FCM Travel Hollywood annual ball for 100 to 120 guests in Abu Dhabi
Purrple Orryx delivered FCM Travel’s Hollywood themed Annual Ball for approximately 100 to 120 guests at Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi in July 2025. Built in six weeks, the employee recognition night combined a custom stage, synchronised screens, live characters and awards production, with early talent planning addressing the summer holiday season.
- Client
- FCM Travel
- Industry
- Corporate travel management
- Event type
- Gala / awards night
- Venue
- Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi
- City
- Abu Dhabi
- Date
- 2025
- Guests
- 100 to 120
- Lead time
- 6 weeks from confirmation to event day
The brief
FCM Travel wanted an annual awards night recognising its employees’ loyalty, productivity and hard work, with winners progressing to its global ball in Los Angeles. Starting from the global event’s logo, Purrple Orryx developed the Hollywood concept and delivered design, production, entertainment and show operations at the venue booked by FCM.
The challenges
A fully custom theme in six weeks
The programme required a custom Hollywood environment, stage, screen content, entertainment and activity zones within six weeks of confirmation. July school holidays also made talent sourcing harder, with many artists outside the UAE.
What we did
Plan talent and suppliers before the brief
Having delivered the 2023 and 2024 editions, we knew the ball would fall in July. We briefed artists, suppliers and our design team in advance and lined up backups to address summer availability and the short production window.
Build Los Angeles into the guest experience
We developed the Hollywood theme from the global event’s logo, then handled design, fabrication, branding, décor, venue coordination and logistics. A Hollywood Boulevard welcome featured live characters, with a custom gold textured bar and activity zones inside the ballroom.
Produce the awards and run the show
We programmed three separate screens in sync to create the impression of one larger curved screen. Winner announcements used custom designs and curated music, supported by AV, lighting, entertainment, a DJ, show calling and event crew. Custom visuals also accompanied a superhero inspired performance by two team members.
Highlights
- Three synchronised screens formed the stage centrepiece, with custom visuals and music for each award announcement.
Scope of work
- Concept and strategy
- Stage and set design
- AV, lighting and screens
- Fabrication and branding
- Entertainment
- Signage and backdrops
- Seating and décor
- Show calling
- Crew and event operations
- Site survey
- Photography and video
- Venue coordination
- Logistics
- Theming
- Screen content and visuals
- DJ
- Awards production
The outcome
The full event was delivered within six weeks for approximately 100 to 120 guests. This was Purrple Orryx’s third consecutive FCM Annual Ball, following the 2023 and 2024 editions. FCM leadership thanked the team live at the event, and attendees praised the concept, design, theme and execution.
Video
Photos
FAQs
Do you organise annual awards nights and gala dinners for internal teams?
Yes. Annual awards, gala dinners and employee recognition nights are a core part of our work. For FCM Travel we delivered three editions in a row, from 2023 to 2025, covering concept, theme, stage, screen content, entertainment and running the show.
Can you build a fully custom themed event in six weeks?
Yes. FCM Travel’s Los Angeles themed ball in Abu Dhabi was designed, fabricated and delivered in six weeks. Tight timelines work best when talent and suppliers are lined up early, especially in July and August when many artists are outside the UAE.
Can you work at a venue we have already booked?
Yes. FCM Travel booked Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi themselves. We handled the site survey, venue coordination and everything that went into the room.
