Storm King Consulting

Philo curated an evening centered around nature, connection, and community. Here’s how:

• Natural tablescape featuring real moss, stone, and marble candlesticks, and ikebana style florals using grasses, and other locally-sourced wild flowers.

• Guest placecards written on real leaves & napkin rings that were bud vases.

• Opening activity: As a way to meet each other during cocktail hour, guests were asked to share which type of leader they are based on these nature-inspired styles:

  • Oak Tree: Steady. Grounded. A source of strength

  • River: Adaptive. Forward-moving. A natural problem solver

  • Sunflower: Bright. Energizing. A connector

  • Mushroom: Quietly powerful. Connector behind the scenes

  • Accompanying stickers helped other guests identify their leadership style throughout the night

• Custom Storm King cocktails with framed bar signage including:

  • Storm King Spritz: Storm King brings you new connections, fresh and new ideas, and community—just like a bubbly, bright spritz

  • Bee’s Knees: Bees & Flowers have one of the most symbiotic relationships in nature, just like Storm King’s executive members

  • Executive Espresso Martini: The execs in our network are energized, full of new ideas, and ready to take on new challenges, just like the burst of caffeine from a classic Espresso Martini

• Menu re-imagined as phases of a hike instead of standard courses. For example, the appetizer was the “ascent” while dessert was the “descent”

• Culinary parter Figwaspe, who is inspired by earthly beauty and the natural world. The Figwaspe team created a nature-themed menu including a flower bed of radishes and edible Nasturtiums.

• Beta Guide Activity: In hiking, Beta refers to insider information or advice about a specific trail or route, often gleaned from someone who has experience with it. After dinner, guests were given vintage botanical postcards to write down topics where they could lead others, as well as something they were seeking more information on. Storm King then connected the matches after the dinner, providing additional value and a natural followup from the conference.