Celebrating 125 Years at the Monterey Bay Aquarium: Graniterock's Anniversary Gala

What if you could step into history while celebrating a monumental milestone? Join us as host Abbie Gordon chats with committee members Jeff Williams, Chandra Palacios, and Casey Messersmith about Graniterock's 125th anniversary celebration at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. From the unique strolling dinner to the exciting casino games, dancing, and 360 camera experiences, Chandra dishes on all the event's highlights. Plus, don't miss the special 125th-anniversary movie screening and tips on the semi-formal attire expected for the evening. This episode promises a night to remember, blending fun activities with a touch of elegance.

Our dedicated 15-member planning committee has been hard at work, and Casey shares insider details on the behind-the-scenes efforts, including regular bi-weekly meetings and coordinated logistics. We discuss convenient lodging options, with room blocks at nearby hotels and potential shuttle services to make your visit seamless. Whether you're excited about the historic venue or looking forward to reconnecting with team members, this episode covers everything you need to know to prepare for an unforgettable celebration. Bring your dancing shoes and a plus one – we can't wait to celebrate with you!

Transcript

Abbie: 0:10

Welcome to our first Celebration 125 team podcast. I'm your host, abby Gordon, and we'll be speaking with a few of our committee team members to talk about our upcoming celebration to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on February 22, 2025. With me today is Jeff Williams, chandra Palacios and Casey Messersmith. Before we get started fun fact, as I attended a site walkthrough a couple weeks ago our coordinator, natalie, said that they are also celebrating a 40th anniversary this October. What is great about that is Granite Rock is part of their history as we supplied the concrete for the construction.

Abbie: 0:57

So let's get started and answer all those burning questions. So, historically, granite Rock has always celebrated their anniversary of when they started Granite Rock and made it incorporated, and that was February 14th 1900. So every year Granite Rock does like to celebrate, put some emphasis on they wouldn't really be where they are today without the team members, employees of this company. So to celebrate next year 125 years is a big deal. You don't see too many companies still in business and thriving like we are. Chandra, do you want to give us some information on the Monterey Bay Aquarium?

Chandra: 1:48

Yeah, we're going to be doing this party that holds. Maybe we're estimating about 800 to 1,000 guests and it's going to be amazing as far as the views are concerned. It's going to be very active. There's going to be a lot to do, a lot of people to see, great conversation and be ready for pictures.

Abbie: 2:11

I know the focus is going to be on the venue itself, with the animals and the fish, so I know that attending a night event will have a lot of illuminating effects to showcase those animals. What are your thoughts on that?

Chandra: 2:29

I think, just keeping in mind that the animals are very sensitive to light. So, other than that kind of thing, just bring the fun, bring your significant others, get ready for being able to meet all of the other co-workers that we have, and get ready for also the weather. We're going to be able to stand outside for a little while if we want, along the deck, as long as it's weather permitting. So indoors you'll be able to bring your coats, hang them up if you don't need them, but also have the opportunity to go outside and see the ocean as much as possible.

Abbie: 3:05

Now for those of the team members that didn't attend the last event, our 120 celebration at the Fairmont. How is that going to differ from this one? Last time it was a sit-down dinner, yeah.

Chandra: 3:20

I think the huge difference on this one is it's going to be a strolling dinner, so we will have food, we will have appetizers, we'll have drinks and all that that goes along. The only difference is we'll be walking and being able to see the entire venue as we're picking up whatever snacks we want, whatever desserts we want, the food, drinks, drinks. There will be seating that everybody can kind of relax and kick up their feet for a while, and dancing will still have all that. So everybody will be able to mingle, but just in different sections. So make sure to walk around and get to meet everybody.

Abbie: 3:54

So what are the other activities that we'll be having at the event?

Casey: 3:59

There's gonna be a lot of fun here. I mean there's gonna be some casino games dancing Shander brought that up. There's also going to be a lot of fun here. I mean there's going to be some casino games dancing Shander brought that up. There's also going to be a couple photo booths. We're going to have two photo booths and a 360 camera which is kind of like a video camera Great and you get to stroll and see all the fish too, all the wildlife.

