The transitioning bipartisan firm, BGR Group, with a history of powerful Republican clients, partied into the late hours Tuesday during the Obama inauguration. The BGR Group hosted a Blue Ball for over 200 invited guests at its new Homer Building office in Washington, DC.
The firm patriotically primped its office floor with star lights projected on the dance floor conference area, mega screens airing the balls across town, and a blue glow throughout the space. Refreshments included mini-Reubens, corn souffle and champagne glasses with red, white, and blue sugar rims.
The 18-year-old lobbying firm added a couple of prominent Democrats to its staff in the past year and wanted to throw an intimate gathering in the new office to celebrate its own transition over the past year of becoming a bipartisan firm.
“The Democrats came into the firm and are pleased that Republicans know something about policy, so they work real well together,” said Lanny Griffith, chief executive and the “G” in BGR Group. “When I worked for the White House a long time ago for Bush in 1989, my job was to be bipartisan. This is very similar to that.”
The idea for the Blue Ball stemmed from a company Christmas party. But the idea behind the name does not have Democratic connotations.
“We were sitting in my office, drinking some Johnnie Walker Blue and decided to do the blue party,” Griffith said. “The Blue Ball. That’s what I thought it was about!”
Among the hundreds at the brunch reception were Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the new chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee; Carol Browner, picked to head Obama’s White House energy and environment council; and a platoon of NBC News personalities, including anchor Brian Williams and former anchor Tom Brokaw.
Founded in 1991, BGR Group is the premier bipartisan government relations, strategic consulting, mergers & acquisitions and investment firm in Washington, D.C. The firm’s reputation in Washington and international capitals means decision makers, journalist and business leaders often refer to them for insight regarding policy development, politics and international issues.
BGR clients include Fortune 500 companies, international governments, trade associations, non-profits, academic institutions, hospitals, coalitions, state and local governments. The firm intends to continue its hiring of new staff during the bipartisan transitioning.
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