Just got back from an event at the Bellagio, and what a success it was! Big thanks to the amazing Bellagio staff — especially Shakeh Terzyan and Patrick Sterrett. Shakeh and Patrick made themselves available to answer all of our questions, work within our budgetary and time constraints, and were very open to sharing their history and knowledge of the client’s event. Shakeh, Patrick and their staff exemplified the superior customer service one should expect from a fabulous property like the Bellagio.
For the client, Team MB produced a 2-day employee recognition program. And since budget constraints necessitated a compressed schedule, those were two busy days. On Thursday, we kicked things off with a 6:00 a.m. crew call to load-in and set up for a noon rehearsal with executives. At 3:45 p.m., we were standing by for doors and a 4:00 p.m. start for the three-hour awards show.
Host/emcee extraordinaire and good friend of MB Jim Cunningham was charged with the challenge of announcing just under 500 international names. Thanks to an intensive “Pronunciation Boot Camp,” Jim flawlessly announced all 500 award-winners’ names – live — and wowed the clients, who thought it just could not be done!
On Friday, our day began with a breathtaking rehearsal (no, that’s not an oxymoron) by the Peking Acrobats. Bending, contorting, balancing, human pyramids on a bicycle, beautiful costumes, lion dogs … what more is there to say? Even though space on stage was limited, not one teleprompter paddle was shattered! Fantastic!
That evening, the award winners enjoyed a gourmet dinner, the fabulous Peking Acrobats, and their moment in the sun as they were recognized for all their achievements of the past year. Once again the Bellagio staff came through, moving quickly and effortlessly as they delivered the multiple-course meal to the deserving attendees. (We know it was good since MB staffers constantly overheard rave reviews about the tomato soup and the artistically-sculpted desserts!) The show would not have been a success without the expertise and can-do spirit of the Bellagio staff. Together, we made a great team, and put on a great show … sending the audience home refreshed, renewed, reinvigorated …and ready for another great year!
