International partner meeting for world-leading manufacturers

BACKGROUND

Our client is a world-leading industrial company with over 15,000 employees in 30 countries. We first met at their European headquarters in Luxembourg, where we were invited by a recommendation to show what Swedish Contrast can contribute to their annual reseller meeting.

CHALLENGE

The annual meeting is a key event for the company. Here, retailers from across Europe come together to build relationships, share experiences, and gain a shared understanding of where the industry is headed. At the same time, it is an opportunity for the company to show appreciation and create pride.

In previous years, the format had been traditional with long presentations and a lot of information from the stage. But now the company wanted to try something new. They tasked us with creating a format to generate genuine engagement.

SOLUTION 

We started by changing the perspective: from talking to the participants to talk with them.

Powerpoint had to make way for dialogue, interactivity and experience. We developed a program format led by a professional moderator, featuring filmed footage from the factories, staged interviews, group discussions and engaging conversations. The dramaturgy resembled digital meetings where the pace and presence become crucial.

By the evening, we created an activity that would strengthen the personal bonds between the participants and the company. And what better way to do that in Spain than to cook paella Together? Under the guidance of Spanish chefs, the participants had to work together over the pots, with a good wine in their glasses and lots of laughter.

“This event was much more professional than usual!”

RESULTS

The new concept was untested for the client, and it was noticeable that there was nervousness within the organization. Especially among the European sales manager who would meet several large clients during the event.

But the concern was unfounded. The participants described the meeting as “Much more professional than previous years”And the engagement in the room spoke for itself.”.

The European head was so pleased that he already booked the next conference for the evening – a leadership gathering for 175 managers in March. And this summer, Contrast is producing the company’s next major customer event.

TYPE | International customer meeting
LOCATION | Barcelona, the Monastery of Món Sant Benet
PROJECT LEADERS | Ola Comstedt
OBJECTIVE | Strengthen relationships and cooperation with the company's customers (the retailers)
GOAL | Increased dialogue, trends, brand building, strengthening relationships.