ORLEN Art&Science Press Breakfasts × ORLEN Team

Project: ORLEN Art&Science × ORLEN Team press breakfasts.

Location: Warsaw, two venues: Teatr Wielki - Opera Narodowa (the Grand Theatre and National Opera) and The Tides.

Client: Reequest Events for ORLEN S.A.

My scope of responsibility: creative concept for both events, venue selection and coordination, oversight of the graphic design of the electronic invitations, catering with full waiter service, selection and hire of tableware and furniture, AV equipment hire, effect lighting, floral decorations, production of printed materials, selection and purchase of gifts for the press packs, coordination of subcontractors, and operational supervision during both breakfasts.

Context and challenge

ORLEN was announcing a new strategy and decided not to do it at a large press conference. Instead of one mass event, it chose an intimate format: two separate press breakfasts for two completely different groups of journalists. One was for sports media, the other for culture media. That decision set us a specific challenge: how to give two events from the same brand a distinct mood and identity of their own, while still speaking with one voice.

The challenge was also purely logistical: fewer than three weeks passed between the brief and the first breakfast. In that time we had to confirm two different venues, coordinate more than a dozen independent subcontractors, design two lines of graphic materials and prepare themed press packs tailored to each audience.

Creative concept

Instead of a single, averaged set design repeated at both meetings, we designed two separate worlds, visually consistent with ORLEN but different in mood and experience.

For the culture journalists we chose a space that was a message in itself: the stage area of the Teatr Wielki - Opera Narodowa. A historic interior, high vaults, beautiful chandeliers: a place with an identity this strong does not need to be overwhelmed with set design. Our job was to honor it. We dressed the tables with crystal tableware with black elements and red napkins, and the space was completed with elegant floral arrangements of asparagus, hydrangeas and ferns. Effect lighting in deep red subtly accented the brand without disturbing the character of the venue. The gift for the journalists was signed vinyl records by one of Poland's most recognizable artists, a deliberate choice rooted in the world of culture and classical music, with which ORLEN wanted to build an association.

For the sports journalists we chose The Tides, a modern, open space with a completely different energy. The layout of tables and furniture was visually lighter and the atmosphere more dynamic. The press pack referred to the sporting DNA of ORLEN Team: balls signed by athletes. At both events, red remained the constant link, in the lighting, the printed materials and the visual identity: a common thread tying two different moods into one brand.

Production

Key elements of delivery:

- Design of electronic invitations reflecting the current Key Visuals of both lines: ORLEN Art&Science and ORLEN Team;

- Hire of the Teatr Wielki - Opera Narodowa space, with coordination of the venue's electricians and technicians;

- Exclusive hire of The Tides, with parking arranged for guests;

- AV and technical equipment: a large-format TV with a laptop (Opera), a sound system with wireless microphones (The Tides), and technical support at both events;

- Red effect lighting as a constant branding element at both venues;

- Breakfast catering with full waiter service, with a menu approved by the client separately for each meeting;

- Hire of crystal tableware, tablecloths, vases and furniture (tables, transparent armchairs, cocktail tables);

- Floral decorations;

- Production of printed materials in two themed variants: compliment cards, gift wrapping paper, name badges and directional signs, all consistent with the KV of both lines;

- Selection and purchase of gifts for the press packs, different for each group of journalists;

- Preparation of a dedicated video for the meeting with the sports journalists.

Logistics and coordination

The two events took place a few days apart, which meant managing two independent sets of subcontractors, two venues and two separate visual identities at the same time, under time pressure.

The main operational challenge was the event at the Teatr Wielki. An iconic space, but not adapted to commercial events, it required precise coordination with the venue's technical staff, adapting the AV infrastructure to non-standard conditions and detailed delivery logistics planning. During the meeting with the sports media, the number of attendees rose above the original assumptions; the catering and layout were adjusted smoothly on the spot, without disrupting the program.

The project closed on schedule and without exceeding the budget. The client rated the delivery as professional, reliable and carried out with full attention to detail, especially given the exceptionally short preparation time.