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Welcome

Letter from the editor

From the EMEA team

Wonderful Copenhagen

Belmond

Belmond tell you about…

Meet the team

Matthew Horsnell

Creative Quarter

Design thinking

Destination Focus

Puerto Rico

Destination Focus

Park City

Meet the team

Alana Dvorak

Article

The rise of Micro-Moments

Digital

Digital

Project Focus

Los Angeles

Sustainability

Sustainability

Welcome

Letter from the editor

Tom Oliver

Welcome to the autumn edition of the Ivory Quarterly Dispatch.

In this issue we dive into Design Thinking Workshops with James Hodges, Ivory’s Global Creative Director and introduce one of the newer members of the creative team, Matthew Horsnell.

We also have a guest contribution from our client manager at Belmond, introducing some of their exquisite properties and once in a lifetime experiences.

One of our producers in the US, Alana Dvorak, introduces herself (for those that don’t know her already) and has an insight article on small moments making big impact.

There is also information on how to integrate digital services, sustainability and further destination insights.

I hope you enjoy this packed edition. This is designed with you in mind, therefore if there is anything you are interested in us exploring and would be useful to you for the next edition please just let me know.

Thank you,
Tom and your global Ivory teams

From the EMEA Team

Wonderful Copenhagen

A destination that is rich in history and an abundance of fine hotels, culture and cuisine, this quarter we are shining a spotlight on why Copenhagen is worth considering for large and small events alike.

The city’s commitment to sustainability makes it ideal for eco-conscious gatherings, having pioneered green event practices since the early 2000s through initiatives like carbon-neutral venues and waste reduction programs.

A few favourite hotels:

Nobis Hotel – flawless Scandinavian style in the heart of the city

Bella Grande – It might not feel Copenhagen – it transports you to La Dolce Vita – but it’s very Copenhagen in terms of quiet luxury and understated glamour

The Villa Copenhagen – Sustainable luxury in a restored postal building

For more VIP trips, here are some activities the city offers:

Private tours of Christiansborg Palace

Take a tour with the head gardener of Tivoli Gardens

Private yacht charters through Copenhagen’s canals (great for the spring / summer)

Renowned Restaurants:

Noma – Revolutionary Nordic cuisine

Geranium – Three-Michelin-starred fine dining

Alchemist – Innovative culinary theatre

We love Copenhagen and the team are working there now, just let us know if you are keen to hear more about how this city could work for you.

Belmond

Belmond are excited to talk about…

Belmond – Where time isn’t spent, it is invested.

Ivory proudly partners with Belmond and, in this episode, Louis Ramsey (Client manager for Ivory) is given the mic to take you behind the scenes of Belmond – a brand we love to work with as they share a passion for making the most from your investment.

So, introducing Belmond, a collection of hotels, trains, river cruises, and safari lodges in stunning destinations around the globe.

These are built around a desire to create a space where delegates can take time away from the day to day, to focus on relationships and business goals; spaces where time slows down, allowing for genuine immersion and unforgettable moments.

How about taking your award winning sales teams on a truly unique incentive trip by taking guests for a once in a lifetime safari in Botswana before relaxing in The Cape Winelands at the brands beautiful Mount Nelson Hotel?

Alternatively, invest in team building with a bespoke culinary experience at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons with Raymond Blanc? For the ultimate investment in exclusivity, you could even charter The Venice Simplon Orient Express for a company celebration or retreat.

Belmond understands the impact of experiences that resonate long after they’ve ended. Louis has seen an increase in demand recently for events that offer a true return on investment with guests showing a genuine appreciation for what they have experienced. Take The British Pullman, a relatively simple concept as a luxury day train and yet every guest that departs, leaves with a huge smile on their faces, wanting to return for the next journey. Some having done so over 50 times!

Ivory, working closely with Belmond, can provide unparalleled access and customisation. Guests can experience exclusive activities, curated itineraries, and personalized service, creating memories that provide lasting value and tailored to your objectives. Imagine your team against the backdrop of Machu Picchu from the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, or a cocktail reception on the lawn of Hotel das Cataratas, with direct views of the Iguassu Falls.

Plus, all Belmond properties are Earth Checked and committed to supporting their local communities and having a positive impact on their local and global environment which we know is very important when scouting your next venue.

Immerse your guests in a world of luxury and create an experience where time is not just spent, but actively invested in building relationships, fostering creativity, and achieving your business objectives.

Meet the team

Matthew Horsnell

Brand and experience director

Hi Matthew, let’s start with a bit about you! Tell us a bit about your journey before becoming Brand and Experience Director at Ivory.

I came to London by way of Australia and Sweden, bringing with me over 20 years of experience in shaping brands and telling stories that stick. My career has spanned industries and continents – from creating brand strategies for Stora Enso, one of the world’s oldest companies, to directing a Super Bowl commercial for T-Mobile that reached over 90 million people in one night.

