D\M\Y Connections was appointed to manage the hospitality for the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches that took South Africa by storm in April and May this year. Durban hosted the most IPL matches, totaling 16 games (Johannesburg and Cape Town hosted eight matches each). D\M\Y was appointed by dynamic business woman, Vanashree Singh, who was given the national IPL hospitality mandate for the project. D\M\Y, the eventing, brand activation, and PR arm of TBWA\Group\Durban, has handled the eventing and PR for Singh for Durban Fashion Week for the past five years.

The brief
The scope of work included managing and facilitating all IPL VIP and VVIP hospitality suites at Sahara Kingsmead Stadium. The project involved sourcing and managing the catering; bar services; waitrons and bar staff; hostesses; cleaning services; and décor for the Presidential VVIP Suite and the two other VIP hospitality areas. The Presidential suite was host to international and Indian Cricket League dignitaries and special guests of ICL Chairman, Lalit Mody; the IPL’s key players; South African premiers; team owners; Bollywood stars; South African celebrities; and local cricketing personalities. Approximately 1 000 people per day were treated to first class catering and IPL–inspired décor by the D\M\Y team and their carefully-chosen suppliers. Over 160 personnel worked the three suites per match. D\M\Y was appointed just 10 days before the first match in Durban.

Putting the brief into action
The core D\M\Y team was supplemented by a network of hospitality graduates, in order to ensure that each day’s rigorous deadlines and deliverables would be met with ease. Says Lindsay Thompson of D\M\Y Connections, “These graduates have all been through the kind of training that ensured they could assist us in effectively overseeing the smooth running of hospitality areas and suppliers working behind the scenes. Durban’s top suppliers were brought on board, and a detailed, well structured and executed event plan was crucial, as many matches were double headers and ran back-to-back on consecutive days. Because of the nature of the guests we were looking after, it was essential to ensure top-class service delivery and event management at all times.”

There was a tremendous amount of preparation and detail in the daily implementation of the IPL hospitality. The styling was crisp and clean, with flower-themed décor that differed for each day, inspired by the colours of the IPL; South African sport; and vibrant African colours. For example, one day was strelitzias, the next proteas and the next sunflowers. Brand new linen and décor accessories were used per match, and new set ups were done daily.

The catering was carefully crafted to reflect the fusion of the different influences that abound in Durban, with a different menu being served each day. North Indian; South Indian; and two South African caterers were used, to create the 60% Indian, 40% South African inspired menus. Specialty coffee; dessert; sushi; and chart bar specialists were brought on board. A top food consultant was also brought on board to ensure superb menu composition and content. Serving of high teas; snacks; dinners; and lunches were all in a day’s work.

Results
Commenting at the end of the project, Vanashree Singh says, “Having worked with D\M\Y on Durban Fashion Week for the past five years, I had complete faith in the D\M\Y team’s ability to pull off a superb event management job in the short time that was provided. They did not disappoint, and each day’s catering; services; and décor was top class and did South Africa proud.”

Thompson concludes, “While this project was incredibly labour intensive with tight delivery deadlines, it was a fantastic and challenging experience for all involved. The excitement and vibe of the IPL matches was inspiring, and the project was a great opportunity for D\M\Y Connections, TBWA\Group\Durban, and Durban as a city.”