UrbanStems Tropical Braid Bar — wide shot of the full SXSW installation with attendees

UrbanStems · SXSW · 2017

UrbanStems
SXSW Pop-Up

Experience DesignEventsBrand ActivationLead Generation

Overview

Designed and produced an 8'×8' pop-up for Create & Cultivate's SXSW Pavilion — sub-$5K budget, 3-week build. The Tropical Braid Bar offered live flower braiding with fresh florals by professional stylists, drawing in influencers and becoming one of the most-photographed activations in the pavilion.

Budget

$5,000

Timeline

3 Weeks

Footprint

8′ × 8′

Venue

Outdoor, no contingency

Concept & Build

Built in 3 Weeks,
Designed to Attract

  • 3 metal frames sourced from local Austin welder
  • Laser-cut signage I fabricated myself
  • 300 tropical leaves
  • Oasis foam blocks for 72-hour stem hydration
  • Photo booth with social sharing capabilities
  • Hair stylists braiding hair for attendees, with the option to add florals

It poured rain in Austin during setup — but we made the best of it.

Tropical Braid Bar inspiration mood board — concept for the SXSW installation
Signage and metal frame detail — laser-cut fabrication

All Hands on Deck

Construction timelapse — building the Tropical Braid Bar installation

The Main Event

SXSW Create & Cultivate Pavilion

Hosted in the Create & Cultivate SXSW Pavilion. Beyond the Braid Bar pop-up, we designed and installed florals for the Main Speaker Stage and throughout the event space — extending the UrbanStems brand presence well beyond our 8'×8' footprint.

Attendees engaging with the Tropical Braid Bar at SXSW
Braid bar interaction — attendee photo moment
SXSW Create & Cultivate — brand activation moment
Full installation view — Tropical Braid Bar at the SXSW Create & Cultivate Pavilion
Attendees at the SXSW pop-up activation
Create & Cultivate event — overall view of SXSW space
Stage florals — UrbanStems brand presence on the main speaker stage
SXSW activation — attendee photo moment with tropical florals
Braid bar — attendee engaging with the floral installation
Create & Cultivate SXSW — UrbanStems activation crowd
SXSW — attendees sharing the experience
SXSW Create & Cultivate — final event moments
Photobooth social sharing screen — attendees posting from the activation
SXSW Tropical Braid Bar — attendees animated GIF

Photography: Smith House Photography · On-Site Team: Megan Darmody, Matt Blissard, Michelle Millie · Floral Designers: Cecilia Tran, Cameron Hardesty

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