The New Black Studio Gala Dinner

Where did you hold your event?

The event took place at The London Hilton on Park Lane, which has become our go-to venue for occasions of this scale. Our dinner brings together around 650 people each year, so finding a central London location capable of accommodating that number comfortably can be a real challenge. The Hilton not only provides the space, but also the level of service and technical capability we need. Our team has been running this event for many years, so the partnership between us and the venue is incredibly smooth — at this point, it’s a very well-oiled machine and they know exactly how to support our vision.

What was the theme of your event?

The dinner serves as a celebratory moment before the end of the year, and because it’s been running for decades, refreshing the theme annually requires plenty of creativity. This year, we opted for a bold tropical concept, which was great fun to design but also rather ambitious — especially given the contrast between lush summer motifs and the Christmas season. Still, we embraced it fully, weaving tropical elements through the branding, décor and table design. At the same time, we always need to retain an element of luxury and formality because the evening includes an award ceremony. Balancing sophistication with vibrant, tropical energy created a really striking visual identity for the night.

Why did you choose to book a live band?

For the final part of the event, we always choose live music because nothing else creates the same sense of atmosphere or draws guests onto the dance floor in quite the same way. Recorded music simply can’t replicate the energy of performers who can read the room and respond in real time. We selected this particular act after a recent visit to a piano bar, where we were reminded just how impactful a talented singer-pianist can be. A strong vocalist and musician is often all you need to transform the mood and keep guests entertained.

How did you find Function Central?

We discovered Function Central through a Google search and were immediately impressed by the variety and calibre of acts listed. When you’ve been in events for as long as our team has, you inevitably encounter the same performers time and again, so finding a fresh selection of party bands was a genuinely welcome surprise. It was refreshing to browse exciting party bands that felt new and aligned with the atmosphere we were aiming to create.

What did you think of the band?

The band exceeded all expectations — they were absolutely brilliant from start to finish. They had guests dancing for the first time in years, which speaks volumes given the typically mixed crowd at corporate events. Their energy, professionalism and ability to keep the dance floor full made a huge difference to the success of the evening.

What were your favourite moments of the event?

One of the highlights for us is always seeing the guests’ reactions as they enter each room. With an 80ft set and 65 beautifully dressed tables, the dinner space always creates a real wow moment. This year, we introduced clear acrylic menus with Monstera leaves placed underneath each one — a simple detail, but highly effective in tying together the tropical theme.

Another standout aspect was the post-dinner drinks. More people stayed for this part of the evening than ever before, and as a result the dance floor was completely alive. Corporate events often require a balance between networking and letting loose, and this year it was clear we had struck exactly the right tone. The band played a huge role in making that happen.

What advice would you give other event organisers?

Book Upbeat! They offer a fantastic mix of songs that appeal to a wide audience and have the energy to keep people dancing for hours. They’re the ideal choice if you want to end your event on a high and ensure guests leave with great memories.

All suppliers sourced via The New Black Studio.