virtual events
where marketing works - virtually
Adaptive Spirit is the largest source of funding for the U.S. Paralympics Ski and Snowboard Team. Founded 25 years ago, the annual event has raised more than $19M, touching thousands of lives and giving the team the opportunity to remain one of the top adaptive ski teams in the world.
Since 2005, S&D has developed the event theme and all event-related collateral, with more than 50 tactics annually ranging from direct mail and digital assets to youth marketing and on-site wayfinding.
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After having to cancel the event in 2020, Adaptive Spirit determined the show must go on in 2021, even though the pandemic was still a very real concern.
As the Team prepared for the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Adaptive Spirit was critical for fundraising for these athletes - S&D needed to find a way to showcase them and their success to raise funds and awareness. And the industry needed the sense of community and connection they gain from annual Adaptive Spirit events.
S&D coordinated, produced, and promoted AS2021 - a three-day hybrid/virtual event with all the excitement and camaraderie as the on-mountain events of the past. Participants had access to live, interactive keynote speakers, curated content they could access at their convenience, athlete features and interviews - even family events and cocktail parties - all safely from home.
Sponsors and participants accessed content and networked via the AS2021 portal, created and managed by S&D on an ON24 platform. Live content with audience participation, networking and Q&A sessions were complimented by archived on-demand content, family-friendly videos and exclusive athlete profiles. Conference attendees enjoyed the same high-quality levels of speakers, content, panels, and brain trust sessions for which in-person AS events are known.
the event platform
The AS2021 interactive platform offered educational, social and fundraising opportunities - even a silent auction and cocktail-making session!
The virtual event program guide
AS2021 is just one example of how S&D steps back and examines problems to discover a completely new approach. The event actually reached a larger audience than in-person events. Because participants could enjoy many sessions on their own schedule, we made a greater impact than only being able to reach those with the ability to travel.
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Most importantly, we generated necessary donations for the U.S. Paralympics Ski and Snowboard Team - close to half a million dollars in a matter of days - creating opportunity for the inspiring athletes that are the reason for the entire event.
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We believe hybrid/virtual events are here to stay. They're simply able to reach a wider audience for greater impact. We'd love to help you with yours.
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