Gala Dinner – Music Dancing Awards and Prizes!!
November 5, 2013
The Gala Dinner in Berlin was a party to remember! A fabulous dinner – how did they serve so many people such an interesting meal? – was interspersed with live music, awards, 20th anniversary celebrations and fun!
We sang with the Blues Brothers, Sting, Amy Winehouse, Joe Cocker, and danced to Diana Ross!
Handsome Derek & Lovely Eva presented the Aqua Awards to our most creative members, and we admired their many websites and promotional ads, and were awed by the technical innovations nominated this year. We had more nominees than ever before, and the decision keeps getting harder and harder for judges.
Stories were told, and pictures displayed, from 20 years of history along with a presentation of the inaugural Hall of Fame nominations. We had a few historic industry people with us, as well as newcomers, and we all enjoyed looking at the collages of pictures showing much younger versions of those of us who have been around for awhile! We also gave a few moments’ thought to those no longer in the industry – real contributors to the growth of our Association and to the industry as a whole.
A great video presentation by Bill Bruce of FoodBev Media showcased the magazines that have served our industry for nearly two decades, as well as the people and events that marked the industry’s growth.
An old fashioned Tombola draw was a new idea for WE that had us all checking numbers and running on stage to grab the best and biggest prizes – something we will do again next year.
It was agreed by all that the Berlin evening was the best Gala in years, and the spirit of the night will inspire the planning for Budapest.