Welcome
Letter from the editor
Opinion piece
AI and the future of copywriting
From our US team
Maui
Meet the team
Kate Kelly
Guest feature
Ballyfin, Ireland
Barcelona
A few insider tips from Barcelona
Tell the story
Using technology to enhance, not replace the narrative
Creative quarter
Choosing the Right Destination: More Than Just Logistics
Stockholm
The charm and splendour of Stockholm
Welcome
Letter from the editor
Tom Oliver
Spring has arrived and we are excited to share the latest edition of the Ivory Dispatch.
It’s been a busy start to year and for us, that has also included teaming up with the team at Event Concept to join the EC Group.
In this edition we take you around the world from the pacific volcanic islands of Hawaii to country estates in Ireland. There are also some interesting articles from Creative quarter and a latest reflection piece on AI and what this means to us.
We hope you enjoy this edition and look forward to speaking soon.
Opinion piece
AI and the future of copywriting
Lawrie Doran
The YES AND Machine
As a writer, I’ve had the question more than once. Are you worried about AI taking your job? In responding, I do something most Large Language Models find it impossible to do. I shrug. I admit I have no idea.
I don’t think so… but I don’t know.
An LLM is like an enthusiastic improv actor. It replies to whatever you feed it with the statistically most likely next line. LLMs are “yes, and” machines, using the vast corpus of their training data to build on what you’ve asked. And unless they’ve had guardrails programmed in, they don’t consider whether they should answer.
They don’t challenge what you’ve said or suggest a different premise for your argument.
That’s fine for certain situations – more than fine, actually, it’s a time and effort saver. If you have a simple request or research question. If you’re working on something that’s highly templatised in the LLM’s training data.
These are not tasks that demand originality or strategic perspective.
The usual caveats apply. Things may change. AI is advancing daily. But right now, if you want something to agree with you, go to AI. If you want to be creatively challenged, if you want to explore the possibilities you haven’t considered, if you want to be understood, come to an agency with the experience, perspective and skillsets to do that.
From our US team
Maui
The Magic of Maui:
Why the “Valley Isle” is a National Geographic Best of the World for 2026
When National Geographic released its prestigious “Best of the World” list for 2026, one name commanded the spotlight, carrying a legacy that has been powerfully redefined: Maui.
Being named one of the 25 most awe-inspiring and meaningful places on Earth isn’t just a nod to the island’s beauty; it is a recognition of its soul. For Maui, this title marks a powerful return to the global stage, proving that it is not just a destination, but a transformative experience that every traveler should seek at least once in a lifetime.
While many islands offer sun and sand, Maui is one of the few places on the planet that presents a geological “triple threat.” It is a rare landscape where you can stand on three distinctly different shores within a single day, each telling a story of the island’s volcanic birth and aging.
Pristine White Sands: At Kaʻanapali, the classic ivory shores meet turquoise waters, offering the quintessential tropical paradise.
Velvet Black Sands: Journey to Honokalani in Waiʻanapanapa State Park, where the sand is composed of tiny fragments of basalt which is formed when the hot lava met the cold Pacific and shattered instantly.
Terracotta Red Sands: Tucked away in a hidden cove, Kaihalulu is a stunning anomaly. Its deep crimson sands come from a crumbling, iron-rich cinder cone, creating a stark, alien-like contrast against the sapphire sea.
Meet the team
Kate Kelly
Hello, my name is Kate Kelly, and I am an Executive Producer at Ivory. I grew up in New Hampshire and Philadelphia and spent several years living in New York City after college. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management, as well as a Master of Arts in Fashion Event Production and a Master of Science in Executive Sports Management and Production.
I began my career as a volunteer backstage dresser at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City in 2007, where I quickly realized my passion for the industry. I was intrigued by the intensity, emotion, pressure and relationships formed while planning a project. I went on to work several seasons of New York Fashion Week as a venue manager before expanding into a broader range of experiential events, including festivals and product launches.
