Movers and Shakers is now in its third year and this year’s event was undoubtedly one of the most successful and well organized corporate networking events for the Eastern Seaboard.
Sponsored by Heights Holdings, it was held once again at the Centara Grand Mirage & Spa, this time on Friday December 2.
A nice breeze was flowing through garden during the first two hours of the evening, enhancing some highly convivial networking. The staff from the hotel was kept busy passing round ice cold beers, wine and soft drinks as more and more guests arrived. With a cool band playing in the background, the lawn filled up and it soon became clear that this year’s event was going to surpass last year’s – not just in terms of numbers but also in quality.
Mayor Itthiphol poses with some of the VIPs including Miss Thailand 2000 Panadda Wongphudee.
A note should be made of the how well attired the guests were; of course we were also surrounded by many beautiful models including Kamonrat Ladseeta (Emmy), Nikki Irean Mesale, Xanny, and Vivien, all of whom added a large slice of glamour to the proceedings.
The Brazilian dancing girls from ‘Zico’s’ also entertained the crowd before a huge fireworks display heralded the end of the networking side to the evening. This also signaled that the party could commence.
The press was having a field day; many photographers and video cameramen were dashing around aiming to get just the right angle for their shot.
The beneficiary for the evening Tracy Cosgrove joins the General Manager of the Centara Grand Mirage & Spa Andre Brulhart for a quick photo.
The doors to the main ballroom opened at 8 p.m. with a huge array of finger food set out and the VW cocktail vans that were so popular last year making a welcome comeback ready to serve those who wanted something a little fancier than the beer & wine. There was also a Moet Chandon Champagne counter for those with a more refined palate.
So the scene was set: food, beer, wine, cocktails, champagne, and prior to the first of many top quality acts who took to the stage, Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome joined the MC for the evening ‘Miss Punchy’ along with Oliver Nabarro from Heights Holdings to officially open ‘Movers & Shakers 2011’ in a spectacular countdown managed by MagicFX Asia.
Tony Malhotra ensures he surrounds himself with some beautiful ladies.
By now there were approximately 600 guests all geared up for the evening. All were treated to some wonderful Thai singers named ‘Viva Pop Opera’ who showcased their wonderful vocal talents and raised the bar compared to the preceding M&S events.
They were followed by an appearance of Miss Thailand 2000 Panadda Wongphudee who had decided to join M&S and see what is going on in the Eastern Seaboard.
Resembling three off duty bouncers, loyal supporters of the Melissa Cosgrove Children’s Foundation Garry Irvin, Joe Cox and Matt O’Sullivan come out to enjoy the evening.
Another high caliber act, the finalist from ‘Thailand’s Got Talent’ Nuntrita Khampriranon (Bell), sang in her own imitable way. Nuntrita was followed by the Yury Ensemble, which was also followed by a chilled, laid back jazz band.
One of the guests starts shaking her body along with one of the colorful Brazilian Zico’s dancing girls.
During this time gallons of wine were consumed, of which there seemed to be no end, and guests were breezing in and out of the ballroom, for some photos against the vast M&S – Heights Holdings backdrop.
This particular reporter left at midnight and it seemed that the party was destined to continue into the wee small hours.
The price for entry this year was 1250 baht, a slight increase from last year but one in which you could see that the evening was a truly high-caliber party, with some great networking. Movers and Shakers is a not-for-profit event, so by the end of the night over 300,000 baht was raised which will go towards the Melissa Cosgrove Children’s Foundation, helping disadvantaged kids in our community and beyond.
(Selected photographs by Peter Kraemer/Siam Fine Arts.)
Networking, singing and dancing – only at Movers and Shakers.
One of the popular and funky VW Cocktail Vans prior to the 600 guests descending upon it.
Viva Pop Opera were just one of the many high quality acts on the evening.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome officially opens this year’s Movers and Shakers with Oliver Nabarro from Heights Holdings and the MC for the evening Miss Punchy.
Event organizer Cees Cuijpers, Nova CEO Rony Fineman and Tulip Group CEO Kobi Elbaz pose with stunning model Kamonrat ‘Emmy” Ladseeta and two models from the EM Modeling company.
The crowd loved Nuntrita Khampriranon (Bell) who was a finalist in Thailand’s Got Talent.
Tracy Cosgrove with her son Paul brought a number of kids from one of her projects down from Bangkok for a day in the pool at Centara.
Nigel ‘Joe’ Quennell (left), the new face of PMTV makes sure he has his priorities right.
The production manager of PMTV Paul Strachan does his best to make it look like he doesn’t enjoy his job.
The lawn area could barely hold the hundreds of guests at this year’s Movers and Shakers.
