The DC Public Education Fund hosts an annual awards ceremony to honor DC Public School educators. Prior to the ceremony is a reception for the 2,500 guests. In years past the client felt like the event dragged on after sitting through the ceremony and that guests weren’t excited. We changed things up by hosting the reception first and bringing new ideas to the F&B menu.
Short reception time frame. Feeding 2,500 guests in an hour and a half is no small feat. Guests were greeted on the ground level at the elevators by our team to quickly get them to the rooftop. Once on the top floor, guests were greeted with passed hors d’oeuvres and wine, and directed to the bars and stations. We worked with the Kennedy Center’s culinary team to come up with unique yet familiar menu. We placed bars and food throughout the rooftop atriums and foyers to allow for the most movement.
Tight F&B budget. Working with the culinary team at the Kennedy Center we came up with a hearty menu that worked with the client’s budget. We limited the bar to wine and beer which also saved us some.
Guests were so excited (as was the client), to see a fresh menu and new approach to the reception. They enjoyed being able to relax and indulge before learning who the year’s award winners were.
AV/Catering/Lighting/Venue – Kennedy Center
DJ – DJ Stylz
Floral – Flowers at 38
Photography – Eli Turner
Production – Nouveau Productions