Later, I transitioned to producing Upfront and Newfront tours, as well as a variety of fashion, music, food, corporate, sports, tech and pharmaceutical events.
Outside of my professional work, I am passionate about my family, sports, physical fitness, reading, the arts, travel, music, and writing. I am especially inspired by the creative process behind events—bringing ideas to life and transforming concepts into meaningful experiences.
Guest feature
Ballyfin, Ireland
Ballyfin tell you about their unique offer for executive groups
There are country house hotels, and then there is Ballyfin, a 5 star hotel like no other. Set at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in County Laois, just over an hour’s drive from Dublin Airport. 21 individually designed rooms and suites sit within the main house, alongside the two-bedroom Gardener’s Cottage set within the walled garden. Together, the estate may be taken on by room or an exclusive-use basis, offering complete privacy and full reign of the house and grounds.
Ballyfin offers an exceptional setting for intimate meetings and leadership retreats, combining refined luxury with a deep sense of privacy and calm. Set within a magnificent private estate and restored to the highest standard, the house provides elegant yet understated spaces that naturally encourage focus, open conversation, and strategic thinking.
At the centre of daily life sits Ballyfin’s eight-acre walled garden, supplying the kitchen with fruit, vegetables and herbs throughout the seasons. Executive Chef Richard Picard-Edwards works closely with the garden team to shape menus around what the land yields; in early 2025, the kitchen was awarded a Michelin star.
If you are looking for a break from the boardroom discussions then Ballyfin offers a range of pursuits that feel intrinsic to the estate rather than programmed: private falconry with Harris Hawks and Peregrine Falcons, clay pigeon shooting, archery, horse riding and fishing.
With discreet service, a dedicated meeting room, and the option of exclusive use, groups can work without distraction, while the surrounding parkland, gardens, and fireside rooms create opportunities for reflection and informal connection.
Ballyfin’s residential feel, exceptional cuisine, and tailored experiences make it especially well-suited to senior teams seeking meaningful dialogue, creative problem-solving, and a retreat that feels both purposeful and restorative.
Barcelona
A few insider tips from Barcelona
From Berta Tortajada
This quarter we hear from our Barcelona office.
The heartbeat of the office is Berta Tortajada, a real pillar of the Ivory production team, who we’re lucky enough to have worked with for over a decade. From flagship stands at Mobile World Congress to C-suite meetings, Berta’s insight and logistical flair translate into world-class service with an authentic touch.
Here is a taste of the local landscape and cultural nuances; a few of our favourite properties and off the beaten track eating spots in Barcelona:
Starting with the culinary scene, eat like a local at Gat blau or head to the local temple of Seafood at botafumeiro. And if you are the hunt for a hidden gem for an executive dinner, look no further than El Passadís del Pep.
Have an executive meeting need, we recommend trying the Cotton House Hotel in the city centre or Serras Barcelona, found in the marina area. Something larger? It’s a stalwart of Barcelona now but the Hotel Arts continues to deliver.
After all that, if you fancy a vermut and nibbles then head to Morro Fi. Tip: best is the one on Consell de Cent street (Pedestrian street), so you can get the vermut, crisps, anchovies… and enjoy the sun and people watching!
Vive Barcelona como nunca antes. ¿Nos vemos pronto por allí?
Tell the story
Using technology to enhance, not replace the narrative
Jon Hodges
It’s easy to be drawn to the immediacy of immersive technologies. VR, AR, object recognition tables, spatial audio, haptics… there’s a lot out there, and it all promises moments of real impact.
But that impact will be short-lived if the underlying narrative isn’t fully considered. It’s the old familiar tension: we know narrative should lead, shaping the choice of medium and ensuring technology serves a purpose. The reality is more complex. Available technologies are finite, there are hardware, environments and budget constraints, and development costs can quickly skyrocket. Often, the content is forced to adapt to fit these parameters.
