16 Impactful In-Person Events That Left a Lasting Impression on Businesses
"What’s one in-person event or activation that made a lasting impression on your brand or business?"
Here is what 16 thought leaders had to say.
Historic Vault Event Boosts Leads by 40%
Hey Reddit! As the Marketing Manager for FLATS®, one in-person event that truly transformed our brand was our "Historic Vault Open House" at The Teller House in Uptown Chicago. We converted the original bank vault from the 1920s Sheridan Trust building into an immersive experience showcasing the building's change from historic bank to luxury apartments.
We combined historic photographs with interactive digital displays showing the renovation process. Attendees could literally walk through time, seeing how we presetved architectural elements while creating modern living spaces. The event generated a 40% increase in qualified leads compared to standard open houses and dramatically improved our lease conversion rate by 15%.
What made this so effective was connecting emotionally with prospects by celebrating the neighborhood's cultural heritage. We partnered with the Uptown Theatre and Riviera for a joint ticket promotion, bringing in precisely the urban demographic we target. Local media coverage extended our reach beyond paid advertising channels, creating authentic brand advocates.
The key lesson: in-person events work best when they tell a story unique to your property that digital marketing alone can't convey. For multifamily marketers, I recommend finding that authentic architectural or neighborhood story and creating experiential events around it – residents aren't just choosing apartments, they're choosing to be part of a community's ongoing story.
Gunnar Blakeway-Walen, Marketing Manager, The Miller Apartments By Flats
Sneaker Store Collaboration Elevates Terp Bros' Image
The "Last Wednesday" collaboration with Renart's, a legendary Queens sneaker store, was transformative for Terp Bros. We combined cannabis culture with streerwear in Jackson Heights, creating an authentic community space where two seemingly different worlds connected naturally.
The impact was immediate - our foot traffic increased by 35% in the following weeks, with 40% of attendees becoming regular customers. More importantly, it established Terp Bros as a legitimate cultural hub rather than just another dispensary.
What made it successful was authenticity. We brought in local brands like Chef For Higher and Rolling Stoned NYC alongside our products, showing we're invested in the Queens community, not just selling to it. The photos from that night (shot by local photographer Bonita) became some of our most engaging social content ever.
For any cannabis business looking to create meaningful connections, find partners outside the industry who share your community values. Our success wasn't just measured in sales but in legitimacy - proving that formerly criminalized individuals like myself could create spaces that lift neighborhoods rather than harm them.
Jeremy Rivera, CEO, Terp Bros
Networking Mixer Reveals Power of Authentic Connections
One in-person event that made a lasting impression on me was a professional networking mixer I attended early in my career. I was nervous about meeting so many experienced professionals, but I knew it was a great opportunity to expand my network. I remember feeling out of place at first, but something changed when I started engaging in conversations. I realized that most people were just like me--trying to make meaningful connections and navigate social dynamics.
The turning point came when I made a genuine connection with someone who shared similar career goals. We talked about our challenges, exchanged advice, and even followed up after the event. That conversation reminded me that networking isn't about impressing others; it's about forming authentic relationships.
What stuck with me most from that event was the importance of being approachable and listening actively. I left with new connections and a fresh perspective on how I could leverage social events to grow both personally and professionally. It taught me that, rather than focusing on my insecurities, the key is to be present and engaged. That experience continues to shape the way I approach networking today.
Nikita Sherbina, Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen
D2C 2024 Spurs Strategic Cross-Border Improvements
Attending D2C 2024 in New Delhi made a lasting impact on our team. Ubuy was awarded the Best Cross-Border Brand, and being recognised alongside other leaders in e-commerce gave us a renewed sense of purpose. The event opened doors to conversations with founders and logistics partners that helped us refine parts of our cross-border strategy. One key takeaway was improving the display of shipping timelines for different regions, which subsequently led to a measurable decrease in cart abandonment. Recognition is meaningful, but it was the in-person exchange of ideas that pushed our thinking forward in ways data alone could not.
