Designing a Creative Activation for Affilifest
Welcome to The Workshop Diaries... a behind-the-scenes look at creative workshops and activations I’ve designed and run. Here, I share the ideas, decisions, and moments that make each session unique, showing how hands-on creativity can engage, inspire, and bring people together.
Designing a Creative Activation for Affilifest (Freight Island, Manchester)
Affilifest is a large conference at Freight Island in Manchester, bringing together hundreds of people across a busy, high-energy day. One of the main sponsors wanted a fun, hands-on way to draw people to their area without taking focus away from the conversations they wanted to have.
Rather than a standard workshop, we designed a bespoke creative activation using their pre-branded merchandise. The original idea was embroidery on baseball caps, but that would have been too slow for a conference environment. Instead, we created a playful, approachable activity that encouraged people to join in, connect, and have a little creative fun in the middle of a busy day.
What Happened on the Day
The activation was set up at the back of the bar on a long table. I made small adjustments to keep the space flowing, inviting, and calm. To avoid the “empty table” problem that can feel intimidating, I started printing bags myself and the sponsor team joined in early. Seeing examples in action encouraged delegates to take part, and soon people were bringing their colleagues back to join the fun.
The activity worked for everyone, from creative pros to people who had never picked up a stamp or needle. It offered a moment to pause, reset, and enjoy something hands-on in a busy conference schedule, while also naturally encouraging interaction with the sponsor.
“Once people had made a bag, they started bringing colleagues back to the booth for us. The activation marketed itself.”
Outcomes & Takeaways
Delegates left proud, inspired, and excited to show their creations to others. The mix-and-match stamp designs gave everyone a sense of individuality while keeping the activity simple and quick. It became a natural way to network and connect, creating conversations that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
For the sponsor, the activation drove footfall, meaningful conversations, and lasting brand visibility. Seeing people using their branded bags around the venue kept the brand front-of-mind long after the event ended.
On a personal note, it was rewarding to see the stamps and designs resonate so well. This was my first time creating bespoke stamps at this scale, and the success confirmed that the concept works beautifully. For future events, I’m excited to get involved from the planning stage so the activity, branding, and space all work seamlessly together.
Looking Back
This activation reminded me why hands-on creativity works so well in busy settings. With just a few carefully considered decisions, bespoke stamps, a simple colour palette, and a clear flow—the activity became a space for curiosity, connection, and calm. Participants left energised and confident, while the sponsor achieved engagement and visibility. Experiences like this show how creative activations can fit naturally into conferences, corporate events, or team days.
Ready to Create Your Own Creative Activation?
If you’re planning a conference, corporate event, or team day and want a hands-on creative experience that engages, delights, and leaves participants inspired, let’s chat. I can design a bespoke workshop or activation tailored to your group, space, and objectives, from concept to delivery.
Get in touch today at hoopandfred@gmail.com or find out more about my corporate workshops here.