Event Spotlight: How a Bit of Creative Kindling Ignited a SPARK
Photo credit: Brian Byllesby Photography.
Do your corporate meetings inspire cheers or jeers? As large-scale corporate event planners, Kennedy Events obviously aims for cheers. Our client knocked it out of the park with the SPARK Conference.
According to Kennedy Events Senior Producer and Creative Director Marianne Jackson, while many clients have—and love to hear—fantastic ideas, the client was actually willing to take those ideas to fruition. The event, held on the waterfront in San Francisco, was so successful that attendees didn’t want to leave when the party was over.
“I’ve never had an event that people enjoyed so much. We had to ask people to leave so that we could tear down the walls,” Jackson laughs.
So what made this conference so successful? Jackson says that having a clear vision, compelling content, and a willingness to mix things up was vital for keeping their 700 attendees engaged and active over two days.
Keep It Colorful
With so much space to play with, Jackson and the KE team had opportunities to play with decor, like a balloon arch in brand colors welcoming guests to on-demand badge printing. In the upstairs space, we kept things sleek and modern with bright pops of color supported by vivid graphic design. On the lower level, an indoor jungle with live greenery and tropical accents created the perfect environment for casual networking and conversation.
In addition to livening up the event space, those bold graphic elements offered numerous opportunities to incorporate branding throughout the area, from a bright conference logo going up the rise of the stairs to branded facing on the demo bar and stages. Branded accent pillows that reinforced the theme dotted white couches, perfect for lounging.
Mix It Up
With a completely open, unstructured space, we were free to let our imaginations run wild. The finished product spanned two levels with three different stages for speakers. Smaller areas on the top floor included a ‘board room’ and eight smaller meeting rooms that made connection points feel casual and intimate rather than staged and forced.
To introduce attendees to their software product, the client set up a demo bar that allowed guests to try out their product in real-time. Instead of talking about it, they showed it off in action, creating a powerful visual example of their prowess in the workplace.
Provide Space to Relax
In addition to the working and networking areas, the lower level included what they called ‘the Lido Deck.’ With lush greenery and lots of travel-themed decor, this area hosted the boozy brunch, complete with a steel drum band, and a VIP dining area. Having an area focused on relaxation meant that there was plenty of space to take the connections made upstairs and develop them in a more casual, fun space.
Looking to Add That Extra Something to Your Next Event?
Looking for some creative ideas for your next event? That first step can be a bit intimidating, but we are here to help! If you’re looking to lower your stress while creating a memorable experience for your guests, let’s brainstorm together. Schedule some time with us today and learn how we can ignite the spark for your next event!
MARIANNE JACKSON
Marianne Jackson is a senior producer and the creative director at Kennedy Events. She specializes in making our client’s biggest design and decor dreams tangible while also ensuring that the event day menu is worthy of a Zagat mention. (Seriously, her taste and culinary connections are that good). Her fervor for adventure, cuisine, and aesthetics is visibly apparent in every event—whether in-person or virtual—she produces.
About Kennedy Events
Kennedy Events began with one goal in mind—to produce high-level corporate events with just as much strategy as style. Maggie founded the company in 2000, found her match in Paige, and in 2011 the two became official partners. Since then, these two resourceful and brilliant creatives have pooled their strengths to build one one of the most the most sought after corporate event companies in San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles.
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