7th Global Event Awards: Best Cause Event Finalists

Over the next couple of weeks, we will introduce you to the Eventex finalists - those extraordinary eventprofs who are competing for a Global Event Award. You will meet them in person come January 24, at the special gala ceremony at Croke park, but first, we would like to offer you a brief preview of their projects and products that transform events into cutting-edge experiences.

Best Cause Event Finalists

Ecadem - One smile is enough to change our world by Casta Diva Group

3 - 22 October, 2015 | Istanbul, Turkey

Ecadem, an NGO support centre for disabled children and their families, organized this event in a public park, for the purpose of making a short film. The cause was to light a spark and change the way society sees and behaves towards children with learning difficulties.The park provided the perfect environment for the film. Any equipment or instruments were kept away to avoid the feeling of a staged event, even the cameras were hidden. The film shows handicapped fourteen-year-old Tufan, accompanied to the park playground by his mother, to join his Down friends. She and rest of the parents of these kids have written letters, which are handed out to bystanders and people walking by. In short, the letters were asking people not look at the disabled children and young adults with sadness in their hearts, but to smile at them.The response was tremendous. People did smile. Upon reading these letters everyone became an important part of the event and they did it empathically. Thanks to the enormous dedication and effort of the entire crew, all of them volunteers, a powerfully emotional film was produced. It aired on Facebook, on 3rd December 2015, the international day for people with disabilities. The film made the news in national newspapers Sozcu and Star, and on Al Jazeera. On the web, it was shared on more than 20 blogs and regional news pages.The target was to reach at least one million views, in the end the film had reached 31.8 million people on Facebook, 1.2 million shares, and 99.7% of the feedback was positive. The number of Ecadem volunteers rose 400% and the organization’s web traffic rose 2400%.Read full entryYPO/WPO Angeleno’s WWII Victory Celebration and President’s Retreat by Extraordinary Events

20 September, 2015 | Van Nuys Airport, Los Angeles, CA, US

YPO/WPO Angeleno celebrated The Greatest Generation, veterans of WWII, at a President’s Retreat at a private airplane hangar. Battle reenactments and a Larry King-led panel of vets sharing real-life stories were emotional high-points of the day.The main cause of the event was to honor The Veterans of the Greatest Generation (WWII), as well as to educate, inspire and encourage guests to share their stories and memories of this historic time. The veterans were placed among the guests, on the stage, at exhibit stations, honoring them in every way possible through lunch, program and adoration of a grateful nation. Tables were given topics to discuss during lunch that were very specific about where they (or their families) were during this time, not ordinarily a dinner table discussion. Guests learned about their colleagues on a deep and personal level and with veterans at each table they learned first-hand what WWII was like for the people on the front lines.The event was quite interactive and placed attendees right into the middle of an experience that was authentically exclusive and emotional. Starting with a massive battle reenactment in the sky and then another on the ground, the event eventually moved into the hangar where WWII veterans displayed their memorabilia and told their stories to the guests. The candid and emotional panel interviews with Larry King brought history to life. Guests were encouraged to share their personal and family stories with the vets to ensure engagement. There were tears, memories, and connection. There was honor and understanding – and lastly, a moment in time the guests will never ever forget.It was now or never to pay tribute to these veterans. YPO/WPO truly wanted to honor this “greatest generation” and bring to the group a connection to their own pasts, that would create within the chapter a bonding beyond the usual social and business aspects. There was not a dry eye when, at the finale, the veterans stood and saluted to show their love and respect for America, and their gratitude to being a part of their individual units. The stories are still being shared months later and it was a day that will never be forgotten as it generates more interaction and honest sharing among the chapter members.Read full entry

2016 Transplant Games of America: The Opening & Closing Ceremonies by IM Creative

11 - 15 June, 2016 | Cleveland, OH, USA

Watch videoA multi-sport event for individuals who have undergone life-saving transplant surgeries. More than an athletic event, the Transplant Games celebrates the lives of organ donors and recipients with the overarching goal to increase the donor registry.The objective was to create a unique Opening & Closing Ceremonies that were bigger and better than previous years. More specifically, to kick-off the games with enthusiasm and excitement for the week ahead in Cleveland, OH and to close the games with celebration, acknowledgment, and knowledge to take action and increase the donor registry. A riveting, storytelling-focused Xtreme sports theme was created for the Opening Ceremonies, to keep attendees on their toes. BMX bikers opened the show and the Columbus SWAT team repelled the torch in from the ceiling to close.The Closing Ceremonies focused on awards and entertainment to keep the spirit alive. Patients from The Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, who are currently waiting for an organ, were invited on stage during the final theme song. This capped off the Transplant Games with a long-lasting impression and call to action for the overall goal which was to broaden the donor database.The Transplant Games were a huge success and thousands of people were reached. Compared to previous years, there was more attendance and participation in all aspects of the event. Specifically, the Opening & Closing Ceremonies had the largest amount of attendees compared to years past and the best feedback per the attendee post-event surveys. The goal was to create excitement at the Opening Ceremonies to start the week off strong. The Closing Ceremonies’ goal was to end the Games on a positive note, but also spread the word and broaden the donor database.Read full entry“You’ve got to pick a pocket or two”: taking on the #artfultaxdodgers for 38 Degrees by Produce UK

12 May, 2016 | London, UK

Watch video

PRODUCE UK delivered a striking, creative event around the anti-corruption summit on 12 May 2016 for campaign community 38 Degrees. The event needed to draw attention to the farce that tax havens still exist and that we lose billions of pounds to tax dodging every year.

The main focus for this project was ensuring the outcome on social media, delivering press coverage and generating word of mouth. The integrated approach to working with the client and their PR agency ensured that once the pre-sell in to media began, the organizer could adjust the timeline and running order for the day. The final schedule was mapped to ensure maximum amount of footage and content for the press and social media teams is delivered.A visual stunt was conceived and created, that ignited the 38 Degrees online community and caught the attention of national media. 70 dancers were enlisted to flashmob ‘David Cameron’ outside Lancaster House, central London, at the anti-corruption summit in May 2016 (which hosted world leaders from 40 countries). The flashmob performed a unique version of the classic Oliver Twist song ‘You’ve got to pick a pocket or two’ before attending press, generating shareable content for 38 Degrees members.To date the filmed content has delivered more than 500k views on the 38 Degrees Facebook page, with more than 6.5k likes, and 18k shares. It has reached close to 1.9 million Facebook users so far. Media coverage from the PR team included broadcast slots on the day on BBC News and Channel 4 evening news. In addition, print and online coverage in the UK and internationally including The Daily Mail, The Guardian, Reuters, Sky News, ITV News, Aol, MSN, AU Herald Sun, AU News.com, Yahoo! and PA Newswire.Read full entryThe winners and runners-up will be revealed at the gala ceremony at Croke Park, 24 January 2017. Register now and join the league of extraordinary event professionals!