International Security Foundation Virtual Reception

“The ISF has enjoyed a successful partnership with The Webster Group since 2015.  Their guidance and expertise has helped our annual fundraising dinner grow beyond any of our wildest dreams.  This past year, when everything changed because of COVID-19, The Webster Group helped us quickly pivot to planning and executing a successful virtual fundraising event. We are still getting wonderful feedback on our program and know that a large part of its success was because of The Webster Group’s guidance and creativity. We look forward to many years of working with The Webster Group.”

-Peggy O'Neil, Executive Director of the International Security Foundation

During the waning months of 2020, The Webster Group kept very busy with a series of high-profile virtual events ranging from multi-day industry workshops to receptions and dinner galas. The International Security Foundation (ISF) has been a long-time client of TWG and we have seen their event grow rapidly in size and significance over the past seven years. As with many events, this year’s gala required a pivot to the virtual stage. We worked with the amazing ISF team to determine a virtual format and program that would help them meet and exceed their event goals.

Traditionally guests enjoy an exquisite dinner gala held in Washington, D.C. following the annual OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Board) meeting held at the U.S. Department of State. We have watched the ISF dinner grow from roughly 300 guests to over 700 attendees from the public and private sector of the international security industry.

The virtual reception format selected for this year allowed us to balance the programmatic needs, creative content, production schedule, and sponsorship benefit deliverables.

The ISF gala serves to celebrate the work of the entire security industry and recognize outstanding members who advanced the cooperation across the multifaceted industry landscape. The virtual format allowed ISF to reach a far broader audience, many of whom are spread throughout the world, and connect with community members who are not able to attend the in-person event in Washington, D.C.

The program blended remarks from the founding members of OSAC, former keynote speakers, and high-level sponsors (Facebook, Target, Boeing, Allied Universal, ASIS, and Airlines for America). Several awards were presented and we were able to include creative content submitted by community members, including a unique multi-media celebration video in honor of OSAC’s 35th year. The evening was capped off with special remarks by our very own Judge William H. Webster and keynote remarks from Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo. 

Our hosts for the evening were ISF’s president, the always eloquent and hilarious Rich Davis, and executive director, the incomparable Peggy O’Neill. With plans to be back at the National Building Museum in late 2021 with General Colin L. Powell, (Ret.) as the keynote speaker, we are excited to (hopefully) return to an in-person event this year.

In this especially challenging year, The Webster Group is grateful for the fantastic video production support provided by EMT Productions. They helped make this virtual event outstanding!

And, while we are collectively proud of the ISF virtual ‘reception,’ there is no substitute for in-person events and networking opportunities with likeminded professionals and speakers, a hallmark of the ISF evening.