WCS x Vistaprint: LGBTQIA+ Community Sponsorship.

We delve into our partnership with Vistaprint, who helped us deliver WCS Awards 2024 through meaningful LGBTQIA+ community sponsorship.

Overview

In June 2024, We Create Space celebrated its 4th anniversary by hosting the first Queer Leader Awards and Pride Gala in Barcelona, recognising the influence and contributions of LGBTQ+ leaders using their platform and voice to create space for others. An important part of these events’ success was our partnership with VistaPrint, which played a crucial role in bringing the vision to life while ensuring the celebration left a lasting impression on all attendees.

Challenges:

• Tight deadlines for production and delivery: The event required rapid turnaround on personalised merchandise to meet the gala schedule.

• Design flexibility: We needed to ensure that the merchandise, including T-shirts and hoodies, was inclusive in terms of size and design, reflecting the diverse community we serve.

• Logistical complexity: Managing multiple items, from printed materials to promotional goods, needed to be streamlined to ensure efficiency and eco-friendliness.

• Impact and Visibility: It was essential that the event not only succeeded in execution but also in leaving a durable brand imprint through memorabilia that attendees would value beyond the event.

"Supporting We Create Space is a reflection of our core values. We aim to make a real impact, not just during Pride month but throughout the year by supporting meaningful initiatives that resonate with our commitment to diversity and inclusion." - Sasha Ekhilevskiy, VistaPrint Pride ERG Leader

Solutions:

• Rapid Turnaround by VistaPrint: VistaPrint addressed the tight deadlines with agility, delivering personalised merchandise like award envelopes and branded materials promptly.

• Innovative problem solving and scalable production: Facing potential production delays, VistaPrint optimised production schedules and implemented a just-in-time strategy to ensure timely delivery without sacrificing quality.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: To meet complex demands, VistaPrint's departments from design to logistics worked together seamlessly, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. To avoid delays working with extremely short deadlines, they brought innovative problem solving.

• Customization and Design Freedom: VistaPrint allowed us to design freely, ensuring that their logo was integrated subtly. This approach maximised brand presence without overshadowing the event's community-focused ethos.

• Streamlined Delivery and Setup: VistaPrint’s efficient handling of logistics ensured that all items were delivered in a manner that made assembly and distribution at the event seamless and straightforward.

• Memorable Photocall and Awards Presentation: The quick setup and disassembly  photocall backdrop and the elegant presentation of the paper awards significantly enhanced the gala's ambiance, making these moments memorable for all participants.
  

"Receiving the award printed by VistaPrint made me truly understand the depth of our partnership. It was not just about the physical award but what it represented — recognition and validation of our efforts and achievements." - Sevi Koppe, WCS Awards Director.

Outcomes & Impact:

• Community Impact and Legacy: The successful execution of the event laid a foundational stone for We Create Space to annually celebrate and amplify the achievements of LGBTQ+ leaders globally starting in 2025. This move to a global platform underscores the significant and expanding impact of the awards, fostering a wider community engagement and recognition.

• Awardees' Success Stories: The quality and recognition provided at the event empowered the awardees, many of whom continued to leverage this recognition to advance their causes and careers. This success underscores We Create Space’s role as a pivotal community-led organisation in promoting leadership and visibility within the LGBTQ+ community.

• Enhanced Guest Experience: The event was widely praised by attendees for its exceptional quality and aesthetic, from the setup to the personalized merchandise. This positive reception boosted the overall experience, making it not just an event, but a milestone celebration for the community.

• Visibility and Brand Association: VistaPrint’s subtle yet strategic branding during the event helped position them as a true ally to the LGBTQ+ community. The continued visibility of event merchandise in public and across social media platforms reinforced this image, amplifying their commitment to diversity and inclusion.

• Foundation for Future Collaboration: The partnership between We Create Space and VistaPrint set a precedent for future collaborations. Both organizations are committed to exploring further opportunities that mutually support their missions, aiming to create more inclusive spaces and impactful community events.

• Reliable Execution: VistaPrint’s adept management of the diverse and extensive product demands under tight deadlines not only demonstrated their reliability but also their capability to handle complex, large-scale projects, reinforcing their reputation as a dependable partner in crucial community events.

Conclusion

The partnership between We Create Space and VistaPrint for the 2024 Awards and Pride Gala is a testament to what can be achieved when organisations align on values and visions. The collaboration was not just about meeting the event’s logistical needs but was a deeper commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, showcasing the power of true partnership in fostering inclusivity and recognition. 

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