The Brief
For the first London edition of Backbase Engage, previously hosted in New York, Dubai, and Bali, Backbase, a leading AI platform, partnered with our team for venue finding, event management, and bespoke production to deliver a high-tech conference that reflected their modern and innovative brand identity.
With guest numbers undecided, flexibility in venue spaces was key. The two-day conference featured a full agenda of sessions, an evening party, hotel accommodation, and several breakout spaces designed for collaboration, including a custom-built podcast and interview studio and a multi-camera setup, with live editing to connect audiences worldwide.
A central focus is the marketing around each event, and London was no exception. To make a bold impression for their first UK edition, Backbase extended the event by an additional day to capture dynamic video and photography content across London. The marketing campaign featured creative billboards at Bank Underground Station, and Backbase-branded double-decker buses travelling across internationally recognisable landmarks. As an AI-powered platform, it was vital that all marketing assets conveyed authenticity and realism.
Working closely with Backbase, our team advised on strategic London marketing and delivered an activation that seamlessly blended advanced technology with the city’s vibrant energy, setting a new standard for Backbase Engage.
Drinks Reception
We hosted an elegant evening drinks reception at the Park Hyatt River Thames the night before the main event, offering a relaxed yet sophisticated setting for attendees to connect. The reception featured a curated selection of cocktails and a variety of bowl food and canapés. Our team managed every detail of the evening, ensuring a seamless and welcoming experience that set the tone for the days ahead.
Backbase Engage Conference
We seamlessly managed a two-day, high-tech, production-intensive conference as part of Backbase Engage. The event required diligent and dynamic coordination of a fast-paced agenda with switches between keynote presentations and panels. Alongside the main conference were breakout meetings, a video interview room and a bespoke podcast studio.
Our team oversaw the end-to-end production, ensuring that all technical and logistical elements, from audiovisual setups to content capture, were executed flawlessly, delivering a premium and engaging experience for all attendees.
What We Did: Curating the Conference
- Premium bespoke event production
- Dedicated on-site event management
- Planned and executed a full 2-day conference
- Hosted an evening drinks reception the day before the main event
- Venue sourcing for Park Hyatt London River Thames
- Managed comprehensive photography and videography for the event including, podcast production, video interviews, and live event recordings.
- Full event branding including a bespoke set and stage design
- Produced a custom-designed neon logo with steel framing
- Oversaw full guest registration and attendee management
- Coordinated bespoke branded double-decker buses, which included onboard drinks service, for transportation to Shangri-La at The Shard in the evening
- Curated and managed an exclusive evening event at The Shard, providing guests with panoramic views of London
- Booked DJ Elliot via AOK Entertains
- Collaborated weekly with a team of five during the lead-up to the event, contributing across multiple departments
The Marketing Activation
In the lead-up to Backbase Engage London, Backbase requested an additional day to capture photos and footage of their brand activation in London. Backbase runs a version of this activation in every country where Engage takes place, and they wanted the London edition to have a distinctly local feel.
We coordinated a team of videographers and photographers to operate across fast-paced, technology-intensive locations. Our team ensured seamless coverage, capturing every critical moment while managing the logistical and technical demands.
What We Did: Marketing Activation
- Coordinated two branded buses across 7 London locations
- Scheduled suppliers and coordinated planning to capture photos and videos of the billboard in the London Underground
- Booked all videographers and photographers for the event
- Led and managed videography and photography teams in dynamic, technology-intensive locations
- Coordinated and managed communications between the two buses and the videography and photography teams
- Executed a bike route to stay ahead of the buses, optimising efficiency for capturing footage
- Planned and mapped routes for buses and bike teams to ensure seamless day and night-time operations
- Planned bus routes to strategically cover key London landmarks, including Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, The Gherkin (Aldgate), Bank and Royal Exchange, Westminster (Houses of Parliament), The Shard, and the London Eye
Evening Party at The Shard
Between the two days of the conference, we curated an exclusive evening for guests at the Shangri-La at the Shard, offering spectacular views of London. To elevate the experience, we organised bespoke branded double-decker buses with an onboard drinks service for transportation to the venue and conductors acting as London guides. Our team managed every aspect of the evening, ensuring an elegant, memorable, and high-end experience for all attendees.
The Results
We raised the bar for future events and built a great relationship with the team of clients!
Guests shared glowing feedback, praising what was widely regarded as the best guest experience in this event series. The conference ran flawlessly, with production levels executed to perfection, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
Planning a Conference?
Our creative team and event managers are the best in the business at bringing your events to life. From unique locations and unforgettable activations to bespoke branding and seamless logistics, we will make unforgettable happen.
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AOK Events Limited
The Engine Rooms
150a Falcon Rd
London
SW11 2LW
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