The Opportunity
The Calgary Branch of the Association of Administrative Professionals brings together professionals who play an important role in shaping workplace culture, events and employee experiences.
For its annual conference, Alkali had an opportunity to demonstrate how thoughtful, locally made objects could be integrated at several different levels of an event—from something shared with every attendee to distinctive gifts created specifically for speakers.
Rather than approaching conference gifting as a single piece of branded merchandise, Alkali created a collection of tactile objects connected through material, craftsmanship and story.
The Creative Approach
Recycled glass became the common thread.
For conference attendees, Alkali created 300 sensory stones from recycled-glass terrazzo. Designed to be held, rubbed and handled, each small object offered a tactile moment of pause during a busy day of presentations and networking.
Every attendee received a sensory stone in their conference swag bag, allowing the experience to reach well beyond the Alkali booth.
For conference speakers, the same material was elevated into a more substantial keepsake: sculptural recycled-glass terrazzo bears, individually finished and custom engraved.
Together, the two objects demonstrated how one reclaimed material and creative direction could be adapted across different gifting needs, quantities and price points while retaining a cohesive story.
Making It Real
Each terrazzo object was produced in small batches using crushed reclaimed glass, then cast, finished and prepared by hand in Alberta.
The conference booth extended the story beyond the two commissioned pieces, presenting a broader selection of Alkali’s corporate gifting work and giving attendees an opportunity to touch the materials, see different applications and discuss possibilities for their own organizations.
An original artwork giveaway created another point of engagement and introduced the connection between Alkali’s material experimentation, design work and Michelle Atkinson’s wider creative practice.
The Outcome
Instead of relying on a single branded object, the conference became an example of how gifting can operate at multiple touchpoints and scales.
Hundreds of attendees encountered reclaimed material through the sensory stones in their swag bags. Speakers received distinctive objects made specifically to recognize their contribution. And conversations at the Alkali booth allowed the material story to continue into ideas for future corporate gifts, awards and experiences.
The result demonstrated a simple shift in thinking:
Corporate gifting doesn’t have to begin with a catalogue. It can begin with a material, a story and the people you want to recognize.
Client: Association of Administrative Professionals — Calgary Branch
Format: Conference gifting + exhibitor experience
Attendee Gifts: 300 recycled-glass terrazzo sensory stones
Speaker Gifts: Custom engraved recycled-glass terrazzo bears
Additional Experience: Corporate gifting showcase + original artwork giveaway
Materials: Reclaimed glass, terrazzo
Creative: Gifting concept, product development, fabrication, customization and event presentation