Behind the Scenes of the Rendez-vous national sur le maintien à domicile

From event logistics and programming to participant and speaker coordination, day-of facilitation, media and government relations strategy, and the event’s visual identity and website, the Rendez-vous national sur le maintien à domicile showcases Catapulte’s expertise in all its forms. 

Join us behind the scenes of this event led by the Coalition pour la dignité des aînés (CDA) on May 8th, which mobilized several members of our team for nearly 9 months!

Getting the Logistics Straight

At an agency, things move fast and challenges come one after another. Taking the time to strategically plan event milestones helps ensure that our actions remain relevant and productive.

The first step was to define the event’s objectives: we aimed to consolidate the CDA’s recognition as a key stakeholder on issues affecting seniors in Quebec, identify short- and medium-term actions to ensure the accessibility, effectiveness, and sustainability of home care services, and establish the Rendez-vous national sur le maintien à domicile as a reference point for government decision-making in this area.

We then developed a strategic plan with detailed timelines, a clear definition of task accountability, and a careful selection of suppliers, all within an established budget. The key to success lies in consistency: adhering to the reverse timeline, conducting regular check-ins with the team, clients, and suppliers, while anticipating the unexpected. 

On the day itself, our team was fully mobilized to ensure rigorous coordination, from setting up the room to managing speakers and participants, as well as welcoming guests. We were fortunate to be able to count on a committed team of volunteers.

Building a Distinctive Visual Identity

Particular attention was paid to designing a distinctive visual identity for this unique event. A few moodboards were proposed to establish the vision for the day. Once the concept was selected, it was adapted across the various platforms and needs, including social media, the website, blog posts, the participant guide, and on-site visual materials for the event itself. 

The Rendez-vous national was built around 4 major themes (State of Home Care, Collaboration Between Health and Community Networks, Rural and Urban Realities, and Success Stories from Here and Abroad), each represented by specific icons and illustrations, and a carefully chosen colour palette. These colours draw from the CDA’s original hues but were adjusted to give this particular event its own identity. You will notice that the design also incorporates elements from the CDA’s main logo, such as the leaves, while being adapted to reflect the focus on home care, hence the house motif and the half-heart.

It was also important to have a dedicated microsite designed to meet the specific needs of event participants and viewers. The event website was structured to provide all necessary information, ensure smooth navigation, and deliver an optimized user experience, in alignment with the event’s visual identity.

Amplifying the Cause and Its Issues

The credibility of the speakers selected to participate in the programming in turn bolsters the Rendez-vous national’s standing as a must-attend public interest event for media, decision-makers, and potential relay audiences (the full ecosystem of home care and services providers in Quebec). Reflecting the 4 themes carefully developed in collaboration with CDA members, the programming was also designed to guide the deliberative portion of the day, with the goal of identifying 4 actions to implement in order to accelerate the shift toward home care. 

The public relations strategy developed by our team enabled the CDA to generate coverage of its event and the resulting recommendations over a concentrated four-day cycle, with a few additional media mentions in the week following the Rendez-vous national. In total, no fewer than fifty media mentions were recorded since May 8th, across all formats: print (traditional and digital outlets), radio, and television. Our strategy also allowed the CDA’s messages to be conveyed in a variety of formats: radio columns and interviews, television interviews and reports, an open letter published in 7 major daily newspapers, as well as visibility gained through mentions in the National Assembly.

Advocating for the Recommendations with Decision-Makers

Since the primary objective of the Rendez-vous national was to advance a defined set of specific, concrete recommendations with decision-makers, the event organization was supported by active government relations efforts. 

The presence of dignitaries and political figures was carefully arranged to reinforce the event’s impact and underscore the significance of the actions proposed by the CDA. With the Coalition representing more than 150,000 seniors, the participation of the Minister Responsible for Seniors, Ms. Sonia Bélanger, was essential. We also coordinated the attendance of spokespeople from the various opposition parties, the cross-partisan nature of the cause being a consistent position of the CDA. 

The day after the event, the unveiling of the 4 recommendations triggered a wave of reactions: numerous mentions in the National Assembly, including a member’s statement, a motion without notice, and references in press briefings from various parties followed each participant’s involvement in the Rendez-vous national. 

This increased visibility not only raised public awareness of home care issues, but most importantly encouraged political decision-makers to take careful note of the CDA’s recommendations. In retrospect, the strategy succeeded in laying solid foundations for the CDA’s future actions, which continues to engage with political stakeholders since May 9th so that the 4 recommendations translate into concrete actions to improve the living conditions of seniors in Quebec.

Key Takeaways

The success of the Rendez-vous national sur le maintien à domicile rests on the combined strengths of our team and the synergy of their skills. Beyond the resounding success of the event, its remarkable media coverage, and its current and forthcoming political impact, witnessing the completion of a long-term project is always a moment of professional pride for each of us. In keeping with Catapulte’s mission, we are proud to support agents of change in Quebec society and to make a difference for a cause as noble as the dignity of seniors.