HAVANA DREAMS: AN IMMERSIVE WATERFRONT TEAM RETREAT FOR EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES
The Brief
To transform a traditional corporate company picnic into a vibrant, high-energy Cuban oasis that fosters authentic team bonding and employee appreciation.
CA
Newport Beach
256
Attendees
4
Activation Zones
5
Immersive Hours of Programming
What We
Delivered
Event Solutions seamlessly transported Edwards Lifesciences employees to the streets of Cuba with a sensory-rich “Havana Dreams” waterfront experience, blending gourmet island cuisine with high-octane team-building competitions. The true “WOW” moment arrived as live bongo drummers synchronized with professional salsa dancers, pulling the entire executive and staff team onto the dance floor for an unforgettable, interactive performance.
How
We Did It
Services Included
Full-Service Catering & Themed Mixology
Custom Brand Activation & Experiential Design
Live Entertainment Booking & Choreography
Comprehensive Event Rentals, Permits, & Logistics
Interactive Audio-Visual Production
Professional Event Photography & Green Screen Activations
Who Made It Happen
A top-tier team brought this event to life, including:
Senior Content Strategist & Event Producer
Creative Director
Logistics & Operations Manager
Lead Audio Engineer & DJ
Master of Ceremonies (MC)
Executive Catering Chef & Mixology Team
A Special Shoutout to: The Edwards Lifesciences Employee Engagement Committee
Book Your Event With Our Team
The
Experience
Immersive Design
Waterfront Transformation: Designed a sprawling tropical retreat at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort in Newport Beach, anchored by custom directional corporate A-frame signage welcoming guests to a paradise of 36 shaded dining kits and pristine white-padded seating.
Chic Cabana Lounges: Curated exclusive VIP fabric tent lounges styled with modern Cancun chairs, plush sofas with chaises, rich wood coffee tables, and vibrant accent pillows for a relaxed beachside vibe.
Tropical Florals: Dressed every guest table and lounge space with bold, striking tropical centerpieces bursting with authentic Havana colors.
Branded Experiential Touchpoints: Developed a custom brand application experience featuring fresh, locally sourced coconuts laser-etched with the Edwards Lifesciences logo, doubling as both a refreshing beverage and a highly shareable social media moment.
Food & Beverage
Authentic Cuban Feast: Served a rich buffet featuring slow-braised Ropa Vieja beef flank steak with sweet red bell peppers and pimento-stuffed olives, alongside citrus-marinated Pollo Asada and specialty Black Bean and Butternut Squash Cuban Tacos.
Island Sides & Sweets: Complemented the mains with Cuban seasoned rice, rich Frijoles Negros, a crisp garlic-lime vinaigrette salad, and decadent caramelized half-plantains.
The Churro Street Trailer: Features an on-site, live-action food trailer churning out piping hot, cinnamon-sugar-coated churros with artisanal dipping sauces, including Dulce de Leche, Nutella, and Lechera.
Hosted Cuban Cantina: Kept spirits high with a full-service bar highlighting a expertly crafted specialty cocktail, the classic, refreshing Cuban Mojito, alongside an unlimited staffed hydration and soda station.
Entertainment & Activations
The Havana Greeters: Welcomed guests right at the gates with high-energy performers in stunning, colorful sequined and Carmen Miranda-inspired costuming for immediate photo-ops and roaming engagement.
The Competition Zone: Orchestrated an adult-focused, ultra-competitive field game circuit featuring high-energy classics like Big Foot Racing, Team Ski Races, Plug the Pipe, and the legendary Bucket Brigade, all managed by a professional MC and DJ duo.
Rhythmic Vibrations: Elevated the beachfront atmosphere with a live trio of master bongo drummers delivering infectious rhythms that echoed across the resort.
Interactive Salsa Showcases: Features two high-octane performance sets by champion Salsa dancers, culminating in a full-audience interactive dance lesson that got every attendee moving.
Green Screen Photo Experience: Provided a 4-hour open-air green screen booth, instantly transporting employees into custom digital Havana backdrops to take home a physical piece of the memory.
THE RESULTS
The “Havana Dreams” picnic successfully shattered the mold of the standard corporate outing, achieving 100% employee engagement across all departments and deepening cross-functional team dynamics through shared, interactive experiences.
Looking to plan a luxury picnic for your own team?
Contact our expert picnic planners through the form below!
Our event planners will collaborate with you to create the perfect experience, from beginning to end, for your team.
Thank you to Edwards Lifesciences for allowing us to be a part of this extraordinary day!
