Annual dinner Living La Vida Loca

It was the year that Ricky Martin was all the rage. Such a great song and theme for a lively staff annual dinner. We had such a great time with staff performances, fantastic generous lucky draw prizes, and hilarious games. Even though I was emcee, I simply couldn't resist participating. Had to run a great distance in my heels to make it up on stage into that chair.

A visit to the land of waltz and violins

What a beautiful theme! This year the agency trip incentive was to visit Vienna, Austria and the stage set was gorgeous. Could have done with a little more colour lights, but it was magical nonetheless. We had a little trap door from which emerged one of our country's famed violinist, and just look at the outfit. I've never worn a dress so regal in my life! I was so lucky to have found this positively electric blue and I daresay the colour suits me well.

Annual dinner lost in space

Unfortunately, I never got the photographs for this year's staff annual dinner. I think we had a replacement photographer that year and he wasn't too proud of his pictures. But if I do get hold of them, I'll certainly post them to complete the set.

Egypt revisited

Showcasing our agency incentive destinations around the world, Egypt came up again. We had done it a few years ago, and it was so well received, one more time wouldn't hurt.

Colors Extravaganza

I love simple themes like this. So easy to follow, so great to dress up the ballroom. And it always looks impressive and fun when lots of colours swarm the evening. This was my first staff annual dinner event, and the first event I was going to do on my own without a partner!!

Yes, the nerves bundled up inside me, but I had my mind set on having a great evening with my 'work' family and it turned out to be exactly that. A great dance performance by senior management got everyone into the groove. Leadership by example said our HR Head, who recruited me to do the staff annual dinners after previous emcees had difficulty with staff and department names. I jumped at the opportunity, cos the stage just brings out the life in me, and with a fantastic debut theme like Colors Extravaganza, how could I possibly say no...?

Star Wars on home ground

This was the year that the first of the Star Wars prequels hit the big screen, and was at the tip of everyone's tongue. The promise of elaborate costumes transformed the ballroom into a galaxy far, far away. Too bad for my partner though, an appropriate Star Wars character was not available to suit his role at the event and match his Queen Amidala, so he was out-fitted in something I can only figure from an Ultraman movie. Poor him! Headgear is really a headache for emcees either too fitting it's so tight, or too loose it keeps slipping off. Either way the aftermath is usually a stiff neck. Hmmm, now why didn't I request a massage session in my remunerations?

The awardees were simply enthralled that evening, as the effects of the costumes and set mesmerised them till the evening closed with a bang befitting of a Star Wars victory.

Dawn of a new dynasty

I'm not sure if there was a popular Chinese serial or movie at this time, but certainly since the majority awardees were Chinese, we felt this theme would be appropriate. Actually, as I remember, it was an overnight change from some "superstar" theme that fell through just a month before the awards ceremony. Fortunately the event company hired had full access to resources for a some Chinese serial drama local production.

Needless to say the costumes were absolutely regal, so well made and presented. But HEAD DRESS!!!! That's always a killer with the fit. But never mind, I've always felt that royalty pays the price of leadership with uncomfortable outfits is days gone by and for some, to current day too.

Since there were 2 period costumes for royalty, my partner and I made like a wedding and changed at half-time.