Immersive Gala Experience
190
ATTENDEES
3
ONSITE DINNERS
98
% POSITIVE SURVEY FEEDBACK
“You elevated the creative concept more than we could’ve ever done. Seeing the attendees faces as they enter the main room is my favourite part, and everyone was just amazed”
Joanna Augustynowicz, Senior Director Talent and Employee Experience for North and Latin America
Employee of the Year
We transformed DHL Express’ Americas Employee of the Year programme into a vibrant celebration of recognition, culture and creativity. Across three days in Cancún, we delivered the creative vision, production and end-to-end event management for a multi-experience programme that balanced employee recognition, Corporate Social Responsibility and immersive storytelling, culminating in a spectacular gala inspired by the mythical world of Mexican alebrijes.
Establishing the Creative Direction
Inspired by the colourful folklore of Mexican alebrijes, we developed a creative concept that celebrated imagination, individuality and achievement. This narrative became the foundation of the Employee of the Year Gala, transforming the ballroom into an immersive magical forest where every scenic element, performance and recognition moment contributed to a cohesive guest experience.
Immersive Environment
Guests entered through a theatrical arrival featuring roaming stilt performers before discovering an environment filled with towering illuminated alebrijes, oversized scenic trees, hanging foliage and vibrant floral installations. At the heart of the ballroom, we designed and built a bespoke stage featuring custom rock-finished scenic elements surrounding a cascading LED waterfall, brought to life with animated content that created the illusion of flowing water throughout the show. A circular feature bar beneath a glowing dragonfly, fluorescent dance floor and bespoke table styling completed the immersive forest setting.
Distinct Experiences, One Cohesive Programme
Alongside the gala, we designed two additional evening experiences, each with its own creative identity while complementing the wider event programme.
The International Celebration welcome dinner embraced the diversity of the Americas region, inviting guests to wear attire representative of their own heritage. Regional flags, live music and relaxed hospitality created an authentic atmosphere that encouraged connection from the very beginning of the programme.
An evening for good
The DHL’s Got Heart Awards celebrated colleagues making an outstanding charitable impact through an elegant cabaret-style dinner and professionally produced awards show. A dedicated drinks reception, bespoke stage content, winner films and immersive guest activations ensured the evening reflected the significance of DHL’s global CSR programme while remaining visually distinct from the Employee of the Year celebrations.
Production & Event Delivery
Across the three-day programme, we delivered creative design, branding, venue and supplier management, production, logistics and onsite delivery, ensuring every touchpoint reflected DHL’s commitment to recognising its people. The gala combined a three-course dinner with a fully produced awards show, recognising more than 140 winners through personalised face reveals, bespoke content and carefully choreographed stage moments. Live drummers, ballerina performances and giant puppeteered alebrijes brought the theme to life throughout the evening, while the performers returned to lead guests onto the dance floor as the afterparty began. An aerial 360-degree photobooth extended the experience beyond the show, creating memorable content that reinforced the event’s visual identity long after the celebrations had ended.
