THE CHALLENGE

Northeast Ohio had a rare opportunity to secure national investment through the NSF’s highly competitive Regional Innovation Engines program—but the stakes were high. NEO-SMART needed to clearly communicate the scale, credibility, and urgency of a complex, multi-year initiative to a national review team in a limited, high-pressure, two-day site visit. With more than 100 cross-sector leaders involved and a rapidly growing coalition of 70+ partners, there was a critical need for a cohesive narrative and unified visual presence that could align diverse stakeholders, simplify technical concepts, and demonstrate that the region was not only prepared—but execution-ready.

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THE APPROACH
We developed the overarching concept and narrative framework for the site visit, anchored by a compelling event tagline that captured the spirit of regional collaboration and forward momentum. From there, we structured the event presentations and established a visual consistency across all partner contributions to ensure clarity and cohesion.

In parallel, we created a suite of branded event materials designed to transform the physical environment into an immersive, on-message experience. This included large-scale signage, banners, environmental graphics, and a comprehensive wayfinding system to guide attendees seamlessly through the space. We also supported the development of a promotional video that reinforced the initiative’s purpose and invited participation, helping to humanize the impact and scale of the work.

 

THE IMPACT

The result was a unified and highly polished experience that elevated NEO-SMART’s story at a pivotal national moment. Our work helped distill a complex, multi-stakeholder initiative into a clear, compelling narrative, enabling presenters to communicate with confidence and consistency. The cohesive visual and spatial design reinforced a sense of alignment and professionalism, signaling to NSF reviewers that Northeast Ohio is organized, collaborative, and ready to execute at scale.

Beyond the event itself, the materials and messaging framework established a strong foundation for continued momentum, equipping partners with tools to sustain engagement and advocacy as final funding decisions approach.

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Event Photography Credit: CWRU