Client: 2009 Congressional Medal of Honor Convention – Chicago

Event: Sentimental Journey – An Evening at Chicago’s Empire Room

Date: Friday, September 18, 2009

Event Summary:

MD&A was tasked to coordinate a privately sponsored dinner for Congressional Medal of Honor recipients and their guests. MD&A produced the event that allowed attendees to step back in time with Sentimental Journey – An Evening at Chicago’s Empire Room, recreating an experience reminiscent of the Empire Room at the Palmer House Hilton during its heyday as a top supper club. Guests were welcomed to the reception by MD&A staff in the famed venue with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. The room’s elegant décor was complemented by floral arrangements and a dinner that featured signature dishes from its past menus and ending with a procession of servers carrying trays of flaming Baked Alaska for dessert. The evening’s presentation program, hosted by journalist and radio personality Rick Kogan, opened with a surprise appearance by comedian Tom Dreesen, remarks by City of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and the event’s host. The production showcased The Zzazz Dancers and Chicago’s top musical performers Jimmy Damon, Denise Tomasello, Marianne Murphy Orland, Ken Baker, Robert Sims, and duet Tom Michael and Beckie Menzie. As a grand finale, the entire company, with a surprise appearance by the U.S. Army Chorus, sang “The Old Man” from the musical White Christmas, ending the evening with a rousing ovation from the audience and a heartfelt tribute to the Medal of Honor recipients.

Services:

The event host entrusted McGowan Durpetti & Associates to produce an evening of enjoyment for the 2009 Congressional Medal of Honor Convention attendees. The team at MD&A provided event program development, advance logistics, creative collateral design, entertainment and vendor contracting, and on-site event production, ensuring a memorable evening.