It’s not every day that Betty White hits KC for her Hallmark Hall of Fame movie premiere (the week of her 89th birthday no less) at the same time that Hallmark Hall of Fame celebrates 60 years of entertaining audiences all around the world.

This one-of-a-kind event called for a one-of-a-kind celebration!

Beginning in early December, the Premier Studios event team and Hallmark Hall of Fame staff began meeting together to dream and plan out the ultimate experience for this important event — and in the following months proceeded to make each dream come true, culminating with the evening of January 20.

“There’s no more important example of serving missional organizations than what we’ve done here,” said Gerald Smith, president, Premier Studios. “The example that Hallmark Hall of Fame imparts through story and film is absolutely unmatched and reflects its commitment to entertain, enlighten and inspire.”

The event took place in the Off Center Theater at Crown Center where appetizers and beverages greeted moviegoing VIPs who proceeded through an interactive display commemorating Hallmark Hall of Fame’s rich 60-year history.

The ultimate destination? A three-screen, in-the-round movie theater custom-created and outfitted for critical viewing with theater audio and high-definition projection by Premier Studios — the perfect venue for enjoying the evening’s focal point, Hallmark Hall of Fame movie “The Lost Valentine,” starring Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt. The movie will air on January 30, 2011, on CBS.

“Surprise was a vital element of the entire event, so nothing could be pre-set,” explained Jonathan Rowell, event manager, Premier Studios. “Everything needed to be automated, timed perfectly and flawlessly executed — from the presentations that accompanied the speaker points to the many special touches intended to surprise and delight throughout.”

Case in point, after the movie credits rolled, Brad Moore, Hallmark Hall of Fame president, who has known White since her “Golden Girls” days, was ready for the big reveal. He feigned surprise as a mailbox (an important movie prop) descended from the ceiling with its flag up. Inside? A very special handcrafted Hallmark birthday card for honoree Betty White, of course!

Betty was serenaded with surprise birthday wishes not once but twice — first by Hallmark’s Senior Management, then by the Hallmark Gospel Choir.

“What more can a girl ask?” White exclaimed as confetti fell from the ceiling and her birthday cake rolled in. “One of my last unfulfilled dreams was making a Hallmark Hall of Fame film. And that’s what we’ve done here!”