Johnson Controls Presidential Event
Emerging from behind a 40-foot tall American flag with his sleeves rolled up, President Obama walked onto the stage at the Johnson Controls’ Lithium-Ion Plant in Holland, Michigan and delivered an engaging speech on the importance of new technology and its role in creating jobs, not only in Michigan, but throughout the United States.
One Week to Plan
Little did the audience know that the day before, the White House Communications team was transforming the manufacturing facility into an auditorium complete with ample seating, staging, lighting and audio. Nor did they know that Rebecca Fitzgerald External Communications Director, Johnson Controls’ Power Solutions, and her team had seven days to plan the Presidential tour of the facility and set the overall strategy and tone. Within that same timeline, MOVE and its partner, Jessica Westra of Jessica Westra Media Relations, helped facilitate the logistics. For example, once the 400 guests arrived, which included Johnson Controls Executives, dignitaries from across the nation and the media, they would need to be checked through security, and have a place to meet and greet and enjoy refreshments while they waited for President Obama’s arrival.
Air Force One Touches Down
Having landed in Grand Rapids, the President and his team arrived in Holland via helicopter—actually five heliships for security, then greeted the VIPs before taking a tour of the plant. Alex Molinarolli, President of Johnson controls’ Power Solutions, led the tour with the first stop at a display case MOVE had finished installing the day before. The contents told the story of Johnson Controls' battery history and its lithium-ion advancements. With this introduction, the President set out on the tour and then made his entrance.
“At a timewhen Americans are rightly focused on our economy, when Americans are asking about what’s our path forward, all of you here at Johnson Controls are providing a powerful answer. This is one of the most advanced factories in the world. You’re helping America lead in a growing new industry. You’re showing us how we can come back from the worst recession that we’ve had in generations and start making things here in America that are sold all around the world. And that’s why I’m here today. I’ve said it before; I will say it again: You cannot bet against the American worker. Don’t bet against American ingenuity,” President Obama said.
Within twenty minutes his presentation was complete. He moved out from behind the Presidential seal on the podium, shook many hands and was back on his way to Washington, D.C.
Event Went Like Clockwork
After the facility had emptied out, Fitzgerald gathered the team and commented how the event had gone flawlessly and was executed exactly the way a world-class organization should host the President of the United States. Not bad for an event that, because of security purposes, didn’t have a finalized schedule until two days earlier. Fortunately, though, the brand and strategic messaging had already been established months in advance.
Watch for event planning tip’s next week.
*Photography taken by Morgan Anderson, http://www.morgan-anderson.com/