ASWAD
12th Biennial Conference
Experience Outline
ASWAD’s 12th Biennial Conference and 25th Anniversary Celebration brought together global scholars, artists, and community leaders for a five-day experience rooted in the African diaspora. The event blended academic programming with immersive cultural moments, signature activations, and community-centered gatherings across the Marriott St. Louis Grand. From panel discussions and keynote sessions to performances and curated experiences, the conference highlighted ASWAD’s legacy while creating space for connection, reflection, and celebration. The result was a dynamic, multi-layered event honoring past, present, and future generations.
Mission-Centered
Keynote sessions and panel conversations anchored the conference, offering attendees rich dialogue, scholarly insight, and thought-provoking discussions central to ASWAD’s mission.
Interactive Experiences
Cultural programming—including performances, film screenings, and artistic showcases created immersive moments that connected attendees to African creativity, history, and lived experience.
Stronger Community
Community gatherings, networking events, and anniversary celebrations fostered connection across generations, strengthening ASWAD’s global community and honoring its 25-year legacy.
The
Challenge
Uniting Global Attendees Through a Cohesive Event Experience
With hundreds of attendees traveling from around the world, the challenge was to create a cohesive experience across five days of panels, performances, and celebrations. Each program element needed to feel intentional, culturally grounded, and seamlessly connected.
Coordinating logistics, honoring ASWAD’s legacy, and ensuring an engaging flow required thoughtful planning and attention to both academic and community-centered needs.
What’s the Spark?
The Big Blue Point of View
For us, the spark was about structure and clarity. ASWAD had a full program, and our role was to help ensure everything moved smoothly from one moment to the next. By staying organized and adaptable, we supported the team so they could focus on the content and community at the heart of the conference.
Big Blue Spark Team
The
Outcome
A Celebration That Honored ASWAD’s Legacy
The conference delivered a meaningful experience that honored ASWAD’s 25-year legacy while creating space for global connection, scholarship, and celebration. Attendees engaged deeply with the programming, cultural moments, and community-focused events, resulting in overwhelmingly positive feedback.
The five-day gathering strengthened ASWAD’s international network and showcased the organization’s ongoing impact and relevance.
From the Client Team
What Our Partner Has to Say
Working with Big Blue Spark made the entire week feel supported from start to finish. The team understood our goals, adapted quickly when needed, and helped bring our vision for the 25th anniversary to life. Their attention to detail and calm, collaborative approach made a complex conference feel manageable and meaningful.
ASWAD Team