Case Study: Octopus EV’s Leadership Event – Yurika.R

Bespoke Events Management helped Octopus EV elevate its leadership event, exceeding client expectations, despite a short lead time and a turn in the weather. We got the lowdown…

Background/Brief

Octopus Electric Vehicles, a leader in the EV leasing market, approached Bespoke Events Management to create its 2024 Automotive Leadership Event for clients and prospects.

With a focus on sustainability, energy, and fun, the event hosted 700 guests over two days. Despite a short lead time of less than four weeks from contract signing to execution, the event was delivered seamlessly at Bespoke at Littleton Manor Farm, a stunning 70-acre venue located in Reigate, just under an hour from London.

The brief included a unique highlight: “Electric Avenue,” an exhibition area featuring electric vehicle prototypes, concepts, and models not yet released in the UK, reinforcing Octopus EV’s innovative and forward-thinking approach.

Solution

Bespoke Events Management crafted an engaging two-day event that blended cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and entertainment. The event set-up featured a large marquee for 300 people, one to one meeting Tipis for Octopus EV account managers to meet with their clients, a selection of fun, immersive experiences featuring Octopus EV’s plushie Constantine and food, coffee, and drinks served by a variety of local artisan food trucks, reflecting the event’s emphasis on sustainability and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere.

The event kicked off with leadership presentations showcasing the advanced features of Octopus EV’s new electric vehicle fleet. Attendees were given an exclusive preview of pre-production models, including those featured on “Electric Avenue.” Hands-on test drives allowed guests to experience the superior performance and sustainability of nearly 140 electric vehicles on display.

The day also featured engaging talks by Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy Group, and Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus EV, offering valuable insights into leadership, innovation, and the future of the electric vehicle market. They were joined by Damian Hughes, co-host of the High-Performance Podcast, who further enriched the conversation with thoughts on maintaining high performance in a fast-evolving industry.

Ample networking opportunities throughout the day encouraged interactions between guests, Octopus EV executives, and industry experts.

With rain forecasted for the second day, Bespoke Events Management swiftly adapted by installing an additional stretch tent over the outdoor seating area overnight and adding patio heaters to ensure guest comfort. The food village was also relocated closer to the marquee to prevent guests from queuing in the rain. These proactive adjustments underscored Bespoke Events Management’s readiness to deliver a seamless experience despite any challenges.

The second day was focused on internal discussions, team-building exercises, and inspiring talks. Entertainment included live music from a band and DJ, complete with a live saxophone player to elevate the energy. The event concluded at 10 pm, leaving a lasting impression of Octopus EV’s innovative spirit, community values, and commitment to sustainability.

Results/Feedback

The event was a tremendous success, exceeding the client’s expectations. Alys Peart, Chief of Staff at Octopus EV said: “Compared to last year, this year’s event was next level. The Bespoke Events team were incredible and absolutely nailed the brief. Flexibility is very important to us as a business and Bespoke have supported and enabled this in every capacity. What we loved is that Bespoke became part of our family to deliver our event and we couldn’t have done it without them.”

Alvin Castillo, Head of Vehicle Procurement at Octopus EV added: “We set a challenge for bespoke giving them a list of what we want to do and accomplish and help us deliver it. The team at Bespoke were amazing from start to finish. Even with the weather, they managed to deliver an outdoor event and make it seamless – the energy over the two days was electrifying! As a business, we will be using them again 1000%.”