Special Events

JKD provides everything from concept to implementation where special events are concerned. From large anniversary celebrations and intimate open houses to fundraising galas and community events, an experience is created from theme development to event atmosphere that taps collaborative partnerships, coordinates auctions, manages sponsorships and drives attendance.

7-Eleven leverages grand opening events to introduce new locations and store updates to connect with the community and their customer base. From start-to-finish, JKD provides prep, on-site management and coordination with internal teams to ensure events run smoothly and reach targeted goals to attract customers to the grand opening celebrations.

The machines’ location presented challenges with a lack of visibility and disconnect to marketplace shoppers, which reduced visitors and donations. With just three weeks left in the program, the Giving Machines were on track to fall far below their goal of $267,000. This posed a challenge to rapidly boost awareness and drive traffic to reach and exceed the previous year’s giving performance before the end of the year. JKD & Company was brought in to execute a campaign hoping an 11^th hour push would achieve the desired results.

Given the imposing and rapidly approaching January 1 end of the campaign, planning was done with a crisis communications approach – assess, activate and adjust as needed. After assessing the challenge, we chose a two-prong strategy – leverage relationships and an intensive media outreach campaign – to achieve a positive outcome. We needed to mobilize quickly to impact giving in the last three weeks of the campaign. That would take guerilla tactics like demonstrations, performances and “celebrity” visits to attract passersby, local residents and community businesses to reach the daunting goal. We capitalized on key milestones and activities at the Giving Machines to help drive media coverage specifically in community-focused publications. This coupled with the digital efforts generated the interest needed to attract visitors/donors.

In the end, the campaign raised more than $400,000 and secured 23 media placements in 3 weeks. The media coverage and community atmosphere created led to a resounding success that resulted in award recognition.

In celebration of their 10^th year in operation and a newly acquired space in the heart of downtown Denver, AOPYO was looking to elevate its presence, expand services to youth and the community. To introduce the organization to their new neighborhood a Grand Opening event was planned to bring greater awareness to the organization and its programs.

The Grand Opening attracted several local leaders, business partners and donors along with supporters from their programs in Aurora, Denver and Jefferson County. Donors, families and youth were present for a special ribbon cutting that would open the new facility where AOPYO offers community programs, behavioral services, wellness classes, study areas and career pathway programs. The event, which garnered media coverage in print, TV and radio, raised needed dollars and opened the door to new partnerships in the business sector.