Overview
After more than a decade as Startup Day and Innov865 Week, the event was rebranded as 865 Fest, a single-day conference designed to bring Knoxville’s entrepreneurial community together through pitch competitions, keynote speakers, panel discussions, breakout sessions and networking opportunities. The new format created a more focused and engaging day of programming to showcase the region’s entrepreneurs, innovation and business community.
Solution
Piper Communications led the strategic rebrand and development of the new event model, including the 865 Fest name, visual identity, design and branding. The team developed the programming strategy, led the programming committee, recruited and prepared speakers, secured high-profile keynote speakers and coordinated panel discussions, breakout sessions and two pitch competitions. Piper Communications also led event logistics, fundraising and sponsor engagement, email distributions, social media promotion and paid advertising, media relations and onsite event management and logistics to successfully launch the inaugural 865 Fest and establish it as Knoxville’s premier entrepreneurial event.
Results
- 300+ registrations
- 21 pieces of media coverage
- 23 emails distributed