How a little advanced planning can yield higher engagement for your next virtual event.
Meeting with clients and prospects virtually vs. in-person has become somewhat the new normal. But a half-hour meeting is much different than a four-hour virtual event, such as the Gilson Annual Sales Meeting. With this meeting for 30+ sales and executive leaders on the horizon, we knew that we needed a creative solution to engage, intrigue, and excite.
The Challenge
At-home attendees of virtual events and webinars face an abundance of distractions: emails pinging into their inbox; spouses, kids, and pets interrupting; the timer on the dryer going off or the delivery guy dropping off another Amazon package. So, how can a meeting host keep an audience engaged amidst these constant distractions?
The Gilson marketing and sales development team collaborated to create a ‘Virtual Meeting Kit’ that would be sent to each attendee’s home in advance of the meeting.
To ensure timely delivery, they asked each invited guest to complete a short survey that indicated where they would like to receive the package (at the office, at their home, or a different remote location) depending on where they would be the day before and day of the meeting.
Also on the form were a few questions related to food preferences, as well as a color preference for a promotional item that would be included in the kit, just to pique the attendee’s interest.
The Solution
Leading up to the event, attendees were instructed to have their ‘Virtual Meeting Kit’ nearby but not to open it until the meeting. This would keep individuals on their toes, as they wondered when and how the box would be used.
As the meeting began, attendees were invited to open their box and enjoy the snack provided for them. Each recipient received a branded coffee mug, a small bottle of water, and two breakfast snacks based on their responses to the pre-event form. They were also greeted with a personalized notecard, thanking them for attending.
Attendees were kept on their toes during the Million Dollar Club Awards presentation and the coveted Salesperson of the Year Award. A hidden compartment in the bottom of the box held their awards (along with some fun-size participation ribbons), and additional meeting resources.
The Results
At the conclusion of the virtual event, attendees were reminded to complete a survey by scanning the code found on the box insert. Within 24 hours, 60% of attendees had completed the survey. An additional 20% completed theirs within 48 hours.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, not only for the virtual event but also for the Virtual Meeting Kit itself. Even the more seasoned sales veterans who have had to overcome significant technological skill gaps were complimentary of the new format.
“After 53 years in sales, the only sales meetings I attended that were more memorable happened to be at Disney World (true story) during my first two years in sales. Great meeting!!!” quipped one attendee in an email to the organizers following the event.
Hosting an Event? Be Open to the Possibilities.
If virtual events are your “new normal,” don’t settle for a purely digital experience. Reach out to Gilson and discover how you can make your next virtual event an experience your attendees can touch and feel.
https://gilsongraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/MacroBox-1.png20132463Gilsonhttps://gilsongraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/gilsonlogo_blk.pngGilson2020-10-06 11:14:352023-06-28 15:18:58Hosting Events in a Pandemic: Transforming the Virtual into Reality
Gilson pours on the creative thinking for Total Wine & More’s annual All-American Spirit in-store marketing campaign.
When it comes to creativity, Gilson is known for making it a double. This was especially true for the recent All-American Spirit campaign for Total Wine & More retail locations, where Gilson executed not one, but two unique interactive displays.
“The original project came to us as a bid opportunity where, essentially, the most creative idea would win,” said Brandon Aube, account executive at Gilson. “Total Wine & More was so impressed by our concepts that they actually selected two of the concepts to roll out in two different markets for A/B testing.”
The annual campaign is a big driver of summer sales for Total Wine & More, and this year they were looking to take the display to the next level.
“Lighting, motion, true three-dimensionality: those were all important aspects in making the display really stand out,” said Aube.
Gilson approached the project from a strategic perspective, taking store counts and total budget into consideration, then providing solutions that met those expectations. The result? Two displays designed to grab eyes and fill carts.
“Total Wine could not be happier with how the projects turned out, and we are already hard at work on the next big seasonal campaign,” said Aube.
A behind-the-scenes look at restoring the historic murals at The Milton (formerly known as the Heritage Towers) in Battle Creek, Michigan. The new apartment buildings and storefronts at The Milton will soon be open for business, complete with restored Art Deco ceiling murals, just as they were in the 1930s.
