The NRF Foundation Honors is a night of celebration and recognition of the nation’s brightest retail leaders and rising retail talent — aptly named “the biggest night in retail.” Since 2019, openbox9 has designed the event space interiors, stage, and pre-event marketing for this glittering moment. Our expertise in branding & experience design infuses the night with elegance and transforms the venue into a stage worthy of its 700+ attendees & guests of honor.
Planning & Content Strategy
Designing for a large space requires a comprehensive understanding of available furnishings, signage, and display devices. We began by identifying the spaces and ‘puzzle pieces’ available while collaborating with the client, the venue, and other vendors to identify budget and feasibility.
Next we defined a messaging framework to reinforce the night’s purpose, tied to the visual identity of the National Retail Federation. To ensure it made sense, we placed ourselves in the high-heeled shoes of event attendees, diagramming their movements through the space to identify opportunities for storytelling in support of the event’s mission and fundraising goals.
Zoned Wayfinding
Along with mission messaging, a key consideration is way-finding and signals that move attendees in the right direction through a huge space. We want the environment across multiple floors to feel intuitive so guests can focus on in-person connections and engaging with the show. Design solutions included directional, informational, and branded signage that balance features of the NRF Foundation’s accomplishments with clear navigation cues.
Setting the Stage with Immersive Visuals
The main event took place in a ballroom boasting 7 larger-than-life screens that wrap the room and over 100 tables. In partnership with local video production studio IMG, we conceptualized solutions frame by frame to support the run of show. The result was an immersive experience that enveloped the crowd in rich motion graphics and dynamic effects.
Reception Branding
Bookending the event are two cocktail receptions. Openbox9 designed these spaces with attention to their purpose of conversation and connection, paying special attention to lighting considerations, brand placement, and legibility in dense crowds.
Utilizing Website Solutions
Signage and video screens consistently directed attendees to the event website, providing a virtual map, digital program, and enabling financial contributions to be made while attendees were in the room.
The NRF Foundation Honors showcases the openbox9 team’s full suite of services, from strategy, to copy writing, from website design to wayfinding solutions, from stage design to motion graphics.
We’d love to hear about your nonprofit’s next fundraising event and our ideas for creating a delightful experience that increases donations in support of your mission – contact us!
