Summit helps US rethink affordable housing

To the Point had the pleasure of working with Build Small Live Large on two different summits in 2015 and 2017. The first summit focused on helping local homeowners, policymaker, builders designers,  think outside the typical, “buy a house and be tied to a big mortgage” model. The event wanted to show the sold-out crowd a different way to live, by building small and efficient and having money and time leftover to enjoy a more rewarding life. Not to mention the reduced environmental impact.

In 2017 the focus was on building a nationwide ADU movement (alternative dwelling unit).  Cities across the country face housing shortages and skyrocketing rents. Those conditions create an appetite in the market for ADUs and other small homes. The goal of the 2017 Summit was to build on this growing demand to promote a small housing movement where design, cost and care for the environment intersect with the needs of today’s families and urban neighborhoods. Another sold out event included a tour in the park blocks of alternative dwellings. The vibe of this event both years was so positive and energized. We can’t wait for the next Summit.

How To the Point helped

• Developed website in 2015, organizing staff was able to update and reuse for 2017, thanks to training and videos
• Messaging and branding strategy
• Content development
• Design execution

As Joan Grimm, one of the event lead organizers said: “I believe To The Point knows how to set itself apart from others — Kathleen Krushas and her talented team really know how to help you get the results you want and need. For example, we selected To The Point for the design and production of our Build Small Live Large Summit, an event that draws hundreds of build small advocates from all of the U.S. and Canada to the Portland State University campus. Kathleen and her team helped us frame our messaging, built a website, a designed a beautiful, full range of marketing materials. To The Point was the perfect partner for this assignment. The team did an awesome job on every aspect of event marketing for the Summit.”

Outcomes

Their work was invaluable and directly translated into a successful event for everyone involved. To The Point helped us look good (fantastic sense of design!) and sound good — and the end result provided a better experience for attendees to the Summit.