A behind-the-scenes look at creating the award-winning GRCC Ford Fieldhouse Legacy Mural
Facility signage can showcase a logo, give information, or point guests in the right direction. But sometimes, a project comes along that can inspire people in a much deeper way.
Designed by Janice Ensing, a former GRCC graphic artist, Gilson played an integral role in bringing the award-winning project to life.
“I had worked with Jan on some smaller wall and window graphics at GRCC,” said Gilson account executive Rolly Smith. “When she reached out to me as a potential partner for the Legacy Mural, I jumped at the opportunity.”
“Jan had concerns about the size of the project and fact that we had less than 2 months to have it completed,” recalled Smith. “I assured her that we could handle it.”
Smith quickly assembled a team at Gilson to kick off the project, which included taking detailed measurements and sourcing the right material.
“We looked at about a dozen possibilities,” said Smith. “We finally found a new product by DreamScape® that was commercial-grade and met all the specifications for fire and wear that were needed to satisfy the builder.”
Rockford Construction and IDS Architecture were supportive throughout the entire build and worked together with Gilson’s installation team to ensure an award-winning final product.
“There were a number of challenges to overcome,” said Smith. “In one area there was a handrail that went right through one of the graphics, in another area there were light switch plates running though blocks of text. One of the longer hallways had a dip that we did not anticipate. Construction dust and unfinished walls presented their own challenges.”
“Working closely with the builders and with Jan helped us keep the project moving forward at a quick pace in order to meet the Grand Opening event date,” said Smith.
After weeks of printing and a few late nights of installing, the finished mural was ready for its grand reveal. The Ford Fieldhouse Legacy Mural was unveiled in January 2019 in the presence of politicians, local dignitaries, and the public at two separate Open House events.
The entire project featured nearly 2,000 square feet of printed wall graphics, including those that extended beyond the walls and were suspended from the ceilings in the locker rooms for a truly immersive experience.
Ensing was overwhelmed with the positive outcome, saying in follow-up correspondence, “Thank you Rolly for your enthusiasm and guidance throughout this project. I truly could not have done it without your team.”
Contact Gilson for help with your next big dream.
A look at the stunning visuals from the GRCC Ford Fieldhouse in our Project Gallery:
https://gilsongraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/grcc_feature.jpg6521772Gilsonhttps://gilsongraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/gilsonlogo_blk.pngGilson2020-04-17 11:00:002023-08-23 16:00:27A Legacy in The Making
During a webinar on navigating the current pandemic crisis, our team watched a clip from the iconic movie Forrest Gump. If you’ve seen the movie, you certainly remember the scene: Lieutenant Dan is out in the middle of a hurricane, whooping and hollering right in the thick of the storm, while others are hunkered down on the shore.
When the storm finally cleared, all those who sat idle on the shore were dashed to bits. Forrest and Lieutenant Dan had survived by leaning into the storm and navigating the rough waters with courage.
The COVID-19 crisis is the storm of the century. We could have sat idle, waiting for the storm to pass. Instead, we leaned right in.
Early on in the pandemic, Gilson was labeled an essential service by several of our customers as a critical component in their supply chain. We have risen to the challenge and continue to evolve, adapt, and adjust while keeping our employees and their families safe and healthy. While challenges abound, we are encouraged by the positivity that surrounds us:
We are thankful for the flexibility of our employees. For those who have volunteered to continue to work on-site supporting the essential businesses for which we provide critical materials, as well as those who stay diligent in working from home while balancing closures in schools and child care centers and co-working with their spouses, kids, and pets.
We are thankful that we are able to continue to provide services for many of our customers who are providing necessary services for our society. We are producing critical information and materials related to preventing the spread of the virus in our communities. We were even able to assist with the manufacturing of critical safety components for use in the medical field this past week, with more opportunities to do so in the pipeline. The ingenuity of our customers never ceases to astound us, and we are thankful for that.
We are thankful for the advent of video conferencing, and for our fantastic IT department for keeping us up and running and ‘virtually’ face-to-face with each other and our customers.
We are thankful that our business has evolved over the years to include services that we can provide remotely, such as agency/design services and document composition. We are in a better position than ever to weather a storm of this nature, and we are thankful for the decisions we made years ago that have led us to this place.
