Cabriolet Gala

Check out A Touch of Cabaret in all its glittering glory: 

Credit: BJ BMW

HOW SUSANNA STEWART HELPED BRIAN JESSEL BMW HOST AN AWARD-WINNING CHARITY GALA

Susanna worked with a talented team to transform a cavernous luxury car dealership into a swank, lush, and entertainment-filled cabaret that has raised over $2 million for charity since its inception!

The Essentials

Year: 2018

Attendance: 350 people

Deliverables: Planning, design, catering, theme, entertainment, vendors, supplies, permits, licensing, volunteer management.

Partners + collaborators: Showmax Audio Visual, A&B Partytime, Debut Event Design, Lavish LiquidBrian Jessel BMW Marketing Team

The Event

For over 35 years, Brian Jessel BMW has built an incredible reputation in Greater Vancouver as a go-to luxury car dealership and host of Vancouver’s signature charity event, the Cabriolet Charity Gala. Susanna Stewart Events planned and organized their 2018 award-winning gala. 


Susanna helped transform a massive dealership into a gorgeous, glittering night of old world glamour and generous giving. 


The sophisticated cabaret-style event featured dapper guests savouring hors d’oeuvres, Veuve Clicquot from a champagne fountain, and a sumptuous sit-down dinner. The Darlings Cabaret dancers charmed the room with a sexy burlesque-style show, and Susanna also sourced the spectacular LA-based performer, Annie Trousseau, who dropped jaws with her gorgeous Edith Paif-style singing. Every detail, from ambient candlelight and sparkling costumes to seductive velvet curtains, brought the room to captivating life. 

The 2018 gala has helped BJBMW raise a combined $2 million for Charity. 

The Challenges

How do you transform a large, cavernous car dealership into a sophisticated, entertainment-filled venue including a kitchen for catering, green rooms for entertainers, a large stage, hanging truss and much more? This event remains one of the most logistically challenging Susanna has ever planned. She and a diligent team of vendors pulled it off with flawless, sophisticated style. 


“We worked with Susanna for three years in her role of overseeing the Brian Jessel Gala for Pancreatic Cancer Canada. She is always extremely organized, pleasant to deal with and very calm. She pulled off extremely intricate and high-end events in a way that was seamless for the charity. We would be happy to recommend Susanna to anyone wanting to raise significant funds for their charity!”

—Michelle Capobianco, Chief Executive Officer at Pancreatic Cancer Canada Foundation






The Coast Kit