store managers conference

Numbers:	1,600 guests
Location:	Telford International Centre
Budget:	£250,000

the challenge

After extensive restructuring of Somerfield Stores' workforce, including significant senior management changes, through to shop layouts and design, new company procedures and organisational changes, Somerfield needed to communicate these improvements to their staff and outline the future developments and direction that was planned for the following year. Our brief was to design and manage an event that met these requirements successfully.

our thinking

Eventwise designed a unique plenary environment whereby all divisions of the company were represented. The Board and senior management occupied the central plenary and stemming out from it were four additional sets where HR, Marketing, Operations and Finance were also represented. In order to generate an ‘ergonomic' feel to the event, where guests moved freely from one area to the next, eventwise utilised intelligent lighting trusses and plasma screens around the venue to create a sense of ‘flow' and continuation from one area to the next. Guests were then able to move around the set receiving lectures and presentations from each area enhancing greatly their understanding of the relevant issues and proposed initiatives.

our solution

In addition to designing the main plenary set, eventwise were also responsible for all of the pre-event management, delegate logistics, catering, onsite management and speaker support, as well as providing an exhibition area showcasing new promotional products and affiliated partners.

Whilst no exit poll was commissioned by the client to assess the effectiveness of the communications, post-event feedback from Somerfield was particularly encouraging. The senior management involved with the event felt that the audience had absorbed the key messages and were enthused by the new initiatives.