Michigan State University Corporate Event | MSU Broad Business College Donor Dinner

Michigan State University Corporate Event

We love hosting any Michigan State University Corporate Event! When the MSU Broad College of Business approached us to provide all of the floral and design for the events surrounding the Minskoff Pavillion unveiling, we couldn’t jump at the opportunity fast enough! Most notably, we did a bespoke, sophisticated design for the Alumni and Donor Dinner.  Although I didn’t graduate from the MSU Business College specifically (though in retrospect I probably should have), anything MSU is near and dear to our green hearts at All Grand Events + Floral.

MSU Broad Business College Donor Dinner

Design:

Here’s the amazing thing about corporate events, we get a LOT of freedom to design. When we have an initial budget and color palette, we have to order custom-made linens for 2 of the 3 events we designed. We get to design what centerpieces we want (as long as they are green and white; duh?), what table numbers were used, and actual flower choices within each centerpiece.

The Greenery Columns

My absolute favorite part of the whole design was two freestanding greenery columns flanking the entryway (looking good, Sparty!) Our client asked if we could provide lit trees for the entryway, and I instead suggested these showstoppers! We covered the chicken wire-covered pipe & drape poles in gorgeous Southern smilax from East Texas Smilax, then popped in, bleached Italian Ruscus, sword fern, and white snowberry on site. They were truly remarkable and were very unexpected for the guests as they walked in.  The nice thing about freestanding columns like these is that they are relatively mobile with the correct tools. Something like this could easily be transported from an entryway to a stage, or from a ceremony site to a reception site for dual-purpose use.

Takeaways from this stunning, corporate event: 

1. It is possible to make table numbers large and clear without having them overwhelm the entire tablescape design.
2. It is possible to take an idea like potted trees with string lights and reimagine it. It might be something people will remember and talk about for years to come. 
3. It’s amazing when your client tells you guests from your event were saying this was like their dream wedding.
4. It’s so important to make sure you get photos of your corporate events. For this event, we brought in Cayla from Johnson Photography. She was incredible, and so are her photos. A lot of corporate events have photographers. However, their sole job is to capture images of the guests and the speakers. Floral event designs will never be captured other than in the background in most circumstances.

Vendors:

Floral + Design: All Grand Events + Floral // Photography: Johnson Photography // Venue: James B. Henry Center of MSU/University Club // Linen/Chair Rentals: Special Occasions