This case study highlights SEIA VIC’s remarkable transformation from a small conference to a leading industry event in Australia, with over a fivefold increase in attendance. They achieved this by partnering with Assertive Marketing to enhance their annual conference’s profile and engage a wider audience.
SEIA Vic’s Journey: From Modest Beginnings to Conference Success
SEIA VIC’s story began in the early days of Australia’s solar industry, as a breakaway group focusing on supporting Victorian solar installers. Over the years, they faced the challenge of staying relevant in a rapidly growing industry. In 2013, they launched a two-day conference, initially with 40 attendees, but the positive response drove their journey toward becoming a leading conference in the Australian renewable industry.
What was the main challenge in this project?
The challenge: How to increase brand awareness
SEIA was relatively unknown and often perceived as outdated, with a focus on older, off-grid installers. Their aim was to align with the contemporary industry and address this image while also boosting conference attendance and securing additional corporate sponsorships.
What was your solution or approach?
How Assertive Marketing Responded
The initial step we took was a comprehensive rebranding initiative. We encouraged them to focus on transforming their image and prioritize customer-centric activities. This encompassed the development of a new logo, a revamped website, and the launch of fresh marketing campaigns that included social media engagement, email marketing (EDMs), and search engine optimisation (SEO). Although they initially hesitated, SEIA VIC eventually embraced the necessity of this revision in their approach.
What was the outcome or impact for the client?
The Results
SEIA VIC: Case Study Results
Assertive Marketing’s rebranding and marketing initiative for SEIA VIC has resulted in sustained, long-term growth and industry recognition.
The initial success of the 2022 conference, which hosted over 180 attendees and broke sponsorship records, was continued in subsequent years. The 2023 exhibition in Bendigo and the 2024 exhibition in Lorne both saw similar attendance numbers, reinforcing SEIA VIC’s position as a key player in the Australian renewable energy small events sector.
Across these years, membership has surged, and the mailing list of solar installers has grown to over 2,000. The organization’s social media following has also expanded into the thousands.
As a result, the SEIA VIC conference is now a top-tier event in its category, attracting recognition from influential industry and government bodies and securing major corporate sponsorships. This case study demonstrates how a comprehensive and consistent rebranding and marketing strategy can transform an organization’s presence and impact within its sector, yielding continuous positive results.