Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Groundbreaking Event
“I have worked with Jodi and the Paulette Wolf team for the past 10 years and have even brought them along with me as I have moved organizations. Not only do they execute seamless events that always have a “wow” factor, but they are also professional and honest about what they can and cannot do within a budget. It is reassuring to work with a team who you know will consistently deliver.”
— Moira McGinley (Vice President for Development & Chief Development Officer at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation)
OBJECTIVE
PWE produced the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Betty Ford Clinic in Rancho Mirage, California as our first live event after the pandemic.
OVERVIEW
On May 4, 2021, we were tasked with producing the groundbreaking ceremony for the $30M expansion of the Hazelton Betty Ford Clinic. The goal of this event hosted by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation featuring Susan Ford (Betty Ford’s daughter) was to commemorate 39 years of hope & healing and to kick off the effort to expand access and help more people.
The groundbreaking event for 150 VIP’s and media was located on the grounds of where the new building will sit. As the first live event that most people had attended in over a year, we distanced the seating and left all of the side walls up both to create an open air environment as well as to feature the San Jacinto Mountains as the backdrop. In addition, we live streamed this event to executives and donors all across the country.
The event featured a seated program that included speeches from all those involved with the new building. Following the traditional shovel dig with a confetti blast, the guests enjoyed a delicious lunch on tables with construction-themed décor.