The challenge is to find a balance where you shape the story to meet the medium, and take advantage of its strengths, but the medium never directs the message. The story must remain clear and in focus. This tension often leads the most creative, effective solutions to emerge.
To do this, it’s important to explore the technological possibilities and the story possibilities in parallel, not in isolation. Shaping the narrative and navigating the possibilities of different platforms together. Storytellers working closely with technologists.
Ivory is now part of the EC Group. With in-house AV, technical delivery and scenic build, this partnership offers us new opportunities to think holistically about how experiences come together, digitally and physically, without losing sight of the core narrative.
Ultimately, it’s all about using technology intentionally and deliberately. Choosing the right tools to serve the story.
Creative quarter
Choosing the Right Destination:
More Than Just Logistics
It starts with a blank canvas.
A few considerations below before you set off on a search.
The perfect venue for a group event is never simply a matter of convenient flight routes and enough bedrooms. While logistics matter, reducing the decision to practicalities alone is a missed opportunity — and a costly one.
Sustainability must sit at the heart of any serious venue search. Delegates increasingly notice whether a destination reflects the values an organisation claims to hold. A commitment to responsible travel, locally sourced food, and low-impact facilities sends a message before a single session begins.
But perhaps the most undervalued consideration is fit. Every destination carries its own character — its architecture, landscape, energy, and story. When a venue aligns with what you are trying to achieve, it becomes a silent co-presenter. A coastal retreat that encourages reflection. A historic city that anchors a conversation about heritage and legacy. A forward-thinking urban campus that signals innovation. The setting shapes how people feel, how openly they engage, and how vividly they remember.
Choose against the grain, and you spend the entire event fighting the atmosphere rather than harnessing it.
Take the time to ask not just can we fit here but does this place help us say what we need to say? The right answer transforms a meeting into a moment.
Stockholm
The charm and splendour of Stockholm
Royal palaces, pickled herring, sunken warships and leafy parks, all in Sweden’s stylish capital, Stockholm — and a world-class destination for meetings and events.
Regal Stockholm is a stylish capital that’s happy to show off its embarrassment of cultural and historical riches. Known by locals as ‘The Beauty on the Water’, this glittering waterfront haven is spread over 14 islands on Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. Despite that, it’s easy to navigate and compact enough to be comfortably walkable, with bridges, ferries and an efficient metro to ease the way — making it a stress-free city for delegates to get around, whether travelling solo or in groups.
Like other Nordic cities, Stockholm seamlessly blends the old and new. You can stroll along the cobbled lanes of the old town, Gamla Stan, and appreciate its brightly painted 17th- and 18th-century buildings and medieval cathedral, then cross a bridge to revel in modern Sweden’s minimalist style. This contrast of historic grandeur and contemporary cool gives event planners a uniquely diverse range of venues — from dramatic royal palaces and centuries-old banqueting halls to sleek, design-forward conference centres.
This is also one of Europe’s greenest cities, literally and metaphorically, with a cultural emphasis on sustainability and many shady parks and nature preserves on the archipelago, making it an ideal choice for organisations with strong environmental values or ESG commitments.
The city’s excellent international connectivity, with direct flights from major hubs across Europe and beyond, means getting delegates here is straightforward. Once arrived, Stockholm’s reputation for efficiency, safety and high standards of hospitality ensures events run smoothly from start to finish. With some exciting new hotel openings such as The Dock, Stockholm continues to strengthen it’s offer.
The city’s many restaurants and cafés offer both traditional dishes and cutting-edge haute cuisine with equal reverence — perfect for memorable corporate dinners and networking receptions. And the wealth of museums encompasses a wide range of subjects — Viking history, modern photography, Renaissance warships, Nobel Prize winners and ABBA, to name a few — providing a rich backdrop of unique off-site experiences and team-building opportunities that delegates won’t find anywhere else in the world.
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Ivory Dispatches
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Jul ’25
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Nov ’25
