SEASPAN SHIP LAUNCH & VIP DINNER

Main Services: Event Design & Management  |  Live Event Production


Always Included: Experience Design | Project Management | Program Strategy | Creative Strategy | Health & Safety


Key Elements: Health & Safety Management | Food & Beverage Management | Media & Red Carpet Collaboration

Over 2,300 guests gathered at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards to witness the historic naming and launch of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Joint Support Ship, HMCS Protecteur; the longest naval vessel ever built in Canada. Despite heavy rain and the challenges of an active shipyard, the event unfolded with seamless precision, emotional resonance, and national pride. The two-day experience included a private VIP dinner and an official launch ceremony attended by naval leaders, and dignitaries from across the country, including former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. With over 85 million media impressions and 38,000+ social engagements, the event was a true celebration of Canadian innovation, craftsmanship, and unity.

  • The Experience

    VIP Dinner

    This extraordinary event began with a private reception for 80 VIPs, including Seaspan executives, high-ranking naval officials, and government leaders. Guests were treated to an elegant evening featuring canapés, curated cocktails, and a model display of the ship, supported by a powerful timelapse video that documented its build, anchoring guests emotionally in the story of Protecteur before the public unveiling.


    Ship Launch Ceremony

    The following morning, the mood shifted to grandeur. With 2,300 guests braving cold, rainy conditions, the official launch began with a powerful blessing by Rebecca Duncan of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), using cedar boughs to cleanse the vessel. The national anthem was performed by the Naden Band, setting the stage for speeches by national leaders including former Prime Minister Trudeau, who reminded the crowd: "There’s a part of each and every one of you in this ship… she will be carrying a part of your legacy." The ceremony concluded with the official christening of the ship by sponsor, Teri McKinnon.


    From the custom scaffolding structure with a red scrim bearing the ship’s name in both French and English, to the large LED screens broadcasting the ceremony through tents and rain, every detail was designed to ensure clarity, comfort, and collective awe. Canadian flags, soft seating, and minimal floral design brought warmth to the dignitary tent, while safety protocols ensured operations continued securely on this live construction site. Even amid weather challenges and rerouted plans, our team adapted with precision, rerouting floorplans, removing flooded tent panels, and keeping all tech protected.


    Audience participation was profound. Guests stood shoulder-to-shoulder, fully engaged in each moment, from the cultural ceremony to the champagne christening. The sense of pride and purpose was felt far beyond the event, carried through hundreds of media stories, and thousands of shared photos and social posts.

  • Whizbang Moment

    The show-stopping moment came as ship sponsor Teri McKinnon, joined by former Prime Minister Trudeau and Royal Canadian Navy officials, stepped onto the scaffolding platform. With a ceremonial swing, she smashed a bottle of Black Hills Estate Winery Brut across the ship’s bow, declaring, “I name you Protecteur. Bless this ship and all who sail on it.” The crowd erupted in cheers, the ship stood proudly under the red-draped scaffolding, and a sea of umbrellas and flags waved in unison. The visuals were striking. The emotion? Unforgettable. It was the perfect crescendo to a program built on storytelling, national pride, and people-first production excellence.

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1

NAVY VESSEL

85

MILLION MEDIA IMPRESSIONS

2300

GUESTS