Delivering an unforgettable incentive event that was deeply emotional—merging immersive storytelling with cultural flair.
DH elevated the emotional impact of IBM's prestigious Hundred Percent Club (HPC), an event that celebrates top performers by delivering a deeply engaging, multicultural experience. For our fifth consecutive year producing this exclusive, annual recognition meeting, we brought attendees into the vibrant culture of Miami through stunning visuals, local music, and profound storytelling. The major highlight, however, was an immersive onstage experience inspired by the Thai cave rescue—combining sound, visuals, and expert commentary to capture the suspense and heroism of the event. This powerful moment left the audience moved and inspired, illustrating a story that would resonate with them for years to come.
"I love this DH IBM team…you are fantastic and always give 100%"
Planning and executing an unforgettable incentive event is no easy feat, especially when the goal is to inspire top performers to feel truly valued and motivated for the year ahead. For the client, the challenge is always the same—ensuring a memorable trip while balancing relaxation, networking, and business. This time around, DH's creative strategy focused on tapping into the emotional core of the experience and asking ourselves key questions: How can we motivate these individuals to keep excelling? What value does each moment bring? And how can we create an experience that inspires, engages, and informs?
The culmination of these ideas was a carefully curated journey that not only rewarded, but energized these top performers to reach new heights. We devised an immersive scenic design that evolved across three days to capture the spirit of Miami and the Fontainebleau's rich history. In the Welcome Session, we recreated the iconic La Ronde Supper Club, adding IBM-branded touches to its red-curtained, vintage elegance. A montage of classic Miami deco postcards and 1950s nightlife footage set the scene, paired with jazzy instrumental music that brought the atmosphere to life. As in past HPC events, we featured local talent to give the environment an authentic cultural depth, complete with vibrant visuals that kept energy and excitement at a high.
A standout moment came with the gripping re-telling of the Thai Cave rescue story in 2018, when an international team of experts and volunteers united to save a junior soccer team trapped in Thailand's Tham Luang Nang Non cave. The session began in complete darkness and silence, broken only by the sound of dripping water to simulate the tense, isolated environment of the cave. After the crowd hears just a voiceover from a woman speaking, news reporter Anjali Rao emerged from the dark atmosphere and under a single spotlight to explain the event's backstory and introduce a panel of on-the-scene experts from the ordeal: Rick Stanton, diver; James Massola, author; and Thanet Natisri, water specialist. Through a dynamic mix of music, imagery, and sound design, the audience was able to become fully absorbed in the story, breathing new life and meaning into the heroic rescue in a way that resonated deeply with the HPC's core messaging.
The programming opened with Jeff Grainer, a Sinatra-inspired crooner accompanied by The Hoboken 11, who set a lively mood with a big band performance as executives welcomed the audience. For Day 2's Business Session, we revamped the stage to capture the vibrant energy of Miami, creating a sleek, modern look featuring a wide concave center screen for dynamic content, flanked by two convex outboard screens for IMAG. Audience engagement continued with highlights of Miami's cultural diversity through performances by DJ Ross B and his horns, the dynamic IndiviDúo, and the New Century Dance Company—blending local flavor with a global perspective.
In the end, DH created an unforgettable experience through an intricate blend of storytelling and interactivity. By aligning closely with IBM's culture and core values, we were able to craft a unique, immersive program that made attendees feel welcomed and celebrated from start to finish. Every detail—from collaborative production efforts to creative concepts—came together seamlessly for execution over three days, leaving attendees inspired and ready to continue their work with renewed dedication.
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