WE LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN CREATING UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES. WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE TIME WHEN WE CAN RETURN TO DOING WHAT WE DO BEST, LET’S TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT…

Think about a truly memorable event you’ve experienced in your life. One that makes your heart soar, your chest swell and your face smile. It might be a wedding, a business launch, a big birthday party or a moment in time when you felt exhilarated and joyful, surrounded by family, friends or colleagues, sharing a collective experience.

There is nothing like an event to make us feel connected and alive. Tony Robbins said, “It’s not the events of our life that shape us, but our beliefs as to what those events mean.” Recent research suggests that although people lead unique lives, we experience relatively similar things – and how we feel about them is quite consistent too.

Right now, it’s safe to say, we’re all feeling somewhat uninspired with the lack of events and milestones that are happening. Here at Flying Ruby Events, we’re really feeling it, because we love nothing more than creating truly memorable experiences – it’s what we do. So, until life resumes to ‘normality’, whatever that looks like, let’s take a moment to reflect on those times that we’ll never forget. Here, five business leaders share their most memorable events…

Colleen Callander, Founder, Mentor Me

“My wedding would have to be the most memorable event of my life. After so many months of planning and organising, many sleepless nights and pre-wedding anxiety, it was all worth it. It truly turned out to be the most unforgettable day of our lives!

We had decided on a beach wedding in Noosa. This was somewhere we loved to visit each year with family and friends, and we had already made so many wonderful memories there. The day was going to be made even more special as my two boys, Trent (aged four) and Jake (aged six) were giving me away.

As the final touches to my hair and make-up took place, I could hear the band playing and people starting to arrive. I had butterflies in my stomach and my heart was racing as I took my first steps towards my husband on the beach, with my boys clinging to my side.

It was a beautifully intimate wedding – 70 perfectly selected guests, who had flown in from across Australia, to celebrate this special day with us. The night was filled with fun and laughter, amazing food and wine, and heart-warming speeches. We danced the night away surrounded my family and friends. It’s a day I will never forget.”

Emma Pechey, General Manager, Sony Foundation

“People often ask, ‘Were you there the year John Farnham performed on a boat?’ My response is usually, ‘Yes. It’s wild – I can’t believe we pulled it off, but we did!’

Every year Sony Foundation hosts an epic event called Wharf4Ward – Sydney’s longest lunch – and it’s no ordinary charity event. We take over Woolloomooloo Wharf in Sydney, with all six restaurants involved as partners. We construct three stages and have major Sony Music artist performances throughout the afternoon as guests enjoy their three-course champagne lunch. Thanks to our network of media and entertainment powerhouses, every year the event just keeps getting better, and if you’re one of the 1,000 guests who secure one these tickets, then you know you’re in for a great day.

It’s hard to sum up what makes this event so special. The location is up there because everyone loves a long lunch at Woolloomooloo Wharf. Add 1,000 of Australia’s ‘who’s who’ from the corporate, entertainment and celebrity circles with world class entertainment at your table, looking out to Sydney harbour, and it’s pretty hard to beat. That fact that the event is totally unique makes it so memorable.

It’s also the energy and the entertainment – all the Sony Music artists generously donate their performance fee to support the Foundation. The more money that goes towards charity, the more we can put on a show like no other. We’ve had 14 artists perform together at the same time, people performing from cranes, fashion parades and motorbikes.

But the best was the year when the surprise final act of the day arrived on a mysterious boat (with a full band on top) and it pulled up alongside the wharf. Anticipation grew and then John Farnham appeared and belted out You’re The Voice. Everyone was up dancing, along the wharf, and that was just after we announced raising $1.4 million for youth cancer. The energy and the collective experience is what keeps people coming back to iconic events, because you want to be able to say, ‘I was there the year…’.”

John Karagounis, CEO & Managing Director, The CEO Circle

“One of the most memorable events of my life was the celebration and culmination of my life’s work; the launch of my book on a magnificent night in October, 2017. There was no better way to bring the dream of writing and launching Why I Wrote This Book – For Greater Success to life, than holding a special event.

There were 150 people in attendance. The closest and dearest to me – my family and friends – our community. Everyone dressed to impress. A special cocktail was arranged to mark the event and there was magnificent food, wine and champagne served throughout the night. The scene was set – an opulent venue surrounded by water, chandeliers, dim lighting – it was beautiful. A large stage, with a DJ playing music started to get people in the mood for the party ahead.

We were surrounded by water on Station Pier in the Docklands, Melbourne. You could feel the sea breeze and see the night lights glistening off the water. I remember how relaxed everyone was and I could feel the love in the room. A perfect setting for the perfect event.

After the formalities, the MC welcomed the final singer up to the stage. A young male performed Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah and people were moved by his performance. The room could see that I was emotional and as I embraced him, they realised that this young man was my son. I was in tears and looked across to my wife and other two other children. It was that exact moment that will be forever etched in my mind – I could feel how proud they were of me. It was truly a night of nights, and one the most memorable events of my life.”

Katie Gee, Global Marketing Operations Director, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail

“An event I will always remember is attending the Melbourne Cup Carnival in November 2015 and being a guest of Mumm Champagne. The Maison Mumm  was located in the prestigious birdcage enclosure. The birdcage was always such a highlight as each year the brand sponsors would strive to create the most amazing and memorable destination and experience for their guests.

I remember the entrance had been elevated to a two-story structure giving it presence among many of the other brands. On entry, the hosts welcomed us into a world inspired by the playfulness of the French Alps with a daytime luxury vibe that began with bespoke champagne cocktails, alongside caviar and macarons.

The upstairs provided an exclusive viewing point of the surrounds, including the racetrack in the distance. Each guest was invited to partake in ‘skibrage’ – a twist on the normal sabrage technique used to open a bottle of champagne with a sword. Instead, guests used a ski! It was so much fun and people were lining up to have a turn.

At 3pm, the marquee was filled with around 80 guests and the doors closed. The room became dark. We were transformed to an après ski vibe turning the whole place turning into a night club. It was incredible. La Folie Douce were flown in from the alps to perform their high energy set which turned the place into one big party, complete with champagne showers and confetti bombs. The atmosphere was amazing and there wasn’t one person sitting down.

What made it so memorable? From start to finish, it was the finer details, the free-flowing champagne, the unique surprise-and-delight experiences and excellent entertainment. The day went by so fast and we didn’t want it to end.”

Grant Collins, Founder, Bar Concepts

“What’s my most memorable event? Hmm… it’s a toss-up between the InterContinental Beirut opening in 2015 and the Karma Kandara Beach Club party in Uluwatu, Bali in 2014. Beirut was epic, but I think Kandara just pips it!

Set high on a cliff top in Uluwatu, Bali, the party was split into three different levels and zones – each with a different theme. At the top was a Moroccan-themed souk tent with themed servers, incense hookahs, belly dancers and a street market with matching food and drinks.

On the main floor and pool deck was a circus theme, but with an aquatic flavour. There were synchronised swimmers in 1950s-style bathers, mermaids, stilt walkers, games and even a strongman. Fairy floss and bubble-making machines and photo booths were scattered about. The drinks and food had a whimsical Alice In Wonderland vibe and the music was a marching band.

We then went 10 metres down a cliff face on a travelator to a private beach with a fire theme. The whole beach was covered in candles and fire pits, and even the ocean was alight with flames coming from canoes that held fire jugglers. Drinks and food were served smoked and flamed, music by DJs flown in from Ibiza and exotic dancers in cages. Even the cast of Entourage were there as VIP guests… Now, that was an event to remember.”