The Higgins family has been laying asphalt for many years, in fact 50 years. The company has many other divisions and roles now but 2008 was the year to celebrate. Chameleon Event Management was approached to come up with a creative idea that would make the event special for the family as all 30 current members would be there, but also the many invited friends and guests.
The venue was set, a large sports hall In Palmerston North the centre of their operations. Not the easiest task to transform that kind of space, the theme, 1930’s speakeasy/club. Thinking art deco, smoky room, and white table cloths with individual table lamps. Bar staff in white jackets, the sultry singer lying across the grand piano. Well Chameleon brought this all to life. But what about the larger company and those not attending. This was a celebration for all. Soon the plan was in place, not a single event but three main sections to the celebration.
Firstly Chameleon arranged for a camera crew to travel around the North Island visiting Higgins branches in Napier, Taupo, Mt Manganui, Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington, Levin & Fielding. At each location members of staff were picked to be interviewed. We also took footage of any machinery and staff busy at work on the roads. Once travelled around the country this footage was edited into a show reel, mixed in with old archive pictures.
This show reel was part of the entertainment on the big anniversary night and was greatly enjoyed by the 360 guests, as employees from around the country congratulated the family and what they had achieved. The 1930’s club carried on with singers, dancers and plenty of unexpected entertainment. Speeches were made and the guests danced the night away. Meanwhile all of this was recorded for the final part of the celebration.
The original show reel was edited to included speeches and action from the party. This new version, a van of technical gear and 3 restored original Higgins vehicles headed off back around the North Island, visiting Wellington, Palmerston North, Napier and Hamilton to bring the 50th celebration to the branches. The final version of the 50th Anniversary show reel was aired to all the staff at each location, washed down with good food and a few beers.