Cheryl Cecchetto, who for the last 21 years has produced the Governors Ball that follows the Academy Awards, has an approach to managing guests that will be familiar to any meeting professional who has faced crowds of hungry, thirsty, seat-sprung attendees.
From the Los Angeles Times:
Starting with the basics, Cecchetto knows to get a drink in guests’ hands right away because “they need to be doing something — it makes them more comfortable.” There should be quiet music in the background because complete quiet makes people uncomfortable. And the food should be immediately available for the hungry hordes who’ve been sitting at the award show for at least three hours, and very likely four. The party planner has commissioned 30 banquettes for the evening at which the expected 1,500 guests can gather and get conversations flowing.