Super Bowl… No pressure then! And you have a passion for brand identities…

Along the way I’ve redefined identities for global players like Skanska, crafted films for Salesforce and Slack, and directed campaigns for Volvo and Baby Björn. Big stages, small stages, live events, brand systems, film shoots – I’ve been in the thick of it, and I have the battle scars to prove it. 🙂

Thanks – that’s a lot of diverse experience. What drives you in all of these?

What drives me is helping organisations cut through the noise with design that’s as sharp as it is striking. At Ivory, that means bringing a strategic eye to brand, design, and creative across events and turning challenges into work that connects.

And how about working with the studio at Ivory

The buzz comes from collaborating with the brilliant Ivory team (and suppliers outside Ivory), pushing ideas, and seeing them come to life in ways that really move audiences.

Any final thoughts?

If I had to sum it up? I’ve learned that the best ideas usually start messy, loud, and slightly unhinged… and end up becoming the work you’re most proud of.

Creative Quarter

Design thinking

James Hodges, Ivory Global Creative Director

As a creative director, I’ve seen first-hand how marketing can transform a business when done right. It’s not about creating something slick or beautiful for its own sake, it’s about forging meaningful connections between brand and audience.

Design Thinking is a human-centred method that acts as a framework to tackle complex brand challenges while staying aligned to business goals. It means asking questions like “what emotional need does this marketing fulfil?” or “how will it actually benefit your customers?” It’s a process of prototyping and refining messages until they resonate. We often kick off projects with Design Thinking Workshops, which bring together our team and our client’s teams to explore their challenges from multiple angles.

Design Thinking is not a buzzword, it’s a discipline. Grounded in empathy and iteration, it turns creativity into a strategic business asset. Rather than chasing awards or trends, we’re focused on solving the problems that keep clients up at night. And unlike the agencies that promise to make cool stuff, we make our clients active partners from day one.

If you are interested in hearing more or would like a free workshop session please get in touch with james.hodges@ivoryworldwide.com

From the US Team

Puerto Rico

If you are seeking lavish experiences in a tropical setting Puerto Rico delivers in spades. As a U.S. territory, it offers the international feel of a Caribbean escape with the convenience of domestic travel: no passport required for U.S. citizens, no international phone plan needed, and no currency exchange to worry about. That ease of access, combined with direct flights from major U.S. cities and two international airports, makes it a dream destination for meetings, incentives, and celebrations.

Puerto Rico’s event infrastructure is as diverse as its landscapes. From the opulent Antiguo Casino in San Juan to cutting-edge venues like DISTRITO T-Mobile, the island blends colonial charm with modern tech.

Luxury resorts like Condado Vanderbilt and Fairmont El San Juan offer oceanfront ballrooms and rooftop terraces, while cultural landmarks like Cuartel de Ballajá and Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico infuse events with history and soul. Whether you’re hosting a high-touch executive summit or a vibrant brand activation, Puerto Rico’s vendor network and hospitality teams are seasoned pros at delivering seamless, high-impact experiences.

Sustainability is also woven into the island’s event ethos. With eco-resorts like Parador Villas Sotomayor and botanical venues that celebrate Puerto Rico’s rich biodiversity, planners can align with green goals without sacrificing style. Add in the island’s “we’ve got you” spirit – where teams go the extra mile to remember birthdays, solve last-minute challenges, and celebrate every win—and you’ve got a destination that’s not just beautiful, but deeply human. Puerto Rico isn’t just a place to host an event – it’s a place to make it unforgettable.

Destination focus

Park City. Not just a ski resort…

Park City, Utah isn’t just a ski town—it’s a world-class event destination with a legacy rooted in creativity and connection. Thanks to the Sundance Film Festival, which put it on the global map in the 1980s, Park City has become synonymous with storytelling, innovation, and high-caliber experiences. That spirit lives on in its venues, vendors, and community, making it an ideal setting for events that aim to inspire.

With stunning mountain views and sophisticated spaces like The St. Regis Deer Valley, High West Distillery, and Kimball Terrace, Park City offers a versatile canvas for everything from executive summits to product launches. It’s just 35 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport, making it surprisingly accessible, and its infrastructure is built to handle large-scale programs with ease. Plus, the town’s tech-forward mindset means AI integration, immersive activations, and hybrid formats are all within reach.

But what truly sets Park City apart is its atmosphere. There’s a sense of ease and elevation here—where team-building feels like adventure, and every touchpoint can be tailored with intention. Whether you’re crafting a multi-day journey or a single unforgettable moment, Park City delivers the kind of experience that lingers long after the final toast.

Meet the team

Alana Dvorak

Senior producer & new business management

I’m Alana – Texas born, Austin raised, Dallas educated, and now part of the Ivory team in Houston. I live just north of the city with my beautifully blended crew of seven kids and a passport that’s always within reach. Travel is my favourite hobby, but crafting unforgettable experiences is my favourite job.

