Brand + Product Activations
Experiential Marketing Services That Convert Audiences | Chicago + Nationwide
Forget the Instagram story that disappears in 24 hours...
In a world of shrinking attention spans and content overload, creating genuine brand connections feels like trying to make friends at a concert—everyone's there, but nobody's really paying attention.
We transform those "walk by and grab a branded stress ball" moments into immersive experiences that stop people in their tracks and create lasting impressions.
Our team blends strategic brand thinking with environmental psychology and experiential magic to create activations where authentic connections form and your marketing objectives achieve liftoff.
Our expertise brings brands to life across every touchpoint:
Product Launch + Grand Opening Events
Debuts that generate buzz, create FOMO, and kick off sales with momentum, not just a press release and a prayer
Mobile Brand
Tours
Multi-market campaigns that bring consistent brand experiences directly to your audience wherever they are
Sponsorship Activations
Strategic partnerships that maximize brand visibility and ROI through memorable audience engagement
Pop-Up Experiences + Installations
Immersive environments where your brand values become tangible enough to touch, photograph, and remember
Experiential Marketing Campaigns
Strategic activations that generate content, conversation, and conversions long after the event ends
Sampling Campaigns + Roadshows
Engaging interactions that transform skeptics into advocates through genuine product experiences
Trade Show
Activations
Booth experiences that transform casual browsers into qualified leads and meaningful business connections
Featured Case Studies
What makes these retreats different? Every experience was completely custom-designed around specific business objectives, company culture, and desired outcomes. No cookie-cutter solutions, no repeated formats—just authentic, transformative experiences that reflected each organization's unique goals and values.
Why Choose Gravel for Your Next Brand or Product Activation?
Because when a brand activation hits differently, it's not just a marketing campaign in your budget—it's the catalyst that transforms brand awareness into brand loyalty and genuine customer relationships. Here's what makes us different:
We're a women-owned, boutique event agency where you get a co-founder personally dedicated to every single project. That means senior-level attention from day one, not junior account managers learning on your dime. With Katie and Kristin leading your project alongside our experienced team, you get the personal touch of a boutique agency with the expertise and resources to execute flawlessly nationwide.
Every event we create is completely tailor-made. Nothing off the shelf, no repeats, no "we did this exact same thing for your competitor last month." From concept to execution, we craft personalized experiences that reflect your goals and capture your audience's attention.
Based in Chicago with nationwide reach, we're passionate about designing authentic local experiences—whether that's showcasing the heart of Chicago, the vibrant streets of Austin, or the picturesque views of Park City. Because when your event feels genuinely connected to its location, that's when the magic happens.
The secret ingredient? A team of people who genuinely love what they do. And honestly, we're having way too much fun creating these experiences not to bring that energy to yours.
Strategic Brand Activation + Experiential Marketing Process
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We design immersive brand experiences where authentic connections form naturally, brand values become tangible realities, and your marketing objectives achieve measurable results. Our comprehensive activation approach ensures every touchpoint serves your brand strategy, whether you're launching a product in Chicago, creating a pop-up experience in Austin, or activating at trade shows nationwide.
The result? Campaigns that convert curiosity into customers, not just create buzz. Your brand becomes impossible to ignore because when an activation is strategically designed around genuine audience engagement and clear business goals, that's when the real magic happens.