We are thankful for the stable financial position of our company due to conservative fiscal policies over the years, and the security it affords us as we all face uncertain and difficult times ahead.
We are thankful for the ability to collaborate with our peers and colleagues, many of whom we are often ‘too busy’ to engage with on a strategic level. Having this time to think critically and generate new ideas in the face of adversity will undoubtedly lead to new opportunities once the clouds have parted and the waters have calmed.
We are thankful for the opportunity to take a fresh look at how we approach customer outreach, as trade shows and in-person events are no longer a viable option for connecting with industry peers. We’ve been able to have more specific and personal conversations with customers that we wouldn’t have had in a community environment.
As this unprecedented storm rages on, rest assured that Gilson will continue to batten down the hatches and ride the waves right alongside our customers.
We’re all in the same boat, and we could not be more thankful for that.
https://gilsongraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/feature.png11713071Gilsonhttps://gilsongraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/gilsonlogo_blk.pngGilson2020-04-09 08:59:312023-08-23 16:00:43Riding Out The Storm
Gilson’s top priority remains the health and safety of our employees, our customers, and the consumers they serve. Based on the recommendations of the U.S. Homeland Security we have been informed by our Military, Food, Medical and Pharmaceutical clients that we are an “Essential Supplier” and must remain in operation now that the Governor’s office has issued a ‘shelter-in-place’ directive in the state of Michigan. As such, we will remain in operation with a team of employees who choose to work and make it possible for our customers to maintain continuity of service.
We have taken all CDC guidelines into consideration for equipment and facilities cleaning, health practices, and social distancing. We will safely continue our operations as part of our responsibility to support all of our customers – and particularly the industries noted above – so that they can continue to serve the American people during this time of crisis.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve, and check back often for updates and new information as it becomes available.
Updated: March 16, 2020 at 11:10am
As a partner in your success, we want you to be aware of the preventative steps we are taking to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on your supply chain.
Gilson has been closely monitoring CDC information and recommendations on the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, as members of the Michigan Manufacturer’s Association, we have received in-depth information regarding methods to responsibly address the spread of the virus.
From those recommendations, we are encouraging all employees who can work remotely to do so. We are asking that our sales team only make in person calls to customers when it’s absolutely necessary. All travel outside of the area is on hold. Additionally, we are closing the facility to any non-Gilson employees. Vendors, visitors and customers are prohibited from coming to our facility during this time.
We have also implemented the following facility-wide procedures to protect our employees and the product leaving our doors:
Provide clear instructions to our department managers regarding employee sickness, including:
Require sick employees to stay home.
Send home any employee who appears to have symptoms identified by the CDC as related to COVID-19 virus.
Require employees who are well but have a family member with COVID-19 to notify our HR department.
Require personal protective CDC hygiene recommendations, such as hand washing or the use of hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available.
Perform routine environmental cleaning. All areas, including both Production and Administration, must be properly cleaned each shift. A complete cleaning of all surfaces between each job shall be conducted in our Packaging and Kit Building area.
Encourage all employees who can work remotely to do so.
Voluntary quarantine may be necessary, but is not currently required.
Gilson is committed to protecting our employees, their families, as well as our customers during this challenging time. Please feel free to contact your Gilson Representative with any further questions or concerns.
Hosting Events in a Pandemic: Transforming the Virtual into Reality
EventsHow a little advanced planning can yield higher engagement for your next virtual event.
Meeting with clients and prospects virtually vs. in-person has become somewhat the new normal. But a half-hour meeting is much different than a four-hour virtual event, such as the Gilson Annual Sales Meeting. With this meeting for 30+ sales and executive leaders on the horizon, we knew that we needed a creative solution to engage, intrigue, and excite.
The Challenge
At-home attendees of virtual events and webinars face an abundance of distractions: emails pinging into their inbox; spouses, kids, and pets interrupting; the timer on the dryer going off or the delivery guy dropping off another Amazon package. So, how can a meeting host keep an audience engaged amidst these constant distractions?
The Gilson marketing and sales development team collaborated to create a ‘Virtual Meeting Kit’ that would be sent to each attendee’s home in advance of the meeting.
To ensure timely delivery, they asked each invited guest to complete a short survey that indicated where they would like to receive the package (at the office, at their home, or a different remote location) depending on where they would be the day before and day of the meeting.
