The brief
Our client appointed SEVEN as its creative event partner to transform a week-long hackathon into an immersive and inspiring experience. Hosted at Sopwell House, the challenge was to reimagine the hotel’s event spaces as a dynamic innovation hub where eight teams could collaborate, compete and develop new ideas in an environment designed to spark creativity.
The details
Our concept was centred around the event objective, which was innovation with hackers solving business problems that would ensure business change and growth. Working with the brand team we created an event identity “turning what if, into why not”; an inspirational message that we applied as a philosophy for each element of the event journey.
With the client having booked a very conference-focused hotel, we had to totally re-imagine the space. Our vision was to create a Silicon Valley inspired workspace and to achieve this we built new bespoke branded walls, recarpeted spaces and designed a 5ft neon lighting installation. We created eight hacking areas for the teams who would be working around the clock. We ensured design and functionality came together seamlessly to both deliver brand impact, while driving ROI, by creating the most positive workspaces allowing creativity and productivity.
We utilised a range of the latest technology to enhance and inspire the tasks the teams had been set, including providing each team with their very own personalised surface hub to enable collaborative and efficient working.
Alongside the creative concepting and production design, SEVEN devised a program of fun energiser activities and foodie breaks to encourage time away from screens. These included barista coffee, mobile massages, retro games, pizza night and wine tasting. Each of these experiences was focused on fun or wellbeing to further boost productivity while ensuring the teams felt rewarded and had the space away from hacking to reenergise and boost creativity.
A quick note to say a very big thank you for your magic over these past few months. These last two weeks were such a special moment for our business, and you really helped us realise our ‘elevated vision’ for how we make innovation in our business a tangible experience for our colleagues. From the lighting, room dressing, activities, food to the theatre of our presentation, detail matters and we really made something amazing together. Our leaders, hackers and teams are still buzzing from it all!