From Bedouin tents to Apres Ski lodges, the best private parties are staged professionally. Dany Fremantle of Oasis Events says businesses should demand the same to make their event stand out

Great British Life: Rock the CotswoldsRock the Cotswolds (Image: Archant)

Dany Fremantle is one of the UK’s most experienced event organisers. Before taking over Oasis Events with her husband, Mark, more than ten years ago, she worked as a producer of experiential events at Jack Morton Worldwide. “I was trained to identify our clients’ objectives. Why were they holding the event? What did they need to achieve?”

Dany has worked all over the world turning content into tangible and memorable experiences for corporate clients including Vauxhall, Mars, Deutsche Bank and Wella. She and Mark now run Oasis Events from offices at Moreton-in-Marsh which are stuffed full of unique props and equipment to turn the dullest environment into a fabulous venue. We asked her for a few tips.

1. Take the space you’re given to create something different

“There is so much that businesses can do to set their event apart,” says Dany. “We take the space we’re given to create something different. Accountants McGills, are celebrating 50 years this summer. They’ve got a beautiful Cotswold garden, surprisingly right in the middle of Cirencester. We’re providing elegant rain cover and a sense of celebration within a beautiful alternative to a marquee.”

Other clients use award-winning venues, adding an outdoor environment provided by Oasis to make the event unique. This could be a themed break-out or ‘chill’ area where delegates can briefly retreat from corporate networking.

2. Make it memorable

When budgets are tight what’s wrong with just booking a good quality venue and getting them to do it all? Nothing, but is it worth spending money on a business event which may be forgotten among the many, or paying a bit more for something everyone will remember?

“For electrical contractors Clarkson Evans we provided an Ibiza-style club room, casino and Motown transformation at their Christmas party at Hatherley Manor last December,” explains Dany. Oasis were called back last month to create a beach for their summer party at Tortworth Court. Lindsey Young, Clarkson Evan’s HR and training director, said: “We’re keen to continue working with Oasis because they quickly get to grips with our requirements and encourage us to try out new and creative ideas.”

3. Personalise your event

The Rock The Cotswolds campaign was launched at Blackfriars Priory, Gloucester. Oasis brought this stunning 13th century monastery bang up to date with a contemporary, colourful finish to showcase the concept: the contrast of ancient Cotswold stone and sassy party styling under one incredible, vaulted roof perfectly celebrated the diversity of Cotswold people and businesses.

Oasis Events have organised corporate glamping weekends (though we’re not sure how excited we would be to meet the boss in our pjs, with no make-up and wielding a toothbrush), and even a Safari environment for Abercrombie & Kent at the annual Cheltenham Cricket Festival, British Polo Day and at Sportsfest.

The company contributed to the launch of the international distribution of Sinbad for BBC Worldwide. A 600-person seated dinner required specialist Middle Eastern crockery flown in from North Africa, and a mezzanine floor for the reception with boutique tents built inside, props, accessories and furniture. One of the toughest sectors to impress is the fashion industry, but Oasis has conquered that too. “We provided an immaculate white finish for an Aspinal product launch. It was produced as a fashion show within a temporary structure for the fashion press, a crowd notoriously difficult to please.”

Does Dany ever enjoy the parties she organises? “Sometimes, but my satisfaction comes from watching what we put together unfold successfully. Making big ideas happen in reality is what we like to do.”

http://oasisevents.co.uk/