Corporate Events, Incentives, Conference Management | First Event

25th Anniversary Incentive Event The Orient Express To Venice

Client

Overview

For 25 years, this leading construction company had been shaping skylines, building communities, and delivering projects that stood the test of time. Over a quarter of a century, they had cultivated a network of loyal supporters, clients, partners, and collaborators whose trust and dedication had been instrumental in their success.

As they approached this milestone anniversary, the company wanted to go beyond a simple celebration. They wanted to honour those relationships, to show heartfelt appreciation, and to reward their most valued supporters with an experience that reflected the quality, ambition, and vision that had defined their business.

A formal Orient Express to Venice event dinner party in a rustic venue with exposed brick walls, long banquet tables, candles, and a chandelier. Golden confetti falls as bright lights shine from the ceiling, creating a festive atmosphere. Venice incentive event boat Luxurious vintage train carriage with blue upholstered seats, elegant lighting, polished wood paneling, and blue curtains—perfect for an Orient Express to Venice event—creates a refined and opulent atmosphere with small tables and decorative plants. Orient Express entertainment

The Challenge

With 150 delegates in mind, the goal was to design an incentive travel experience that was not only luxurious and memorable but also deeply personal a journey that would reward loyalty, celebrate achievement, and create lasting memories. The chosen destination: the historic city of Venice, Italy a city as timeless and remarkable as the relationships the company sought to celebrate.

The client needed a unique, memorable experience that would:

  • Celebrate a major 25-year milestone in style.

  • Strengthen long-term business relationships.

  • Deliver a seamless, luxury journey from start to finish.

  • Surprise and delight guests with exclusive, “money-can’t-buy” experiences.

Our Solution

Every detail was crafted to turn travel into an experience; immersive, luxurious, and unforgettable from the first invitation to the final moment.

  1. Bespoke Invitations & Pre-Event Experience

    Miniature suitcases with Bellini cocktails set the tone, while a custom event website, branded communications, and printed itineraries built excitement before travel even began.

  2. VIP Travel & Orient Express Journey

    Guests arrived to champagne, a brass band, and a private check-in, flew by chartered plane, then stepped onto the Orient Express with live music, butlers, gourmet dining, and 1920s glamour.

  3. Arrival in Venice & Luxury Hotel Stay

    Speedboats whisked guests along the Grand Canal to the Cipriani Belmond Hotel, offering Michelin-star dining, private docks, and sweeping views of St Mark’s Square. First Event curated a day of leisure and exploration.

  4. Gala Dinner & Entertainment

    A champagne courtyard reception led to tables sparkling with chandeliers and florals. Italian opera set the scene before a lively dance party closed the celebration.

Why

It Worked

  • Seamless, luxury experiences: Every detail from invitations to travel and accommodation was meticulously planned
  • Relationship strengthening: Guests felt valued and appreciated, deepening long-term business connections
  • Memorable moments: Unique experiences like the Orient Express journey and gala dinner created lasting memories
  • Expertise matters: Only an experienced event agency could orchestrate such a flawless, high-impact celebration

Gondolas with tourists glide through a narrow canal in Venice, Italy, as the city buzzes with excitement for the Orient Express to Venice event. A gondolier in a striped shirt rows beneath a small arched bridge amid historic brick buildings. Four elegantly dressed people stand outdoors, smiling and holding glasses of champagne at a formal Orient Express to Venice event. The background features a brick wall, potted plants, and others mingling in the sunlight. A luxurious ballroom with exposed brick walls, chandeliers, and golden lights sets the scene for the Orient Express to Venice event, as guests at decorated tables watch a performer dance in the center, creating a festive, elegant atmosphere. A wooden water taxi is docked by a stone pier, where guests from the Orient Express to Venice event board or disembark. Blue-and-white striped umbrellas and a terrace with flowers brighten the hotel lined with elegant balconies.

Explore More

Want to see how we create an unmissable event? Explore our incentive services or get in touch with our expert event team.