commsHERO Conference and Awards
A 10th anniversary conference and awards event to foster connections and celebrate achievements within the communications industry.
The Challenge
Creating a memorable conference and awards ceremony to celebrate the 10th anniversary of commsHERO, a community of comms, marketing, and PR professionals. This event would honour the brand’s legacy and deliver an engaging, valuable experience for attendees.
The Approach
With the event set for October 2024 at Horizon Leeds, we focused on sustainability, fostering meaningful connections, and ensuring a seamless programme that kept delegates engaged throughout the day.
We crafted an exciting event strategy that reflected the significance of this milestone for commsHERO. The celebrations began a day early, with a networking drinks reception held at Manahatta bar in Leeds. Sponsored by Engage Solutions, this pre-event gathering provided an informal atmosphere for delegates to connect and kick off the anniversary with enthusiasm.
Venue selection was a crucial part of the planning process, and we carefully sourced and contracted Horizon Leeds for its sustainable features, aligning with commsHERO’s commitment to sustainable practices.
Managing every aspect of the event, from budget creation to programme design, the Zentive team worked closely with the client, speakers, and sponsors to ensure that all parties were seamlessly integrated into the event experience.
In preparation for the conference, we managed a user-friendly registration website to capture essential delegate data and provide detailed event information. To keep attendees informed and excited, personalised communications were sent out, in addition to guests receiving a bespoke event pack with exclusive commsHERO swag upon arrival to the venue. This added a thoughtful, personalised touch aligning with the brands ethos and strap line “There is no commsHERO without ME”.
As an additional playful addition, an old “spin the wheel” game was reskinned to increase delegate engagement and offer a fun way for attendees to win further swag.
The conference concluded with an inspiring awards ceremony, giving attendees the chance to celebrate achievements within the commsHERO community before heading home at the usual time for a working day. A professional photographer was onsite to capture the day’s special moments, in addition to sharing these live on social to promote engagement.
The Result
The event was a resounding success. The networking drinks drew an impressive 60 attendees, setting a positive tone for the main conference the next day. This year, commsHERO saw its largest event turnout to date, with 200 attendees and a dedicated team of 12 onsite staff managing the day’s operations and activities.
The conference agenda was both engaging and well-coordinated, with AV and production running smoothly. As with all commsHERO conferences, we scheduled five-minute gaps between sessions, allowing attendees to take comfort breaks and network without feeling rushed in addition to providing a buffer should sessions over run.
All drinks were provided in reusable serveware and vegan snacks had been provided by a local company. Lunch was provided in the form of sustainable lunch boxes where red meat was eliminated and any leftover food was donated to a local charity, further reinforcing the event’s sustainability focus.
The awards ceremony celebrated the contributions of individuals and teams within the commsHERO community, with thirteen bespoke awards presented within the hour. This 10th anniversary event not only commemorated commsHERO’s legacy but also left attendees with lasting memories of connection, inspiration, and a shared commitment to excellence.
"Zentive have been our event management partners for the last 3 years and they always deliver - this event was no exception. The team are professional, attentive and enthusiastic about the work ahead. Can’t wait for the next one!"
Marketing and Sales Director - resource Sustainable Communications
