The Ask

The Economic Security Project sought to amplify their "Guaranteed Income Now" initiative, aiming to elevate the national conversation around guaranteed income as a critical step towards economic justice. ESP needed to orchestrate an impactful conference that would gather influential leaders, discuss updated data, share firsthand accounts from guaranteed income pilot participants, and inspire a movement towards permanent policy changes.

The Answer

A weeklong conference that successfully convened over 250 leaders, including policymakers, community activists, academics, and elected officials from across the country. 

Kennedy Events successfully orchestrated the conference by addressing each of ESP's needs with precise and innovative solutions:

Venue and Accommodation

We selected the Loudermilk Convention Center due to its capacity and facilities. To accommodate participants, we booked 292 room nights, fully paid by ESP, ensuring that all attendees had comfortable lodgings close to the venue.

Programming and Engagement

The programming was meticulously planned to balance keynote speeches with panel discussions and networking opportunities. Highlights included:

• Keynote Speeches: Dr. Bernice King and Michael Tubbs delivered impactful speeches that resonated with the audience, emphasizing the historical and ongoing importance of guaranteed income.

• Panels and Discussions: Focused on sharing successes from various guaranteed income pilots and discussing future strategies to influence policy.

Logistics and Operations

Our operational plan included:

• Registration: Using Eventbrite, we streamlined the invitation, registration, and check-in processes, achieving attendance rates of 66% and 78% over two days.

• COVID-19 Protocols: Rapid testing and clear guidelines ensured that the event was safe and that attendees felt comfortable throughout the conference.

Design and Atmosphere

The event space was designed to facilitate engagement and relaxation:

• Rest and Restore Rooms: Included amenities such as massages and tea, providing attendees a space to rejuvenate.

• Stage and Layout: The main stage featured inspiring designs with floral decorations, and breakout areas allowed for intimate discussions and networking.

Highlights:

• Keynote Fireside Chat: Dr. Bernice King and Michael Tubbs discussed the legacy of Dr. King's vision for economic justice and the current efforts to make guaranteed income a permanent solution.

• National Coverage: The event garnered media attention, with coverage by the NPR affiliate in Atlanta, enhancing the visibility and reach of the conference’s core messages.

• Announcements: Notable announcements included the expansion to one hundred guaranteed income pilots affecting 38,000 individuals and the introduction of the Pilots to Policy State Fund by ESP co-founder Natalie Foster, aimed at promoting state-level policy changes.

• Engagement: The conference facilitated deep discussions among attendees, creating a collaborative environment to share successes, challenges, and strategies for advancing the guaranteed income agenda.

Impact

The conference was a resounding success, marked by several achievements:

• Educational Impact: Attendees left with a deeper understanding of guaranteed income's potential, inspired by the new data and testimonies shared.

• Networking: Many attendees expanded their networks, which is crucial for the grassroots growth of the movement.

• Media Reach: The event received significant media attention, amplifying its messages to a broader audience.