International convention A nine-market convention in Malta, closing with a marching band through Valletta

An international insurer brought nine joint ventures from eight markets to Malta for its flagship convention. It ran for four nights in seven languages, and on the last night the delegates walked to the closing gala behind a marching band through Valletta. Colours of Malta was the DMC.

The marching band crosses the bridge into Valletta under an arch of flowers, trombones in front, brass catching the evening light — 18:43 · The band crosses the bridge into Valletta

Joint ventures, one room block: 9
Markets, Asia and Europe: 8
Interpretation channels: 7
Consecutive evening events: 4
Musicians in the marching band: 30

Nine delegations from eight markets in Asia and Europe, in one room block, with one conference, four evening events and a two-track excursion programme covering both islands.

Simultaneous interpretation in seven languages

With guests from Turkey, India, Malaysia, Portugal, China, the Philippines and Vietnam, the plenary ran on seven simultaneous-interpretation channels with whisper sets. The conference opened with a Maltese processional: senior leadership walked to the stage to live drums and traditional dancers.

10:35 Coffee break, in four languages

The plenary stage between sessions: four white armchairs and two side tables with yellow flowers, the screen behind reading Coffee Break in English, Chinese, Turkish and Malay

Mdina

St Paul's Cathedral and dinner at Bacchus

An evening opening of St Paul's Cathedral for the group, with a soprano and organ, then dinner in the gardens at Bacchus with five artisan stalls, a €20 token for every guest to spend at them, a folk band and dancers.

17:45 The stalls, before the doors

Jars of Maltese olive oil with lace covers tied with twine on a stall in the gardens

A silver dish of white almond nougat beside wrapped bars on a red and gold cloth

Silver and gold filigree rings in a wooden tray, hand-written price tags among them

18:39 St Paul's Cathedral

The baroque façade and twin bell towers of St Paul's Cathedral in Mdina against a blue sky

Looking straight up into the dome of St Paul's Cathedral: painted vaults, gilded mouldings and red marble piers

A soprano in a long green and gold gown sings before the high altar of St Paul's Cathedral, candles and marble behind her — 19:08 · Soprano and organ, St Paul's Cathedral

19:16 The artisans

Two stallholders in traditional Maltese dress behind a table of olive oil and honey jars, bread for tasting in baskets

A lace-maker working bobbins on a lace pillow at her stall in the gardens

A weaver throwing the shuttle on a wooden hand loom, a blue and green cloth growing on the warp

The awards night

A medieval banquet at the Mediterranean Conference Centre

The awards night was staged as a medieval banquet on two long imperial tables in the Mediterranean Conference Centre, the Knights of St John's 16th-century infirmary. There was a Grand Master in full costume, flag and torch bearers, drummers, trumpeters and a knight on horseback at the entrance.

18:12 Before the doors

One of the long imperial tables: white linen, a red runner, tall white candles in gold candelabras with red roses, fruit, and red and white chair covers running into the distance

A vaulted stone hall at the Mediterranean Conference Centre hung with red drapes, candle chandeliers and the banners of the Order of St John

18:40 At the entrance

Torch bearers, trumpeters, drummers and a couple in period dress line the red carpet at the door of the conference centre, and a knight on horseback in green waits beside them

A young torch bearer in a mustard cape and velvet cap holds a burning torch outside the conference centre

20:43 Mdina Glass

A hand-blown Mdina Glass trophy in swirling ruby and white, more trophies in amber and blue out of focus behind it

Gozo, the Three Cities and the Blue Grotto

The group split in two and swapped days, so everyone did both excursions. One track went to Gozo and crossed the island by jeep and buggy. The other took the Three Cities and the Blue Grotto, with lunch on the Vittoriosa waterfront.

Painted wooden boats on turquoise water in the inlet below the cliffs at the Blue Grotto — 09:36 · The Blue Grotto

12:29 The Three Cities

The footbridge to Fort St Angelo in Birgu, a classic motor yacht moored in the creek and the waterfront of the Three Cities beyond

The closing gala

A marching band through the capital

For the closing gala, guests were set down at the Triton Fountain outside the city gate, and a 30-piece Maltese marching band played them across the bridge, past Parliament, through Pjazza Jean de La Valette and Castille, into the Upper Barrakka Gardens and down to the Saluting Battery for dinner on the bastions above the Grand Harbour.

17:48 The battery, laid