 15m x 3m superwide LED screen which would help to recreate the same impressive scale of one large screen and provide a stunning focal point for the event.
With no set identity for the awards ceremony, the Corporate Events in-house creative team were briefed to create the event look and feel around a theme of black and gold. This included the creation of the on-screen content – opening sting, keynote slides and sponsor loop – as well as the venue branding.
Outcome
The drinks reception was opened with an acoustic set from Ember, a British string Trio, who also provided a high energy electric show after dinner to kick start the awards. The 400 attendees were welcomed by the Mike Mitchelson – NFRN National President – to start the centenary celebrations. As one of the most revered and popular news broadcasters of our time,Sir Trevor McDonald was the perfect host for this event.
The evening was a glorious celebration honouring the very best from within the industry for their hard work, innovation and determination and awarding those who had made an exceptional contribution to independent retailing – overall 12 award categories were recognised, including three special centenary awards: Longest Serving Active Member Awards, Outstanding Contribution to the News Industry, and Outstanding Contribution to Independent Retailing.