Abbie: 4:18

That's right, Jeff. Do you have anything to add? How big is that dance floor going to be?

Jeff: 4:24

Well, either be 18 by 18 or 21 by 21, just depending on the size. So we're still working on those logistics, but there should be a DJ and a lot of good music and entertainment for everyone to participate in.

Abbie: 4:39

So one thing that we haven't mentioned yet is the 125 movie. There's an auditorium there. Can you tell me a little bit more about that?

Jeff: 4:49

So, depending on the timing, there'll either be three to four showings, I think, approximately 30 minutes. The auditorium seats, I think, right around 250 people. There is no food or drinks allowed in that room, but it's a very nice state-of-the-art theater to play our 125th anniversary movie, so it should be a lot of fun now.

Abbie: 5:12

I know that the video that will be shown is concentrating on the last 25 years. I know that that is currently being made, so it should be a great showing yes, yes. Chandra, what kind of attire are we going to be expected to?

Chandra: 5:29

dress. It's going to be semi-formal, so come dress. Nice Doesn't have to be too glammed up, but nice enough that it's a slacks and button-up shirt or maybe a coat.

Abbie: 5:42

Now there's a lot of questions we haven't answered yet. There will be some prizes given out for the first RSVP team members. We'll give those out beforehand, so we will not be taking them to the aquarium, but there's going to be an additional podcast throughout the next few months that will be finalizing all the details, the logistics, the lodging Casey. Do you want to tell us a little bit more about the lodging?

Casey: 6:14

Yeah, so we're going to have some rooms blocked off of the Monterey Marriott in the Portola Hotel. Both are about half a mile from the venue for team members who want to stay overnight or make a long weekend out of it. The block of rooms are for Friday, february 21st and Saturday February 22nd. We will also have a discount code for the intercontinental for those who want to be within walking distance of the venue.

Abbie: 6:41

walking distance to the venue. Great, and I know we are also still working out the logistics having some shuttles for those accommodations that are not close by.

Casey: 6:53

So, yeah, we are working on getting a shuttle to transport team members from the hotels to the aquarium for those that do not want to walk that half mile.

Abbie: 6:59

And also possibly discount codes for Ubers and Lyfts as well. Yes, still more to come, so tell me who is invited to our 125 celebration.

Casey: 7:12

So it's going to be all active team members plus one board members and retirees up to 10 years Great.

Abbie: 7:19

That's very generous of the company to you know, still consider all of our retirees part of our family and we enjoy seeing them come back and sharing all their new adventures. Jeff, what was the save the date?

Jeff: 7:38

Oh, so we are planning to have a save the date postcard sent out to all those invited sometime in September and that will be for people to mark their calendars and block off the time.

Abbie: 7:52

Great. So we'll have Save the Days, we'll have invitations coming out towards the end of the year and additional podcasts, so as new team members come on board with Granite Rock, all information is available. And if somebody does have a burning question, who could they contact immediately to answer?

Jeff: 8:19

contact immediately. To answer um immediately would be paul cintarillo. Um, you definitely want to call him, probably because he's not here. Um, no, but in all seriousness, we would um like you to email to the team um 125 at grantrockcom and we can answer any of your questions between now and then. But please stay tuned for the further podcasts and additional information you'll be receiving.

Abbie: 8:41

So not only is myself, jeff, chandra and Casey on this team. It does take a village to put this whole party together. There is about 15 of us on the committee who meet every two weeks. We all have our designated tasks to complete and research and then we come back to the committee and iron out our details. And so far this is where we're at. So we have the venue, we're still working out meal, food options, the whole logistics. We'll have the links so that team members can book a room if they choose to do so, and it should be a great time.

Casey: 9:32

Bring your dancing shoes, bring your plus one and just be ready to have a great time. Sounds good to me.

Abbie: 9:37

Me shake those tail feathers. Thank you again for attending our first podcast yay, 125, yay thanks thank you.