Creating and Hosting the World Leadership Guest Series
SUCCESS STORY
BRINGING GORBACHEV, CLINTON, BUSH…AND THE DALAI LAMA TO THE TABLE
Client: J. Brian O’Neill and the Carnegie Abbey Club
Project Timeline: 2005-2008
Services Provided: Events Orchestration + Employee Engagement Program
Creating the World Leadership Guest Series: First-up Former President George H.W. Bush
On an absolutely picture-perfect mid-July afternoon, some 500 Carnegie Abbey Club members and their guests sat down to dinner with the former president in a beautifully decorated tent positioned alongside the Narragansett Bay. The fanfare provided by local Revolutionary War interpreters, band members and artillery as Mr. Bush and Mr. and Mrs. Brian O’Neill entered the tent was followed by dinner and the guest-of-honor’s humorous and poignant remarks. Then, the fireworks began!
The Moving Company ensured this event’s enormous success with only four weeks’ advance notice for planning.
Of all the wonderful moments that Rip recalls, one stands out: President Bush’s parting personal remarks, “Rip, you throw a helluva party.”
Welcoming Former President Bill Clinton
Selection of local Newport talent to provide appropriate entertainment reflecting Clinton’s personal interests and presidential legacy, establishing protocols for member interactions for photographs and book signings as well as global media coverage, and, of course, arrangements for serving a magnificent dinner and an even-bigger-and-better fireworks extravaganza were all simply part of the requirement for success falling on the Moving Company team. Unquestionably, success was most definitely achieved!
Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Former Leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, Comes to the Carnegie Abbey Club
“President Gorbachev’s visit – along with his daughter, Irina Mikhailovna Gorbacheva-Virganskaya -- provided our members and guests a rare opportunity to learn from one of the 20th century’s most significant public figures, a man who shaped history in the struggle to spread freedom and democracy in the world,” said Brian O’Neill. “This event was a great opportunity for members to meet President Gorbachev in an intellectually stimulating, relaxed environment. Our members all agreed, this was a weekend not soon to be forgotten.”
Inviting Gorbachev, arranging his personal and his entourage’s transportation, accommodations, significant security details and all events surrounding his visit were The Moving Company’s responsibility. Three large-scale separate events were developed including a lavish private dinner at Mr. O’Neill’s Newport estate for 60, a press conference at the Carnegie Cottages followed by dinner for 600 guests under a tent on the shore of the Narragansett Bay (evening outdoor temperature about 35 degrees) that included the largest of all fireworks displays the Club had yet presented.
“Rip, you throw a helluva party!”
PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH - 41ST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
At the personal request of Sister M. Therese Antone, RSM, President of Salve Regina University, The Moving Company assisted with logistics for the appearance of His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet at Salve Regina in Newport in November 2005 where he would address more than 4000 students and guests.
Luxury air transportation furnished on time, as planned. Event attendance by Carnegie Abbey Club members, a personal audience for J. Brian O’Neill and his family, and all related logistics arranged by The Moving Company without any concerns. In the end – for Rip who enjoyed a front-row seat for the event and all in attendance that chilly November day – an unforgettable afternoon with a larger-than-life world figure.
