Marriott International Black Tie Gala Dinner 2023 | Event Production China

An Evening Beneath the Waves

For the 2023 Black Tie Gala Dinner, Marriott International and the Yao Foundation invited guests to step away from the familiar and enter a world of imagination, discovery and wonder.

Inspired by the legendary city of Atlantis, Evenage created an immersive environment where the mystery of the ocean became the foundation for the evening’s experience.
From the moment guests arrived, they were invited to explore a different world — one shaped by flowing movement, underwater landscapes and the timeless beauty of the sea.

Creating the World of Atlantis

Every immersive experience begins with a feeling — an idea of what guests should see, feel and remember.

For Atlantis, we wanted to create more than an underwater theme. We imagined a mysterious world hidden beneath the surface — a place where elegance, imagination and the beauty of the ocean could come together.

We spent time exploring how this fantasy world could become real: how the atmosphere would feel, how light would move through the space, and how guests would experience the moment they entered this hidden city.

Through our creative concept development process, we created a visual direction for Atlantis — a dreamlike underwater realm filled with soft illumination, flowing forms and a sense of discovery.

From Imagination to Visual Language

Creating Atlantis started with a simple question: how can we make guests feel as if they have entered a world that exists somewhere between reality and fantasy?

Our design process focused on developing a visual language that could express the mystery, elegance and movement of an underwater world.

We explored organic shapes, flowing structures and natural elements inspired by the ocean — from coral formations and marine life to the movement of water itself.

Each element was carefully considered: the curves of the architecture, the textures, the lighting, and the balance between fantasy and sophistication.

Transforming a Fantasy Into a Guest Experience

A world exists only when people can enter it.

After imagining the mysterious underwater realm of Atlantis, we began translating this fantasy into every moment of the guest journey — transforming an idea into a complete immersive experience.

The visual language we created continued beyond the main event space, flowing through every touchpoint guests encountered: from the first invitation and arrival experience to the welcome areas, staff details and memorable photo moments.

Each element became a small piece of the Atlantis story, allowing guests to gradually discover this hidden world before fully stepping into it.

Through thoughtful design and creative production, we turned an imagined underwater universe into a tangible experience — a world where every detail invited curiosity, wonder and connection.

A Moment of Discovery

The true magic of Atlantis began the moment the ballroom doors opened.

Guests were transported from the familiar into an entirely new environment — a dreamlike underwater world where every detail was designed to create a sense of discovery.

The ballroom became a living ocean landscape, illuminated with deep blue tones, organic textures and delicate marine elements. Elegant centrepieces, underwater-inspired installations and live jellyfish brought movement and life into the space, creating an atmosphere that felt both mysterious and sophisticated.

Beyond the visual environment, the story continued through every performance. Costumes, makeup, choreography and music were carefully developed to become part of the Atlantis universe, allowing artists to transform into characters from this hidden world.

Every detail worked together to create a fully immersive gala experience — one where guests could escape the ordinary and become part of the story.

A Celebration of Connection and Giving

Beyond the immersive atmosphere and performances, the evening was also created as a platform for meaningful participation.

Throughout the gala dinner, guests were invited to take part in both silent and live auctions, where carefully selected items became part of the evening’s shared experience.
During dinner, the silent auction allowed guests to explore and bid on their favourite pieces through dedicated displays placed throughout the venue, creating moments of interaction between the programme and the guests.

Later in the evening, a professional auctioneer guided the live auction, presenting around 40 exclusive lots and creating an engaging experience that brought guests together through excitement, generosity and connection.

Blending entertainment, storytelling and philanthropy, the auction became another chapter of the Atlantis journey — transforming a beautiful evening into an opportunity to create a positive impact

Planning Your Next Event or Brand Experience in China?

Every successful event begins with a meaningful idea and the right team to bring it to life. Whether you are planning a corporate gala, brand activation, conference, product launch or large-scale event in China, our team can help bring your ideas to life.

From creative concept development and event design to production management, technical coordination and on-site execution, Evenage provides end-to-end event solutions for international brands creating memorable experiences in China.

If you are looking for a local event production partner in Shanghai or across China, we would be happy to discuss your upcoming project.

Let’s create something meaningful together.