Secret’s Out – Dinner en Blanc’s key to success
Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but where hundreds of people, a Samoan fire dancing troupe, a string quartet, a DJ, local performers and a sea of white fabric is concerned, it takes more than a pretty venue to pull off an event to remember.
“Tauranga has some incredible locations to host a dinner en masse – we’re not short – but more than the venue, the secret to bringing Dinner en Blanc to life is the commitment of organisers and sponsors,” explains, Kimberley Cleland, Dinner en Blanc organiser. “It was a three-year process just getting the license to host the event here in Tauranga. Without the people backing us year on year – our local community and business, our sponsors from near and far, local and national artists – it just wouldn’t be what it is.”
And what this year’s event showcased was nothing less than “spectacular – our best yet,” enthuses Kim.
“The Tauranga Rose Gardens was a gem and the reward comes from seeing all these people and the detail, time, effort and pride they put into creating their outfits and table settings – it’s beyond impressive,” she says. “The secretism behind the event is certainly a big drawcard, but also coming together as a community. Sitting alongside someone you don’t know or sparking up conversation with the tables behind you or on the dance floor – that’s the magic we crave too.”
Forget Cinderella and her sisters, Dinner en Blanc doesn’t pick and choose its guests – nor does it require a glass slipper prerequisite. “We’re an event for all – tickets are sold on a first in, first served basis – there’s no exclusivity around who we sell to. We want as many people to experience Dinner en Blanc as possible,” says Kim. “To stay in the loop about next year’s event in March, simply register online – all we need is your contact info and then a ticket is just a click away.”
