Designing Charity Events

Although the theme of this charitable event was based on the book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, the garden that "grew" at the Marriott at LA Live blossomed with only good intentions.

Today many corporations are stepping up and doing a lot of good for charitable organizations. This particular event was for underprivileged children around the world; an annual highlight of the corporation's multi-day meeting. With events such as this becoming part of the corporate world of events, it's important that we as event designers create a look that is meaningful but not perceived as frivolous. The message is always the most important element.

To this end, our design for this event was beautiful, yet cost-conscious as well as understated. The center stage, pictured above, was simple and effective. An 8-foot-tall ficus hedge framed a wrought iron gate in the center while cherry blossom trees brought color to the stage. And the fabric behind it was given texture by projections of branches.

As an example of that cost-conscious element I spoke of, originally the client wanted plants around the perimeter. But with a limited budget, I had to find another way to make this happen. Lighting was the answer.


We did this by using a tree branch gobo pattern and split-gelling the light with a steel blue and green. This was projected onto a fabric treatment we created around the room. The finished effect was an ethereal forest by way of a shadow-play trick with lighting.

No matter what the event or its budget, setting the tone from the very beginning is always one of the things I try to do. Here, we did that with an overgrown arch. During the event, a more subdued lighting than what is shown here helped the elements of the hotel disappear into the background.


Every table had a different arrangement which had guests going from one table to the next to see the design on the table where their friends were sitting. Here, a bird cage arrangement utilized roses and hydrangea. Linen by BBJ Linens.

These wrought-iron candelabra were surrounded with French tulips, rose, and hydrangea.

On other tables, gold statues were surrounded by hydrangea and roses.

This event was as beautiful on the outside as it was in its purpose. Suffice it to say that at midnight in the garden of all good, the seeds were sown for hundreds of underprivileged children.