VIP Activation Done Right: How Oxford Properties Used a Blind Candy Tasting to Attract & Delight Guests

If you've ever hosted a big event, you know the drill: there's live music, a crowd, maybe a food truck or two. But what gets people to stop, stay a while, and actually talk to you?

For Oxford Properties Group during Stampede, the answer wasn't fancy hors d'oeuvres or the usual swag bag. It was a blind candy tasting challenge—a high-energy, low-pressure, "I dare you to guess this flavour" moment that pulled people in and had them talking long after the music faded.

And spoiler alert: it worked beautifully.

The Scene: Oxford Stomp Stampede Party

Picture it: a two-week corporate celebration leading up to one of Calgary's most legendary Stampede events. Candy buffets? Desk drops to kick off the festivities? A sweet-spin station for quick treats? We did it all! But the real crowd magnet? A live blind candy tasting, complete with our cactus cowboy table setup (seriously, it's a showstopper.

The rules were simple:

• We handed out a mystery candy
• You tasted it, no peeking, no hints
• You made your best guess (bonus points for over-the-top confidence)

Some were bang-on. Some were hilariously off-base. Everyone left smiling and ready to party!

Why It Worked: Turning Candy Into an Experience

This wasn't just candy. It was an activation. The blind tasting:

• Stopped people in their tracks – Because who doesn't want to know if they can outsmart their taste buds?
• Sparked conversation – Coworkers were cheering each other on, swapping guesses, laughing at the wild answers ("Green apple? Definitely jalapeño!").
• Left a memory – People walked away talking about Oxford Properties, not just the music, but the fun they had at the booth.

And that's what a good event activation does: it gives people a reason to engage with your brand on a personal, memorable level.

The Takeaway for Corporate Events

When you're competing for attention at a big event, interactive experiences win. A blind candy tasting is fast, fun, and scalable from intimate VIP gatherings to massive outdoor festivals.

Oxford nailed it by:

• Pairing sweet giveaways with something unexpected
• Using a multi-sensory moment to get people talking
• Creating a branded, Instagram-worthy setup that drew a crowd

Because when you can make people laugh, guess, and fist-pump over candy, your brand sticks with them, in the best possible way.

✨ Want this energy at your next event?

From live blind tastings to custom-branded candy activations, we know how to make your booth, VIP area, or staff party the one everyone's talking about.

Check out our Corporate Events Brochure to plan your own crowd-pleasing candy experience.