Basic Event Information

Date: All year long
Location: London, Berlin, Warsaw, Budapest, Bratislava, Prague
Organizer: CREATIVE PRO BRATISLAVA
Client: HB REAVIS
Event type: CONFERENCE

EVENT CATEGORY: CATEGORY B2B – Best Corporate Convention

Event description and key objectives

Talks is an inspirational B2B conference series bursting with innovative ideas and learnings from industry thought leaders that will shift the boundaries of your knowledge. The unique „talks“ concept is an INSPIRING SPEAKERS EVENT & COMMUNICATION PLATFORM that Is happening twice a year in each location London, Berlin, Warsaw, Prague, Bratislava, Budapest.

Objectives:

1. To build Brand awareness and Brand image as a market leader, innovator, and trendsetter.
2. To create networking place for real estate and business community and the development of relationship management tools with current clients and potential clients.

Key challenges

Our client HB Reavis, a fully integrated international property developer and trendsetter, being amongst TOP 3 office space developers in the EU, wanted to become more open towards its clients, tenants, partners, local decision-makers and communities.

Our challenges:
How to present our client as a co-creator and become a communication channel by itself?

Creativity

We co-created a long-term live campaign & live platform, the Talks. The inspiring speaker’s Event. For that, we had to come up with something more than just a PR, a visual or a digital campaign or a sponsorship event. We needed our client to be the co-creator of great ideas, to become the communication channel itself. The more we talk, the better the results.

Innovation

The creation of unique Brand and Event Content communication is set up in a highly personalized and digitalized way through the use of different kinds of engagement tools.

1. Real-time Hybrid Event Online & Offline (LIVE)
2. Digitalized Pre-event, Event & Post-event communication
3. Online „talks speeches library for an external and internal audience
4. Innovation Fair – onsite life presentation of local Innovation products related to the industry issues.

Execution

The unique „talks“ concept is an INSPIRING SPEAKERS EVENT & COMMUNICATION PLATFORM consisting of 5 main pillars:

• Set design & Brand visibility:
  Focusing on high-quality execution and content delivery, creating memorable experiences, with the main aim supporting HB Reavis’ B2B and B2C communication, sharing the European Real Estate Trendsetters’ ideas and approaches.
• Venues & Places:
  Unconventional and inspiring spaces that open up new possibilities and enhance the experience of the event. Staged twice a year in all of HB Reavis locations (Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, and the UK)
• Structure, Content, Event flow & Speakers:
  This interactive and engaging event concept is structured as a long-term sustainable platform divided into two channels: the conference & the local innovation fair. The speakers include HB Reavis ambassadors & its international partners in combination with the local opinion leaders and
  inspiring talents.
• Audience interaction & engagement:
  The active Participation, live interaction, and connection with the audience
  collectively represent one of the core pillars of the whole event. The interaction between the audience and speakers is carried out through interactive digital tools and allows the audience to react to every session, thus engaging the innovation fair and the Talks content library.
• Platform & Live campaign:
  The large and original online and offline content library continuously supports external com.

Measurable results

This different and outstanding communication approach continuously exceeds HB Reavis’s expectations, as it does those of its partners, and has become an external communication Game Changer.

• 8 talks events per year
• 22 international speakers, 10 local speakers
• 32 innovations presented
• 960 minutes of digitalized contents in „talks interactive library
• More than 3000 inspired and motivated ambassadors

Communication

Fully integrated Invitation registration communication tool that covers invitations, reminders and thank you emails and SMS. Website, Facebook keep updates for the coming event regarding speakers and Innovation Fair. Youtube channel offers speakers presentations plus after movies.

The use of sustainable practices

Minimizing an impact on the environment with reusable fully transportable scenography

Basic Event Information

Date: 28.02.2019.
Location: Belexpocenter/ Belgrade-Serbia
Organizer: M2Communications
Client: Coca-Cola HBC Serbia
Event type: Conceptual Event/B2B

EVENT CATEGORY: CATEGORY B2B – Best Incentive

Event description and key objectives

The Coca Cola Kick-off & Annual Party 2019 was the biggest event arranged so far, for employees only. This event took place at Belexpocenter in Belgrade for more than 1,000 guests. The whole program was divided into two segments; the first was a daytime segment during which employees shared work results and the second segment where employees had a rich activation program with a famous performer.

