Good stories matter. Organizations need a strong, carefully thought out strategy and an experienced communications team to make sure their stories are heard and talked about in the right places. Hughes Agency has accomplished this and more for Goodwill Industries of the Upstate and Midlands with their annual Champions Tribute event.  

Challenge
For the third year, Hughes Agency was tasked with making an already successful annual fundraising event better while communicating the often missed message of Goodwill Industry’s mission of putting people back to work.

Solution
Craft a program surrounding the event that focuses on the ways Goodwill Industries helps individuals find jobs, showcases organizations that support Goodwill’s mission, and emphasizes Goodwill’s importance in the community. Use personal success stories to put a face to the program and provide their stories of success to the media. Bring in a nationally known speaker to attract business and community leaders to the event.

Results
In the last three years, Hughes Agency increased attendance by 12 percent to 680 people and funds raised by nearly 30 percent.  In addition to event planning, sponsorship, production and management, we successfully communicated key messages to the target audience. Through our
business connections, Hughes Agency engaged new set of supporters for the organization
and its core cause.

“We utilized the services of the Hughes Agency in managing our Champions Tribute
event in 2009, 2010 and 2011. I can tell you that Hughes managed all phases
of those events well — from identifying potential sponsors, gaining news media
coverage and staging and management during the actual events,
Hughes knew what they were doing.”
-Pat Michaels, CEO
Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands SC