One of the most important events organised by the Higher Diploma and Postgraduate Event Management students under the leadership of the Centre for Events Management in HTMi, the 21st International Gala Event, was held on Friday, 25th November 2016. With the special occasion of celebrating the 21st International Gala Events at HTMi, the theme chosen for this event was “An Evening of Fame; the Oscars.”
The high standards of hospitality of the HTMi student body, was once well appreciated by the guests of the event, who were delighted with numerous performances, which took the guests back in time, to some of the most famous entertainers, including Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and many others.
The students accomplished this with a gourmet five-course menu where guests were delighted with a variety of food, under the keen supervision of HTMi’s Culinary Centre. As part of the theme, the students managed to create an outstanding ambience, design and décor around the concept of “The Oscars.” Upon arrival, guests were welcomed into the lobby on a red carpet by a top-hatted doorman for an exquisite cocktail reception, where outstanding canapés and drinks were offered, thereafter the guests were escorted into the Restaurant, as the Oscars commenced. Upon entering the restaurant, the harmony of colours and lights began to be more and more remarkable contributing to the joy of the guests, and they were led into an elegant atmosphere. The Higher Diploma students started off the night with a horrifyingly fabulous performance from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, thus opening the first official Oscars at HTMi. Four Oscar awards were handed out throughout the night; Best Dress of the Evening, Best Voice of the Evening, Best Dance of the Evening and Best Act of the Evening.
Boney M. started off the Oscars on a very uplifting note, singing her famous song Sunny, followed by Charlie Chaplin in his famous barber scene. Gene Kelly and Stanley Donan performed “Singing in the Rain” with their famous colourful umbrellas. Afterwards, Mr. Elvis Presley poured his heart out with “Love Me Tender,” after which Ms. Marilyn Monroe and her group of admirers dazzled up the evening, with “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.” Olivia Newton John and John Travolta took us back to our favourite high school years with “You’re the One that I want.” Lastly, Lou Bega and his ladies helped us leap into the 21st century, with Mambo No. 5.
In the Grand Finale, the Higher Diplomas ended the night with lots of excitement and joyfulness, by performing Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop The Feeling,” which got guests into the mood to keep the night going in the Alcatraz Club Lounge.
HTMi is proud to support for the “Hunger Project”, as this organization is globally recognized for its initiatives. During the semester the Higher Diploma students from the Marketing & Sponsorship Department were instrumental in raising funds through various charity initiatives that were warmly embraced by the student body.
HTMi was honoured to host the Ambassadors of Croatia, Romania, Slovenia, Taiwan, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps from the South Africa, Slovakia, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam.
During the closing, Mr. Anthony Lack, made an emotional speech thanking past and present students for their dedication and commitment over the past 10 and a half years in getting the standards better and better from the first event in November 2006 to the highest standards of today expected by our guests.
I would like to thank all the ladies and gentlemen of HTMi from all classes for their hard work, dedication, commitment, support and tireless effort in making this International Gala Event such an enjoyable, successful and memorable evening. A final thank you goes to Chef Andreas Kurfürst and his team of culinary chefs and the students of the baking & pastry course for their outstanding performance in creating the food menu and a dessert buffet that left the guests breathless. A big thank you also goes to Madame Michele Schuster, Food & Beverage Manager and Mr. Yazan Sudki, Operations Manager for their constant and incredible support.
To quote some of the feedback given by our guests: “It was an excellent evening”, “We enjoyed the evening very much, thank you very much!” “It was perfect!”, “A beautiful evening! “Entertainment performances were very nice.” “It was simply amazing.”
Anthony Lack, Events & Training Manager, HTMi Centre for Events Management, November 2016