The Living Zero Home Tour was a huge success for SFI. SFI conceptualized, designed, and oversaw the day-to-day operations, as well as the marketing and the public relations for the first traveling energy efficient home! The Tour reached over ten million people demonstrating how the use of energy efficient products, eco-friendly building techniques and innovative technology can save money, energy and the planet in your home or apartment.
The Tour was a public/private partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy and corporate sponsors. The Tour home included a full-sized functional kitchen, living room/media room, and utility room. It traveled over 13,500 miles from July through November, 2009, visiting 14 states and stopping at 15 event sites. The Tour stops included seven NASCAR races; Taste of Chicago; Albuquerque International Balloon Festival; Denver Zoo; Sea World in San Diego; Wyndham PGA Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina; Ohio State Fair in Columbus, Ohio; and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Events were held at each location with various local dignitaries (such as Mayors Daley and Bloomberg) and sponsors.
While the Tour was in New York City, it was featured on Good Morning America (GMA) during four segments as 3.8 million people watched Sam Champion highlight simple steps that can be taken to save energy, money and the environment. Besides GMA and Discovery Channel’s Planet Green, the Tour’s media partner, the Tour attracted dozens of news stories in all Tour markets and on all major networks, including CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN and Fox. Furthermore, the Tour was highlighted on countless websites and blogs including Treehugger and CNET. Over 58,000 people physically toured the home and over 100,000 people visited the Living Zero website.
“Of all the marketing opportunities we support, the Living Zero Home Tour was one of the best organized, most efficiently run events we have ever sponsored. Smith Fairfield did a phenomenal job from start to finish.” – Daniel Berger, Exclusive Brands Marketing
Best Buy Co., Inc.
“Georgia Power was the proud local sponsor of the Department of Energy’s Living Zero Home Tour during the Atlanta Motor Speedway NASCAR Event on September 5 and 6, 2009. Georgia Power representatives joined the Living Zero Tour team to educate race fans on the importance of implementing energy efficient ENERGY STAR® products into their homes.
We found this event to be extremely effective, in a number of ways. During the two-day event, more than 5,000 fans toured the home. Many fans would dialogue with our team for upwards of 20 minutes. The level of interest in energy efficient products and lifestyle lessons was refreshing and enhanced the overall outcome.
In addition the partnership with the DOE team, comprised of Smith Fairfield and MCG, was powerful. Georgia Power has significant experience in hosting large scale, public events and The Living Zero Home tour was among our most successful due to the expertise of Smith Fairfield and MCG. Their level of knowledge of the NASCAR circuit, coupled with the event expertise, made this a strong event for Georgia Power customers and visitors from around the region.” -Vicki Nichols, Product Manager, Energy Efficiency Organization of Georgia Pacific
