Since the 1960s, 3M has hosted professional golf tournaments, creating a legacy of excellence and innovation on the greens. After decades on the senior tour, 3M elevated the event to the PGA TOUR in 2019, rebranding it as the 3M Open. This significant upgrade brought with it new branding opportunities. From bold installations to science-inspired exhibits, we’ve collaborated with 3M to bring their vision to life, designing over 50 unique activations many of which get reused each and every year..
The 3M Open demands a creative showcase of 3M’s innovation and commitment to sustainability. For 2024, the event team challenged Brand Ink to execute over 50 custom branding projects across the course, including updates to past activations and exciting new installations like a 50-foot floating compass logo for the pond on Hole 9. Each project needed to align with 3M’s vision: visually stunning, durable, and functional, all while meeting tight deadlines and maintaining a premium experience for attendees.
The longstanding collaboration between Brand Ink and 3M is founded on shared values: trust, quality, and a commitment to pushing creative boundaries. Over the years, Brand Ink has delivered iconic elements such as floating structures, interactive science exhibits, and sustainable displays, earning 3M’s confidence as a reliable partner.
As 3M’s trusted partner, Brand Ink continues to raise the bar for creative event branding. The collaborative process and shared commitment to excellence have made the 3M Open a showcase of what’s possible when vision meets execution.
Planning for the 3M Open begins nearly a year in advance. When 3M approached Brand Ink in November 2023 to discuss the custom 50-foot floating compass logo for Hole 9, it was considered par for the course.
At the core of our process is collaboration. While 3M’s event team manages the overall vision and intricate details of the event, Brand Ink focuses on identifying opportunities to enhance the experience and make every concept feasible. With an immovable deadline, precision planning and seamless execution are non-negotiable.
Each year, the 3M Open blends fan-favorite installations with exciting new features. The 2024 event saw the return of beloved elements, including:
New additions elevated the experience even further:
The floating 3M Open compass logo was a standout feature of the 2024 event. Measuring 50 feet in diameter, it captivated audiences on-site and on TV with its striking design. However, bringing this vision to life required overcoming several challenges.
The logo needed to:
To meet these demands, Brand Ink broke the project into 67 transportable sections. The pieces were CNC-cut and coated for durability and aesthetics. Once on-site, the team ensured the logo was assembled and anchored with precision. From its seamless design to its practical functionality, the floating compass showcased 3M’s innovation on a grand scale.
Every piece for an event carries a similar story and for the more than 50 that we’ve designed and placed for the 3M Open, it’s been a great ride. For Brand Ink, the 3M Open represents a blend of innovation, creativity, and collaboration. Getting to work with the incredibly talented team at 3M to build their vision each year for every year of the event has been an honor. Each year brings new challenges, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with 3M to bring their boldest ideas to life on the PGA TOUR stage and beyond.
The 3M Open involves over 50 unique installations throughout the course, so the process from planning to installation must be meticulously executed to ensure safety, stability, and a flawless presentation. For the new 50-ft floating logo:
Materials used:
Process:
I highly recommend BrandInk as a creative partner. Their team has been instrumental in helping us at 3M tell our story through a range of experiential and signage activations, particularly at the 3M Open, our PGA TOUR event held since 2019. More than just exceptionally skilled designers, installers, and builders, Brand Ink serves as a strategic extension of our team, consistently delivering creative and impactful solutions that align with our brand vision. Their collaboration and expertise have been invaluable in enhancing our presence and ensuring our message resonates with audiences in powerful, authentic ways. The visual manifestation of a brand is only as impactful as the tools and technicians who ultimately tell the story – BrandInk has allowed us to successfully tell our brand story for over 5 years.
- Collin Hummel – 3M
