GoGather worked with a leader in the food manufacturing industry to organize their 220th anniversary celebration near Chicago, Illinois. 

The event featured a 3-hour meeting session, followed by entertainment and dinner highlighting popular items from their product line. 

They selected GoGather as their event management partner to simplify the planning process and oversee hotel arrangements, vendors, and F&B services.

Challenges: Fusing Cultures and Igniting Connections

With the client’s 220th anniversary on the horizon, they wanted to create an event their employees would remember for years to come.

The company faced three key challenges:

1. Ensuring a fitting celebration for five years of hard work.
2. Crafting an engaging and enjoyable experience for attendees.
3. Paying homage to the company’s rich cultural history.

Solutions: Bridging Vision and Execution

GoGather worked closely with the client, having several pre-planning meetings to understand their company’s history to better translate their vision into reality.

We discussed their company's objectives, mission, and goals, integrating them into the event execution. This involved coordinating everything from food to A/V to ensure a cohesive event experience.

Creative brainstorming

GoGather collaborated with the client to develop a fun theme, messaging, logo, and signage for their event. 

We fused their existing logo with their milestone number (220) and aligned it with their chosen theme, "Legacy to Launchpad.” The swooping motion within the logo design emulates a rocket's takeoff, serving as a metaphor for the overarching concept of transitioning into new beginnings.

Thematic Design

GoGather helped the client creatively revamp their celebration to create a festive atmosphere, while still keeping their brand integrity.

From selecting the perfect florals to securing a venue, our project management team ensured every detail matched the client’s vision. Additionally, GoGather worked closely with the A/V team, discussing ways to integrate the event theme into both the meeting and dinner productions.

Make it fun

GoGather helped the client incorporate some fun into their meeting with these elements:

• Puppet show
  • The puppet show paid homage to the company’s rich history, aligning with the event's overarching theme.
• Raffle giveaway and t-shirt cannon
  • The raffle and t-shirt cannon created excitement for attendees and provided them with memorable keepsakes from the event.
• QR codes
  • The incorporation of QR codes underscores the company's commitment to digitization, modernization, and information sharing. 

Solutions: Integrating Culture

As a family-owned company with a heritage dating back to the 1800s, the main goal of their event was to integrate components of Japanese culture into the celebration.

Food

GoGather worked as a liaison between the chef and client, facilitating the creation of a customized menu, organizing tastings, and coordinating product deliveries.

The menu was tailored to incorporate the client’s products, comprising 15 menu items and 3 cocktails. Additionally, the chef brought in a local Chicago sushi vendor to provide guests with fresh nigiri and sushi rolls.

Entertainment/ drummers

The client envisioned working with vendors and entertainment rooted in the Chicago area.

GoGather hired the local traditional Japanese drumming group, Tsukasa Taiko, to provide evening entertainment. 

After the 3-hour meeting concluded, drumbeats filled the air, drinks were passed out, and guests transitioned into the evening festivities.

Picture perfect event

GoGather worked with vendors to set up three different photo stations for employees to enjoy:

• Balloon arch
• Photo booth 
• Step and repeat with the drumming group

Solutions: Full-Service Event Management 

GoGather's event experts took the lead on all the event planning details, allowing the client to relax and enjoy the occasion. Our project management team handled: 

• Site Management: Conducted site visits with clients to brainstorm and finalize event logistics and flow
• Housing: Managed the rooming list and VIP arrangements
• Venue: Coordinated the event agenda and worked with the onsite venue team to execute
• Set-up & Signage: Facilitated the design of all event signage, logos, banners, etc. 
• Registration & Attendee Support: Built the registration website and created attendee lanyards and badges
• Food & Beverage: Worked as a liaison between the hotel chef and client to curate a custom menu using their products
• Vendor management: Sourced local vendors for various events needs (decor, florals, transportation, entertainment)
• Entertainment sourcing: Booked fun and interactive event entertainment including musical performance and photo booth
• AV companies: Worked closely with in-house A/V company to ensure smooth presentations and visual experience for attendees 

Results

The event brought together over 300 employees from across the United States and even overseas from Japan. 

As an international company, their goal was to unite employees from across the globe and celebrate their accomplishments over the last five years. 

One of the highlights of the event was the dinner menu, showcasing the company's products in each dish. Attendees were thrilled and it was all they could talk about the following day at the office.

Ready to plan your next event? Let's talk about how GoGather can make your next company celebration one you'll never forget.