Case study: Reigniting momentum for an international innovation group

When a large organisation formed an international group to drive research and validate a novel device, the initial energy was high. However, over time, the initiative began to fade. Projects slowed, promising ideas stalled, and proposals often remained as mere intentions. Engagement and motivation slipped, and the group's original spark became difficult to revive.

The vision: From draining meetings to sparked momentum

The organisation envisioned a user group that felt inspired once again. The goal was to foster a community that generated more innovative ideas, took stronger ownership of projects, and collaborated actively across international centres. They needed meetings that served as a source of momentum rather than a drain on time and energy.

How Umami helped: Reimagining the annual meeting

We completely reimagined the architecture of their annual gatherings. Moving away from traditional presentations, we introduced experiential engagement formats set in inspiring locations and thoughtfully chosen venues.

• Integrated elements: We blended professional exchange with cultural, playful, and team-development components.
• Interactive exploration: Participants were encouraged to contribute and explore ideas freely through creative challenges.
• Structured reflection: We provided spaces to address workload barriers and share strategies for overcoming research obstacles.

The result: Dynamic execution and collective purpose

By reigniting a sense of collective purpose, the group became significantly more dynamic and confident. Engagement increased across the board, and collaboration between centres improved. Most importantly, research initiatives moved forward with greater enthusiasm and smoother execution, turning stalled proposals into tangible progress.