The Challenge

Verastar wanted to celebrate its 20th year anniversary in business and was looking for a way to celebrate in style. Initially, Verastar had spoken to us about putting on a celebration party.  However, with a disparate business which includes multiple contact centres across the country, a head office site and nationwide branches, logistically this was proving a challenge! The leadership team were concerned that the original party would not be fully inclusive for all.

A large arched backdrop reading "Celebrating Verastar 20 years" is framed by an elaborate balloon arch in pink, red, gold, and orange tones, set up in the corner of a room with pale blue walls and grey carpet.
A pink and gold balloon garland decorates a low cabinet in front of a large illuminated pink and orange "V" logo on a dark wall, with a wooden gold "20" numeral standing at the centre of the display.

The Solution

We designed a virtual celebration that was fully inclusive for all employees.  As team members arrived at each site, they discovered their workspaces had been transformed overnight with decorative ‘20’ light up numbers and branded balloon decoration throughout. They also found bespoke branded goody bags with celebration cupcakes, mini-bottles of champagne, a commemorative raffle ticket with a chance to win some super prizes and a personalised anniversary poem thanking each team member for their contribution.

After the initial excitement, team members were then surprised with a hot breakfast delivery followed later with a mid-afternoon trolley dash by the senior leadership team. This gave the staff the chance to receive branded gifts and golden anniversary Wonka chocolate bars, where lucky golden tickets were hidden. Smaller branches were surprised with a catered buffet lunch at each site and huge celebration cake made by local suppliers with bespoke 20th anniversary company branding.

A vibrant pink and white drip cake topped with a "Verastar, Our First 20 Years, 1998–2018" edible logo and orange fondant star toppers on wires. It rests on an orange cake board with "Happy Birthday" piped in pink lettering around the edge.
A clear bubble balloon printed with "Verastar, Our First 20 Years, 1998–2018," containing pink and gold balloons tied with ribbon, sits at an office desk with computer equipment. Large pink foil "20" number balloons and a hi-vis vest are visible in the background near an office chair.

The Result

As famous American photographer Jay Maisel said… “If you can capture the element of surprise, you are way ahead of the game”.   The Saving Grace team certainly delivered the surprise, and all employees experienced the WOW factor and more importantly felt included and truly valued on anniversary day!

The delight of employees was evident with many of them posting online on their personal pages and tagging both Verastar and Saving Grace Events in their feedback as one employee put it “…..”

An elegant naked-style cake with a semi-transparent icing coating and yellow drip detail, decorated with pink macarons, meringue kisses, gold sprinkles, and fresh red roses. A glittery purple "20" topper sits on top, with the cake placed on a silver and pink square board.
A chocolate drip cake piled high with Ferrero Rocher chocolates, chocolate fingers, and broken chocolate bar pieces, ringed at the base with chocolate buttons and topped with a glittery gold "Celebrating 20 Years" cake topper on a gold cake board.

Client Feedback

Just a quick note to say a huge thank you for arranging the 20th Anniversary celebrations for us today. The sites looked great and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day. Thanks again for all your efforts on it.
Nadia Hamilton
HR, Verastar

Rows and rows of white paper gift bags with rope handles, each clipped with a black "Verastar, Our First 20 Years, 1998–2018" tag, lined up on the floor in front of a pink wall.
A large batch of individually boxed cupcakes packed together in clear plastic clamshell containers, topped with swirls of white frosting and small "Verastar, 20 Years" branded stickers.
A close-up arrangement of Verastar's 20th anniversary items, including two branded posters, a "Raffle Ticket" numbered 523, a frosted cupcake with a "20 Years" topper in a plastic clamshell, and a bottle of Scavi & Ray prosecco.
A single-tier purple cake with an orange drip icing effect and piped purple rosettes on top, topped with a black glittery "20 Years" cake topper. The cake sits on a matching purple cake board with "Verastar" written in black script along the edge.