Association Conference
Location: Buffalo, NY
This project perfectly embodies our saying ‘We Go Where You Go.’ I was so proud of the team for doing the research and experiencing the city through the conference attendees’ eyes to find the perfect locations to capture Buffalo’s charm.
- 400Attendees
- 3Days
The Buffalo Bills stadium was set to host the conference, but a sporting event took priority and the only other venue in town could not fully accommodate a general session, breakouts, sponsor booths, and communal meals - all while the client, who had won a rigorous application process to host in their hometown, was counting on an event that honored the city.
Coterie Spark took lunch off-site to a walkable outdoor plaza (negotiating split costs with another event to drain its reflection pool), immersed itself in Buffalo’s history, food, and hospitality, and produced socials overlooking Niagara Falls, at a history museum, and in a restored 1940s-era ballroom, with breakout sessions hosted across town, including City Hall.
We featured Buffalo’s rich history and culture in this three-day conference for 400+ entrepreneurs.
The first unique challenge of this project was securing a venue. The Buffalo Bills stadium was set to host the conference, but a last-minute sporting event took priority, and our client had to secure the only other option in town. This second venue, however, could not fully accommodate a general session, breakouts, sponsor booths, and communal meals. Fortunately, our team thrives when challenged, and we made innovative decisions that not only saved but further elevated the experience.
First, we decided to take lunch off-site. This led to intense research and the discovery of an outdoor plaza within walking distance of the hotel. Even better, we learned the space’s large reflection pool could be drained for public events. Our team then discovered an evening reception was booked in the plaza for the same dates as the conference. The pool was set to be drained. We quickly contacted the organizers of the second event and negotiated to split the costs to accommodate both.
The second unique challenge was the destination city itself. Our client experienced a rigorous application process to host the conference in their hometown. It was a huge honor to them and a big responsibility for us. Naturally, we immersed ourselves in Buffalo’s rich history, food (hello, sponge candy!), and hospitality to showcase all that the city has to offer. At one point, our client joked that we knew the city better than they did.
The result of our efforts was a memorable conference that honored its host city. This included social events at a history museum, in a restored 1940s-era ballroom, and overlooking Niagara Falls. Lunch venues also gave attendees the chance to visit popular restaurants, breweries, and bars. Lastly, we highlighted iconic sites within the conference programming, hosting breakout speaking engagements all over town, including City Hall.