Creating Personalized Experiences at The 1896 Club: Live Glassware Engraving During the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis
I had the pleasure of traveling from Orlando to Indianapolis in March for a very special project at The 1896 Club inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
During the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament game between UCLA and USC, we brought live personalization directly into the luxury suite experience — transforming beautiful gifts into personal keepsakes as the game unfolded.
At A Handful of Letters, we believe that true luxury lies in the thoughtful details. Personalization isn’t just about adding a name. It's about turning a gift into a story, a memory, a moment. And that's exactly what we set out to create for the suite members during this event.
Live Personalization During the Game
Throughout the afternoon, guests were invited to select a complimentary personalized gift:
An elegant angular glass engraved with their name or initials
A basketball-shaped crystal paperweight personalized live on-site.
Guests could choose between classic serif block letters or our signature modern calligraphy styles, depending on their personal preference.
We engraved each piece by hand as the UCLA vs USC matchup energized the arena, offering guests the rare opportunity to watch their item come to life in real time.
The entire process was seamless and designed to enhance, not interrupt, the luxury suite experience. Within minutes of submitting their selection, guests had a customized keepsake ready to enjoy or take home.
A Surprise That Made a Lasting Impression
One of the best parts of the afternoon was seeing guests' reactions.
Most were genuinely surprised to find out that the engraving was done live, by hand, right inside the suite.
The speed, quality, and craftsmanship drew dozens of compliments — not only from suite members, but from arena staff and the event organizers as well.
It’s these small, thoughtful touches that elevate an experience. Guests don’t just receive a gift — they take home a memory of the event itself, made more meaningful because they saw it being created just for them.
About Our Services
At A Handful of Letters, we specialize in providing live event personalization services that make each guest feel seen, valued, and celebrated.
Our offerings include:
Live calligraphy engraving
Hot foil embossing
Leather monogramming
Hand painting for luxury gifts and activations
I am personally present at almost every event to ensure that every detail reflects the level of care and craftsmanship we are known for.
For larger activations and high-volume gifting, my team of trained artists — each personally mentored in our signature techniques — is available to ensure a seamless and memorable experience.
While we are based in Florida, we proudly travel nationwide to create unforgettable moments at events of all sizes.
The Power of Live Personalization at Events
Events like The 1896 Club NCAA Tournament suite experience show why live personalization has become a must-have for brands and luxury hosts:
It captures attention by offering a live artisan experience.
It creates emotional connections between guests and the event.
It generates organic social media buzz without any effort.
It reinforces brand values of craftsmanship, personalization, and quality.
From private celebrations to major sporting events and corporate activations, personalization offers a way to make every guest interaction more meaningful — and more memorable.
It was a true pleasure to collaborate with the team at JNP Merchandising Inc. for this event.
Their vision to surprise and delight guests through curated, high-quality personalization was perfectly aligned with our mission. We are so grateful to have partnered with them for such a special afternoon.
Let's Create Something Unforgettable
If you’re planning a luxury event, brand activation, corporate hospitality suite, or private celebration and want to offer your guests a memorable and meaningful experience, I would love to hear from you.
You can learn more about our services at www.ahandfulofletters.com, follow along behind the scenes on Instagram @ahandfulofletters, or reach out directly at hello@ahandfulofletters.com.
I would be honored to help bring your next unforgettable event to life.
XO,
Valentina, owner and lead artist