Also on the form were a few questions related to food preferences, as well as a color preference for a promotional item that would be included in the kit, just to pique the attendee’s interest.
The Solution
Leading up to the event, attendees were instructed to have their ‘Virtual Meeting Kit’ nearby but not to open it until the meeting. This would keep individuals on their toes, as they wondered when and how the box would be used.
As the meeting began, attendees were invited to open their box and enjoy the snack provided for them. Each recipient received a branded coffee mug, a small bottle of water, and two breakfast snacks based on their responses to the pre-event form. They were also greeted with a personalized notecard, thanking them for attending.
Attendees were kept on their toes during the Million Dollar Club Awards presentation and the coveted Salesperson of the Year Award. A hidden compartment in the bottom of the box held their awards (along with some fun-size participation ribbons), and additional meeting resources.
The Results
At the conclusion of the virtual event, attendees were reminded to complete a survey by scanning the code found on the box insert. Within 24 hours, 60% of attendees had completed the survey. An additional 20% completed theirs within 48 hours.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, not only for the virtual event but also for the Virtual Meeting Kit itself. Even the more seasoned sales veterans who have had to overcome significant technological skill gaps were complimentary of the new format.
“After 53 years in sales, the only sales meetings I attended that were more memorable happened to be at Disney World (true story) during my first two years in sales. Great meeting!!!” quipped one attendee in an email to the organizers following the event.
Hosting an Event? Be Open to the Possibilities.
If virtual events are your “new normal,” don’t settle for a purely digital experience. Reach out to Gilson and discover how you can make your next virtual event an experience your attendees can touch and feel.
Gilson pours on the creative thinking for Total Wine & More’s annual All-American Spirit in-store marketing campaign.
“The original project came to us as a bid opportunity where, essentially, the most creative idea would win,” said Brandon Aube, account executive at Gilson. “Total Wine & More was so impressed by our concepts that they actually selected two of the concepts to roll out in two different markets for A/B testing.”
The annual campaign is a big driver of summer sales for Total Wine & More, and this year they were looking to take the display to the next level.
“Lighting, motion, true three-dimensionality: those were all important aspects in making the display really stand out,” said Aube.
Gilson approached the project from a strategic perspective, taking store counts and total budget into consideration, then providing solutions that met those expectations. The result? Two displays designed to grab eyes and fill carts.
“Total Wine could not be happier with how the projects turned out, and we are already hard at work on the next big seasonal campaign,” said Aube.
Stay tuned for the next round on us.
Preserving Heritage
Produce, ProjectsA behind-the-scenes look at restoring the historic murals at The Milton (formerly known as the Heritage Towers) in Battle Creek, Michigan. The new apartment buildings and storefronts at The Milton will soon be open for business, complete with restored Art Deco ceiling murals, just as they were in the 1930s.
A Legacy in The Making
Design, Produce, ProjectsA behind-the-scenes look at creating the award-winning GRCC Ford Fieldhouse Legacy Mural
Facility signage can showcase a logo, give information, or point guests in the right direction. But sometimes, a project comes along that can inspire people in a much deeper way.
The floor-to-ceiling-and-beyond graphics in the new Grand Rapids Community College Ford Fieldhouse do just that.
Designed by Janice Ensing, a former GRCC graphic artist, Gilson played an integral role in bringing the award-winning project to life.
“I had worked with Jan on some smaller wall and window graphics at GRCC,” said Gilson account executive Rolly Smith. “When she reached out to me as a potential partner for the Legacy Mural, I jumped at the opportunity.”
“Jan had concerns about the size of the project and fact that we had less than 2 months to have it completed,” recalled Smith. “I assured her that we could handle it.”
Smith quickly assembled a team at Gilson to kick off the project, which included taking detailed measurements and sourcing the right material.
“We looked at about a dozen possibilities,” said Smith. “We finally found a new product by DreamScape® that was commercial-grade and met all the specifications for fire and wear that were needed to satisfy the builder.”
Rockford Construction and IDS Architecture were supportive throughout the entire build and worked together with Gilson’s installation team to ensure an award-winning final product.
