The Challenge

Design an engaging and accessible interactive experience for the 2023 Charter School Conference in Houston. The experience needed to:

• Create a welcoming and inclusive space for conference attendees.

• Effectively communicate and amplify the impact of the charter school mission through authentic user stories.

• Facilitate meaningful interactions and knowledge sharing among attendees.

• Adhere to strict building codes and budgetary constraints.

Discovery & Definition

The project began with a collaborative discovery phase, involving key stakeholders from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS), including board members, the account executive, and the production manager. We also partnered closely with the booth construction vendor to ensure feasibility. Through these discussions, we defined the project's core objectives: to create an engaging and informative experience within a 20x40 ft. footprint, while adhering to a strict budget.

Key User & Business Goals

• Attendee Engagement: Provide a comfortable seating area to encourage interaction and networking.

• Brand Visibility: Create a visually striking and memorable booth that prominently features the NAPCS brand.

• Interactive Data Collection: Design an interactive polling station to gather attendee opinions on key issues.

• Storytelling & Sharing: Facilitate a "share your voice" station for attendees to contribute their personal stories.

• Practicality: Integrate storage solutions into the booth design.

Design & Implementation

Leveraging the prime location at the conference entrance, we prioritized a visually impactful design. A multi-screen video wall, powered by a Mac Studio Pro, served as a focal point, displaying a compelling narrative of the NAPCS mission. This immersive experience was designed to capture attention and effectively communicate the organization's message.

To foster interaction, we developed a "share your voice" station featuring a unique ping pong ball polling system. This allowed attendees to participate in real-time data collection on controversial topics, creating a dynamic and engaging experience.

Visual design choices, including vibrant colors, a suspended banner, and a distinctive archway, were strategically employed to attract attention and create a memorable brand presence.

Impact & Future Collaboration

The NAPCS organization expressed exceptional satisfaction with the project, recognizing our deep understanding of their brand, our innovative technological approach, and the overall impact of the installation. This success led to them awarding our agency the contract to fully rebrand the conference for the following year, including the development of a templated system for future events.