The Challenge: Teach For America was celebrating 15 years in Charlotte, NC and wanted to bring their network together for a celebration. They wanted elements of a gala, but not the formal piece of it. The event also needed to engage existing and new members to the network.

The Outcome: As a key member of the planning committee and designer, I helped plan a 500+ gala in one of the more unique locations in Charlotte, Camp North End. We planned signage throughout the entire inside and outside area to show guests where to go to enjoy a student art gallery, bar, and then the dinner and program.

Then COVID19 hit and we went into shutdown. Enter the word of 2020: Pivot.

We transitioned to a fully virtual and online campaign celebration. For a week, we had different storytelling and connection points each day, which lead up to a live, virtual celebration. We wanted this to feel different than other online events and meetings. So we kept the event to 30 minutes, but featured 19 different speakers. Through spoken word, rapid fire Q&A and toasts of impact, guests heard directly from our network about the work that has happened, and needs to continue. In addition to incredibly positive feedback of the event, we broke our fundraising and attendance goals!