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Corporate
Ellsworth Systems Summit
In September, Ellsworth Systems brought 125 hand-selected prospective clients to Harbor + Union for a full-day corporate summit built around connection as much as content. Classroom-style programming and a lineup of high-caliber speakers were paired with a luxury vendor market, Southern-style catering, and the kind of hospitality that makes a business day feel like an invitation. Harbor + Union handled planning, AV, vendor logistics, registration, and on-site staffing — giving the Ellsworth team a room full of relationships instead of a day full of details.
Client
Ellsworth Systems
Event Type
Corporate
Event Date
September 2025
The story
Ellsworth Systems came to Harbor + Union with a goal that went beyond a standard corporate program. They wanted to gather 125 prospective clients in one room, showcase what their team does best, and do it in a way that felt generous rather than transactional. The summit was designed to give back to the people who matter most to their business — to host them, serve them, and create space for the kind of conversation that doesn't happen across a boardroom table.
The setting did a lot of that work on its own. A historic building in downtown Franklin, full of character and warmth, sets a different tone than a hotel ballroom. Guests arrived somewhere that felt worth showing off, and the Ellsworth team found the invitation was an easy one to extend.
The day ran classroom-style, anchored by a speaker lineup with real weight behind it: Tim Tassopoulos, former Chief Operating Officer of Chick-fil-A; Milton Bartley, founder of ImageQuest; and the SVP and Head of FedCash Business Solutions & Support. Between sessions, guests explored a luxury market of personalized gifts sourced from around the world and given a Tennessee twist — a detail that kept the room moving and gave people a reason to talk to each other.
Behind that ease was a floor plan built to work. Fifteen vendor booths were placed to encourage traffic without crowding sessions, catering stations were positioned to keep lines short and service quiet, and presentation areas were sound-managed so nothing competed for attention. Asulon Collective handled morning coffee and pastries; Menu Maker delivered a Southern-style lunch chosen specifically for speed of service and guest comfort.
Harbor + Union managed event planning and coordination, AV, catering and food strategy, vendor and equipment logistics, guest registration, on-site staffing, and partner management. That range mattered — it meant the Ellsworth team could spend the day with their guests rather than troubleshooting a schedule.
The outcome was exactly what the client had in mind: a seamless day, a premium experience, and a genuine platform for building relationships. Ellsworth left with new connections and a clear path toward turning prospects into partners.
The setting did a lot of that work on its own. A historic building in downtown Franklin, full of character and warmth, sets a different tone than a hotel ballroom. Guests arrived somewhere that felt worth showing off, and the Ellsworth team found the invitation was an easy one to extend.
The day ran classroom-style, anchored by a speaker lineup with real weight behind it: Tim Tassopoulos, former Chief Operating Officer of Chick-fil-A; Milton Bartley, founder of ImageQuest; and the SVP and Head of FedCash Business Solutions & Support. Between sessions, guests explored a luxury market of personalized gifts sourced from around the world and given a Tennessee twist — a detail that kept the room moving and gave people a reason to talk to each other.
Behind that ease was a floor plan built to work. Fifteen vendor booths were placed to encourage traffic without crowding sessions, catering stations were positioned to keep lines short and service quiet, and presentation areas were sound-managed so nothing competed for attention. Asulon Collective handled morning coffee and pastries; Menu Maker delivered a Southern-style lunch chosen specifically for speed of service and guest comfort.
Harbor + Union managed event planning and coordination, AV, catering and food strategy, vendor and equipment logistics, guest registration, on-site staffing, and partner management. That range mattered — it meant the Ellsworth team could spend the day with their guests rather than troubleshooting a schedule.
The outcome was exactly what the client had in mind: a seamless day, a premium experience, and a genuine platform for building relationships. Ellsworth left with new connections and a clear path toward turning prospects into partners.
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