6 Weeks to Spectacular: Planning a World-Class Corporate Event
Unlike most weddings and social occasions like bar/bat mitzvahs which can take 12-18 months to plan, corporate events run on a tighter schedule. In only six weeks, Lisa Ivler Events planned and executed a world-class corporate event for 400 guests at the largest Mazda dealership in the United States. When you have planning expertise and great vendor relationships, anything is possible.
Wayne Mazda – America’s largest Mazda dealership
In August 2024, Wayne Mazda was almost ready to open to the public. To celebrate, auto executives from headquarters in North America and Japan, as well as local government officials and special guests, were invited to a ribbon cutting and grand cocktail reception.
Wayne Mazda is part of North Jersey’s Performance Auto Group. The showroom is the largest dealership in the US. It was important to highlight the sleek design of the space and keep everything on point with the Mazda brand, logo, and colors.
How Wayne Mazda connected with Lisa Ivler Events
The administrative assistant responsible for the ribbon cutting knew she needed professional help. While looking online at New Jersey event planners, she saw Lisa Ivler Events had the expertise for major corporate occasions.
With only six weeks to the ribbon cutting, time was of the essence. It was essential to put together a team of trusted event vendors, develop a floorplan and timeline, then execute this major company event flawlessly. The team was working around showroom construction and finalizing the details up until the day before the ribbon cutting. And it went off without a hitch!
Executing understated elegance and elevated branding
The open design of the new Mazda showroom incorporates lots of light. This daytime reception’s design featured clean elements like the soft gray lounge furniture and gunmetal bar. Mazda’s branding leans into a sleek, modern palette that reflects its identity as a precision-driven, stylish automotive brand. Decor items and florals were kept to a minimum, with the Mazda logo ice sculpture serving as a focal point for the raw bar.
Guests made their first stop the red carpet for photos with the Mazda selfie wall. Once inside, they were greeted by a soothing string quartet. A pianist then took over the entertainment, with a DJ filling in with the perfect background music during breaks.
After grabbing a signature drink or glass of champagne, VIPs were treated to an international assortment of passed hors d’oeuvres and stations. Roasted vegetables, skewers, raw bars, sushi – each mouth-watering delicacy was beautifully presented. In addition to a classic carving display, guests were also treated to Mexican and Mediterranean stations.
See our Instagram reel for highlights
Keeping the corporate celebration going
Most corporate events have speakers and Wayne Mazda’s ribbon cutting was no exception. In addition to Performance Auto Group’s Owner Kevin DiPiano and the national and international Mazda executives, Wayne Mayor Christopher Vergano was on hand to acknowledge how important the auto dealerships were in supporting the community.
With each aspect of the event, the Lisa Ivler Events team was on hand to make sure every detail was covered, and the transitions went smoothly. And with such a beautiful showroom, why not have two ribbon cuttings – both inside and outside? The team never missed an event beat.
After the recognitions and ribbon cuttings, guests continued the celebration with an amazing array of desserts, including a “create your own” mobile cannoli station. And even the hand-rolled cigars embraced the occasion with Mazda-branded bands.
Tips for planning your world-class corporate event
- Work with a full-service planner with experience in corporate events. You want someone who’s just as comfortable planning an affair in weeks as months. And a seasoned planner can quickly put together a vendor team through those crucial relationships.
- Always have a clear mission in mind. This showroom was a milestone for Mazda Motor Corporation. Executive VIPs were in attendance. And the event needed to perfectly align with the brand.
- Keep the design clean and play up the presentation. By working with the corporate colors and minimal design, the showroom stood out beautifully. The food and signature beverage provided colorful accents, while the music set the mood throughout the event.
From grand openings to company holiday parties, Lisa Ivler Events is available to plan and execute your next corporate occasion. Schedule a complimentary 30-minute vision session with one of the nation’s top event planners. Lisa Ivler Events is available for corporate occasions in New York City, NJ, PA, and CT, as well as nationwide.
Special Thanks: Images courtesy of Riccardi Media.
About the Author: Lisa Ivler