Before joining Ivory, I spent 15 years in tech marketing (7 at Dell and 8 at HP) where I worked across product marketing, category, and brand teams to bring products to life through experiences. I’ve sat on both sides of the table: first as a client, then as a Senior Producer.

Whether I’m mapping out a multi-city roadshow or refining a bespoke Executive experience, my drive comes from seeing it all come together and to make each touchpoint seamless, elevated, and unmistakably intentional.

Article

The Rise of Micro-Moments:

Why Smaller Touchpoints Drive Bigger Impact

How personalization and surprise are reshaping guest journeys

By Alana Dvorak

In today’s hyper-connected world, attention is fleeting—but impact doesn’t have to be. The rise of micro-moments has transformed how our clients engage with audiences, especially in the events industry. These brief, intent-rich interactions are redefining guest journeys & increasing post-event sentiment reporting ten-fold. And science backs it up: smaller, emotionally resonant touchpoints often drive deeper engagement than grand gestures.

Google first coined the term “micro-moments” in 2015 to describe the seconds-long windows when people instinctively turn to their devices to learn, do, discover, or buy something These moments are high in intent and low in patience, making relevance and timing everything. According to Forbes, brands that master micro-moment strategy—by offering instant, personalized content—are changing the rules of digital engagement.

In events, this translates to anticipating guest needs before they’re voiced: a curated playlist waiting in the hotel room, a surprise espresso cart during a long breakout, or a personalized thank-you note that arrives post-event.

Why does this work? Neuroscience tells us that emotionally charged experiences are more likely to be encoded into long-term memory. The amygdala, which processes emotion, plays a key role in enhancing memory formation when stimuli are novel or personally meaningful.


In other words, personalization and surprise aren’t just nice–they’re neurologically sticky. And with attention spans now averaging just 8 seconds, clients need agencies that are prepared to design for immediacy and emotional resonance. Micro-moments allow our clients to show up meaningfully in the margins—where your guests least expect it, but most appreciate it.

Digital

Jon Hodges, Digital Director

As Digital Director at Ivory, I am responsible for both the digital products we design for our clients and the technology stack our colleagues use to deliver for them. For us, digital technology is not an end in itself but a partner in creativity. Every system we choose, every automation we design, every interface we refine is in service of liberating time and energy for people to think, imagine, and create.

The modern digital landscape is saturated. Too many tools can lead to fatigue and even retreat back to older, less effective methods. Our philosophy is to integrate and simplify: building a digital environment where both clients and colleagues can act intuitively without needing to decipher complex instructions. After all, most people don’t read manuals—they expect things to simply work.


Automation is powerful here. By eliminating repetitive tasks, we give our teams back the mental space to focus on originality. At the same time, AI is changing the conversation. It can accelerate research, analysis, and even execution, but we are mindful of its double edge. Outsourcing too much risks weakening the very human qualities—curiosity, judgment, imagination—that define creative work.


That is why our digital approach is built on balance. Let machines do the heavy lifting, but never let them own the thinking. This ensures our clients receive the best of both worlds: the efficiency of technology and the irreplaceable spark of human creativity.

Project Focus

HP Level Reforge in Los Angeles

A White Glove, full service approach for approximately 20 retail partners from all across the globe. Including transport from their home to the airport, back and everything in between. Also includes working with another agency on site at the main event for a live streaming session launching Gaming products with global influencers.

Outside of the meetings, we organised dinners at some of Los Angeles’ most scenic restaurants such as the Little Door, LAVO & Los Angeles Yamashiro, staying at the well known Beverly Wilshire hotel (you may know this from the movie pretty woman?).

We also worked with the client to ensure everyone had time with the executive group to provide feedback and make this meeting more than a meeting – but an experience that raised the bar and proved invaluable to both the client and retail partners.

“I still think about this trip every single day. And when I look at the photos, I can’t help but feel incredibly lucky and grateful that I got to be a part of this.” —Retail Partner

“The relationship with the customer has been strengthened by showing them that we are interested in their feedback and that their presence was essential for HP. Being able to speak directly with the decision-makers at HP undoubtedly strengthens the relationship.” — Sales Manager

Sustainability

ISO Certificates 20121 / 14001 / 27001

Ivory proudly invests in sustainability and how we can enact positive change.

We have been re-certified with the top global sustainability certifications – ISO 20121 and ISO 14001 – recognising Ivory’s determination to lead in the sector with genuine sustainable planning and outcomes.

Integral to this is our active support to our clients and assisting them with their sustainability goals.

To find out more please contact jon.hodges@ivoryworldwide.com

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Ivory Dispatches

issue 01

Nov ’24

issue 02

Feb ’25

issue 03

Jul ’25