We were commissioned by BAE Systems to design and manage the logistics and entertainment for an international defence conference. Their brief was to create a programme which celebrated British architecture, history and culture.
We nominated York as the perfect city – with Roman, Viking, Anglo-Saxon and Norman history, the spectacular Minster, crenellated city walls and medieval Shambles, it is one of Europe’s finest historic cities. For accommodation,exclusive use of five star Middlethorpe Hall, a charming William and Mary country house hotel, provided appropriate luxury, privacy and security.
As most delegates were attending with spouses, we also needed an engaging daytime programme that went beyond the predictable sightseeing. So, we engaged specialists from Sotheby’s to talk on buying and collecting antiques and worked with Opera North to create a behind the scenes opera experience.
The conference opened with a drinks party on the platform of York’s National Railway Museum, where, surrounded by locomotives and rolling stock from the 19th century to the present
day, guests got to mix and mingle in a fun and relaxing atmosphere. Then, for the final evening, we chose Castle Howard as the perfect backdrop for a spectacular opera soiree, during which guests were serenaded by stars of Opera North.
