Mix one science centre, Facebook, get big party

Birthday bash result of innovative marketing, online connectivity

KRISTEN THOMPSON/METRO VANCOUVER

Fabiola Carletti outside The Telus World Of Science on Thursday. In a move that brings attention to the venue, and new friends to Carletti, Science World has agreed to throw the new Vancouverite a 24th birthday party Friday night.

Open event

• Carletti’s birthday party is an open event, and tickets are $15 at the door.
• The event runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with pizza and a cash bar inside.

Published: November 20, 2009 5:39 a.m.

Last modified: November 20, 2009 2:24 a.m.

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New Vancouverite Fabiola Carletti has got making friends down to a science. Her formula? A novel birthday party idea and Facebook.

Carletti, who moved from Toronto in September to attend the University of B.C., had her heart set on celebrating her 24th birthday at a Telus World of Science’s After Dark event — a themed adults-only soiree.

When she learned there weren’t any events planned for the immediate future, Science World told her they’d open the venue for the night — and provide a cash bar to boot — if Carletti could find 100 guests.

“I didn’t think I’d actually be able to do it,” said Carletti, who used Facebook to ask friends and classmates to spread the word.

“It’s kind of like casting a line — you don’t know if they’re going to bite.”

Carletti said guests started signing up in small increments.

“We’d be at 70 (guests) and stay there, and then all of a sudden it would jump to 85. I swear it stayed at 99 for so long. When it went to 100 I took a screen shot.”

“It’s exciting when Facebook can facilitate something you may have been interested in, but couldn’t (pull off).”

Pamela Findling, spokesperson for Science World, said they’ve never done something like this at the venue before.

“It’s a great opportunity for (Carletti) to have a (great birthday) and to have an audience that would not normally come into Science World,” Findling said.

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