Faizan Khan, Public Relations and Content Marketing Specialist, Ubuy Australia
Neurodiversity Event Increases Referrals by 35%
What's made the most lasting impression on Bridges of the Mind was our "Neurodiversity Celebration Day" – an open house event we hosted at our Sacramento headquarters when we launched our concierge assessment services in 2022. We transformed our clinical space into interactive stations demonstrating different sensory experiences and cognitive patterns, allowing visitors to briefly experience aspects of sensory processing differences.
The impact was immediate and measurable. Our referrals increased 35% in the following quarter, primarily from families who attended and professionals who recognized our authentic neurodiversity-affirming approach wasn't just markering language. Most significantly, it shifted our client demographics – we saw a 28% increase in adolescent and adult women seeking autism evaluations, an historically underserved population.
What made this work was involving our actual neurodiverse clients and team members in the planning and execution. They designed experiences that educated without tokenizing or stereotyping. Our postdoctoral fellows also created accessible handouts explaining assessment processes that we still use today.
For business owners, the lesson is clear: when you create experiences that authentically demonstrate your values rather than just claiming them, people respond. We've since replicated smaller versions of this event in our South Lake Tahoe and San Jose locations, each time resulting in stronger community partnerships and increased service inquiries.
Erika Frieze, Owner & CEO, Bridges of the Mind
Design Workshop Transforms Ankord Media's Brand Perception
As a 4x founder, I've found that physical events create the deepest brand connections. The turning point for Ankord Media came through our collaboration with non-profit Narratives, where we hosted a design workshop connecting tech founders with underserved creative youth in Los Angeles.
This in-person activation transformed our brand perception overnight. Beyond the 35% increase in inbound client inquiries, it positioned us as genuine thought leaders in purpose-driven design. We gained three major clients directly from attendees who experienced our collaborative process firsthand.
The key was authenticity - we didn't just sponsor the event, our team actively worked alongside these young creatives. This demonstrated our design philosophy in real-time rather than just talking about it. The stories and relationships built that day continue to influence our company culture years later.
For brands considering similar activations, focus on creating genuine value exchanges rather than promotional opportunities. Our approach of teaching while learning created meaningful connections that traditional networking events simply can't replicate.
Milan Kordestani, CEO, Ankord Media
Detroit Experience Center Boosts Out-of-State Bookings
One in-person event that made a lasting impression on my business was changing a unit's game room into a pop-up "Detroit Experience Center" during an arts festival weekend. We showcased local artwork, had Detroit-made spirits for sampling, and featured our vintage arcade machines and pool tables that have become signature amenities in our rentals.
The impact was significant - we saw a 40% increase in bookings from out-of-state guests who finded us during the event. Many mentioned they'd never considered Detroit for weekend getaways until experiencing our space. The most valuable outcome wasn't just immediate bookings but changing perceptions about Detroit itself.
What worked was authenticity - we didn't just promote our properties but celebrated Detroit's revival through local partnerships. When guests played our Pac-Man machines while sipping Detroit City Distillery whiskey and viewing local art, they connected with the city's creative energy in a way digital marketing could never achieve.
For other business owners considering in-person activations, find what makes your location unique and amplify it. Our arcade games and neighborhood partnerships became our differentiator in a crowded rental market - they're now prominently featured in our marketing because they authentically represent both our properties and Detroit's blend of nostalgia and innovation.
Sean Swain, Company Owner, Detroit Furnished Rentals LLC
Health Expo Redefines Patient-Centric Service Approach
One event that shaped how we operate was a patient-focused health expo. The turnout exceeded expectations. We met hundreds of people who shared personal stories, frustrations, and needs. Many didn't know they qualified for medical cannabis or felt intimidated by the process. Hearing that in real-time changed how we designed our service flow. We eliminated steps, simplified language, and prioritized support over speed.
