Visit Lauderdale

Break Free From Winter Pop Up

A pop-up in Chicago featuring a beach-inspired escape with tropical drinks, palm trees, and sand pits—inviting guests to “Break Free” from winter and discover the sunny charm of Fort Lauderdale.

Tourism

Graphic Design

Styling

Production & Logistics

Logistics & Coordination

Event Production

The Ask

Factory360 was asked with raising awareness of the vibrant charm of Fort Lauderdale and to inspire travelers to make it their next getaway. Our goal was simple: bring the heat and spread the word about what Fort Lauderdale has to offer.

The Experience

The Experience

To bring the warmth and vibrancy of Fort Lauderdale to chilly Chicago, we designed a pop-up experience that offered guests a playful escape from winter. In collaboration with Spark, we transformed a customized shipping container into a glowing tropical oasis—doubling as a giant heater. Upon arrival, visitors were welcomed with tropical-inspired drinks, branded sunglasses, and cheerful, vacation-themed stickers that set the tone for a sunny getaway.

Stepping beyond the container, guests entered a fully immersive beach scene complete with sand pits, palm trees, and snorkeling gear. Every detail was designed to transport attendees to a coastal paradise, creating an atmosphere that was both unexpected and delightfully refreshing in the heart of winter.

The activation’s central message, “Break Free,” encouraged visitors to trade the cold for the sunshine of Fort Lauderdale. By offering a tangible taste of what a getaway could feel like, the experience inspired guests to picture Fort Lauderdale as their next travel destination—no passport required.

Results

Over 30,000 daily impressions from Pioneer Court visitors throughout the activation.

Engaged over 10,000 participants through interactive experience, observer interactions, and giveaway distribution.

Distributed an average of 2,250 branded giveaways per day.