AsianFest 2025
A data-informed, community-first event marketing system that turned Iowa’s Asian cultural festival into a high-energy, high-attendance brand—while spending less on ads.
(YEAR)
2025
(TIMELINE)
3 Months
(SERVICES)
Event Marketing Strategy
Social Media Marketing
Content Production
Print & OOH Design
Community & Vendor Campaigns
AsianFest was already a beloved cultural event in Cedar Rapids, but its digital presence and promotion model hadn’t caught up with Gen Z and Gen Alpha behaviour. Footfall relied heavily on traditional marketing and paid ads, which were expensive and inconsistent. The organisation wanted to grow attendance, attract younger audiences, increase vendor revenue, and build a long-term community around “Asian festival Iowa” and “Asian events in Cedar Rapids”—all while reducing ad spend and making the brand feel current, inclusive, and exciting.
We designed an event marketing ecosystem built on organic reach and compounding community. Volgrow introduced a clear content calendar, story-first Reels, and campaign narratives that highlighted culture, food, performances, and behind-the-scenes stories. We partnered with local organisations, student groups, and community leaders to tap into existing networks instead of relying solely on paid ads. On Instagram, we pushed series-based content, countdowns, and interactive stories to make AsianFest show up for searches like “things to do in Cedar Rapids” and “family events in Iowa.” Offline, we designed bold, cinematic print materials that aligned perfectly with digital touchpoints, from posters to stage visuals.
In just 90 days, the 11th Annual AsianFest 2025 saw 20% higher footfall than the previous year while cutting ad spend by nearly 90%. Vendor revenue grew by 30%, driven by stronger visibility and better storytelling around food, crafts, and experiences. Instagram reach soared to 250K+ organic visitors, up from less than 10K previously, establishing AsianFest as one of the most visible cultural events in the region—without burning budgets on short-lived campaigns.
20%
Increase in festival footfall
250K+
Organic Instagram reach leading up to the event
30%
Growth in vendor-generated revenue
“
Working with Volgrow felt personal.They treated Bawarchi like a long-term brand, not a campaign, and every touchpoint finally tells one story.
Sai K
Owner Bawarchi
