APPA's 50th Anniversary: Illuminated Displays Create Stage Impact

When a professional association needed to make its milestone anniversary celebration truly memorable, they chose PK Green's illuminated displays to create a striking stage presence. Here's how they transformed their event space while staying true to their brand.

The Challenge

When APPA, a professional association, was planning a major milestone celebration for their 50th anniversary. Their event team needed something that would make a visual impact on stage during their New York conference while reinforcing their brand identity. Traditional signage wouldn't have the presence they wanted for such a significant occasion. They also needed a display that could be arranged creatively to spell out their organization's name.

Why Illuminated Displays?

Illuminated cube displays gave them exactly what they needed - stackable elements that could spell out their acronym on stage while glowing with their brand colors. The rechargeable built-in battery meant no extension cords running across the stage. The ability to individually customize each side of the cubes lets them feature both their standard logo and their 50th anniversary branding on the same pieces.

The cubes solved several practical challenges at once:

• Rechargeable built-in battery with at least 8 hours of runtime - Covers full event days without any electrical setup on stage, with a mains charger included.
• Different designs on each side - Each cube can show multiple graphics for maximum flexibility and visual variety.
• Stackable design - Arrange and rearrange pieces as needed throughout the space to create different configurations.
• Remote control color-changing - To match the organization's exact brand palette with the touch of a button.
• Durable construction - Built to last for years of future events and conferences.

From Concept to Reality

The event coordinator found the company through a Google search and submitted their initial concept through an online form. After describing their vision to spell out APPA's name with stacked cubes, the team received detailed mock-ups showing exactly how each cube would look from every angle.

The design process involved a few rounds of refinement to get the letter placement and font just right. They finalized designs showing their 50th anniversary logo, individual letters, and their standard branding arranged across six 20-inch cubes. The whole process from initial inquiry to delivery was fast, comfortably meeting their event timeline.

The Impact

The illuminated cubes became a focal point of their stage setup. Stacked to spell out the organization's name, they created exactly the kind of memorable visual their 50th anniversary deserved. The glow drew attention from across the venue. The professional appearance reinforced their brand throughout the event.

When the event coordinator followed up months later, they confirmed that everyone loved how the cubes looked. The pieces had made their milestone celebration feel special while staying true to their professional image.

Standing Out

Professional associations face a particular challenge at events - they need to look polished and authoritative while still catching people's attention. These illuminated displays struck that balance perfectly. The clean design and precise branding kept things professional, while the glow created interest without feeling gimmicky.

For a 50th anniversary celebration, the cubes added a modern touch that showed the organization wasn't stuck in the past. The ability to feature both anniversary branding and standard logos meant they got maximum value from pieces they could reuse at future conferences and recruitment events.

Tips for Your Events

• Create visual depth - Stack cubes at different heights on stage or at entrances to draw the eye.
• Maximize your graphics - Use different designs on each side so you can rotate pieces throughout multi-day events.
• Perfect brand matching - Match your organization's exact colors using the included remote control.
• Strategic placement - Place one standalone cube at registration tables while stacking others elsewhere for impact.
• Plan ahead for setup - Map out your letter spacing before the event so installation goes smoothly.

Product Details

PK Green produces illuminated displays in many different shapes and sizes (including cubes, spheres, columns, benches, ice buckets, and more). Here's what APPA ordered for their event:

• 6 illuminated cube stools customized with logo and anniversary branding
• Size - 20-inch (50 cm) cubes, large enough to make an impact and sturdy enough to sit on.
• Rechargeable built-in battery - 8-hour runtime with mains charger included.
• Color options - 16 color options via remote control for perfect brand matching.
• Custom printing - All sides customized with different designs per side for maximum flexibility.
• Construction - Durable PE plastic construction with rounded edges for a premium look.
• Delivered free of charge within the United States.

FAQ

For what types of association events do illuminated displays work best?

Illuminated displays excel at any event where you need to make a strong visual impression:

• Annual conferences and milestone celebrations with stage presentations
• Registration areas where first impressions set the tone for your event
• Networking spaces and reception areas where attendees naturally gather
• Career fairs and recruitment events in crowded exhibit halls
• Trade shows where you're competing for attention with other exhibitors

The versatility means you'll find uses for them across your entire event calendar.

How do these displays compare to traditional conference signage?

Traditional signage often gets lost in busy conference environments, especially in large venues with competing visual elements. Illuminated displays offer several key advantages:

• Create a focal point that attendees can spot from across the hall
• Maintain their professional appearance, event after event, unlike banners that can look dated or get damaged during transport
  
• Work in any lighting conditions, from bright exhibit halls to dimly lit networking receptions

The built-in rechargeable battery also means you're not searching for outlets or running extension cords across walkways.

Are these practical for associations that hold events throughout the year?

They're ideal for organizations with multiple annual events. Once you invest in the displays, you can use them repeatedly at your national conference, regional chapter meetings, and recruitment events. The durable construction means they'll last for years of regular use. Many association clients find they actually save money over time compared to repeatedly ordering new banners or signage for each event.

What's the impact on engagement and brand recognition?

Attendees naturally gravitate toward illuminated displays, which increases foot traffic to key areas like registration or sponsor booths. The visual interest creates natural photo opportunities that attendees share on social media, extending your brand reach beyond the physical event. For milestone celebrations, they contribute to a memorable atmosphere that attendees associate with your organization long after the event ends.

How quickly can I get these for our upcoming conference?

With express production and delivery, we can have your items ready within 2-3 working days from design approval. This is helpful if you're working on a tight timeline or if your board approval process takes longer than expected. Standard production takes 7 working days plus 2-3 days for delivery, which works well for most conference planning timelines. We recommend starting the design process as early as possible, but we've successfully delivered for clients with urgent deadlines.

How easy is it to set them up in different conference areas?

The setup is straightforward enough that your own team can handle it without specialized skills. Each sign is a single piece that you simply position where needed and turn on with the remote control. For large conferences, you might have displays at the registration desk in the morning, then move them to the networking reception in the evening.

How do we store and transport displays between events?

All of our items are built from durable PE plastic that withstands regular handling and transport. Most association clients store them in their office or warehouse between events. For shipping to conference venues, standard freight carriers handle them without issue. If you're working with a conference logistics company, these integrate smoothly into your existing shipping procedures. The rounded edges prevent damage during transport, and they stack efficiently for storage.