Gateway85 CID Event Honoring Jimmy Carter
Challenge
In May 2023, the announcement of President Jimmy Carter entering hospice care prompted the Executive Director of Gateway85 CID to honor the 39th President with a tribute event.
The goal was to celebrate Carter’s legacy while positioning the Gateway85 area as a diverse and vibrant hub for businesses and community engagement. However, the challenge was to execute a large-scale event within a tight four-week timeframe, garner media attention and effectively engage a diverse audience, all while maintaining a budget of approximately $25,000.
Solution
To meet this challenge, c21 was engaged to conceptualize and manage a community event titled “Jimmy Carter - The Man, The Road, The Legacy.”
The plan included:
- Event Planning and Logistics:
- Secured a venue, managed registrations and coordinated speakers
- Engaged high-profile speakers, including Ambassador Andrew Young, Jason Carter (Jimmy Carter’s grandson) and Jonathan Reckford, head of Habitat for Humanity
- Event Promotion:
- Curated an invite list, managed digital invitations and coordinated media relations
- Designed promotional materials, including 40 large and 48 small pole banners to display along Jimmy Carter Boulevard
- Catering and Community Engagement:
- Collaborated with local restaurants to showcase the area’s diversity with a post-event luncheon
- Livestreamed the event on social media for added reach
Results
Despite the tight timeline and logistical challenges, the event achieved significant success.
Attendance and Engagement – More than 200 people RSVP’d and approximately 160 people attended, showcasing robust community interest.
Increased Visibility: The event successfully connected President Carter’s legacy with the area’s diversity and economic growth, highlighted through speeches from influential community leaders.
Community Identity: The banners installed along the district’s main artery, Jimmy Carter Boulevard, established a strong sense of place and community identity.
Media Coverage: The event garnered extensive media attention, with impressions totaling more than 920 million and coverage from two television stations.
Legacy Sharing: The event was livestreamed and recorded, with a link shared with the Carter family, ensuring that the tribute reached its intended audience.
Through strategic planning, community collaboration and effective execution, the event not only honored President Carter but also elevated Gateway85 CID’s profile as a flourishing economic and cultural center. This tribute marked the beginning of a series of initiatives aimed at promoting the district’s innovative spirit and vibrant community.