Live Personalization for PacBio at AGBT: Custom Luggage Tags at JW Marriott Marco Island
In February 2025, we had the pleasure of bringing live personalization to a very special event at the beautiful JW Marriott Marco Island during the AGBT (Advances in Genome Biology and Technology) Conference.
As part of PacBio’s closing night celebration — one of the event’s largest and most anticipated gatherings — we offered guests a unique and meaningful takeaway through luxury live customization.
At A Handful of Letters, we believe that thoughtful details transform ordinary moments into lasting memories. This event was the perfect example of how a simple but beautifully executed activation can leave a lasting impression on every guest.
A Personal Touch at a Landmark Celebration
Over the course of three lively hours, our team of three artists customized 200 leather luggage tags live on-site for PacBio’s esteemed guests.
Guests could select from two vibrant tag colors — a bright, cheerful blue or a soft, elegant pink — and personalize their tags with:
Their initials
Their full name
Or a short, meaningful phrase of their choice.
Each piece was hand-personalized in real time, giving guests the rare opportunity to watch their items come to life with care, artistry, and precision.
The personalization station quickly became one of the highlights of the evening, drawing long lines and delighted reactions from attendees. Guests wandered between different activations, but many eagerly returned to line up for the chance to have their custom luggage tag created before the night ended.
Celebrating Innovation and Connection at AGBT
As one of the largest sponsors of AGBT 2025, PacBio wanted to ensure their guests felt recognized and appreciated at every turn.
Offering personalized gifts — especially something as practical and meaningful as a luggage tag — was a beautiful way to commemorate the occasion and celebrate the spirit of innovation and connection that defines the AGBT community.
The AGBT Conference (Advances in Genome Biology and Technology) is one of the most prestigious gatherings in the genomics field, attracting scientists, researchers, and industry leaders from around the world.
PacBio, a global biotechnology company renowned for its advancements in genetic sequencing technologies, was a major sponsor of this year’s event.
Collaborating with innovative organizations like PacBio allows us to extend the art of live personalization beyond traditional luxury spaces — creating thoughtful, high-quality guest experiences at conferences, corporate events, and celebrations of every kind.
Why Live Personalization Enhances Guest Experiences
Live event personalization offers brands and hosts something rare: the opportunity to create emotional connections in real time.
A simple, beautiful item — customized right before a guest’s eyes — becomes a tangible memory of an extraordinary moment.
At events like AGBT and luxury brand activations around the country, live personalization stands out because:
It transforms a gift into a personal story.
It enhances guest engagement and keeps the energy vibrant.
It encourages social media sharing and organic buzz.
It reflects a brand’s attention to detail, thoughtfulness, and care.
These small yet powerful moments of artistry make a lasting difference in how guests remember an event — and the brand behind it.
About A Handful of Letters
Based in Orlando and traveling nationwide, A Handful of Letters specializes in live luxury event personalization for brand activations, corporate events, weddings, and private celebrations.
Our services include live calligraphy engraving, foil embossing, leather monogramming, fashion sketching, and hand painting — all created entirely by hand to ensure a memorable, personal experience for every guest.
I personally attend almost every event to maintain the highest level of care and artistry, with a trained team of artists available for larger and high-volume activations across the country.
Let’s Create a Personalized Experience Your Guests Will Never Forget
If you're planning a brand activation, conference, or special celebration and want to offer your guests a personal, unforgettable experience, I would love to connect with you.
Learn more about our services at www.ahandfulofletters.com, follow live event highlights on Instagram @ahandfulofletters, or reach out directly at hello@ahandfulofletters.com.
Let’s create something beautiful — one personalized moment at a time.
