For the past 30 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo has prided themselves on creating unique event experiences for donors and guests. Over three decades, their special events have evolved to become staples in the Northwest Ohio philanthropic scene. One key to that success has been that they have consistently innovated and met the changing times and needs of guests.

The Clubs’ signature fundraiser, Barefoot at the Beach, brings over 2,000 people together to support the cause annually. “Barefoot” is an upscale beach party featuring 35 of Toledo’s finest restaurants, live entertainment, bonfires, and fireworks, all on the shores of Lake Erie. The event raises over $200,000 each year in support of programs that help improve the lives of 5,500 young people in Toledo.

An event of Barefoot’s age needs to consistently evolve, regardless of the strong appeal and atmosphere provided. Over its tenure, organizers of the event have provided guests with varying ways to navigate the large party, which spans over 260,000 square feet of beach space at Maumee Bay State Park. Maps were placed and printed, but rarely used. Guests sometimes gave negative feedback about their inability to find their corporate table, they didn’t know what menus were being served at which tent, and of course, sponsors always are looking for innovative ways to be mentioned.

In 2016, the idea to create an interactive mobile “Event App” was born! After a year of putting the application off, the idea was prioritized in late 2017 and the Clubs’ team was connected with AVATAR.

AVATAR listened to the needs of the Clubs and its leadership committee and presented a multitude of innovations for the app design; and even more importantly, they also helped execute a complete website redesign. Working as a team with the Clubs’ staff, AVATAR developed a brand-new state-of-the-art site that fully embodies the experience of Barefoot at the Beach.

Developing the app in tandem with a new Umbraco based website gave AVATAR the ability to facilitate real-time updating of information in the app through the Umbraco back office interface, allowing for last-minute changes to mapping information, menus, schedules, etc.

Whenever there was a need for additions, edits, or tweaks in either the website or the app, AVATAR moved quickly to make sure everything was completed and that the Clubs were happy with any changes in the end.

AVATAR understood and respected the resources that the Clubs had available, both financially and in staffing, and gave the Clubs a first-class experience with top-of-the-line products and game-changing results. And the actions and decisions that were made by AVATAR while Clubs staff were at limited access during prime-time event planning were greatly appreciated.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Toledo were thoroughly satisfied with the products AVATAR built for them and we have already begun working together on the next iterations for 2019! For more information about how AVATAR can help your business or organization, fill out the form below, or give Grant Cummings a call at 419-243-7445!