On Track (Events - Awards ceremony)
The Fast Track 100
Awards brings together
top entrepreneurs from
Britain’s 100 fastest- growing private companies.
These companies are
ranked in the latest
Sunday Times Fast Track 100 league table of Britain’s 100 private
companies with the
fastest-growing sales over a three-year period.
This
year saw the recent 10th annual Fast Track 100 awards dinner held, once
again, at the Oxfordshire home of Sir Richard Branson. Vikki Carter, project director at Watermark Event Management talked about the staging of the conference and awards dinner for this select crowd of business guests. Bethany Hutton-Stigga
"Fast Track 100 was our client and the brief was to install a temporary structure suitable to entertain 350 guests for an afternoon conference and evening dinner." Vikki Carter
Venue
"The
event took place at Mill End House, Kidlington, the home of Richard
Branson and it was a very sensitive build because the marquee was
erected on the cricket pitch (the only flat suitable area).
"We
had to ensure that the groundsman was informed of all decision
regarding the grounds and we had the trackway in the relevant places
and plenty of it. There were no particular obstacles as we have done
this particular event in a similar way for 10 years so we have learnt
from our mistakes and perfected it now.
"The
only thing we have to watch is the river levels as if these rise too
high the river banks are likely to burst and we would be in real
trouble and the marquees would need to be relocated. Luckily the levels
were low for this year."
Build sequence
The build took approximately two weeks with a defined sequence.
Two weeks beforehand - Marquees erected complete with flooring, carpets, lining etc.
Five days before event – Trakway laid and Watermark site manager in place
Two days pre-event – Toilets installed, Watermark electrician on site, generators delivered andinstalled
One day before event – Furniture delivered
- Car park cut and prepared
- Outside lighting installed
- All technical equipment installed, lighting etc.
- Security in place overnight
Day of event –Caterers and all associatedequipment on site
- Fresh gravel laid
- Security in place for front gate and all access points
- Watermark valet parking staff in place
- Directional signage installed
Event Industry winner
Dirk
Mischendahl, founder and chairman of Leeds-based design and
communication agency, Logistik and brand and sales director, James
Wilkins stake their place at number 39 in the Fast Track 100 league
table.
Client feedback
"Fast
Track has been working with Watermark for the past 10 years. Every year
they have done a great job helping us to run our large conference and
award dinner at Sir Richard Branson’s Oxfordshire home. Each year the
dinner is attended by over 200 entrepreneurs running Britain’s fastest
growing companies as featured on our Fast Track 100 league table
published with the Sunday Times. Guests and speakers have included
Charles Dunstone of Carphone Warehouse, Sir Alan Sugar and Chancellor
Gordon Brown.
"Virgin
Atlantic have been title sponsors of the event for all ten years. Since
the event began, Watermark have worked with us, delivering the
commitment and professionalism we need, and we look forward to
continuing to work with them in the future.”
Kirsty Morris - Deputy head of events, Fast Track 100
Contractors included:
Catering – Create (Fast Track)
Marquees – Oxford Marquees
Security – Guardian Guards
Trackway – TPA
Toilets –A1 Mobile
RK _________________________________________