“There were a number of challenges to overcome,” said Smith. “In one area there was a handrail that went right through one of the graphics, in another area there were light switch plates running though blocks of text. One of the longer hallways had a dip that we did not anticipate. Construction dust and unfinished walls presented their own challenges.”
“Working closely with the builders and with Jan helped us keep the project moving forward at a quick pace in order to meet the Grand Opening event date,” said Smith.
After weeks of printing and a few late nights of installing, the finished mural was ready for its grand reveal. The Ford Fieldhouse Legacy Mural was unveiled in January 2019 in the presence of politicians, local dignitaries, and the public at two separate Open House events.
The entire project featured nearly 2,000 square feet of printed wall graphics, including those that extended beyond the walls and were suspended from the ceilings in the locker rooms for a truly immersive experience.
The Legacy Mural earned Silver Paragon Award from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR), a national organization for community and technical colleges.
It also earned a Gold Medallion from NCMPR’s District 3, which includes community colleges in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and the Canadian province of Ontario as well as a Gold PRoof Award from the WMPRSA – West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
Ensing was overwhelmed with the positive outcome, saying in follow-up correspondence, “Thank you Rolly for your enthusiasm and guidance throughout this project. I truly could not have done it without your team.”
Contact Gilson for help with your next big dream.
A look at the stunning visuals from the GRCC Ford Fieldhouse in our Project Gallery:
Riding Out The Storm
Industry Updates, UpdatesDuring a webinar on navigating the current pandemic crisis, our team watched a clip from the iconic movie Forrest Gump. If you’ve seen the movie, you certainly remember the scene: Lieutenant Dan is out in the middle of a hurricane, whooping and hollering right in the thick of the storm, while others are hunkered down on the shore.
When the storm finally cleared, all those who sat idle on the shore were dashed to bits. Forrest and Lieutenant Dan had survived by leaning into the storm and navigating the rough waters with courage.
The COVID-19 crisis is the storm of the century. We could have sat idle, waiting for the storm to pass. Instead, we leaned right in.
Early on in the pandemic, Gilson was labeled an essential service by several of our customers as a critical component in their supply chain. We have risen to the challenge and continue to evolve, adapt, and adjust while keeping our employees and their families safe and healthy. While challenges abound, we are encouraged by the positivity that surrounds us:
As this unprecedented storm rages on, rest assured that Gilson will continue to batten down the hatches and ride the waves right alongside our customers.
We’re all in the same boat, and we could not be more thankful for that.
For more on Gilson’s response to the global health crisis, please visit: gilsongraphics.com/covid-19-prevention
COVID-19 Prevention
Industry UpdatesUpdated: March 23, 2020 at 1:21pm
Gilson’s top priority remains the health and safety of our employees, our customers, and the consumers they serve. Based on the recommendations of the U.S. Homeland Security we have been informed by our Military, Food, Medical and Pharmaceutical clients that we are an “Essential Supplier” and must remain in operation now that the Governor’s office has issued a ‘shelter-in-place’ directive in the state of Michigan. As such, we will remain in operation with a team of employees who choose to work and make it possible for our customers to maintain continuity of service.
We have taken all CDC guidelines into consideration for equipment and facilities cleaning, health practices, and social distancing. We will safely continue our operations as part of our responsibility to support all of our customers – and particularly the industries noted above – so that they can continue to serve the American people during this time of crisis.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve, and check back often for updates and new information as it becomes available.
Updated: March 16, 2020 at 11:10am
As a partner in your success, we want you to be aware of the preventative steps we are taking to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on your supply chain.
Gilson has been closely monitoring CDC information and recommendations on the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, as members of the Michigan Manufacturer’s Association, we have received in-depth information regarding methods to responsibly address the spread of the virus.
From those recommendations, we are encouraging all employees who can work remotely to do so. We are asking that our sales team only make in person calls to customers when it’s absolutely necessary. All travel outside of the area is on hold. Additionally, we are closing the facility to any non-Gilson employees. Vendors, visitors and customers are prohibited from coming to our facility during this time.
We have also implemented the following facility-wide procedures to protect our employees and the product leaving our doors:
Gilson is committed to protecting our employees, their families, as well as our customers during this challenging time. Please feel free to contact your Gilson Representative with any further questions or concerns.
For more information from the Center for Disease Control, please visit their regularly updated page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html