Rest Up: An Inside Look at the Bathroom Activation at PCMA CL24
February 8, 2024
Have you ever considered sponsoring restrooms at an event? At PCMA Convening Leaders 2024 (CL24) in January, Montreal Business Events worked with Les Cabinets for the fourth year in a row to deliver a unique and memorable activation in one of the women’s and men’s bathrooms at the San Diego Convention Center.
We caught up with Les Cabinets Co-Founder Patrice Marier to get an inside look at the women’s bathroom activation to find out more about how his team manages the sponsorship and optimizes the attendee experience for events.
Here’s what you need to know:
How it worked: Montreal Business Events had signage (floor-to-ceiling wallcoverings) inside and outside of the restrooms. Les Cabinets provided pine-scented hand soap and hand cream, styling foam, hairspray, hair brushes, dental floss, mouthwash, nail files, Q-Tips, sanitary products, combs, mints, cotton pads, makeup remover and more. “It's a no tip formula but brought to you by a sponsor,” Marier said.
Why it matters: “We take care of absolutely everything, making sure the lights work, the taps work and the urinals work – we do everything with the products, flowers, furniture and plants,” he said. “If it's well managed, it's a prime spot because it's the only place where everybody has to go. PCMA now sees value in this square footage where before there was no value.”
Staffing: Les Cabinets hires local talent to provide two hosts in each restroom at all times. The hosts wipe down the counters, greet the guests, restock supplies, pick up trash and so much more. “The first thing I ask people in advance on Zoom calls … are you comfortable to be in the bathroom? But the main thing is the host has got to smile because we don't want to be too serious. You have to be happy, and it makes a great atmosphere.”
Experience: “We did the Oscars and the Grammys. For PCMA, we started in San Francisco and did the bathrooms in Las Vegas, Columbus, Ohio and here in San Diego. We're already confirmed for Houston next year,” Marier said. His team has worked with events from Paris to Amsterdam.
Take it up a notch: “When the budget is there, we can create a wellbeing lounge outside the restroom and have a la carte services like makeup touch up, hair touch up, shoeshine, cellphone cleaning, a champagne bar or a scotch bar,” he said. “For a man to have a scotch at the urinal, that's epic.”
How it’s priced: Marier provides a detailed quote based on the floor plan, furniture, location/travel, staffing, products, number of sinks and bathrooms, and days and hours. “So it depends,” he said. “It's funny, but it typically comes up to the value of a glass of wine per person.”
Want to know more? Watch the full interview here.
Know of a unique or memorable event sponsorship you'd like to share? Reach out to danica.tormohlen@informa.com and lisa.savas@informa.com.
Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on LinkedIn!
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
Add new comment