Making clever use of lighting and elegant table arrangements with deep, rich colours and even gemstones, in perfect harmony with the stunning floral displays strategically positioned around the room, TMG account executive Emma Wellstead recently turned the ordinary into the extraordinary. A boring hotel function room was transformed into a highly charged exotic and mystical setting for a gala event. Here Emma outlines the approach she takes in setting out to create a great atmosphere.

"Developing an atmosphere that is right for your event is crucial to its success. But what is 'atmosphere'? How do we define it? Not being someone to re-invent the wheel, I typed 'atmosphere' into an on-line dictionary. "An aesthetic quality or effect, especially a distinctive and pleasing one, associated with a particular place" is the description it gave. However if you type "love" into a dictionary you will come to the same conclusion I did: we can't define feelings with words. So I decided to look at what really makes an 'atmosphere'.

I believe there are several components in creating the right atmosphere, some tangible and at least one intangible. The obvious tangible physical factors include architecture, décor and furnishings. However you don't need a roaring fire in a medieval castle to create an atmosphere, there are more subtle physical factors which have a massive impact on our mood and ultimately how we feel about an event.

Light and colour help set the scene, for example lower light with blue and green tones for a more relaxing occasion or bright reds for brainstorming. Scents, sounds, temperature all help to create a 'mood'. Nerve endings need to tingle and bombard the brain with the same message. Whether you want to have your guests buzzing with excitement at a launch party, or relaxing in their coffee break, the physical surroundings have an undeniable influence over this.

The intangible element is more difficult to pin point. I believe people make a difference. The staff, at an event, make a difference. Their approach and actions help make an atmosphere. First impressions count, and if they are properly positioned, alert, dressed to match the occasion (waiters in black tie don't work at beach parties!), and are visibly eager to give an efficient service then guests immediately absorb a sense of genuine hospitality, nothing beats a warm welcome.

Creating the right ambient conditions sets the tone for your event, get it right and you will be relishing in its success."