Key challenges

We had a lot of key challenges, but the biggest one was to organize such a big gala event with 1,000 guests, other challenges were related to logistics, program, catering, etc.

1. The most challenging was the transformation of the hall into two different set-ups, where the first one was a conference set-up for 700 employees (Designing such an ambience that will give visitors an experience of visiting a real American megalopolis).

2. The second one was a party set-up with bar tables, audio-visual effects, which were completed with a rich activation program for employees who were having a great time late into the night.

Creativity

After a briefing with our client, who gave us very few directions as to their wishes about the program, we had a brainstorming session in our office. The idea was to impress both the guests and the client with something new, something they had never seen before. Our idea was to design a complete story of a metropolis that lives 24/7, like New York for instance and create a new experience for each visitor of a city that lives 24/7.

We created an authentic ambience of the Coca-Cola City with a subway installation enriched with LED panels and neon advertising signs. Several different city zones were created, each with a story for itself, inspired by culture, fun, and specific rhythm of life of an American city.

Innovation

We have created an experience of a city modeled on a metropolis living 24/7, where each visitor has an opportunity to have fun and enjoy in a unique way. An authentic ambiance of the imaginary Coca-Cola City was created. The subway installation enriched with LED panels and neon advertising signs took visitors to the city center, where several different city zones were created, and each was a story for itself, inspired by culture, fun, and specific rhythm of life of an American city.

Execution

A 120-strong creative, production and technical team were involved in designing and executing the whole concept in which the Coca-Cola City offered a special experience. Each part of this unique city was authentically made to give its visitors interaction, learning, information, networking, and fun.

Measurable results

• More than 2,500 guests shared their experience via social networks, reporting about the event of the season
• As this was a closed-type, internal event, there was no media coverage.

The use of sustainable practices

‘Save the Date’ invitations were sent via digital media to avoid unnecessary usage of paper. Other aspects of the event were in line with business practice. 

Also, the main event implementation goal of the Coca Cola City was to provide maximum experience and presentation of the creative concept, with a minimum printing or physical production work. In this sense, minimum quantities of promotional materials were printed and the communication was supported with online channels.

Basic Event Information

Date: 16-18 May 2019
Location: Terme Olimia, Podčetrtek
Organizer: Slovenian Tourist Board
Event type: B2B Workshop

EVENT CATEGORY: CATEGORY B2B – Best Corporate Convention

Event description and key objectives

Slovenian Incoming Workshop (SIW) is the flagship B2B tourism event in Slovenia with a long-established tradition. It offers time-efficient meetings between top foreign TO/TA and Slovenian tourism suppliers and hence provides the best and most comprehensive opportunity to get to know what Slovenian tourism has to offer. This year, already the 22nd edition of the event took place. The location of the event changes on an annual basis and includes different locations all over Slovenia. This year, the venue was Terme Olimia. The Slovenian Incoming Workshop is not solely about making business. It is also about getting to know the country. This year, the event included 2-day general pre-tour of Slovenia, whole day workshop with pre-scheduled meetings and 4 different thematic post tours and 1-day local tour.

For TO/TA attending the event a number of services is provided. This includes: a return Adria Airways flight from a European airport to Ljubljana Airport (airport taxes and fees included), airport and local transfers in Slovenia, accommodation at a four-star hotel, conference brochure and supporting materials, all meals during their stay, evening events, online “one2one meetings” platform for suppliers and buyers and fact-finding tour of their choice. Slovenian Tourist Board is proud to organize the SIW, which is in many aspects considered the most important event for the promotion of Slovenian tourism.

Key challenges

Key challenges of the Slovenian Incoming Workshop are:

• How to attract TO/TA from key markets that could have high business potency for Slovenian tourism providers;
• How to create a fruitful business environment for successful meetings;
• How to create a balanced environment for strengthening communication between new/potential partners;
• How to organize fam trips in order to show a maximum of Slovenia in a short time not making the route overloaded with destinations;
• How to present Slovenia as a boutique destination for 5* experiences;
• How to run the event in the most sustainable and “green” way at all levels.

