An Epic Battle & Out of This World Event Theme

02 Jan An Epic Battle & Out of This World Event Theme

The battles in Star Wars pit good against evil in a galaxy far, far away. But this year, the battle came closer to earth when we suggested a Star Wars theme to our client, NAIOP SoCal.

NAIOP is the leading organization of commercial real estate developers and its annual black-tie fundraising and networking event, Night at the Fights, has become well-known for its own epic battle. The showcase of the event is a series of boxing bouts – two with professional fighters and the other with members who apply months before and train for the event. Star Wars was a perfect fit!

This year, the almost 1,000 guests of the event came together at the Orange County Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, California. This has been the venue for the past two years. Post-Covid, its large, airy space was appreciated more than a stuffy hotel ballroom by the guests.

The event began with cocktails outside the large hangar. As with all the design at this event, the Death Star cocktail hour was elevated with minimal décor. Here, the look was dark and sexy with actors dressed as Storm Troopers, Jedi warriors, Darth Vader, R2D2, and even Chewbacca networking with the group.

Entering the hangar for dinner, guests were struck by the most prominent feature – the boxing ring. Even in such a large space, the professionally installed ring (more about this later) stood out, surrounded by dining tables. The entire setting was the forest-rich planet of Endor home of the Ewoks. Trees lined the area and centerpieces were created from moss and foliage to bring in more of the green space.

The after party was themed after Jabba the Hut’s decadent lair. It was the perfect vibe for the casino area and the cigar lounge.

But the star of the event can be found in its name — a Night at the Fights. The theme has made the event wildly successful with the mostly male dominated organization. The ring and the fight are professionally certified by the California Boxing Commission. A commissioner is there during the installation of it, and during the fight.

There are professional fights who fight two bouts. It’s short bouts of 90 seconds.

During the two months leading up to the fight event, there are check-ins for the member fighters (there were four total) for weight, there are blood tests and more. The night of the fight, there are doctors and an ambulance on stand-by. Everything is official.

As guests take their seats and once salad and dinner are served, the fights begin. This flow has worked out perfectly so that the fights, while prominent, aren’t dominant! There is something for everyone as after dinner and the fights, guests continue to network. They can take part in casino games, have a cigar, or enjoy after dinner cocktails and a lot of post-fight analysis!

If only the Dark Side and the Rebel Alliance could have worked it out as peacefully as the members of NAIOP SoCal do on Night at the Fights!