Every culture feels luxury differently. Here’s how IPG creates experiences that resonate with diverse international guests featuring a VIP Gala at One&Only Le Saint Géran.
Luxury Isn’t Universal. It’s Cultural.
Event planners often assume luxury is the same everywhere: elegant décor, flawless service, perfect lighting.
But in reality?
What feels “luxurious” to a French executive might feel cold to an American CEO…
What feels premium to an Indian group may feel understated to a European delegation…
What feels appropriate to an Asian incentive might feel too bold for a UK corporate.
This is why Impact Production Group (IPG) approaches every international event with one central philosophy:
Luxury must be culturally intelligent.
When a VIP Incentive group flew a global mix of executives and top performers to One&Only Le Saint Géran, IPG had one mission:
✔ Respect every culture
✔ Understand their definition of celebration
✔ Showcase Mauritius with elegance
✔ Create an experience where everyone felt included, understood, and valued
This blog reveals how IPG adapts design, entertainment, lighting, ceremony flow, and guest experience to match cultural expectations using the Gatsby Gala under the Orangeraie as a real case study.
Understanding Cultural Expectations : The IPG Method
Different cultures celebrate differently.
They react to décor differently.
They interpret sound, timing, food, and colour differently.
IPG studies these behaviours before beginning any design.
✔ Americans
Love immersive storytelling, “big moments,” photo opportunities, interactive bars.
✔ Europeans
Prefer understated sophistication, balance, minimalism, and curated ambience.
✔ Indian / South Asian groups
Love vibrant colours, dramatic reveals, lively music, high-energy entertainment.
✔ Middle Eastern guests
Value elegance, gold accents, hospitality rituals, warm tones, comfort.
✔ East Asian delegations
Prefer precision, harmony, thoughtful transitions, respectful pacing, symmetry.
✔ African delegations
Value rhythm, live performance, layered décor, warmth, and movement.
IPG’s strength lies in blending these expectations without overwhelming any group.
Case Study: The Gatsby Gala Under the Orangeraie
This particular incentive group was one of the most culturally diverse ever hosted by One&Only Le Saint Géran:
- Americans
- Europeans
- Middle Eastern guests
- South Africans
- Asian executives
- Mauritian hosts
A single-theme gala could easily alienate someone.
A one-style décor could feel too bold for some and too minimal for others.
So IPG designed a Gala that merged universality with cultural specificity, a masterclass in global event experience design.
The Core Strategy : Balance, Harmony, and “Cultural Neutral Luxury”
IPG used three guiding principles.
A) A Theme That Transcends Culture: Gatsby
Instead of choosing a theme rooted in a specific culture, IPG picked Gatsby:
Everyone knows it
- It’s cinematic
- It’s glamorous
- It’s energetic
- It’s not tied to any one nationality
- It allows for décor boldness without cultural appropriation
This ensured every guest could connect with the atmosphere.
B) A Palette That Universally Signals Elegance
Rather than using loud colours, IPG focused on:
✨ Gold
✨ Ivory
✨ Black accents
✨ Candlelight
✨ Transparent architectural moments
These tones have universal luxury acceptance.
No culture finds them inappropriate, overwhelming, or too minimal.
C) A Flow That Matches Global Comfort Zones
Different cultures prefer different event pacing:
- Americans: fast, high-energy
- Europeans: slow, layered
- Indians: celebratory peaks
- Asians: structured and intentional
IPG balanced the flow:
- Jazz procession → soft entry
- Champagne wall → interactive moment
- Venue reveal → emotional peak
- Dinner → calm, elegant heart
- Evening entertainment → energy build
This created a shared rhythm where every culture found a familiar beat.
The Design Choices : Adapted for a Global Audience
Below are the elements IPG intentionally adapted for multicultural comfort.
- The Orangeraie Structure Itself
The Orangeraie is elegant yet neutral.
It does not impose a cultural identity.
Its glass and PVC blend allows:
- A grand reveal (loved by Americans and Asians)
- Open space and calm lines (loved by Europeans)
A sense of ceremony (loved by Indian groups)
It became the perfect “global luxury canvas.”
- The Transparent Pool Floor Moment
Walking on water is universally awe-inspiring.
But the experience was designed cautiously:
- lit softly to avoid overwhelming older guests
- non-slip for safety
- wide enough not to trigger social anxiety
- strong enough for group photos
The effect was iconic… but accessible to all comfort levels.
- Feather Centerpieces
Feathers bring a sense of elegance across cultures.
But IPG avoided:
- peacock symbolism (sensitive in some cultures)
- loud colours (can conflict with European minimalism)
Instead, the feathers were:
- ivory
- set up in gold trumpet style vases
- softly lit
A glamorous but culturally safe choice.
- Champagne Wall Adaptation
In some cultures, alcohol must be handled with discretion.
So IPG placed the Champagne Wall:
- in an elegant alcove
- signage-free
- accessible only by choice
This allowed:
- celebration for those who wanted it
- elegant abstinence for those who didn’t
A simple but important cultural adjustment.
- A Soundscape Tuned for Comfort
Music was curated in three layers:
- Layer 1: Jazz
→ universally elegant; never culturally controversial. - Layer 2: Soft lounge beats during dinner
→ culturally neutral. - Layer 3: Energetic modern set after dinner
→ for groups who prefer to dance.
- Layer 1: Jazz
Guests of all backgrounds felt included without any moment feeling too niche.
Hospitality Rituals : Tailored for Cultural Sensitivity
IPG trained its experience team to adapt greeting protocols:
✔ Some cultures prefer minimal contact
→ subtle nods, open gestures
✔ Others prefer warm handshakes
→ hosted at entry
✔ Some prefer a host guiding them to seats
→ seat escort available
✔ Others prefer independence
→ clear sightlines for fast orientation
This attention to detail created subconscious comfort for everyone.
Why Cultural Intelligence Is the Future of Luxury Events
Today’s incentive groups come from everywhere.
Luxury is no longer uniform, it must feel personally meaningful.
Cultural intelligence creates:
✔ smoother guest flow
✔ less social tension
✔ more engagement
✔ positive emotional memory
✔ a sense of inclusion
✔ respect for diversity
✔ deeper brand connection
This is why IPG leads the Indian Ocean region in multicultural event design.
A Truly Global Experience Is One Where No One Feels Like a Guest
A luxury event is not décor.
It is how every guest, regardless of nationality, feels included, respected, and celebrated.
IPG’s Gala Dinner proved this:
Cinematic but not overwhelming Elegant but not excessive Celebratory but not intimidating Warm, inclusive, and culturally balanced
This is the new frontier of event luxury and this is what IPG delivers.
Hosting a multicultural group in Mauritius?
Let IPG design an event where every guest feels at home.