Session: “Power of Rituals”

Dress to impress awards

Sponsored by:

Headquarters magazine and MIM Europe magazine

Presentation by Marcel A.M. Vissers – Editor-in-chief

The Start: 2006

• ICCA started the Gala concept earlier than HQ’s awards, in 2006, to be a solution to black tie galas where half the men didn’t bother to bring DJs.

• In 2007 HQ Europe magazine started a guerilla marketing campaign named “Dress to impress” awards. (Touch of Gold Thailand, King’s 80th birthday, royal colour – golden leaves)

• In 2010 HQ magazine signed a contract with ICCA as official sponsor for “Dress to impress” awards.

What is “Dress to impress” ?

2013: we set rules, but very loose, open to interpretation

A dress code to enable members to interpret the theme in different ways:

some delegates go very formal

some go very glamorous

some very fashion-foward

some quirky/creative

some more relaxed

some downright silly or nothing

History

Dress codes have been:

• 2006: White/Blue/Silver (Rhodes, Greece)

• 2007: Touch of Gold (Thailand – King’s 80th birthday, royal colour)

• 2008: Canada Fresh (Canada!)

• 2009: Runway fashion (Italy)

• 2010: Memories of India (India!)

• 2011: Twenties cabaret (Germany)

• 2012: (Failed tropical concept!!! Best forgotten; Puerto Rico)

• 2013: Sensational in Silk (China)

• 2014: Orange & Turquoise (Antalya’s colours)

2007: Touch of Gold (Thailand – King’s

80th birthday, royal colour)

2009: Runway fashion (Italy)

2010: Memories of India (India!)

2011: Twenties cabaret (Germany)

Dress to Impress Awards “1920s Cabaret Style” - Leipzig 2011

Marcel A.M. Vissers and Cécile Caiati-Koch waiting for their guests

at the Glass Hall of Leipziger Convention Centre.

Dress to Impress Awards

“1920s Cabaret style!”

Sponsored by:

Headquarters magazine and MIM Europe magazine

ICCA Gala Dinner – 25th of October 2011, Leipzig

1st Prize:

THE “FLAIR” PRIZE

Mr Abdul Hamid Ahmad Maulana of JCORP HOTELS

and Resorts, Malaysia.

Comments of the jury: “The winner could be an actor

in a Malaysian ‘Cabaret-style’ movie of the good old

days.”

2nd Prize:

THE “HUMOUR” PRIZE

Mrs Alina Boboc (left) and Mrs Rosa Deza (right) of

Madrid Convention Bureau.

Comments of the jury: “A lady with a moustache and a

cigar, and with her wife on top of that – isn’t it the

finest piece of ‘cabaret’ humour?”

3rd Prize:

THE “CREATIVITY” PRIZE

Mrs Indra from Jakarta Convention Bureau.

Comments of the jury: “Indra presented a true

nostalgic flair imported straight from Indonesia.”

Ex-aequo prize for Mrs Monique Amey from Nice

Convention Bureau.

Comments of the jury: “Monique could be Indra’s

sister. True Côte-d’Azur flair.”

4th Prize:

THE “PUBLIC” PRIZE

(picture of winner)

The Taiwanese delegation at the Gala Dinner got the

attention of the public.

Comments of the jury: “If there is no cabaret in Taipei

yet, this could be the starting point.”

All winners will receive the FINEST

CHOCOLATES from the Capital of Europe

2013: Sensational in Silk (China)

2014: Orange & Turquoise (Antalya’s colours)