Overview:

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, Akron University planned an extravagant, black-tie gala. The exclusive, invitation-only event was as much as celebration as it was a fundraising opportunity for donors and patrons to show their support for the historic venue and ensure its success for generations to come.

The university enlisted Woodshed Creative to provide a comprehensive range of services — everything from brand development to web development, printed tickets and credentials, event signage and more — to ensure the event's success.

Challenge:

Event organizers, including venue managers and members of the president’s senior staff, turned to Woodshed to create a cohesive and elegant 50th anniversary gala that would reflect the significance of the milestone and ensure a seamless experience for all attendees.

Faced with the reality of a tight timeline and an even tighter budget, the university leaned on Woodshed as a single-source provider to streamline their development and ordering process for numerous products and services.

Solution:

Woodshed Creative met with event organizers to determine a list of high-impact needs, and delivered a full suite of services. This ensured every aspect of the event was visually cohesive and professionally executed. Our solutions included:

• Brand Development: A full build-out from the team’s basic logo to include additional colors, elements, and general look and feel of all event touchpoints

• Event Website: A dedicated, stand-alone website with multiple pages detailing the event, agenda, providing sponsorship opportunities, and ticketing link.

• Email Campaigns: Targeted email campaigns sent to 67,000 donors to promote the event and provide important updates.

• Mailable Invitations: Elegant invitations designed and produced to capture the essence of the celebration and entice recipients to attend.

• Event Signage: Comprehensive indoor and outdoor signage, including:

  • Hanging banners

  • Branded table covers

  • Step & repeat photo backdrops for the red carpet

  • Freestanding frame signs and posters

  • Freestanding outdoor flags

  • A-frames and signboards for directional signage

• VIP Credentials: Custom credentials for all attendees, including:

  • VIP event wristbands

  • VIP holographic laminate passes

  • Custom-branded lanyards

  • Commemorative tickets and envelopes

Execution:

Our team meticulously designed and produced each element to ensure a seamless and visually appealing experience.

The stand-alone website served as an informative and user-friendly hub for all event-related information while highlighting numerous sponsorship opportunities for donors. A series of email campaigns effectively engaged the donor base, driving interest, donations, and ticket sales.

For attendees, the luxurious art-deco invitations set the tone for the event. A suite of VIP credentials added a touch of exclusivity and professionalism, enhancing the overall guest experience. Elegant step & repeat walls flanked the red carpet, giving the black-tie affair a Hollywood feel. Comprehensive event signage provided clear and elegant directions to private lounge areas, carefully curated entertainment, and signature cocktails.

Impact:

The 50th anniversary gala was a resounding success. The event website and email campaigns effectively informed and engaged donors, contributing to a high turnout and successful fundraising efforts. The VIP credentials and elegant signage elevated the event's prestige, with cohesive and visually-striking materials creating a memorable experience for all attendees. These efforts ensured a fitting celebration for E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall's milestone anniversary.

Visit uakron.edu or uakron.edu/ej for more information.