IdeaThon helps boost Immigrant Story Walk attendance

The Multicultural Coalition’s Immigrant Story Walk proves that good marketing gets results — in the form of better attendance, a better event and more people reached with their message.

IdeaBank Marketing chose the coalition as the recipient for its first-ever IdeaThon. Within 24 hours on July 22-23, 2021, IdeaBank created $36,875 worth of services and resources to help the nonprofit agency promote its event.

Attendance was up 63% at the Immigrant Story Walk on June 11 at Stuhr Museum, compared to the coalition’s last in-person event.

“IdeaBank opened the door to new methods of communication to our constituents about Immigrant Story Walk and became incredible advocates for the pathway to citizenship,” said Audrey Lutz, Multicultural Coalition executive director.

During the 24 hours of IdeaThon, IdeaBank developed:

• The theme “Can You Survive the Path to Citizenship?”
• Logo for the event
• Logo animation
• Website and event registration
• QR code event check-in
• Direct-mail invitation
• Email invitation
• Three videos
• Promotional posters
• Two press releases
• Social media campaign
• Email and SMS marketing campaign
• Resources for the event such as signage, a backdrop and floor graphics
• Identity kit for immigration simulation game
• Followup survey and thank you video for event attendees

IdeaBank’s efforts freed up time for the coalition to improve the event’s décor and silent auction and make the immigration simulation more realistic.

“Participants felt the event was more organized than it had been in previous years,” Lutz said. “We value the relationships formed with our new friends at IdeaBank, their consistency in branding our event and their dedication to making our event appeal to a broader audience.”

Floor graphics greeted guests as they arrived.

We designed a variety of printed materials, including invitations, posters and game cards.

Plus signage at the event featured QR codes that directed guests to more information on the website we built especially for the event.

At the event, the coalition presented IdeaBank with an award as its Outstanding Community Partner “for the many devoted hours you have given generously.”

Several employees attended the event and accepted the Outstanding Community Partner award from our friends at Multicultural Coalition.

“IdeaBank is part of the community, and we care about the vital work that nonprofit organizations perform,” agency principal Sherma Jones said. “We created IdeaThon to support those efforts by tapping into the creativity and philanthropic spirit of our team.”