corporate carnival: okta 2014

We’re always excited to work with Okta! We first helped them celebrate their 3rd birthday with a NEW office warming party and since have planned an amazing company picnics, from a cook out on Angel Island to a Great Gatsby event for 900 at SF City Hall. In 2014 they pushed their “holiday” party into the new year and wanted a fun and unique way to celebrate their continued success – which is right up our alley.

We sketched out a few party concepts and ideas, helped them solidify a budget and then took the reins. The "Okta Carnival” was a blast - complete with midway games, foodie-friendly fair style food and a live band. We also made sure we had a few side-show activities such as a fortune teller and a caricature artist!

Terra Galley was the perfect venue because it allowed us to have space for the carnival activities, host a full bar and accommodate 400 people. Their team is always spot on and provides the best service. Because of the beautiful artwork and amazing lighting (which they can provide) you don’t have to do much to transform the space to be exactly what you need.

To set the stage we design and created a custom paper invitation including VIP tickets and fun signage for the event as well as souvenir photo booth photo holders. The Midway included four games (bean bag toss, ring toss, table bowling and plinko. Those who played the games won tickets that they could then redeem for prizes – flashing LED rings, Okta gear, wine, candy, fun toys.

The fair food-inspired passed appetizers and buffet included:

• Roasted Tomato Soup with Olive Croutons
• Chicken Apple Sausages in Puffed Pastry Blankets with Honey Mustard
• Portobello Cheesesteak Sliders with Sautéed Red Bell Peppers, Caramelized Onions and Swiss Cheese
• Potato and Vegetable Samosas with Tamarind-Lime Sauce
• Crispy Pickle Chip with Pulled Pork and Sweet and Spicy Coleslaw
• Crispy Chicken “Fingers” with Buffalo Sauce, Crumbled Blue Cheese and Hearts of Celery
• Slow Cooked Barbeque Beef Brisket with Horseradish Cream, Au Jus and Silver Dollar Rolls
• Creamy Mac n’ Cheese with Fontina, Cheddar, Gruyere and Apples
• Grilled Winter Vegetables with Chimichurri Sauce
• Toasted Quinoa Pilaf with Wild Mushrooms, Zucchini, Chard
  and Sherry Vinaigrette
• Cornbread Muffins and Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits
  with Honey Butter and Seasonal Preserves
• House Made Assorted Pickles in Mason Jars (our favorite thing!)

And to make sure everyone’s sweet tooth was satisfied with passed Mini Funnel Cake Bites with Confectioner’s Sugar and Raspberry Jam as well as served Gelato from a festive cart and had lots of yummy freshly popped kettle corn on hand.

Employees enjoyed a night with fellow hard workers and were able to raise a glass, enjoy some yummy bites, be a little competitive, tap their toe and cut a rug with a great live band and make wonderful memories.

We look forward to planning the next Okta company celebration!

THE EVENT TEAM

{Event Design, Planning + Coordination}
Stacey & Company

{Venue, Bar + Lighting}
Terra Gallery, San Francisco

{Catering}
Fork & Spoon Productions

{Live Band}
The Funtouchables – via Bay Music & Entertainment

{Invites, Signage, Midway Games, + Photo Booth}
Stacey & Company

{Photography}
Picture and Cinema

{Caricature Artist}
Caricatures by Zach

{Kettle Corn}
Peter’s Kettle Corn

{Gelato Cart}
Sweet Springs Rentals

{Tent + Rentals}
Hartmann Studios