Creativity

SIW 2019 presented some changes which participants were curious about and marked as an improvement:

1. In previous years the main B2B part has been organized in the format of One to One pre-arranged business meetings, 20 minutes each, which is a powerful tool for establishing a trusting business relationship; to make 1-1s time well spent and in full attention, the time was optimized on 15 minutes.
2. Another novelty of SIW 2019 was the SIW Lounge that proved to be a perfect place for more relaxed but still business-oriented communication between partners. This new format ended to be successful, firstly, because of its location – straight beside the workshop venue, secondly, because of its extremely fashionable, effective and highly attractive ambient solution, and thirdly, as it was designed to be a handy eat&drink&talk joint place, it also optimized time spent for eating.
3. An undoubtful improvement of the event format is the new incentives where partners had the possibility to meet in an informal environment and get to know each other more and in a different way. For each of 17 team-building incentives foreign and Slovenian participants were grouped based on their main business interests.
4. 95% (even more than last year) of study tours attendees were satisfied or extremely satisfied with study tours. This year meeting with local tourism providers and establishing business contacts with them too was a matter of special attention and organization.

Innovation

• New teambuilding incentives for Slovenian and foreign participants
• New workshop for Slovenian participants “How to gain the most of SIW 2019”
• New SIW Lounge (eat&drink&talk)
• New Active morning wake-up
• The concept of evening Events is always unique and built on the Slovenian culture pointing out local characteristics
• Sustainable event on all levels
• Eco wooden reusable stands made of Slovenian wood. Slovenian providers were arranged according to the regions they are coming from, in order to facilitate the search to the hosted buyers. In that way, we also followed the
• STRATEGY FOR THE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH OF SLOVENIAN TOURISM FOR 2017 – 2021.
• Special app for prearranged SIW 1-1 meetings

Execution

The SIW was organized by a team of 4, each covering its own part of the project:

• foreign participants: contacts, invitations, registration confirmation, planning of their stay in Slovenia (bookings, transfers, flights),
• study tours: a program of study tours (4 different post-study tours and a pre-study tour),
• workshop venue and Slovenian participants (invitations, registration confirmations, new stands, branding, allocation of stands),
• application for One to one meetings, event`s website, evening event, coordination with the host Terme Olimia.

On the execution days, we were all together 20, covering 2 registration points, 1 welcome desk on the arrival terminal at the Airport of Ljubljana, 24/7 support on study tours, workshop venue. However, the mentioned number does not include all the staff from Terme Olimia, that covered catering, performers on a welcome evening, additional staff that coordinated Slovenian evening and the transfers.

Program SIW 2019: The best business date of the year:

• 15 May: Welcome to Slovenia
• 2-day pre-tour of Slovenia: MY WAY OF FEELING SLOVENIA.
• 16 May: Welcome to Terme Olimia
• Arrival of participants and Welcome evening
• 17 May: MY WAY OF DOING BUSINESS.
• Active morning wakeup (running, energy exercise, oxygen advantage)
• Slovenian incoming workshop (1-1 meetings)
• Presentation of Slovenia
• My way of making friends. (incentives)
• Slovenian night
  18-19 May: tours of Slovenia for foreign participants

Measurable results

This year’s 22nd edition of the Slovenian Incoming Workshop in Terme Olimia hosted 188 strictly selected foreign participants from 155 different companies and 37 countries, and more than 250 Slovenian participants from 163 different companies. Altogether they had more than 3500 meetings in only one day. The majority of the foreign partners were from Germany (17), Italy (18), France (11) and the USA (10). In addition, we hosted representatives from overseas markets, including Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore. The survey showed that the great majority of Slovenian and foreign participants that have already visited SIW before, noted that this year’s event was even better than in previous years which shows the undoubtful improvement on all levels. Also, those who joined SIW for the first time (72%) were extremely satisfied with the event.

Communication

Acknowledgment of Slovenia and Slovenian tourist offer as an exceptional point on the world tourist map.

