Los Angeles Congress of Neighborhoods

Branding + marketing

The Los Angeles Congress of Neighborhoods is an annual event that brings over 1,000 Neighborhood Council leaders and other local elected officials and government agencies together at LA City Hall for a day of education and networking.

Ann-Marie completely overhauled the Congress of Neighborhoods’ brand identity, online presence, and outreach strategy.

She created the official Congress seal, which showcases the range of LA’s communities and geographies — a factor that drove the creation of the city’s Neighborhood Councils system. She also designed the branding for a variety of annual Congress themes — such as the “Celebrating Our Diversity” artwork shown here, featuring a rainbow of images of iconic LA landmarks — and designed program covers, signage, step-and-repeat backdrops, and enamel pins to match.

Ann-Marie’s outreach strategy for the Congress of Neighborhoods increased event attendance by 38%. She wrote and distributed press releases, media kits, and press invites, and designed web and social media graphics; posters; and pocket-sized print flyers that were distributed at community meetings. She also wrote and illustrated advertorials published for several weeks leading up to the event.

Workshop instructor

Ann-Marie has also led workshops every year since 2015 at the Congress of Neighborhoods, on topics like DIY Public Relations, Social Media for Public Officials, and Digital Outreach for Government.

photo of women posing against Congress of Neighborhoods backdrop by Dusti Cunningham