Case Study

Illuminating Blackbaud's Corporate Summit with Lightboxes

The Challenge

Blackbaud was planning a major summit in Texas and needed something to make their branding stand out. Hotel ballrooms—let's be honest—all tend to look alike, and that's what they were working with. They wanted branding displays that wouldn't be limited by where the power outlets happened to be. Their event date was closing in fast. Between coordinating speakers, finalizing the agenda, and handling hotel logistics, they didn't have time for anything that required elaborate setup or technical babysitting.

Why Lightboxes?

Our battery-powered light columns turned out to be just what they needed. No more hunting for power outlets hidden behind drapes or furniture. No more tripping hazards from cords taped to the carpet. They could put these columns literally anywhere. Setup is quick too! A major plus when time is tight and you've got a dozen other things that need attention.

  • Just unpack, set in place, and turn on—done.
  • The freedom to place them wherever makes visual sense, rather than where you can get power cables.
  • Moving to a different session room? Just pick up and go.
  • The brand colors were a perfect match (Blackbaud's marketing team particularly loved this).
  • Simple enough that anyone can handle them with zero instruction.

From Concept to Reality

After finding us through a Google search, they sent over their initial ideas via email. We created some mockups showing their branding on the columns. Seeing the actual visual made all the difference. Way better than trying to imagine the final result! The columns arrived at their Dallas venue well before the event—no nail-biting delivery drama when they were already dealing with last-minute speaker changes and program printing.

The Impact

The difference was striking. Standard hotel spaces suddenly had personality and presence. The columns worked perfectly as illuminated landmarks that helped guide attendees through the venue. The whole setup process? About 2 minutes start to finish. Several attendees later mentioned how the lighting created a more professional atmosphere compared to other industry events they'd attended. That kind of feedback is gold when you're trying to position your conference as the premium event in your sector.

Standing Out

Most corporate events tend to blur together after a while. Same walls, same carpets, same forgettable signage. These light columns gave Blackbaud's summit a distinct visual signature. They were so pleased that they immediately started planning to use a similar approach for their upcoming European event. The columns delivered an impressive visual impact without the expense or complexity of custom-built displays. Plus, unlike one-time use materials, they could pack these up and use them again.

Tips for Your Events

  • Position them where people naturally pause and look for directional guidance.
  • Make your registration area impossible to miss, especially during busy periods.
  • Use them to define conversation zones in networking spaces.
  • Need to reconfigure mid-event? No problem—it takes seconds, not hours.
  • Bring them to your next event—built for multiple uses, again and again.

Product Details

  • 32-inch (80 cm) columns—tall enough to spot across a crowded room but with a minimal footprint.
  • Batteries that last a full event day - 8 hours from a single charge!
  • 16 color options and 4 dynamic modes that you control with a simple remote.
  • Rounded design that works to give a clean, crisp impression.
  • Construction that can handle the demands of event life with a lifetime guarantee.

Planning something special? Let's talk about how light displays might work for your next event.