DINNER IN “THE DANGER ZONE!”
How do you top off a spectacular incentive at the Garden of the Gods Resort overlooking the majestic Garden of the Gods and Rocky Mountains?
On our site inspection last year, a squadron of jets flew over our magical venue, the Gardon of the Gods Resort in beautiful Colorado Springs. The property is strategically located near more than 20 awe-inspiring attractions including the US Air Force Academy.
As we toured the property, the idea started to develop – what if we could recreate the excitement of the “Top Gun” movies during the incentive? “Negative on the fly-by, Maverick” reverberated from every direction, but we were determined to make it happen! Our client, a financial services company, gave us the green light and our team was full throttle to explore this last night farewell theme party.
Fast forward to August 2023, our farewell dinner featured our own “Maverick” and piano playing “Goose” lookalikes – both decked out in full aviator garb and the requisite Ray Ban reflective sunglasses. We took delivery of a very hard to find upright spinet piano and tuned it up for the sing-along with Goose.
With majestic Pikes Peak as the backdrop, we complimented the final set up with Top Gun posters, runway lights, and 4 large LED screens set strategically around the room that played a continuous homemade 1,5 hour loop from both movies and, as well as the candid’s of the guests for the week. Each table had its own 20-inch remote controlled F-16 Fighter Jet, (which was given away) lit with unique LED disk-shaped lights, aviator glasses, dog tags, and patches reading “I feel the Need for Speed” and “I was Inverted.” Fighter jet replicas were placed on the bars and at other points around the room. You know you have a great event when the staff of the venue is taking photos and getting shots with the lookalikes.
Runway lights welcomed our guests as they arrived into the Danger Zone for an unusual surf and turf dinner created by the resort Chef Kelley McCann – The menu; local braised beef and trout, capped off with an elaborate chocolate dessert that was truly over the top.
Goose provided over 30 great sing-along songs which were printed on the back of the menu. From the welcoming number of “Great Balls of Fire” to the “You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling” finale, our guests were thrilled to participate by singing these unforgettable hit songs. A DJ filled in during the dining portion of the program, and our incentive “Top Guns” were called to the front for a finale that included individual recognition and sets of His and Her Ray-Ban aviators. Photos with the famed stars and company President were an added plus.
We couldn’t have accomplished our mission without the assistance of the Garden of the Gods sales and logistics teams, Drew Warwick and Kornelia Karwat, who worked with us to tweak the event from setup to create an incredible evening. Kudos to everyone at the hotel who helped pull off this truly unique event. Check out the photos of the event, staff servers and tear down crew. It was a great night.
