Client: Agricultural Engineers Association
Date: 6th November 2025
No of guests: 300
Event space: Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries & Making the Modern World
Event brief & Objectives
In 2025, the AEA celebrated a significant milestone – 150 years since its founding. The brief was to create a prestigious black-tie celebration that honoured the association’s heritage while bringing together leaders from across the land-based engineering and agricultural sectors.
The objectives were to:
- Celebrate AEA’s 150-year legacy in a memorable and meaningful way
- Bring the industry together for a one-of-a-kind experience
- Reflect AEA’s engineering heritage and future-focused identity
- Deliver a “wow-factor” event befitting such a momentous anniversary
Venue Selection: Why the Science Museum?
The Science Museum was chosen due to its strong alignment with AEA’s engineering roots and innovation-driven ethos. The venue immediately delivers impact – from the moment guests arrive, it creates a sense of awe and importance.
Key reasons for selection:
- Strong connection to engineering and innovation
- A venue that naturally inspires and impresses
- Capacity to comfortably host 300 guests
- Iconic London location with instant prestige
Event experience
The event was designed as a one-of-a-kind celebration, bringing together members, partners, and industry leaders to reflect on AEA’s past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future.
The atmosphere combined:
- Grandeur and celebration through a black-tie format
- Heritage storytelling woven into the event journey
- High-quality entertainment, dining, and production
- Sophisticated table decorations, glassware, and linens, added the perfect level of elevated elegance. Lighting and audiovisuals brought the story and setting to life.
Use of Spaces: Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries & Making the Modern World
Making the Modern World was selected due to its historical relevance to the AEA. An Aveling and Porter Steam Traction Engine is displayed in the gallery – a powerful link to the association’s origins, as Thomas Aveling was one of AEA’s original founding members.
Benefits and standout features:
- Authentic storytelling through historic engineering exhibits
- A unique dining environment surrounded by iconic objects
- Seamless integration of AEA’s heritage into the event narrative
- A visually striking and immersive guest experience
Catering, Production & Event Partners:
A carefully selected team of suppliers delivered a cohesive and bespoke event experience:
- Catering: food by dish
- AV & Production: Equip
- Florals: Pinstripes & Peonies
- Music: The Orbit String Quartet – Prelude Entertainment
- Event Host: Gyles Brandreth – JLA
- Photography:
- Lead Photographer: Matt Chung
- Second Shooter: Nick Andrews
Catering Concept & Menu
Food by Dish created a four-course menu celebrating British agriculture and food, perfectly reflecting AEA’s industry and values. Ingredients were locally sourced and menus were curated to showcase regional British produce.
Menu Highlights:
Starters
- Egg and soldiers with hand-picked Dorset crab, hay-smoked mayonnaise, sourdough and grapefruit
- Chestnut mushroom and truffle tartlet with onion jam and artichoke crisps
Main Courses
- Overnight blade of native beef with stewed carrot purée, Dorset wasabi mash and puffed grain crumb
- Roast pumpkin pithivier with chestnut jam, confit leek and sage & onion cream
Dessert
- Toffee apple with sesame caramel, caramelised apple compote, vanilla madeleine and caramel glaze
Cheese Course
- British selection of four cheeses with artisan crackers, chutney and grapes
The menu was bespoke to the event and received exceptional feedback from guests.
Guest Feedback & Event Outcome
Guest feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees commenting that:
- The evening “went by far too quickly”
- The venue was “fantastic and unforgettable”
- The food and entertainment exceeded expectations
The event successfully achieved its objectives, delivering a memorable celebration that honoured AEA’s history while uniting the industry in an iconic setting.
Client testimonial:
“The event was a truly memorable celebration of AEA’s 150-year history. From the venue and food to the entertainment and overall atmosphere, everything exceeded expectations. Our guests had a fantastic evening, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
– AEA
