Charlotte's got a lot, October 2008 - EVIE Award Nominee for Best ISES Team Effort

A Brand Celebration, New Visuals, and Creative Marketing Efforts Bring Charlotte's New Brand to Life...

It's official -- Charlotte's got a lot and is ready to celebrate...in more ways than one!  With more than 2 years of research involved in developing a new regional destination brand and with input from supporters in a 16-county region, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) popped the cork to toast what so many stakeholders had a hand in creating.  

After a highly competitive bid process among 7 of Charlotte's top event companies, Drew Event Design, LLC, was selected to produce the event to introduce and celebrate the new brand.  The event began with a press conference held atop The Residence at SouthPark and was followed  by a classy and upbeat celebration.  The highlight of the evening was a fashion show...not to showcase a clothing line or designer, but to show what is meant by "Charlotte's got a lot."  Models dressed in attire to represent Shopping, Sports, Cuisine, the Arts, Green Spaces, Recreation, Manufacturing, and NASCAR paraded down the runway as emcee Hardin Minor described each model's highlights.  The models brought the brand to life and truly showcased the region's best.  

View more photos in the Black Tie Special Edition of the Charlotte Observer!

Charlotte's got a lot.  (from left) Valet parking staff wore "Roar a lot" t-shirts; Specialty signage directed guests to the rooftop event; The fire pit was accented with tall cylinders of orchids; Joined by Susan Burgess, Jennifer Roberts, Lee Keesler, and Ronnie Bryant, Tim Newman speaks at the press conference preceding the event; Fox Charlotte's Rebecca Clark interviews CRVA CEO Tim Newman; The culinary staff at M5 created delicious and artistic delights; Servers and bartenders wearing "Savor a lot" t-shirts passed specialty Sweet Tea Tinis garnished with slices of lemon; Acrylic cocktail tables were topped with beautiful flower arrangements by the Blossom Shop; The venue's rooftop pool was transformed into a fashion show runway with the help of Eye Dialogue and Pleat Systems; Tera Schultz represented Charlotte's many green spaces (Blossom a lot); Drew Nowlin was the ultimate Charlotte sports fan (Cheer a lot); Jennifer Barker showcased the region's NASCAR heritage (Roar a lot); Steve Langley ate fire and juggled food in a tribute to Charlotte's culinary achievements (Savor a lot); Sonia Sons paddled her way down the runway and represented area recreation (Splash a lot); Ana Ogbueze showcased Charlotte's shopping scene (Splurge a lot); DJ SupaSkip provided the custom-mixed fashion show music as well as upbeat dance music as the evening went on; Tommy Robbins represented both the artist and the patron of the arts in Charlotte (Create a lot).

Photos by Stephanie Drew