It's the Christmas party season. Oh joy unbridled. For all the talk of employers using the recession to play the Scrooge card and cancel the annual bash, the bars, restaurants and streets of central London are as packed as ever, full of the usual braying mobs shouting nonsense and obscenities at one another. It was quite a relief last week to attend an annual party with a difference. Yes, the place was heaving with young people and booze was being consumed in high volume. Endless trays of cocktails circulated and there was even a cocktail the size of a large paddling pool (or a very small lake), that you could sort of float across on a raft. Welcome to the wonderful world of Courvoisier and in particular the annual bash for the Courvoisier The Future 500 (CVTF500).

While it's tempting to blame the cognac-based cocktails being liberally dispensed, the incredible buzz in the room had more to do with the people than the drinks. The CVTF500, to use its clunky short form, is a network of young rising stars from across a wide range of different fields, including business and the arts to fashion and music. Each year another cadre of eligible entrepreneurs is added to the list. Because regardless of the field they specialise in, whether it's technology, design, fashion or party organising, the members of the CVTF500 are entrepreneurs. This is what gives the network its strength, because it allows the participants the ideal combination of sharing similar experiences while also learning from people in different sectors.

Again it's easy to suggest the drink played a part, but I can't remember a more friendly and approachable bunch of people. Considering all have been picked out as rising stars, you might expect some at least to be a little full of themselves and a little precious. But no one I met was anything other than delighted to be there and eager to listen and ask questions of fellow guests.

Richard Cree

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