• Strengthening of the existing business contacts and establishing of new contacts between future business partners.
• A vital part of the event was communicating the sustainability of the tourist offer in Slovenia
• Communication of the event was held through all channels (social media, direct invitation and promotion on targeted markets) and planed a year ahead

The use of sustainable practices

Our 10 points for Green event:

1. During all negotiations regarding the organization of SIW, sustainability and local environment involvement is of key importance.
2. Printed materials are minimalized, all information is digitalized as much as possible (ex. event app). Those prints that are hard to be avoided are printed on ecological/sustainable materials. Sponsors are asked to use centralized media (event catalogue and link in-app) for promotion instead of printed flyiers.
3. Promo gifts made of ecological materials and produced with the vision of sustainability (reuse/reduce/recycle).
4. All technical signs, logos, billboards, etc are made without date/year in order to make possible to re-use them next year. Also, good planning and organization minimize the quantity of those.
5. Transfers for participants are required to be provided by eco vehicles, more transfers are joint than an individual (max. optimization) in order to reduce CO2 pollution.
6. Eco catering inventory as bamboo boats for plates, eco pots, wooden forks….
7. Local providers for food and beverage
8. Interior design for the venue is mostly made of wood, rented, decoration made out of plants that are also rented and returned after the event
9. Garbage selective collection available for all participants during the event.
   Exhibiting stands are made from 100 % Slovenian wood and they are intended to be re-used.

Basic Event Information

Date: 14.6.2019
Location: Hotel Vital, Terme Zreče
Organizer: Agency Novelus d.o.o.
Client: Unior d.d
Event type: Best ceremony / B2B

EVENT CATEGORY: CATEGORY B2B – Best ceremony

Event description and key objectives

This event was intended to host and celebrate 100 years of experiences, tradition and knowledge not only in Slovenia but also abroad. The 100th anniversary is a celebration not only for people that work in Unior, but also to all business partners that help them develop into one of the most strongest companies in Slovenia and a well-recognized company in the world. Their gross value added per employee is EUR 35,500, while their net revenues from sales last year amounted to EUR 198 million. Unior guarantees a safe investment for their owners with the return on equity of at least 5.5 percent and a future for our employees. They are a connecting link in a dynamic group which exploits its synergies, reaching EUR 255 million in sales and which, together with its associated companies, employs 4,195 people.

This is why celebrating 100 years was a must – as for the employees, business partners, etc.

Our key objectives that we wanted to reach were:

1. Increase of brand image by exposing 100 years of tradition.
2. To strengthen their position as a leading business partner in their field.
3. To show Unior as an important economic and employeer status or role in Slovenia.
4. To support their vision that is founded on responsibility, innovation, excellence and entrepreneurship.
5. To expose core capability that brings them the following competitive advantages: being globally present; having
   programs or companies within the Group among the key players in the market or market segment.

Key challenges

1. Our main challenge was how to create an international event (we invited all our business partners from abroad countries where Unior is operating) and give him its local mentality. To make it interesting for all social groups and people that were present at this event.
2. We also were dealing with on one hand a very important company for Slovenia (on an economical and technical level we had representatives from Slovenian government present) and on the other hand, a company that was built and developed thru people that helped to spread their knowledge and technical data for 100 years of presence. So, the storytelling at this event had to be precise. It had to incorporate all the important information as Unior on an economical level but also bring its heartiness for people that helped develop it.
3. Because Unior is also owned by the state in media and public relations sector we had a challenge where we had to increase stories about 100 years of tradition and importance for Slovenia and narrow down to zero stories about, how Unior will maybe be sold to the best business partners for the state in the future. If this would happen all the media appearance and all the employee small talk would be automatically changed to what is happening instead of celebrating 100 years of pride.
4. Our challenge was also how to incorporate 100 years old different important events, stories and development into 1,5 hour of this event. Making the event to long would not be ok.

