Sign Distinction was honored to be selected as the official sign provider for the Quicken Loans Carrier Classic–www.quickenloanscarrierclassic.com. The event took place on 11/11/11, Veteran’s Day, on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson. This was the first ever college basketball game to be played on an active US Navy aircraft carrier–on live TV, with the President of the United States in attendance.
The signage requirements for the game were varied and besides a short time frame, the biggest hurdle to overcome was the approval of artwork by the major sponsors for the event. As each sign requirement was laid out, logo artwork was provided by the sponsor. Our design staff would then provide what would be the first of many mock-ups to be submitted for corporate approval-first by the organizer, then by the sponsor and back to us for revisions.
Keep in mind that our first glimpse of the sign requirements came only 21 days prior to the event! With the final week set aside for installation on board the aircraft carrier, the design, approval and production process had to completed within a 14 day window.
Constant communication with the organizer and teamwork within our Sign Distinction staff led to a successful conclusion to the process. A letter received from the director of corporate sponsorship attests to our success:
Our client, Morale Entertainment only contracted with you 21 days before the Event, yet you took charge, handled each and every request with professionalism and creatively solved many of the problems caused by the short time frame in which to design and completed a graphics and way-finding program.
Pete, we have successfully managed and promoted over 3521 events attended by 82+million spectators.
We have worked in 5 continents and 18 countries. We know what it takes to assemble a professional organization and deliver a first rate product.
But no one had ever added the challenge of hosting an NCAA Men’s basketball game on an active aircraft carrier on live tv !!
But everyone was up to the task and the reviews are just spectacular.
You and your Team competed at the highest level and should be proud of the fine work you accomplished.
I hope to have the opportunity to work with you again and will spread the word in our event management world about your fine work.
Michael R. Rowe
President & Chief Executive Officer
Positive Impact
