SWAY PHX

SWAY has transformed Phoenix’s LGBT nightlife. Before SWAY, gay and lesbian bars in Phoenix were lacking any cohesive marketing strategy or cooperative efforts with brands and charities. Through our friendships with those establishments and our relationship-building with national brands, we have raised the level of community events to the standards of other metropolitan cities. We have given people in the community – both business owners and patrons - the opportunity to be a part of creating a better night life. We filled a much needed gap for small local bars and charitable organizations that didn’t have marketers or event planners built into their small infrastructures. Right out of the gate, SWAY made its stamp on the community by helping bars achieve record-breaking sales, attendance and repeat business.

When Valley concert promoters want to add extra oomph or sell out a show, they call on SWAY. We have the resources to create a resourceful, yet impactful, campaign through grass roots marketing techniques and cross promotions. Throughout the past decade, we have increased awareness and attendance at hundreds of concerts, showcases, festivals, comedy shows and stage productions.

Our relationship with Crescent Ballroom is one example, even Gammage Auditorium has utilized SWAY to kick off their Broadway shows, including Pippin, Kinky Boots and RENT. Our SWAY Scoop database, with more than 13,000 unique addresses of loyal SWAY followers, makes for an impactful email blast. Add to that the insertion of announcements in our swag bags, promotion through our street teams, broadcasts on our social media networks and our popular Give-a-SWAY program, an easy and fun ongoing register-to-win program, hosted on its own tab of our SWAY PHX web site.

SWAY has helped raise funds, membership and awareness for dozens of worthwhile charitable organizations. In fact, we have built strong relationships with most of the Valley’s gay-focused charities. Our thoughtful planning incorporates their needs into relevant events that respect their missions and bring their causes to the forefront of community giving. Our work with Aunt Rita’s Foundation, one*n*ten, Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, Joshua Tree, The Phoenix Metropolitan Men’s Chorus and dozens of others has not only helped them reach their goals, it has also brought credibility and coveted third-party endorsements to our clients.

Dancing With The Bars

Dancing with The Bars is an annual Phoenix fundraiser that benefits local charities and garners participation from patrons of local bars and restaurants. Much like the popular television show, highly-visible local personalities are selected as amateur dancers and challenged to learn the art of ballroom dancing. It is not only a signature event for SWAY PHX, it has also become a Valley tradition that people look forward to, every year. Not only that, we’ve also raised nearly $60,000 for local non-profits, though this program, alone.

Contestants are paired with a professional ballroom dance instructor and train for eight weeks. Throughout their experience, contestants are provided with mentors and their progress is documented in live video that is aired at the event. At the finale, each couple performs the dance of a lifetime, complete with a large stage production and in front of a live audience. The winning couple is determined by the combination of a skilled panel of judges and audience voting.

Swagger Awards

SWAY’s Swagger Awards represent an annual red-carpet event featuring local fashion, art, food and music. Because SWAY Events is a local Phoenix business that employs event promoters and planners, we are constantly referred to cool new service providers in and around the State. That's why we created the Swagger Awards - to help trendy locals identify and celebrate the most outrageous and stylish people and places in The Valley. In fact, all nominations and votes are submitted by the public on our Web site. We just put on the show.

Swagger Award votes are submitted online in offbeat categories that include "Hottest Handcrafted Cocktails," "Local Artist You Should Know About Now," "It's a Dive! But We Still Love It!" and "You Have to Check This Place Out!" Each year, our team also selects Super Swagger Award winners, recognizing people and organizations that promote and drive Phoenix-based businesses and talent.

Summer Pool Party

SWAY Summer Pool Parties are legendary and people come from across the U.S. to attend it. Not only does it highlight sponsoring brands and help them sell their products, it also books dozens of hotel rooms during the height of Phoenix’s off-peak season. With attendance growing every year, our annual pool party blurs the lines between locals and tourists, East- and West-siders, gays and straights. In fact, men and women of all ages come together to enjoy our entertainment, giveaways, music, vendors and VIP treatment.

Sponsors of SWAY’s Summer Pool Party enjoy a day of branding in a vibrant setting with people who are there to have a good time. It’s definitely an event where friendships are made, reunions happen and tan lines are defined.