To create a unique, branded experience for KPMG's top 250 global lead partners at a two day event in the Sheraton Hotel in New York’s Times Square.
My client wanted to deliver a solution that would exceed the high expectations of this notoriously time-poor and expectant audience and create an experience that would go beyond what would be considered conventional at a traditional corporate event.
Client/Agency: RR Donnelley
After a briefing with the client I started bashing out some concepts as sketches and moodboards. As these began to take shape we brought in an illustrator to help bring the ideas to life and after a site visit I was able to begin producing floor and lighting plans for the physical spaces.
Digital development had to start early so wireframes whre designed to be mobile first.
The films came to life thorough a series of storyboards, moodboards and treatments.
I designed an event that combined elegant physical spaces with bespoke digital platforms and engaging content to deliver a seamless, integrated experience that allowed organisers and delegates to manage their time efficiently and effectively whilst facilitating optimal opportunities for discussion, networking and sharing.
An adaptive extranet platform provided a highly effective digital experience allowing interaction with delegates before, during and after the event.
Pre
Delegates could register, pre-book events and workshops, see who else was attending and find travel and arrival information.
During
Running primarily on tablets and smart phones the platform acted as a ‘digital host’ and facilitated; personalised scheduling and map directions, voting on plenary issues, making live comments to interactive screens, sharing on social media and the ability to store content viewed on interactive kiosks for later consumption.
Post
The platform became a repository for content viewed at the event allowing distribution among teams and colleagues back at the office.
With multiple keynotes, workshops and presentations occurring simultaneously over three floors of the hotel, the interior space needed to be designed to be extremely efficient as well as engaging, on-brand and comfortable.
To accommodate this on the primary floor I created a series of connected yet private spaces that included:
Stage and plenary area
With seating for 300 an intimate thrust stage was surrounded by two interactive screens facilitating live voting via our digital platform and IMAG video magnification to increase engagement and visibility.
Networking bar
Over looking Times Square I created a stylish and relaxing area for delegates to take time out and meet colleagues in an informal atmosphere
Interactive exhibition hall and a library.
A multi-media area containing interactive kiosks, a guru bar, video screens and printed materials where delegates could view and discuss best practise work and methodologies from around the globe. This space was designed so it could quickly transform into an dining area affording delegates the opportunity to network and peruse content whilst eating their breakfast and lunch.
Over the remaining two floors I created a series of break-out areas and flexible conference rooms that could hold between 20 and 100 delegates for presentations and workshops.
A number of educational and inspirational films were commissioned to be shown at scheduled times in the exhibition hall and as part of the plenary and keynote sessions.
I wrote and directed three of these films with a theme of ‘The Future’. Two focused on introducing new KPMG talent to the audience and a third on predictions and revelations for technology and social developments for the next 20 years.
Overall the event was a huge success with both my client and KPMG very satisfied with the high level of engagement and positive feedback from delegates, both by word of mouth and captured by our digital platform.
Please contact me if you would like to know any more about this (or any other) project.
