Click to play video Ribbon dancer in a white dress at an event

KLM - 100 Year Anniversary

The world’s first airline, KLM, celebrated 100 years in 2019. Broadsword produced two full-service events in London and Manchester, sourcing all aspects of the event. The key event themes were celebration, innovation, and sustainability. 
A big thank you for helping us kicking off in style the worldwide celebrations of KLM centenary. In short the event was a success, thanks to the commitment of the Broadsword team during the preparations phase. It was a great pleasure to work together for these two big projects with such positive feedback from our clients. 
Flying Blue’ Marketing Manager

Venues

The majestic National Gallery and Manchester Art Gallery were the perfect locations to host these grand events to celebrate KLM’s centenary. In creating a night to remember, Broadsword ensured that the enchantment began from the very moment guests entered the venue. Each spectacular entrance commenced the guest journey, as they were greeted by hosts in KLM uniforms and then welcomed by a live musical performance, interactive poet, bespoke cocktails and received exclusive access to the artwork. Leading on into another area, guests departed the old and arrived into the new.

A trumpet player behind a transparent screen that  is playing a video of an airplane flying
A ribbon dancer in a white dress behind a transparent screen that is showing content of a timeline.

Wow factor

An essential requirement for this event was to feature a wow factor entertainment piece. A creative idea was sparked and the Broadsword team made it happen. Our idea symbolised the Troposphere – the band of our atmosphere in which aircraft fly and where we as flyers have the privilege to look down upon our planet. We symbolised this by giving our guests the privilege to look at things from a different perspective. We animated, directed and constructed a unique holographic performance. The 3D projections celebrated a timeline of KLM’s history, in a futuristic format, which looked forward to the next 100 years. 

Three navy blue cushions with a stripe pattern on seating

Sustainability

In celebrating KLM’s future, it was imperative that Broadsword reduced the carbon footprint of the 100 Years events. The attention was in the detail; we dressed the modern room with cushions handmade from unused KLM uniforms, recycled furniture, and reduced paper waste to landfill by using electronic devices for guest registration. 

24
cushions made from old KLM uniforms 
100
years of KLM