NBA Canada first engaged Redstone in 2020 to support their virtual NBA Partner Summit on November 24, 2020, due to our expertise in the virtual environment. The biggest challenge with this change from in-person to a virtual format was ensuring there was an elevated experience delivered online with a seamless transition between pre-recorded and live content. The event featured executive leaders of NBA Canada such as the Deputy Commissioner, the Head of Marketing & Fan Engagement, the Managing Director of NBA Canada, and the Manager of Global Partnerships. In the one-hour virtual session, NBA Canada shared their digital marketing approach, an update on their social impact programming and their upcoming 75th Anniversary. 

Redstone utilized Hopin and Streamyard for the event, two highly customizable platforms that when integrated, leveraged the branding of NBA Canada. Throughout the planning process, Redstone provided creative direction including aiding with the videos’ look and feel to ensure high quality for the virtual filming setup, led speaker training to ensure the presenters were comfortable on the platforms, drafted attendee communications and led post-recording video editing. Prior to the event, Redstone ensured that all staff and volunteers were trained on the platform’s features and functionality so that they were equipped to provide customer service and troubleshooting to all attendees as well as exhibitors throughout the live event. 

Following the success of the virtual event which had 150+ in attendance, NBA Canada engaged Redstone to manage their first in person event in 2+ years where senior leadership from the NBA’s headquarters traveled to Toronto to provide an update on the league’s strategic priorities for the 2022-2023 season including a keynote from NBA Deputy commissioner, Mark Tatum. Hosted at CLIO Toronto on November 9, 2022, with 150+ in attendance, Redstone served as a strategic consultant on how to best execute the event from start to finish including event strategy, venue sourcing, developing a communications plan, graphic design, agenda flow, production considerations, and contract negotiation. 

Redstone supported the client by joining them on site visits to find the best location for the event based on the event’s needs and keeping accessibility top of mind. Once the venue was selected, Redstone advised on ways to ensure the NBA Canada brand transcended throughout the space – including elevator and podium wrapping, changing the art in the venue to that of NBA players, branded napkins and shirts for event staff, and revisiting the bar setups to include only partner brands and feature basketballs. 

Once the event kicked off, Redstone ensured a white-glove attendee experience and was responsible for setup, teardown, greeting guests, overseeing catering, and managing the event flow from the AV desk. The client noted that they saw far more attendees in-person than they had hoped and are now looking to secure a larger venue for upcoming events.