Creativity

As an agency, we created a lot of events during previous years but this event was special. Because you could not only see but also feel the emotional and heart moving feelings that were among people who helped develop Unior in this decade. From the creativity point of view, this event was very different. We combined all the metal elements that representative Unior and incorporated them on the stage. When performing, The Stroj Machine very well-known performer in Slovenia that plays only on their hand made tools were playing only with Unior tools, we also developed some special Unior instruments (made from Unior hand tools, forge) only for them. Also, food that was served at the beginning of the event as a finger food was served on the Unior hand tool cart and on their hand tools. The creativity that left a lot of people breathless. Our main story was to combine history and future. This is why everything that was surrounding the place where the event was held was in old pictures and old frames, but everything that was going on one the stage was futuristic. Was magical! Also, Raiven who performed was dressed in a futuristic costume, and we brought also from Serbia a very famous and well-known dance group called Mirror Crew who represented metal (etc. mirror) and people dressed only into this saying hello greeting other when arriving and during the event. With black and silver colors (this is namely the new corporate design for 100 years of Unior) the event looked very chic.

Innovation

From this view, we had two main moments that we could generate as innovative. One was that all the scenography and scene was done from Unior products. And also all the instruments for The Stroj Machine were done from the Unior hand tool department this is how we really represented the atmosphere of Unior.

Also, we created a monography as a book that really represented the history of Unior on more than 250 pages. It was given as a gift to all partners that were invited to this event. Also, this was given later on to all employees that are currently employed in Unior – more than 2.500.

For this purpose, we also created a historical movie that represented not only old videos about Unior but more important statements from people that help to create 100 years of tradition in Unior. Content marketing implemented into event management this is the future. Telling different stories by using video format and people that mostly represent this iconical moment this is very important.

Execution

From the execution point of view, the event was without mistakes. Every minute, every segment that was early one planned in the scenario was being executed perfectly. Let us just summarize some key objectives:

1. The brand image was increased, after the event Unior gained more than 100 letters from their business partners thanking them and congratulating them on their celebration. Also, media coverage was only positive, employees stated in internal research that they are very proud to be a part of such well-know and recognized the company.
2. The invited more than 150 important business partners, they had 97 % of participation (almost all of them came), this is how we know they think of them as an important partner.
3. Also, the support from government was there, Minister of Economic Development and Technology was present also Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.
4. Thru the whole event, also from the statement of the mayor of Zreče, we represented Unior as an important player locally and also on the employment section. Thru the exhibition that we prepared in the front place of the event to celebrate this 100 years, we have shown values and vision of Unior not only through this decade time but also in the future.

Rosana Š. Ravnikar, head of Unior corporate communication: “This event played a significant role in Unior as a business partner, employer, and local company. Novelus professionally and with quality executed their role as an event manager.”

Measurable results

There were three types of results that we could measure during this event. First is the presence of people that were invited. As stated above from all the send out invitation (Unior made a strict selection on whom they are going to invite – their target was not more than 180 people), there was a 97 % confirmation presence at the event. This means that this is above average for all the events.

Second this is the media presence. We invited to this celebration only top 6 media that is monitoring and writing about Unior during this years. But we decided to create media awareness that would be wider. After the event we created 15 media publication (printed media, radio, digital). Printed media was in the value of 8.600 EUR, radio monitoring was in the value of 4.780 EUR. Digital media was in the value of 7.900 EUR.

Unior also made a survey asking employees how would they evaluate 100 years of Unior. From 300 people that answered some of the main and for us important answers are:

• 85 % I am proud to be a part of such recognized and well known company, with 100 years old tradition;
• 76 % I have a positive opinion about Unior company, thru media articles and stories;
• 91 % Saw as a highlight during 100 years their business event in Terme Zreče and internal event on Rogla, also
  organized by Agency Novelus.

Communication

Our key objectives in this communication segment were reached. They were:

1. To increase positive awareness and to strengthen the message of 100 years Unior in media.
2. To have at least 10 media reporting after and before the event from important media such as Siol, Finance, …
3. To have free media coverage in the amount of at least 15.000 EUR.
4. Main massage 100 years, history, storytelling and development.
5. To increase coverage about Unior and its 100 years also in foreign media.

As stated in the segment above we covered all the important key objectives. We also posted two interviews with CEO Darko Hrastnik in foreign media where Unior also operates. Also, we can segment as a communication result that president Hrastnik gain around 100 thank you notes after the event, from more than 10 different countries congratulating him on the event and its anniversary. Also, the survey done between employees has shown that June (it was recognized as the month on celebration) was very good excepted between people.

