Over the last few years, event sponsors, exhibits, and activations have become a huge part of both industry events and festivals. In fact, “84% of event marketers say in-person experiences are critical to their company’s success, reflecting a clear shift toward immersive and tactile brand engagement.”

Of course, visuals have always been important. But over time, the ability to feel, engage with, and ‘get a taste of’ a brand has become the key to building trust and meaningful customer engagement.

So what does that mean?

It means that now, more than ever, it’s crucial to stand out, and for the right reasons only! Your brand experience and visual presentation need to be nothing short of memorable and captivating. And that’s what we’re here to help you do!

Let’s dive into our favourite strategies to ensure your brand stays top of mind, captures customer attention, and most importantly, reflects the brand as a whole.

1) Personalisation

Because otherwise, how with people know who you are?

Our favourite visual way to ensure your brand goes unmissed is to personalise, tailor and design in a subtle yet impactful way.

For example, we are always creating branded decals for our reclaimed bars or signs, thoughtfully placing your logo in sight in a mindful, sophisticated way. And as a bonus, removing the need for tacky, environmentally harmful PVC banners!

2) Social Media Opportunities

This one isn’t new, but it’s still non-negotiable.

With a strong focus on your target audience, create intentional photo-worthy moments that invite guests to engage and share on social media. Think of it as designing “Instagrammable” installations that naturally encourage interaction and connection with your brand.

Of course, as with all event marketing efforts, it’s crucial to keep your audience at the centre. The design, tone, and vibe of these moments should align with your brand and genuinely resonate with the people you’re trying to reach. For example, you’d expect very different activations from a sports brand like New Balance compared to a premium fragrance brand like Jo Malone or Prada!

We love multi-purpose spaces, so we will often try and incorporate these opportunities into entrance arches, chill out zones or seating.

3) Interactive Experiences

Photo ops are great, but adding interactive experiences really takes things up a notch.

Think tasters that let people try your product, try-on sessions and even fun games that keep everyone entertained!

These kinds of activities create memorable moments, get people talking, and help build a stronger connection with your audience.

4) Consistency

So you’ve personalised some elements, and you’ve created a photo opportunity, great start, but don’t stop there!

To truly build memorable visuals at events, consistency is key. Every detail, from signage and installations to lighting and even bar glasses, should feel cohesive and unmistakably you.

The environment plays a huge role, too. If your brand is lively and social, like a bustling cocktail company, design a space that encourages group seating, easy access to bars, and a vibrant atmosphere.

On the other hand, if your brand is calm and mindful, such as ethical skincare or a wellness app, reflect that in your space with soft furnishings, gentle lighting, and comfortable areas for relaxation.

4) Consider Your Brand Values, Identity and Mission

Building on consistency, it’s essential to keep your brand values, identity, and mission front and centre.

If you’re featured at an event, chances are you’ve already considered how well the event aligns with your brand. But staying true to your core values throughout your setup is just as important!

For example, if your brand has strong ties to farming or sustainability, use natural, eco-friendly materials in your installations. Or, if supporting small businesses is part of your mission, highlight local companies, materials or partners within your space.

Co Op Lincolnshire is a great example of this, with one of their values being ‘To prioritise sourcing food from British suppliers who share their values of honesty, fairness, and trust.’

And our installation perfectly matched these values:

By focusing on personalisation, social media opportunities, interactive experiences, consistency, and staying true to your brand values, you can create event activations that not only capture attention but leave a lasting impression!

If you need help bringing any of these ideas to life, please get in touch with our creative team. We can’t wait to hear your ideas!

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5 Brand Activation Strategies that Create a Memorable Brand Experience