Imprint Conference

Branding an Event that Becomes a Long-lasting Experience

Overview

Arundel Christian Church offered a women’s conference annually for their attendees and community. However, in years past they utilized content developed by outside organizations.

In 2020 the client desired to create a brand new conference experience, unique to their organization. The purpose of the conference was to invite women from every walk of life and to help them understand the unique imprint God has made in their lives and the imprint they can make in the lives of others.

The 2020 theme was titled "On a Voyage: Trusting in God’s Promises,” based on a Bible passage in Isaiah 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Isaiah 43:2

Approach

Visuals

The first step was to establish a conference logo. The strong all caps serif font was paired with a script font in an effort to marry strength and femininity. This design strategy helped us create a logo that could work with a different visual theme each year. Next the photography was chosen. A composite of images was chosen visually represent the key event scripture passage.

Speakers

Three guest speakers were invited to teach each session. Each shared their experience of discovering God’s imprint in their lives and the imprint they daily make in the lives of others—even in the midst of hard times.

Partnerships

Understanding that the women in this community desire to put what they learn into action, and to add another level of dimension to the conference, we developed a strategy to partner with a local non-profit and social enterprise, Hon’s Honey.

Marketing

A marketing calendar was created and content was developed to promote the conference via social media posts on Facebook and Instagram, event posters hung at Arundel Christian Church, and mailers provided to other churches in the Central Maryland area. Two of the guest speakers influenced marketing through word of mouth and their own email lists. To encourage early registrations we utilized “Galentine’s Day” weekend to promote registration and offered a swag bag to the first 50 who registered.

Results

  • Over 100 women attended the conference

  • All early registration swag bags were given out

  • Hon’s Honey sold large quantities of their product

  • An ongoing partnership was formed between Arundel Christian Church and Hon's Honey

Conclusion

The conference was hosted Saturday, March 7, 2020, just days before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the United States into quarantine. Many stories were shared with the conference team that the messages and event experience helped prepare many women for what was to come in the months that followed.

The impact was so significant, that three months later we partnered with the conference speakers and Arundel Christian Church to host a virtual Imprint Hangout. The strategy was to gather women online from the comfort and safety of their homes and discuss how to further share their imprint in the midst of a storm no one in our country had ever experienced.