The use of sustainable practices

For the purpose of 100 years of anniversary, we also created a short campaign (called OLD FOR NEW) where we invited people to bring us the old hand tool that they have hidden in their home and in return they will gain totally new tools. These old tools were later on incorporated into our exhibition that was represented during the event. This exhibition showed tools from the beginning of Unior and later on till now. It showed also how the whole Unior story developed, how did their corporate image develop etc. Most of the tools used in this exhibition were from people that brought them from their home. History of tools is hidden in the homes of people that helped developed Unior tradition. Stories are what counts in this celebration! Also, all the exhibition was done by recycled materials, all the pictures, stories and statements were represented on such materials. In respect to the environment. All the other printed materials, such as the menu, … were also on recycled materials. All the drinks served were in glass, there was no plastic on the event.

Basic Event Information

Date: 18.08.2018.
Location: Luštica Bay/Montenegro
Organizer: M2Communications
Client: Luštica Bay
Event type: Conceptual Event

EVENT CATEGORY: B2B – Best ceremony

Event description and key objectives

Our task was to organize the grand opening of The Chedi Luštica Bay Hotel and Luštica Bay Marina, which are part of the biggest greenfield project in Montenegro and the region. A well-organized team of more than 150 people from several countries had been working for months to turn the concept design for the grand opening of the first luxury town complex of this kind on the Adriatic coast into an amazing and unforgettable experience that visitors will remember for the rest of their lives.

Construction of a 400 m² floating stage, which took us more than 20 days to complete. That was the biggest stage of that kind, 14 meters high, with state of the art light and sound effects, authentic decorative setting, as well as the show that lasted late into the night, which positioned this party as the number one event of the season.

Key challenges

This event was more than filled with specific challenges, especially in technical, logistics and creative department.

1. Constructing the floating stage, which took us more than 20 days to complete. The stage of a 400 m², 14 meters high, was the biggest stage of that kind. We equipped it with state-of-the-art light and sound effects, authentic decorative setting. Show on the stage lasted late into the night and positioned this party as the number one event of the season.

2. Redesigning the Marina area so it could host more than 1,500 guests.

3. Creating 4 hours of the continuous, authentic entertainment program, amusing and enjoyable enough for all the guests.

Creativity

Creating a brand new legend based on old stories, tales and myths that are connected to the creation of Luštica Bay as it is today. The “Shaping Memories“ concept, incorporating typical motifs, legends and tradition of this part of Montenegro, coupled with ideas to build a luxury complex at Luštica Bay, which would blend perfectly with pristine nature. All this served as an inspiration for designing the grand opening of “The Chedi Luštica Bay Hotel and Marina“ event.

Innovation

This project was marked by a couple of innovations. One of those was a 400m² floating stage, 14 meters high, where the main event took place. The main innovation was to build a 400 m2 floating stage that would host more than 100 people, including technical equipment, LED screens, structures, etc. Another innovation included audiovisual effects that had never been seen before, and the last but not the least, 20 international performers and a special guest star

Execution

This memorable event, praised as the best one in 2018, took more than two months to organize, in which more than 150 people, technicians, logistics, designers were involved. This number did not include performers, dancers and guest stars. Apart from the people who were involved in this project, we had more than 200 visual devices.

Measurable results

More than 1,500 guests shared their experience via social networks, reporting about the event of the season

• Over 20 media (both local and foreign) representatives joined the “Shaping Memories“ event
• The total PR value in TV, print and web media reached the sum of around 250,000 EUR
• Hotel occupancy in the period after the grand opening until the end of October was over 90%.

Communication

The grand opening of The Chedi Luštica Bay Hotel and Luštica Bay Marina was covered by all relevant media, both national and international.

Since Luštica Bay was the biggest tourism project in Montenegro worth more than 1 billion euros, information about such a huge project and its opening had to be extensively disseminated, which is why communication tools were chosen carefully. As a result of the hard work of the PR team, great media success was achieved, including print media, radio, TV, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.)

The use of sustainable practices

Because of the specific location, at the seaside, we were extremely cautious when it comes to nature, sea life and pollution in general. Besides ecology, our goal was to offer all the guests and locals alike new experiences of this destination, through the content created specifically for Luštica Bay, while respecting the local culture and heritage through music and dance.