Buffett and Oysters for Pharmaceutical VIP’s
An international pharmaceutical company hosted a Jimmy Buffett/Margaritaville party at The PepperTree Inn. Wanting to show their appreciation to eighty-five of their local clients they inundated them with Buffett paraphernalia: coconuts, leis, parrots, beachcomber hats, beach balls, and, of course, Buffett tunes filled the air. The Pepper Moon Party Executives were able to execute an event that the client said was “a blast”!
Leslie Stainback, Party Executive at Pepper Moon, began coordinating the event with a committee of pharmaceutical reps. The goal was to get their clients “pumped up” before the Jimmy Buffett concert at the Greensboro Coliseum that evening. This was just a pre-party but the host wanted to go all-out – expense was not a concern. Planning the menu was the first goal. It was agreed by all that stations were the best bet, more variety and more opportunities for fun décor. Three food stations and a bar were to be scattered throughout the Pepper Tree Inn. This location was great for this because the pharmaceutical company didn’t want their guests to get bored. The first station consisted of “Cheeseburgers in Paradise” – All-beef hamburgers grilled on-site and served with all the fixings including Heinz 57, french-fried potatoes and kosher pickles. The Seafood Station featured a smorgasboard of peel-and-eat shrimp and oysters on the halfshell. Both served with homemade cocktail sauce, mustardseed remoulade, Tabasco and fresh lemon wedges. Spinach and Artichoke Fondue with tortilla chips, Bourbon Pecan coated Chicken Tenders with Tequila Apricot Dipping Sauce and a Fresh Tropical Fruit Display with Raspberry Crème Anglaise completed the third food station.
The “Frozen Concoction” bar was, in all probability, the most popular station. Wanting to stay within the theme of tropical weather and fun, Pepper Moon purchased a frozen drink machine and offered frozen margaritas and strawberry daiquiris. Iced Coronas with lime and house wines completed the bar.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the event was the design element. This Pepper Moon client understood how necessary a décor budget was to complete the atmosphere. In order to transform the Pepper Tree Inn into a tropical paradise quite a bit of décor was needed. A handmade “Margaritaville” sign greeted the guests as they entered the party venue. Thatch-covered and canvas umbrellas and tropical print tablecloths provided design for the seated tables. Meredith Williams, co-owner of Pepper Moon, decorated the food stations with lobster traps, buoys, life preservers, miniature docks, faux lobsters and crabs, a ship’s wheel and tons of palms and green plants. Bistro tables with royal blue linens had small centerpieces of ceramic fish, seashells and sand. Fishnets thrown on just about everything completed the effect. By walking into the facility the temperature outside actually seemed to rise. A DJ spun Buffett tunes all evening preparing guests for the concert ahead.
Guests left the tropical paradise that The Pepper Tree Inn became singing…”Wasted away again in Margaritaville, searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt. Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame, but I know...”
Obviously, the event was a complete success.