ITL Events: Special Events Feature

Company:		Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc
Venue:		Las Vegas
Objective:		Showcase the world’s leading developer of precision GPS systems’ line of products, entertain existing clients, and attract new customers from among the 144,600 attendees at ConExpo-Con/AGG 2008, the construction industry’s top U.S. tradeshow. Also, create an evening of bonding and celebration for employees of the newly merged surveying industry giants – Topcon and Sokkia.
Highlights:		The five-day exhibition sprawled over 2.28 million square feet and attracted attendees from more than 130 countries. To command attention at the record-setting global showcase, we bought out PURE Nightclub, the two-story hot spot atop Caesars Palace overlooking the Las Vegas Strip.

Very Important Contractors. Because our client is the recognized trendsetter in its industry, we wanted to secure a destination that reflected that leadership. Owned in part by Celine Dion, Shaquille O’Neal, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, we selected PURE because of its ideal view, upscale reputation and red-carpet allure.

PURE offered the by-invitation-only guests three destinations in one setting – from the uncomplicated sophistication of its White Room, bathed in white, ivory, cream and silver and accented by dynamic theatrical lighting, to the luxurious Red Room, accented with rich reds and champagnes.

By far, the most important element in selecting the venue was the 14,000-square-foot outdoor terrace where promotional videos for the company’s breakthrough products could be projected onto the outside of the building and guests could also enjoy the panoramic view under the stars.

Music, food, beverages and networking flowed easily. Each room featured music to enhance the environment, with Sinatra-style shadings in the Red Room, club music in the White, and rock & roll in the Pussycat Dolls Lounge and rooftop terrace. The 1000+ guests moved and mingled at will from room to room, savoring PURE’s signature wines and cocktails as well as an array of savory eclectic Asian hors d’ouevres, like tiger shrimp on black sesame toast, 10-spice crusted beef satay, and Peking duck pancakes.

At the peak of the reception, the club’s marquis band, the Pussycat Dolls, who has "risen from underground cool to major-label hot," brought down the house.

Based on the flood of comments of its satisfied guests, Topcon was successful in providing an exclusive and exciting venue that both showcased its products and helped deepen the loyalty of its very important customers and channel partners.

Very Important Employees. In addition to the high-profile VIC event, Topcon asked us to create an employee-only event to celebrate its merger with Sokkia. With more than 75 years in business each, both companies were just beginning the process of unifying. Planning to continue to operate both companies’ sales organizations and distribution channels, they wanted to afford employees the chance to get to know one another and to celebrate the synergy of their combined resources.

The Topcon-Sokkia Celebration was held on opening day of ConExpo. We selected the Foundation Room atop the Mandalay Bay tower because of its dramatic nighttime views of the Las Vegas Strip. Indoor and outside food stations were set up in reception style, with ample dinner-quality hors d’oeuvres prepared under the guidance of award-winning Chef Sean DiCicco.

The 200+ guests savored cocktails, met new acquaintances, and learned more about each other’s work from the outdoor projection showcasing both companies. Ultimately, the amazing terrace view proved to be the evening’s main draw. Most everyone drifted outside to relax and unwind after their first full day at the show.