2023 Wrapped: DCi’s Top Event Highlights From This Year
Closing an entire city block for a street party — with only three weeks’ notice. Building a 90-by-300-foot pavilion in the middle of Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. Securing approval from Washington DC for a VIP to make a Top Gun-style entrance by flying onto a military base in a fighter jet. These are just a few of the most memorable DCi company milestones, achieved over 27 years of crafting unique and over-the-top events. They’re also proof that when it comes to making clients’ dreams come true, the DCi team never says never.
“No request is impossible, and creative problem-solving is my passion,” says CEO Brynne Frost, who founded the company in 1998 with Ana Reilly, vice president of sales and marketing. Back then, the pair took “a huge leap of faith and confidence that we had something different to offer that people would want,” Brynne says.
More than a quarter-century later, DCi is certified as a women-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. It has crafted over 18,000 event experiences and boasts a client list that includes hundreds of major Fortune 500 corporations. And let’s not forget the 80-plus creative awards racked up by the team of more than 1,400 designers and event planners. So how does DCi turn clients’ ideas into full-blown fantasies come to life? Ahead, we break down the key elements to the company’s success, fine-tuned over the years.
1. A ‘Yes’ Mindset
DCi’s founders pioneered a new way of doing business in the meeting and events industry by putting clients first and taking a “yes, we can” approach to even the most mind-boggling requests. By mapping the game plan for each event, step by step and hour by hour, our team has been able to pull off some truly incredible events.
One exciting DCi company milestone was the creation of a nostalgia-inducing playground for grownups — specifically, for 1,600 team members of a global tech company. For their annual conference, DCi transformed a venue in San Diego into a magical Candy Land with giant slides, ball pits, and swing sets. Another massive undertaking was the sprawling pavilion our team built in Banff, Canada, on the banks of the Spray River. About the size of a football field, it took almost nine months to plan and execute, from start to finish.
2. A Top-Performing Design Team
Our exclusive design studio and in-house designers are what give DCi the creative chops to pull off some of the industry’s most innovative and visually stunning events. We offer our clients trend-forward event elements, from gorgeous furnishings to take-away swag. Each theme is carried through the entire experience, from scent elements to specialty cocktails to the doorway that leads guests across the threshold of the ephemeral fantasyland.
For a Motown-themed party, the DCi team designed a shimmering entrance that combined musical elements from the ’70s — from records and disco balls to vintage microphones. At another event, our planning professionals transformed a historic building into the world of Alice in Wonderland, with 15 differently themed rooms, complete with whimsical decor like moss-covered mushrooms. To honor Los Angeles’ Asian culture, we recreated an Asian night market in the city’s downtown, inspired by the designers’ trips to Vietnam and Japan, featuring Chinese lanterns, towering cherry trees, neon characters, and strings of twinkling lights.
3. A Dedication to Personalization
There’s no “one size fits all” approach to event-planning at DCi. When selecting the theme and decor for our clients, we start by understanding their vision, objectives, and what they’re hoping to achieve with their event. It’s also important to understand their guests and what might engage them. Then, we tailor the experience and environment just for them — creating an unforgettable event that recognizes and celebrates their work and purpose.
For employee appreciation events, we find out about the type of work the company does, their typical office setting, the total company size, and more, to get a clear picture of what their life on the job is like. Then, we explore how we can take them somewhere brand new for a day. Based on our clients’ needs, we’ve transformed cafeterias into all-you-can-eat smorgasbords, basketball courts into kid-friendly playgrounds (complete with padded floors), and lawns into music festival grounds.
4. Strong Company Values
At DCi, we know that how we work together as a team informs the work we do for clients — when we’re in harmony, we can navigate any bumps in the road with creativity and resilience. Our company values are what keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes, and that starts with workplace culture. We prioritize the employee experience and maintaining strong relationships among team members. As a close-knit and welcoming team, we value and rely on each other’s talents and expertise.
Just as importantly, we put a premium on creativity. Every one of our event-planning pros are encouraged to think outside the box. With the industry’s best designers and builders in house, we know we can manifest whatever we set our minds to. The important part: These values are always echoed by DCi’s leadership. Brynne and Ana are hands-on owners who have led by example and stood behind their values since Day 1. For every event we take on, we consider how it contributes to our brand and our legacy, particularly when it comes to sustainability and eco-friendly solutions.
5. A Commitment to Growth and Innovation
What does the future look like for DCi? For starters, our team is always committed to staying at the forefront of technology and innovation. This involves continuously exploring new ideas, adopting cutting-edge technologies, and anticipating future trends to ensure we remain leaders in our industry. Our expansion strategy includes building and strengthening teams across the country. By establishing a presence in our core and tier-two locations, we aim to leverage regional talents and create a robust, nationwide team that supports our growth and enhances our capabilities.
What’s more, we prioritize ongoing education and skill development for our employees. This includes regular training sessions to keep everyone updated on the latest industry practices, from design to operations. Plus, we run cross-training initiatives across departments in an effort to foster collaboration and versatility. This approach ensures our team is well-equipped to handle every challenge and opportunity that comes our way.
To see what DCi pulls off next, stay tuned! And if you’re excited to bring your own fantasy event from concept to reality, get in touch — we’ll work together to make your dream come true.
