Event Management
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For over ten years, I’ve worked remotely to assist various teams in organizing and preparing for conferences like World@Work, SHRM, MSDC, USPAACC, and others. For this part of my portfolio, my focus here will be the USPAACC 2023 CelebrAsian conference, where the FAST 100 winners were also announced.
Event Structure
For this event, the core people who work and participate are the AAPI Business Community, which includes entrepreneurs, business owners, professionals, and representatives from various industries; stakeholders such as government officials, corporate procurement officers, investors, nonprofit leaders, industry experts, and thought leaders; and, of course, the USPAACC Organizers, responsible for planning and executing the conference, ensuring its smooth operation.
The main concept of CelebrAsian is empowering the AAPI Business Community by providing resources, opportunities, and connections to foster growth and success; celebrating AAPI achievements by recognizing and showcasing their accomplishments and contributions; and building inclusive partnerships by connecting AAPI businesses with potential partners, buyers, and investors to create mutually beneficial relationships.
Overall, the USPAACC Celebrasian conference aims to bring together the AAPI business community with key stakeholders who can support their growth and success. One of the core audiences includes entrepreneurs and business owners across various industries, small- to medium-sized businesses, businesses seeking procurement opportunities, and women entrepreneurs from AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) businesses, alongside other key stakeholders such as corporate procurement officers, government officials, nonprofit leaders, investors and venture capitalists, and industry experts and thought leaders.
Celebrasian’s dynamic infrastructure caters to diverse learning and engagement styles. Attendees can get insights from prominent figures through keynote speeches, delve deeper into specific topics through interactive panel discussions, and gain practical skills in focused workshops and breakout sessions. Fostering connections is equally important, with dedicated networking events providing ample opportunities to build relationships and explore potential collaborations. Finally, the prestigious Fast 100 awards ceremony (held in select years) recognizes and celebrates the outstanding achievements of individuals and businesses within the AAPI community, solidifying Celebrasian’s commitment to empowering and uplifting its audience.
Their sponsors typically include corporations seeking to connect with AAPI businesses, government agencies supporting small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and economic development initiatives. Additionally, nonprofit organizations advocating for AAPI businesses, foundations and philanthropies dedicated to social impact and supporting communities of color, and industry associations relevant to AAPI businesses, such as the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) or the Asian American Contractors Association (AACA), may also be involved.
Our Participation
The USPAACC Fast 100 Award and the Celebrasian conference celebrate the fastest-growing difference makers, risk-takers, and boundary breakers who power America’s economy, specifically the fastest-growing Asian American businesses. In 2023, System Soft Technologies earned a spot among the Fast 100 award winners.
I collaborated with the sales team, senior management, and the marketing team to ensure a successful experience at the Celebrasian conference. This included nominating the CEO for the award, organizing our attendance and presence, and celebrating the CEO alongside other 2023 Fast 100 winners.
The Award
The USPAACC Fast 100 Award recognizes and celebrates the top 100 fastest-growing Asian American businesses across various industries, highlighting entrepreneurship, innovation, and success within the AAPI business community. Nominations typically open in January and close in February, with selection primarily based on percentage revenue growth over a two-year period.
Our senior leadership sought the Fast 100 Award not only because we met the criteria but also for the potential benefits, including increased visibility and recognition, networking opportunities, and enhanced credibility and trust.
To navigate the application process, I collaborated with the accounting team and headquarters brand manager. The accounting team provided crucial financial information and joined calls with USPAACC to facilitate certification. The brand manager played a key role by gathering necessary information such as the CEO’s biography, pictures, and company details.
Following notification of our Fast 100 win, we submitted the media kit to USPAACC. This included our CEO’s headshot, logo, video, and company description, integrated into the online form and shared with our contact. Additionally, we coordinated executive attendance for the conference, roundtable, and gala alongside the CEO, and evaluated booth participation to promote our services at Celebrasian.
The Event
Capitalizing on our CEO’s award win at Celebrasian, we showcased the company with a booth staffed by a Sales Director and a Regional Vice President, facilitating valuable networking opportunities. I collaborated closely with them to ensure a visually impactful booth, complete with branded tablecloths and banners.
To further enhance our presence, I partnered with the social media specialist to create engaging posts across Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, generating buzz for our participation and the award win. We also offered [type of giveaways] to attract visitors.
Thanks to the headquarters branch manager’s support, our three attendees enjoyed a smooth experience with secured hotel stays and flights. She also provided essential materials for a successful booth setup, contributing significantly to our positive outcomes at the event.
Social Posts
To generate awareness among our followers, clients, and potential new contacts, we implemented a comprehensive social media strategy for our participation in the Celebrasian 2023 conference. This strategy encompassed three phases:
Pre-event:
Announcement: We announced our participation well in advance, sparking anticipation and interest. This included details about the event, our booth location, and the value we would offer attendees.
Engagement: We fostered engagement by sharing relevant information about the conference, our industry expertise, and the award our CEO was nominated for.
During the event:
Live updates: We provided live updates from the conference, showcasing our participation, booth setup, and interactions with attendees. This included photos, videos, and engaging captions.
Highlight key moments: We highlighted key takeaways from sessions, panels, or awards ceremonies, demonstrating our industry knowledge and involvement.
Promote networking opportunities: We encouraged followers to visit our booth and connect with our team, fostering new relationships and leads.
Post-event:
Recap and thank you: We shared a post summarizing our experience, thanking attendees for connecting and highlighting key achievements or learnings.
Showcase impact: We showcased the impact of our participation, such as the number of leads generated, partnerships formed, and awards won.
Extend the conversation: We encouraged further engagement by sharing future plans, and inviting followers to stay connected.
By implementing this multi-phased strategy, we leveraged social media effectively to maximize awareness, engagement, and success during the Celebrasian 2023 conference.
As previously mentioned, this event is just one example of numerous successful experiences I facilitated, working collaboratively with the team. Our focus was to maximize engagement, foster impactful networking connections, and ultimately, delight our customers.