Company: agencyEA
Company Description: AgencyEA (http://agencyea.com/) is a Chicago-based experiential marketing agency. Taking brands from passive presence to active engagement, EA helps some of the biggest names in the world produce unique, memorable interactions. Founded in 1999 as Event Architects, EA has worked with esteemed clients such as Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions, GE Healthcare, Boeing and the Obama Administration.
Nomination Category: Live Event Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Sales Meeting

Nomination Title: AOL 2012 National Sales Conference

The date on which this nominated production was first presented:

December 17, 2012 - December 19, 2012

Briefly describe the nominated event's objectives and how it met those objectives (up to 525 words):

AOL approached agencyEA to help celebrate the success of 2012 and energize the AOL sales team for 2013 at their National Sales Conference. AOL was looking for an agency that would deliver creativity and innovation in all deliverables. In addition, AOL sought a company that could provide big thinking and "outside-of-the-box," seamless, executable ideas.

The EPIC conference took place in Miami for approximately 700 AOL marketing and sales employees. EA managed all elements of the three-day conference, overseeing all sales meeting planning and details from inception to launch.

Upon arrival, friendly registration staff provided attendees with customized EPIC credentials, agendas, and event information. Event branding extended from the custom registration area complete with furniture and floor decals, all the way to the coffee cups and muffin wrappers. The iconic curved wall at the Fontainebleau's check in desk featured AOL branding to let attendees know the EPIC Conference had taken over Miami.

To shield their eyes from the hot Miami sun, each guest received a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses in the style of their choice. The Sunglass Bar, completely customized for AOL, was staffed to assist each guest in selecting the best pair for him or her.

Three days of energetic general sessions featured compelling content to keep attendees engaged throughout the conference. EA managed all stage/set design, A/V, production, show calling and speaker support. Dynamic, branded keynotes ensured consistency and relevance throughout the conference. Training sessions, offered at the beginning of the conference, were presented in four distinct, custom designed rooms at the Fontainebleau. The different look and feel in each training session kept attendees engaged and excited for what would come next.

Guests donned their best whites and let loose at the first evening event, themed MIAMI ICE. Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed custom branded bars, photo booths, an ice luge, entertainment, airbrush tattoo stations, a 25x25 foot illuminated dance floor and a branded oxygen bar. The second evening event, themed Noches de Miami,  was a complete Latin-inspired alfresco celebration featuring festive cocktails, hand-rolled cigars with EPIC wrapping, multiple food stations, Latin dancers, and live entertainment. Next to the glow of EPIC-branded pools, guests danced the night away under white lights.

The ceremonial CRUSHER Awards, presented at the end of the conference, recognized six outstanding individuals at AOL who demonstrated extraordinary strength in the different CRUSHER categories.

On the third and final day of the conference, guests had the opportunity to participate in the Volunteer Activity. Partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami, AOL attendees worked together to give back to the local Miami community. Participants built toy chests, mini rocking chairs and bicycles. The finished products were delivered that day to the children's homes. AOLers also built wheelchairs to upgrade the equipment at the local Veteran's Association.

The onsite and post-event response was extremely positive from both EA's direct client contact and the attendees themselves. In addition, a February 2013 article in AdAge reported "AOL grew revenue for the first time in eight years on strong third-party network and search revenue growth. Revenue rose 4% to about $600 million from $577 million in the same period last year, easily beating analysts' estimates."

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List the appropriate creative and production credits for this app: Advertising Agency/City: Client: Art Director: Cinematographer: Creative Director: Designer: Director: Illustrator/City: Music Producer/City: Photographer/City: Printer/City: Producer: Production Company/City: Programmer: Writer: Web Development Firm/City:

AgencyEA coordinated all elements including:
- Catering and menu planning
- Premiums and gifts
- Hotel meeting space
- Opening reception
- Late night events and after-party
- Volunteer activity
- Logistics and production
- Conference content and agenda
- General session and breakouts
- Talent search and booking
- Registration and travel
- Decor, design, branding
- Graphic design and print
- Planning and coordination
- Onsite event staffing
- Budget management