Community Engagement for Pop-Ups

In 2023, we did experiments with 3 different municipalities to show the impact of meeting people where they're at with public engagement. The results speak for themselves. ℹ️ Background ℹ️ We were brought in to do public engagement on local topics of public impact: 2 largely non-controversial, and a 3rd causing a bit of a stir in the community but nothing outlandish. All 3 organizations asked that open houses be held as part of engagement, at municipally-owned facilities (ie. town office, community halls). So, we did that: 2 open houses per community, at municipal facilities. Each of the processes also included surveys; 1 included pre-booked focus groups with impacted parties. ‼️ THEN... We convinced the CAOs of each community to let us host a series of additional pop-up engagement sessions at natural gathering areas within the community. Across the 3 municipalities, this included: 👉 Pop-up engagement at 2 coffee shops and 1 brewery 👉 A world café at another brewery, and at 2 more coffee shops With comparable promotion for each session, the results weren't even comparable. 🥜 Total attendance across 6 open houses at municipally-owned facilities: 44 🎯 Total attendance across 6 engagement activities at coffee shops and breweries: 177 🎯 Additionally, for the more controversial of the 3 engagement topics, we set up an information booth at the entryway of a grocery store. That grocery store pop-up lasted 4 hours, and resulted in over 45 people walking away with information. Of those 45+ people, more than a dozen stopped to have full conversations on the topic (>5 minutes), and another handful engaged in brief conversation (<5 minutes). 👉 People are happy to engage when it's not a chore. They don't want to book a babysitter, leave their homes after a long day, take up their weekends, or go out of their way to drive to a municipal facility specifically for an open house – even if they care about the topic of discussion. But, they do want to be part of the discussion. AND... As an added bonus, the owners of the local coffee shops and breweries all voiced appreciation for their local government supporting local business. Win-win-win. Let's get to work 💪 (Thanks to Phil Kiraly, ICMA-CM for making me think to share this one! I don't think I've actually posted about this particular experiment before.) #localgovernment #localgov #publicengagement

Turning Fashion into an Experience with Bottega Veneta latest Shanghai Activation A play on Immersion and Community Engagement. Rather than sticking to the traditional runway, the brand created a 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 featuring themed zones: Digital screenings, collectibles, gamified experiences, and limited-edition design objects. BV’s approach had a mix of offline discovery and digital amplification. Exclusive stickers, a surprise vending machine, and a fanzine activation encouraged attendees to engage and share their experiences across social platforms.. This kind of "𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭" is key for brands seeking to have a deeper cultural relevance. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚? Turn storytelling into shareable, participatory moments. ---- #Luxury #Fashion #China #BV #RetailInnovation #SocialCommerce #ExperientialMarketing #BrandExperience

Pop-up shops are everywhere now. But most brands get them completely wrong. Instead of creating memorable experiences, they just set up tables and hope people buy. That's a huge mistake and a missed opportunity. Pop-up success isn't just about the products — it's about the EXPERIENCE. Here's what matters: - Making checkout seamless because waiting kills sales - Using strategic product placement to guide customer flow - Training staff to tell compelling stories, not just handle transactions - Offering interactive elements that keep people engaged longer - Creating an Instagram-worthy setup so customers do your marketing These aren't just "tips" — they're a complete shift in thinking. Whether you're setting up at a local market, retail showcase, or national trade show, it's not enough to just show up—you need to stand out. In my latest blog for Entreprenista, I'm sharing 5 ways to "Pop Out" with a Pop-Up Shop—simple, high-impact strategies to help product-based brands create unforgettable, engaging experiences that drive traffic and sales. These tips are designed for: ✔️ CPG founders building brand love ✔️ Teams activating at retail or events ✔️ Anyone who wants to make their booth or table truly pop When you focus on creating experiences people want to share, you're not just selling products — you're building a community that follows your brand everywhere. That's how you turn a one-time pop-up into lasting customer relationships. --------------------------------------- Hi! I'm Jenica! Entreprenista Expert Council Member and strategic partner for product-based business leaders. Ready to turn heads and boost sales at your next pop-up shop or vendor event? Let's chat! (*Link to article in comments")