An annual awards night is a chance to thank staff for a year of hard work, and a strong theme helps it feel like a proper celebration rather than another work function. For one global travel company's staff awards on the south coast, the theme was the USA, with a mix of Hollywood glamour, 1950s diner style and a touch of the Wild West. The line-up was built so that every part of the evening, from arrival to the late-night bar, had its own American moment. Here is how it worked.
Key takeaways
- A red carpet with playful paparazzi makes every guest feel like the star from the first minute.
- A broad theme like the USA lets you mix eras and styles, from Hollywood to the Wild West to the 1950s.
- Spread acts across the night so the energy builds from reception to awards to party.
A red carpet welcome
The evening opened with a red carpet. Performers playing paparazzi snapped away with cameras and called guests over for photos, while a showbiz interviewer with a microphone pressed them for gossip and asked which of this season's trends had inspired their outfit. Guests played along, and it set a light-hearted, celebratory tone straight away.
This is one of the most effective arrival ideas for any awards night. It makes staff feel valued, it produces lots of photographs, and it works whatever the theme, from Hollywood to a black-tie gala.
American hospitality inside
Inside, hosts in classic American costume took coats and handed out drinks. Diner-style hostesses served champagne and bottled beer, and usherettes with trays carried canapes around the room, in the style of a 1950s cinema.
The hosts later posed with a bespoke LED photo frame in the shape of the American flag, inviting guests to step in for pictures. A styled photo frame is an inexpensive way to give a themed event a signature image that people share afterwards.
Tip from our team: Ask costumed hosts to do double duty. Once arrivals are finished, they can staff the photo area, guide guests to tables or hand out props.
Music from across the decades
Live music ran through the evening. During the drinks reception a country music tribute singer performed, and she later escorted the managing director to the stage with plenty of humour to begin the awards. Once the presentations were over, a 1950s rock and roll tribute act opened the party with classic hits.
Tribute acts are a quick way to anchor a theme in a specific sound. For an American night, country, rock and roll, Motown and big band all fit, so you can choose the era that suits your crowd best.
Dancers, lookalikes and a hint of the Wild West
A 1950s jive duo performed a high-energy routine that had the room clapping along. Celebrity lookalikes mingled with guests through the evening, posing for photos and staying in character, which gave people plenty to talk about between courses.
For a touch of the Wild West, cowgirl stilt walkers roamed the room with an inflatable cactus and horse, making them easy to spot and photograph. Later, roller-skating diner girls got the dance floor moving, and a cheerleader-themed pole performer showed remarkable strength and flexibility on a freestanding pole platform.
The finishing touch: an eagle ice luge
The centrepiece of the bar was an ice sculpture of a bald eagle, lit in red, white and blue. Flavoured vodka was poured through a channel carved in the ice and served chilled at the bottom. It became one of the most popular spots of the night.
Ice luges are a great way to give a bar a themed focal point. The design can be carved to suit any theme, and lighting from beneath makes them glow after dark. As with any drinks feature, it is wise to have bar staff managing servings.
Planning an American themed event
The USA is a flexible theme because it covers so many styles. You can lean into one era or mix several. Some ideas to consider:
- A red carpet with paparazzi and an interviewer for arrivals
- Diner-style hosts, usherettes and roller-skating servers
- Country, rock and roll or Motown tribute acts, clearly billed as tributes
- Rock and roll or jive dancers for a showpiece routine
- Cowboy and cowgirl stilt walkers or walkabout characters
- An LED photo frame or themed photo booth
- A carved ice luge or ice sculpture at the bar
Acts and themes in this article
Frequently asked questions
What entertainment suits an American themed party?
Red carpet paparazzi, diner-style hosts, rock and roll dancers, country or 1950s tribute acts, cowboy stilt walkers and a carved ice luge are all popular choices.
Can a tribute act help host the awards?
Yes. Many tribute performers are comfortable on stage and can introduce a speaker or escort guests up to collect awards. Agree the script and timings in advance.
Do ice luges need special arrangements?
They need a sturdy table, a drip tray and somewhere cool to be stored before the event. Bar staff should manage the pours so servings stay sensible.
Planning an American themed night?
Tell us about your venue and guests, and we will put together a line-up that runs from the red carpet to the dance floor.
Written by Hannah Whitfield, Events writer.
