What happens in Vegas… inspires the franchise world.
INDUSTRY
Franchise
QUICK SUMMARY
After five years without an in-person gathering, this franchise group wanted to reconnect their nationwide community with an experience that felt both valuable and unforgettable. They partnered with GoGather to plan a 3-day conference at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas that celebrated franchisees, strengthened relationships, and inspired growth.
RESULTS
GoGather handled full-service event strategy, production, and on-site management. Attendance surpassed expectations, engagement levels were high, and the event left franchisees asking when the next one would be.
ABOUT THE CLIENT
A national franchise organization bringing together hundreds of local business owners, corporate staff, and partners. After several years of virtual communication, they needed an energizing event to refocus their community and set the stage for future success.
Challenge #1: Keeping franchisees engaged.
Franchisees were stepping away from their businesses to attend. The event needed to feel truly worthwhile.
Solution #1: Make participation exciting.
We built a gamified experience months before the event, where franchisees could earn points through training, performance milestones, and engagement. The top four finalists competed live on stage in a custom game show hosted during the conference. This instantly becoming the highlight of the week and a major buzz-generator across the brand.
Challenge #2: Delivering top-tier production.
The brand wanted a show that felt high-end, not another corporate meeting.
Solution #2: Design a seamless show floor.
Working with Gravity Productions, our A/V partner, we developed a flexible stage design that could shift from general sessions to award celebrations and live entertainment. Layered lighting, dynamic visuals, and detailed run-of-show coordination gave the conference a Vegas-quality experience.
Challenge #3: Recognizing top performers.
Their VIP franchisees (brand ambassadors) needed to feel celebrated.
Solution #3: build a luxury Vegas experience.
We curated a night at The Sphere, followed by a day of golf and poolside relaxation. These guests enjoyed premium swag, custom lanyards, and first-class recognition woven throughout the conference. It was all about giving them the spotlight they’d earned.
Challenge #4: Refreshing sponsorships and the expo.
Sponsorships needed to drive revenue and engagement, without feeling like simple transactions.
Solution #4: Create Vegas-inspired activations.
We designed a new sponsorship prospectus with creative options like branded cabanas, sponsored golf holes, and themed charging stations. The fresh approach sold out sponsorships and funded experiential elements such as live magicians, Vegas showgirls, and immersive booth setups. This transformed the expo floor into an attraction in itself.
Challenge #5: Encourage franchise networking.
Attendees wanted to connect with each other, not just sit in sessions.
Solution #5: Build connection into the layout.
We created small “info hubs” around the venue where franchisees could drop in to talk with peers, corporate leaders, and sponsors over coffee or cocktails. These spontaneous moments turned into some of the most valued takeaways of the event.
The results.
The conference reenergized the franchise’s entire community. Attendance, engagement, and sponsor participation all exceeded expectations, and feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The client is already planning its next GoGather-led franchise conference for 2027.
