I attended an awards dinner this month, celebrating metro Detroit’s best journalism of 2014. I was there because a story I’d written for Hour Detroit was a finalist for an award, and because I wanted to enjoy some time with my journalism colleagues, who are a smart, tough, committed crew.
The event was held at a metro Detroit venue that I won’t name. It wasn’t a bad place – just a traditional banquet hall, with traditional banquet food. And that’s about all I can say about that part of the event.
Journalists, as a group, tend to have low expectations for themselves. It’s not a well-paid field; the general public likes to carp about us on the regular; and when we do our jobs right, powerful people get mad at us. If a group of journalists found itself at an awards dinner being served stuffed figs, with alluring lighting and appealing décor, many would probably react with suspicion. Try to make us comfy and we’ll wonder what you’re hiding.
That said, as I sat there watching colleagues recognized for some truly important pieces of journalism, I couldn’t help but want to start rearranging the room, imagine interesting food presentations and envision a stronger A/V presentation. The reason this took real imagination is because the per-head cost for the dinner is around $35. Not exactly the budget fantasies are made of.
But one of my tablemates was the association’s treasurer, and I told him I’d come up with some ideas for getting a bit more out of that budget last year. Which is sort of funny, because I don’t plan events – I just write about the people who do. So I’m thinking of making the challenge into a story – the process of planning an excellent event for 200-300 members of the fourth estate on a budget.
If you want to contribute ideas, tips, venue suggestions, I’d welcome it – we’ll try to work as many into upcoming blogs and stories, and, hopefully, into the actual event. Feel free to contact me: alexa.stanard@tigeroak.com.
