Vintage WBPO (Anniversary Profile)
William Bartholomew (left) has been organising prestigious parties for a quarter of a century both in the UK and abroad. Twenty-five years after starting William Bartholomew Party Organising (WBPO) his company has evolved the hallmarks that make any business successful. Passion and enthusiasm rank high, as does the pursuit of perfection. The result is a contacts book filled with royalty and leading celebrity and corporate names.
Below, we look at some of the highlights from an illustrious event history. Sat Bal & Abigail Parkin (23 Mar'09)
2oo7 Client - Madonna Ciccone Event - Wedding Venue Skibo Castle, Scotland
WBPO on entertaining:
"The right entertainment is paramount – we’ve supplied international acts from Lionel Ritchie to Shirley Bassey."
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On the power of parties:
"Experience shows that people will want to party through hardship, even if it’s to take their minds off the hardship"
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2006 Client - Interior Designer
On thrills and responsibility:
“You only get one chance to organise a successful party. You build a client’s party and stand back to survey it.
"It’s in the blood now and I love watching the guests finally arriving and having fun." (Click image)
2003 Venue - Cable Car, Klosters Event - Wedding
On client focus:
“Focus on the client’s brief – remember it’s their party not yours."
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2001 Client - Ad Agency Event - Party
On party essence:
“Large
budgets do not mean great parties – it’s the people that make the
party. The guest list is important as is the seating plan for dinner.”
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1997 Event - Dinner Dance Venue - "Reef"
On the good old days:
"The 70s
and 80s were the best years for organising parties really enjoyable and
less red tape with less of a complaints and litigation culture."
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1990 Event - Oracle's Birthday Venue - Royal Albert Hall
On rolling up sleeves:
"I really enjoy the behind-the-scenes atmosphere because I'm a hands-on person. Give me a blocked loo and I'm a happy man!"
WBPO Client list...
HRH The Prince of Wales, Tina Turner, Oasis, Shirley Bassey, Barclays, Childline, Cameron
Mackintosh, Childline, Christies Int'l, Dell Inc, English
National Ballet, Ernst & Young, Glyndebourne, HP
Compaq and more...