#KOD #EEMA Treasure Hunt!

I met with Vijay Arora, Vice President #EEMA North three weeks ago at his beautiful office. I was meeting him on behalf of Kingdom of Dreams, India’s ultimate live entertainment destination. As ingenious as he is, he suggested that we host the 2^nd EEMA North Treasure Hunt at #KOD. We mutually decided on going ahead with the idea and Saturday, 19 December 2015 was set as the date for the event.

#EEMA North led by Vijay Arora swung into action putting together an expert team of Mandeep Singh, Sachin Talwar, Anushree Agarwal, Amanveer Singh, Rajesh Varma and Sharad Mathur who discussed elements and allocated tasks for the event. They soon did a #KOD recci, engaged vendor partners and talent, created the communication pieces, announced the event to its members and before you could say oompa-ga-loompa the day of the event was here!

There was a flurry of activity from the wee hours of the 19^th with the KOD operations, F&B, technical and stage management teams – menus were set and executed, dry and technical runs were done and dress codes were decided. Then came in the #EEMA production team for the venue set up at the #KODcourtyard – mojos barricades, stage, truss, lights, speakers, generators, sound/light/AV consoles, décor and branding were put in place; and the Treasure Hunt control room team were connected up to the and we were finally all set to welcome the guests!

It was a day of fun and frolic for the event managers - people that work, tirelessly day in and out to meet their clients’ needs and ever changing deadlines. It was our endeavor that they all let their hair down and have a blast and for a change be a part of the fun. The day’s activities included a treasure hunt that would be flagged off from #KOD and take the participating teams across the city doing some crazy tasks and finding clues to finally complete the race back at #KOD.

After the guests were flagged off from the huge parking lot I got call from Sharad Mathur, “Priya, my family will be privileged if you could join our team in the race … Please come quickly to gate No.2” I had just ordered some lunch at #Culturegully and the food hadn’t yet come to the table plus I was unsure whether I was required to be a part of the evening arrangements – however when Sumit assured me with confidence that he would manage just fine, I jumped at the opportunity and rushed to meet Sharad and his lovely wife Saroja and their sons Shubh and Shaurya – they welcomed me with open arms as they made place for me in their Mercedes.

Each team would be given clues and tasks that need to be unraveled and completed and the proof of which was a selfie with all the members being present in it in front of the destination or while doing the task had to be sent to our Marshall by WhatsApp from the registered mobile number only – any queries or assistance would result in negative marks. The first clue took some time to come in as I tucked into the snack box that had been given to each car. The first clue came in after a few minutes and from then on started the race across the city, racking our brains over the tricky clues being doled out to us – arguing about the possible correct outcomes – searching Google Kaur again and again and again – reaching the destination of the clue (in our case we had Rustoms, Polaris, Trillion, Showtime office, Bikaner) and clicking the necessary selfie – sending the selfie to our Marshall as proof – receiving a CORRECT from her and cheering with shrieks in the car...

,,, and then waiting for the next clue/task, jumping out and into the car to perform the crazy tasks (click a selfie with a traffic cop, get Michael’s visiting card, do a video donating money to a beggar, buy some booze at a BYOB thekka, buy Santa caps and click a selfie) and then charging into KOD to complete the race. The kids were besides themselves with joy as were Saroja and Sharad and couldn’t stop saying what a wonderful experience they had together … and I was on top of the world as I had been a part of an awesome treasure hunt with a lovely family!!

 

The evening saw the guests reassemble at #KOD where they were treated with some fantastic starters and food, soulful music by Shukraan and Mehak followed by thumping retro tracks and DJ music that had the crowds hitting the floor ... heads of the companies were dancing with teams and their family members - I couldn't help feel joy for each of them as they let their hair down just having a fun time, 

The MC Shilpa Bhasin was brilliant and thanks to her sharp wit and creative quips she totally held the audience throughout the day and evening making the celebrations even more enjoyable. 

Finally it was time for the prize distribution and the first prize was given to STORY. 

Our team stood third - the boys were thrilled when our name was called out and they went up on stage to receive the trophy with smiles and cheers led by their enthusiastic parents dragging me along as they insisted that I was also a rightful winner - toooo cute!

I bid them goodbye with warmth and when Saroja said, ‘Abb aap hamari family ki ho gayi hain. Aaap agli baar Dilli aayein toh hamaare ghar zaroor aayiye,’ I hugged her warmly saying, ‘I will be a pleasure.’

When I retired for the day that night I reflected on the days events and smiled ,,, what a beautiful day it had been ... and a time truly well spent with perfect organisation thanks to the KOD team and loads of fun thanks to the EEMA North organising committee ... When a day like this passes through my life, my faith in this world is reinstated.