Role Model Gala Dinner event planning

The
Brief

Following our successful work with Involve in the past, we were approached to manage their prestigious annual Awards Gala Dinner. The event was set against the stunning backdrop of the Natural History Museum, and required serious planning by our team to accommodate 480 guests in this incredible central location. The client’s key priorities included:

  • A venue that could comfortably host dinner for 480 guests with full wheelchair accessibility.
  • Dedicated areas for a drinks reception, guest registration, and a press wall.
  • A structured evening programme, from arrivals through to the awards ceremony and after-party.
  • A slick and faultless turnaround of the venue within an extremely tight one-hour timeframe.
  • High-quality entertainment, AV, and photography/videography to capture the evening.

Keeping these objectives in mind, the Hippo team provided full-service, meticulously planned event project management.

Hippo’s
Solution

Role Model Gala Dinner event planning

With a one-hour turnaround time from when the museum closed to guests arriving, we needed to be precise and efficient! A team of over 120 crew members worked in sync to transform the space, and guarantee that everything was in place before the first guest stepped through the door.

Key Services Provided:

  • Venue Finding: We secured the incredible Natural History Museum, which ticked the boxes for all accessibility and logistical requirements.
  • Event Project Management: From initial contracts to the final applause, we managed every detail.
  • Audio-Visual Production: We created a bespoke AV setup, including staging, lighting, and sound, to really boost the awards ceremony.
  • Entertainment Sourcing: Carefully selected live performances, background music, and an engaging host were all essentials.
  • Photography & Videography: Trusted suppliers captured every moment, from arrivals at the press wall to the after-party.
  • Print & Design: We managed all printed materials, including name badges, table plans, and event branding.
  • On-Site Support: Our team managed everything from arrivals and registration, to table settings, awards, and post-event details.

The challenging turnaround time happened due to meticulous pre-planning! Table packs were pre-prepared for quick and easy setup, each of us had specific tasks within the schedule, and contingency plans were in place for every element.

Accessibility was a top priority throughout the planning process, so we worked really closely with the venue and suppliers to ensure smooth navigation for guests. including step-free access, clear signage, and accessible seating arrangements.

The
Result

The event was a big success, with the venue transformed in record time, and the evening running beautifully.

Guests enjoyed an evening celebrating achievements in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, with powerful speeches, awards, and a fantastic atmosphere.

The Involve Gala Dinner allowed us to deliver an amazing evening for all guests. Plans for 2026 are already underway for an even larger event next year, this time for 600 attendees – we can’t wait to elevate the event even further and deliver even better celebrations for DEI Role Models!

Need Expert Event Management? If you’re planning an event and need a trusted team to bring your vision to life, get in touch with Hippo Events here.

Our services included:

Venue finding

Delegate management

Event project management

Photography & videography

External speaker sourcing

Entertainment

On-site support

Print & design

Audio visual

“ I wanted to say a big thank you to you and the whole Hippo team – spot on!! It was lovely to work together again for the Gala Dinner.”
Event Manager

Contact us and join our long list of successful events