A group of the world’s most powerful people descended on leafy Hertfordshire for the Global Private Equity Annual Partners Meeting, a three-day conference and entertainment extravaganza. Despite the credit crunch, which has mired the worldwide money markets in gloom, the event was heralded as a huge success by Moustafa N Zantout, the head of marketing and communications at Global Investment House, which was behind the conference.

“We were absolutely delighted with the event,” he said. “It was extremely successful for our us at a very unsettled time for worldwide financial markets.

“We were thrilled with the setting of the hotel, the theming and the quality of the food and entertainment provided, as well as the professionalism displayed on the organisation and presentation of our conference and networking events. This was an extremely successful event for us at a very unsettled time for worldwide financial markets.”

The event was organised by Donna Comfort’s Diamond City Events. “It was an amazing, high-profile success and I am extremely proud of what we managed to achieve particularly in the current climate,” she said.

“Our brief was incredibly difficult and demanding. Our client Global Investment House is one of the world’s most respected investment houses with a fabulous reputation. Based in Kuwait, they insisted, quite rightly, upon staging an event that would enhance that reputation and prove both stimulating and informative for their highly-valued and discerning clients. Together we delivered on all counts.”

The unique Global Private Equity 2008 Limited Partners Meeting was hosted at The Grove, a five-star country estate in Hertfordshire, just 30 minutes from London. One of the Leading Hotels of the World, The Grove is set in 300 acres of park and woodland and proved a truly tranquil backdrop for a financial conference with a difference.

“What set this conference apart from others was the stratospheric profile of the attendees,” explained Comfort. “They are among the richest people in the world. While we cannot identify them personally, they included members of Royal families predominantly from the Middle East and Asia.”

One evening there was a special private concert from stars of the spectacular stage show Mamma Mia, while another saw delegate entertained by a private performance of the Irish dance phenomenon Spirit of the Dance.

Guests were also able to enjoy trips to Windsor, shopping expeditions to London and golf or spa treatments at the hotel.

The event was a huge logistical challenge for Diamond City Events, which required months of preparations to ensure the results demand by Global Investment House were met.

“We had promised our client a spectacular event that oozed style, elegance and simplicity, but also to counteract the extremely serious nature of the financial conference and networking events we promised incredible food and fantastic entertainment,” said Comfort.