Experience in Motion: Why Whistler and B.C is a Natural Stage for Brand Activations

Some of the most effective brand moments happen when product, place and people converge. That’s where LEMONADE operates - real environments, curated audiences, seamless logistics to make brands experienced, not just seen.

Whether tied to a film launch, premium tech brand, automotive client, or wellness line, each of which our team has executed at a senior level, every activation has sharpened our understanding of how products perform in real-world environments, how people connect with them, and how to deliver those moments in ways that last.

Experience as Strategy

Brand activations across North America and Europe are shifting from spectacle to substance.

According to the Event Marketing Institute, over 90% of U.S. marketers say live experiences build stronger emotional bonds between brands and consumers than any other channel.

In both the U.S. and U.K., Campaign and Event Marketer report that live experiences drive earned attention — tactile, human, and irreproducible through digital alone. When executed effectively, they can move consumers from awareness directly toward advocacy.

At LEMONADE, we specialise in immersive, experiential event management that turns brand strategy into tangible human connection and results.

A Proven Global Shift Toward Live Engagement

Recent industry reports from Harvard Business Review, McKinsey, and Event Marketer all point to the same conclusion: as audiences fragment and digital channels saturate, physical engagement becomes a premium touchpoint.

• In-person activations deliver the highest return on engagement across industries, particularly for lifestyle, luxury, and outdoor categories.

• Consumers who engage with a product through an experience are significantly more likely to purchase and advocate for that brand post-event.

• For B2B brands, immersive client events outperform traditional conferences in lead conversion and retention.

These trends reinforce a simple truth we see every day: human connection wins. In a world of AI prompts, VR headsets, and digital everything, real-world experience still cuts through — because it feels real.

Why Whistler Works

Whistler offers a single destination where brands can test, trial and tell their story - in a backdrop that demands authenticity.

• Environmental credibility: Outdoor, lifestyle and wellness brands thrive when their products are exposed to snow, rain, terrain and altitude. Whistler delivers.

  
  

• Content potential: Nature and destination imagery drive higher engagement and shareability than generic or urban imagery.

  
  

• Operational readiness: As a mature destination, Whistler has the infrastructure, permitting framework and local talent to support complex, high-end activations with professional execution.

Our Approach

As production partner and strategic extension of your team, LEMONADE delivers:

• Destination logistics & permitting

• Venue and terrain curation aligned to brand values

• Experience design: creative journeys grounded in operational precision

• Partnership management: connecting you to trusted local suppliers, guides and talentWe focus on turning brand activations into high performance, delivering both story and investment return.

The Takeaway - is Whistler right for your next Brand Activation?

For brands ready to blend authenticity, performance and precision - Whistler may be the ideal stage! If so, LEMONADE is here to assist bringing your vision to life as a destination and event partner. If you’re considering a Whistler brand activation that goes beyond exposure into experience - let’s talk.

Let's Connect

References & Sources

1. Event Marketing Institute & Mosaic (EventTrack Report, 2023) – Over 90% of marketers agree that live experiences build stronger emotional bonds between brands and consumers than any other channel. EventTrack 2023 Report – Event Marketing Institute

2. Campaign (UK), “Experiential Budgets Continue to Grow” (2024) – Experiential marketing budgets rose year-over-year across UK and US markets as brands prioritized authenticity and measurable engagement. Campaign Live UK

3. Event Marketer, “The State of Experiential Marketing 2024” – Brands are shifting from passive advertising to immersive experiences that deliver measurable ROI and audience engagement. Event Marketer

4. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan (2020) – Visual engagement studies show that nature imagery elicits stronger emotional response and attention compared to urban settings. University of Michigan Research on Visual Engagement

5. Destinations International (2025 Travel & Tourism Benchmark Report) – Destination and travel content consistently outperforms cross-industry benchmarks in engagement rates on social platforms. Destinations International

6. McKinsey & Company, “The Human Connection in a Digital World” (2023) – As digital channels saturate, brands that invest in in-person engagement gain stronger customer loyalty and retention. McKinsey & Company Insights

7. Harvard Business Review, “Why Experiential Marketing Works” (2022) – Hands-on brand experiences trigger lasting emotional memory and higher post-event purchase intent. Harvard Business Review

8. Zipdo (2024 Emotional Marketing Statistics) – Nature and destination-based imagery drives higher engagement and shareability compared with urban or product-only imagery. Zipdo – Emotional Marketing Statistics

9. SocialInsider Travel Industry Benchmarks (2024) – Travel and destination content achieves some of the highest engagement rates globally on Instagram and YouTube. SocialInsider Benchmarks