Welcome Reception
& Ribbon Cutting
La Jolla, California
CLIENT
Headquartered in Japan, Topcon Healthcare is a global leader in optical healthcare and technology.
Our vision for THINC’s Welcome Reception was San Diego coastal chic meets Japanese minimalism. We brought in colors of the San Diego coast to pair with the naturally blue building. We added sand colored stationary and linens and greens highlighting the palms, foliage and Torrey pines we see in the La Jolla seascape. In alignment with Japanese minimalism, we opted for simple, neutral and elegant with a design-forward concept across all aspects of the event.
PROJECT
In partnership with UCSD’s top opthamologists, Topcon Healthcare opened a new office and innovation division of the company called THINC. The welcome reception and ribbon cutting included the Japanese and United States founders, a tour of the office and an intimate dinner. The entire program was live broadcasted to all international teams with the CEO participating from Japan. Our goal of debuting the innovation center was a success for both the in-person attendees as well as the virtual viewers from around the globe.
DESIGN & PLAN
As we all know, plans change, even the most detailed ones. Overnight, the outdoor dinner reception and office ribbon cutting turned into a hybrid event with a virtual live stream presentation from the CEO in from Japan. With meticulous planning and preparation with our AV partners, internal IT and the team in Japan, we successfully hosted a warm dinner reception with a presentation and remarks coming from an ocean away.
While some guests were local doctors from UCSD and others were flown in from Japan just days prior, we wanted the reception to feel welcoming, relaxing and enjoyable. Warm hospitality paired with delicious food and beverage and a beautiful ambiance led us to success.
FLORALS
Inspired by a local florist, much of our design was centered around heavy greenery, making the business park feel intimate, comfortable, tropical and lush. The Flower Boy brought in coastal foliage including ferns, palms, and pines with details of anthurium, hellebore, and scabiosa to elevate the design. The result was magnificent.
RENTALS
Leanin on our neutral color palette, we brought in light wood and rattan chairs around a linen table cloth. The cocktail lounge was light and beachy with a very minimal aesthetic of neutral textures and patterns. TBD San Diego helped make the open business park feel intimate and private with green hedge walling and cabanas.
*actual design references
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Many important moments are celebrated around a table with food and beverage. We designed a cocktail menu featuring a hand-selected whisky from Japan, paired with mezcal for a twist on an old fashioned we called “East meets West”, served with a branded ice cube. Another specialty cocktail featured a riff on a margarita, mirroring the Mexican influences weaved into our culinary and beverage culture.
Guests started with tray-passed appetizers during cocktail hour including a spicy tuna roll with raw bluefin tuna, apple pearls, pickled apple, soy paper, togarashi aioli.
They sat for their first salad course served with homemade butter buns with salted, whipped butter. The roasted beet & carrot salad had pistachio salsa verde, whipped goat ricotta and arugula.
Main courses were passed around the table as guests enjoyed conversation and the communal dishes. We black garlic & anise braised short rib served with shaved carrot, and chervil alongside pan seared wild caught salmon, whipped feta, grapefruit & fennel chutney, chili oil, and herb salad. Sides were cavatelli & broccolini with pee wee potatoes and wild mushrooms with garlic confit, truffle oil and grated parmesan.
Last but not least, we served a sweet bite as closing remarks were said on stage. Chef plated a beautiful dessert course of mexican spiced chocolate molten cake, blood orange & tequila sauce, candied peanut and vanilla ice cream.
Design, Planning, Catering, Bar, & Letterpress Design: MIHO
Rentals: TBD San Diego | Florals: The Flower Boy | Signage: Velvet Fox Designs | AV, Lighting, Live Streaming: Seas Production
Live Music: Austin Burns | Tabletop: Hostess Haven | Linens: APR