Port of Tacoma
Celebrating 100 Years of Trade
As the Port of Tacoma approached a historic anniversary, it faced modern headwinds: industry consolidation, public scrutiny and competing priorities. With opinions swirling about how to mark the milestone, the Port needed more than a party. They needed a unifying celebration that honored the past, engaged the present and reminded the community why the Port matters.
Guiding Thought
If people don’t understand the Port, they can’t appreciate its impact. And a milestone this big deserved something immersive, unexpected and unmistakably Tacoma. Why not invite the public inside — literally?
Inside Trade
We turned a 20-foot shipping container into a traveling pop-up museum by wrapping it in bold centennial graphics and installing an interpretive walk-through exhibit inside. The display debuted at the Maritime Fest and toured several other major Tacoma events, creating a hands-on experience that drew people in and sparked conversation.
Beyond the container, we developed the centennial theme, tagline and logo, wrapped a transit bus, produced print and transit ads, and created a coffee-table-quality magazine chronicling 100 years of maritime history.
Bringing the Waterfront to the Community
We navigated diverse stakeholder perspectives to craft a celebration that felt both ambitious and accessible. The container became the campaign’s anchor: an unmistakable symbol that could engage in ways traditional outreach never could.
From large-scale environmental graphics to editorial storytelling and a playful digital holiday send-off, every touchpoint worked together to keep the centennial cohesive and community-centered all year long.
Results: Waves Made
“Our Port centennial program was both a major milestone and a major challenge. Your team helped us shape a strategic plan, products and programs that were cost-effective.”