The impact of that one event was immediate and permanent. We stopped thinking in terms of checklists and started thinking in terms of people. Some visitors were veterans. Others were parents managing chronic conditions. Those moments don't fade. They redefined how we train our team and how we communicate with patients. We stopped pushing efficiency alone and started building trust with every interaction.
That event reminded us to listen first. Patients don't want to be sold. They want to be understood. Everything shifted after that, from the tone of our outreach to the structure of our support channels. We didn't need to guess what people wanted. They told us. We still use those lessons to guide our growth. It grounded the mission in real people, real pain, and real relief.
Aspen Noonan, CEO, Elevate Holistics
PPC Workshop Yields $80K in New Contracts
What made a lasting impression on my brand was a PPC workshop we hosted for small businesses in Raleigh. Instead of the typical presentation format, we created interactive stations where participants could audit their own Google Ads accounts with our team's guidance.
The ROI was remarkable. For a $2,500 investment in the event, we signed four new clients worth over $80,000 in annual contracts. More importantly, we collected real-time data on small business pain points that completely transformed our service packages.
One surprising insight: businesses were less interested in vanity metrics and more focused on concrete conversion tracking. This led us to develop our "conversion-first" methodology, which has since become our agency's differentiator in a crowded market.
For digital marketers looking to make a similar impact, I recommend creating events that solve immediate problems rather than just showcasing capabilities. When participants walk away with actionable improvements already implemented, they remember your brand as a partner, not just another vendor.
Milton Brown, Owner, Multi Touch Marketing
Wellness Day Builds Kaya Bliss' Community Reputation
One in-person event that truly shaped Kaya Bliss was our pre-launch community wellness day in Bay Ridge last year. We partnered with local businesses to create a cannabis education and mindfulness workshop series that introduced our brand philosophy before our physical store was even complete.
The Department of Buildings had delayed our construction, so this pivot allowed us to build brand awareness while demonstrating our commitment to community education. We saw over 200 attendees, many of whom signed up for our loyalty program that day and became our first customers when we finally opened.
What made this event particularly successful was how we integrated art with cannabis education. We featured local Brooklyn artists who created live installations while we conducted "Cannabis 101" sessions. This approach resonated deeply with our neighborhood demographic and established our reputation as a dispensary focused on culture, not just consumption.
For any business facing delays or setbacks, I'd suggest leveraging these moments to demonstrate your core values through alternative channels. That wellness day generated more authentic community goodwill than any traditional marketing campaign could have, and it's now become a quarterly tradition that consistently drives new customer acquisition for us.
Edgar Kleydman, Founding Member, Kaya Bliss Dispensary
SEO Audits at Expo Drive Client Acquisition
The South Jordan Business Expo completely transformed SiteRank's trajectory. Setting up a booth where I offered free 15-minute SEO audits created a line of business owners who could immediately see issues with their websites they'd never noticed before.
This face-to-face interaction delivered something our digital marketing couldn't - the "aha moment" when clients physically see their website problems and competitors' adbantages. Our client acquisition jumped 35% in the following quarter, with the highest retention rate we'd ever experienced.
What made this event different was the interactive component. Rather than explaining SEO concepts abstractly, we showed real-time search results and analytics on a large monitor where everyone could gather around and discuss. This turned complex technical concepts into visual stories.
For any agency struggling with client education, create moments where prospects can physically see their digital problems. The ROI on in-person demonstrations will outperform slick marketing materials every time, especially when clients can leave with immediately actionable insights.
Craig Flickinger, CEO, SiteRank
Networking Dinner Triples Referral Rate
The most impactful in-person event for my business was a small-scale networking dinner I hosted for 30 local business owners struggling with sales operations. Instead of traditional presentations, we created "problem-solving stations" where attendees rotated through hands-on exercises solving real CRM and sales pipeline challenges with their actual data.
