From the Nominator

The Lastinger Associate Exchange (LAX) is an annual conference for full-time employees at the University of Florida Lastinger Center. Over the course of three days, associates come together to showcase projects and opportunities for innovation through a series of associate-led breakout sessions. The goal of the Creative Team was to create an environment where associates felt cared for and appreciated--and therein lies the magic of experience design. The subtle messaging in the details of the event space created a professional environment that had not been experienced in LAX’s past. When associates were surveyed at the end of the event, comments included the following: “Theme branding was a success all around. The space was beautiful.” “The cohesive theme elevated the overall experience.” “Truly appreciate the LAX team. Devil’s in the details, and you defeated all of them!” “Loved how the theme was woven throughout the event.” “The swag is epic. Experience design on point.” “Thematic contingency was excellent.” “The airline theme was carried out in every detail, big and small.” Overall, the experience design contributed to how associates perceived the value of LAX, and LAX 2025 was viewed as one of the most successful events to date—a joyful, inspiring, and well-executed experience that strengthened pride and connection across the organization.

From the Judges

This project stood out to the judges not only for its uniqueness but also for its impressive execution on a limited budget. The immersive environmental design created a memorable experience for attendees, showcasing the team's ability to bring a cohesive, creative vision to life on a shoestring. Furthermore, the team truly understood the conference audience, which was clearly reflected in the entry's strong visual direction.