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| tin Reed | ||
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NIGHT TO REMEMBER The winners of the Global RLI Awards 2006 were announced at a spectacular gala dinner held in the truly breathtaking surroundings of the Natural History Museum on 11 May. A fantastic night was had by all as we celebrated the great and the good of the retail and leisure industries ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Held at the Natural History Museum in London on 11 May 2006, Retail & Leisure International (RLI)’s inaugural Global RLI Awards had promised an evening of recognition and celebration for the most innovative and imaginative retail and leisure concepts across the globe – and it certainly delivered. Indeed, before our very eyes the world’s greatest and most historic museum was transformed into a vibrant, awe-inspiring setting for one of the year’s truly stunning events – an evening with an atmosphere of tradition and a sense of history. As over 400 elegantly dressed guests arrived for the Champagne Reception in Waterhouse Way, to the accompaniment of the beautiful sound of a lone harpist, they mingled and chatted among wall-to-wall exhibits of millennia-old fossils and natural curiosities. This fascinating environment proved an ideal opportunity to relax and catch up with colleagues and friends – and caricaturists were there to capture the moment for many. |
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| As dinner was announced and the guests entered the Great Hall for the first time, there were gasps of delight; dominating the scene was the enormous dinosaur skeleton that so many of us remembered from visits in our youth, lit to full effect and complemented by star-hung walls. All agreed that the venue really was something a little special. | |||
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| Following a sumptuous Gala Dinner, the evening’s Presenter, glamorous Sky newsreader Lucy Alexander, took to the stage to introduce the evening’s entertainment. Well-accustomed to the unpredictability of live broadcasting, Lucy’s lively and engaging manner made for a fun, seamless evening. | |||
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entertainment started with a bang as the cast of Chicago thrilled
us with highlights from the show. Chicago is one of the most popular
and thrilling smash-hit musicals, and guests were treated to a selection
of songs charting the story of Velma Kelly, Roxie Hart and the Lawyer,
Billy Flynn, including the immensely popular ‘All That Jazz’
and ‘Razzle Dazzle’, complete with spectacularly choreographed
dance routines. An impressive line-up of speakers commenced as Graham Dreverman, Chief Executive of Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls, took centre stage. Graham shared his experience of the Middle East retail market, the opportunities it presented and his forecast for future performance. He urged those present that, if they had not already looked at the possibilities offered by the market, they do so now; business, he said, is there for the taking. |
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| Jayne Rafter returned to the stage, inviting Harvey Nichols Chief Executive Joseph Wan to join her for a short on-the-couch interview, during which he offered insight into the success of one of the world’s most sought-after brands, and the briefest of glimpses into what makes Joseph Wan a happy man – a 5p flight to Dublin seems to be top of the list! Everybody took time to generously donate to the evening’s charity, Children With Leukaemia, and a staggering £4,500 was raised in the charity raffle. Prizes included a year’s membership to LA Fitness, a meal for two at a Harvey Nichols restaurant, a £150 Debenhams gift card, a weekend for two at a luxury Grange Hotel and £100-worth of Ann Summers gift vouchers. | |||
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Children
With Leukaemia’s Pippa Gough accepted the donation from Jayne
Rafter, saying: “I would like to thank you for your generosity,
for a wonderful night and for the fantastic work that you are all
doing.” We are extremely grateful for the generosity of our
guests in supporting what we believe to be a truly worthwhile cause. Whilst the charity raffle brought to a close our evening at the Natural History Museum, the night was far from over as an after-show party at London’s exclusive club The Firehouse saw the drinking, mixing and dancing continue well into the early hours. The feedback we have had tells us that a fantastic time was had by all and that expectations are high for next year’s Awards. We would like to once again thank our sponsors, our guests and to the entire back room team who ensured a most successful, spectacular awards evening. We look forward to seeing you next year! |
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| Global
RLI Awards &
Global Opportunities 2008 Conference
will be held at Wembley Stadium, London, from 11-12 June. For more information, please telephone: +44 (0)1706 212200 or email:jayne.rafter@rli.uk.com |
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