This seemingly simple event generated 17 new clients within 45 days and tripled our referral rate. The key wasn't the fancy setting or impressive speakers, but creating what I call "productive discomfort" - that moment when someone realizes they need help while simultaneously seeing the solution.
I've found that small, intimate events consistently outperform large conferences for ROI. When we ran the numbers, our customer acquisition cost from these targeted dinners was 28% lower than digital channels, with conversion rates nearly double. The secret is hyper-targeting your invite list to businesses experiencing the exact pain point you solve.
Thinking like Milton Glaser (of I❤NY fame), the best events don't sell ice cream disguised as cauliflower - they acknowledge the cauliflower but make people excited to eat it anyway. Our events directly address painful business problems while creating genuine connections. My advice: forget omnipresence and focus on meaningful presence with the right 20-30 people who truly need your expertise.
Ryan T. Murphy, Sales Operations Manager, Upfront Operations
Innovative Booth Strategy Boosts Brand Engagement
Expos and conferences focusing on digital technologies, like the "Innovators' Summit," significantly impact various brands by providing networking and engagement opportunities. One brand stood out by creating an interactive booth with gamification, allowing attendees to engage with real-time data and participate in product demonstrations. This approach increased foot traffic and fostered meaningful connections, showcasing the effectiveness of innovative event strategies.
Mohammed Kamal, Business Development Manager, Olavivo
WordCamp San Francisco Spurs wpONcall's Growth
The WordPress community WordCamp San Francisco back in 2014 completely transformed wpONcall's trajectory. Meeting face-to-face with WordPress core developers and plugin authors created relationships that still benefit our clients today.
This three-day event gave me direct access to the technical minds behind the platform, allowing me to troubleshoot client issues faster. Our response time decreased by 40% following the connections made there.
More importantly, the event helped me refine our unlimited support model. After discussing service structures with other WordPress maintenance providers, I implemented the 30-minute request limit that has become central to our business model.
The personal connections from that WordCamp directly translated to business growth - we added 75 new maintenance clients within six months. For any tech service business, I strongly recommend finding your industry's equivalent of WordCamp where the real experts gather rather than generic networking events.
Kevin Gallagher, Owner, wpONcall
Mobile App Conference Elevates Brand Trust
Speaking at a mobile app conference was one of the most impactful in-person events for our brand. It positioned us as a thought leader in front of a highly relevant audience and gave us face-to-face conversations that simply don't happen online.
We shared real data and lessons from launching and scaling our app, which sparked follow-up questions, demo requests, and even a few partnership opportunities. What made it stick was the authenticity that people saw in the people behind the product, not just a pitch.
The exposure was great, but the real value came after the talk. It opened doors, built trust, and gave our brand a stronger voice in the community.
Rizala C., SEO Expert, Intent Generation
Maintenance Demo Event Enhances Resident Satisfaction
The most impactful in-person event for our brand was our "Maintenance FAQ Live Demo" at The Sally Apartments. We transformed recurring resident complaints about appliance operation into an engaging resident appreciation event where our maintenance team demonstrated solutions to common issues while serving food from local Uptown Chicago restaurants.
This activation directly addressed the feedback we'd gathered through Livly about move-in uncertainties. We recorded the demonstrations and created a permanent resource library that new residents could access. The results were impressive - move-in dissatisfaction dropped 30% and positive reviews increased significantly.
What made this truly valuable was connecting our data insights to a practical, community-building solution. Residents got to meet the maintenance team in a positive context rather than only during issues. The pet-friendly aspect of the event (we included demos of our pet spa amenities) perfectly aligned with our property's unique selling point.
For multifamily properties looking to boost resident satisfaction, I recommend analyzing your complaint patterns and changing those pain points into community-building opportunities. The key is making data actionable - we identified a specific problem (oven operation confusion), created a solution that built community, and measured concrete results that improved both satisfaction and occupancy rates.
Gunnar Blakeway-Walen TSA, Marketing Manager, The Sally Apartments by Flats
