The Ally Challenge 2024: Where Golf, Giving, and Community Converge

September 2, 2024

Recap of The Ally Challenge Presented by McLaren: A Week of Golf, Music, and Community Impact

The 2024 Ally Challenge presented by McLaren, held from August 20th through August 25th, was a spectacular event that brought together the excitement of championship golf, lively entertainment, and a strong sense of community involvement. Hosted at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc, Michigan, this year’s tournament was one for the books, showcasing not only top-tier golf but also highlighting the event's commitment to making a positive impact in the local area.


Women of Influence Luncheon: Empowering Women in Business

The week kicked off on Thursday with the much-anticipated Women of Influence Luncheon. Held from 12 to 2 p.m., this event has become a staple of the tournament, celebrated for its focus on the vital role women play in our business communities. Attendees were treated to a delicious lunch and beverages catered by Andiamo, while engaging in a powerful conversation with an impressive panel of women making significant strides both personally and professionally.

This year’s speakers included:

  • Andrea Brimmer, Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officer, Ally Financial
  • Shannon Easter White, Owner and Founding Principal, FUNchitecture
  • Linda Hubbard, President & CEO, Carhartt
  • Marsha Oliver, Senior Vice President, Community & Public Engagement, PGA TOUR
  • Laurie Prochazka, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, McLaren
  • Shaunda Richardson-Snell, President, Mott Community College
  • Jamie-Lee Venable, Vice President of Operations, United Way of Genesee County

Their insights and experiences provided valuable takeaways for all in attendance.

In addition to celebrating these influential women, the luncheon also put a spotlight on charity. Attendees were encouraged to bring donations of quality hygiene products to benefit YWCA Greater Flint. Those who donated at least two items received a free raffle ticket, adding a fun and charitable twist to the afternoon.

Tournament Play and Spectacular Entertainment

The tournament’s first round of play kicked off on Friday, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of golf. The day concluded with performances by local talent Niko Bokos and the iconic band Smash Mouth, adding a festive atmosphere to the evening.

Saturday brought the second day of tournament play, which ended on a high note with a stunning performance by country music star Thomas Rhett. The night sky lit up with a 100-piece drone show, leaving the audience in awe and making the evening truly unforgettable.


Championship Sunday and Community Engagement

Sunday marked the final round of the tournament, where golf fans witnessed the 2024 champion, Stewart Cink, secure his victory. My son, Ian, had the unique and memorable opportunity to serve as the standard bearer, walking alongside Cink throughout the day—a proud moment for our family!

A highlight of Sunday’s events was the gathering of 50 small businesses that participated in the Small Business Campaign, a grassroots marketing initiative organized by Behind Your Design. These businesses were invited to the Skybox on hole 17, where they enjoyed hospitality and networking opportunities.

The campaign aimed to engage small businesses from Frankenmuth to Rochester along the I-75 corridor, spreading the word about the tournament. Many of these businesses got creative with their involvement, using social media to promote the event, hanging posters, and distributing fun tournament-themed swag. One business even hosted a mini Ally Challenge putt-putt tournament, showcasing the enthusiasm and community spirit that this event inspires.


A Legacy of Giving Back

The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren is not just about golf and entertainment; it’s a crucial event for the local community. With over $7 million raised and awarded to date, the funds generated by the tournament have made a significant impact on numerous local charities. This ongoing commitment to giving back is what makes the Ally Challenge so special and why it’s vital to continue spreading the word about this incredible event.

As we look back on this year’s tournament, the excitement and sense of community remain strong. We’re already looking forward to what next year’s Ally Challenge will bring, confident that it will continue to be a highlight of the year for golf fans and the local community alike.

The Ally Challenge 2026 Returns to Warwick Hills

July 27, 2026
The Ally Challenge 2026 returns to Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc, Michigan, August 27–30. As one of the premier PGA TOUR Champions tournaments in the country, tournament week brings championship golf, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and community events to Genesee County. Behind Your Design is proud to once again participate in the tournament's Small Business Campaign, helping connect local businesses with one of Michigan's premier annual sporting events.

A Brand Touchpoint and a Keepsake: Enamel Pins Are Back

July 2, 2026
Check out these videos of all the different finishes for enamel pins!

A Hint of Western Style That Adds Real Event Energy

July 2, 2026
Some promotional products are practical. Some are useful. And some simply make the whole event more fun. Foldable cowboy hats fall into that last category. They bring instant energy to an event and create a shared moment people actually participate in. Whether you're hosting a company picnic, sponsoring a festival, organizing a golf outing, or planning a community celebration, foldable cowboy hats are an easy way to add personality and interaction right away. A Giveaway That Sets the Tone Foldable cowboy hats are lightweight, packable, and made for events where people are moving around and having fun. They fold into a compact pouch, making them easy to distribute and easy for guests to keep. Once opened, they pop right into shape and become part of the experience almost immediately. Perfect for Summer Events Foldable cowboy hats fit right in at: Company picnics County fairs Music festivals Rodeos Golf outings Customer appreciation events Campgrounds and outdoor recreation School events Community festivals Beach and lake events They are fun to wear, easy to carry, and naturally encourage participation and photos. A Simple Way to Add More Energy One of the best parts is how quickly they change the feel of an event. People put them on right away, start interacting more, and suddenly the environment feels more relaxed and engaging. It’s a small touch that creates a shared experience without adding complexity to your event planning.

Beyond Pencils and Backpacks: Coloring Books Make Your Brand Stand Out

July 2, 2026
Back-to-school season is one of the busiest times of year for schools, community organizations, and family-focused businesses. Open houses, orientations, festivals, and school supply giveaways all provide opportunities to connect with local families. While everyone else is handing out another pencil or notebook, consider giving them something they'll actually enjoy using: a coloring book. Coloring books are interactive, memorable, and offer a fun way to keep your brand in front of families. Better yet, there are two ways to make them work for your organization. Branded vs. Custom Coloring Books Branded Coloring Books A branded coloring book starts with a professionally designed, ready-to-print book. Your logo, business name, and contact information are added to the cover, creating an affordable giveaway that's quick to produce and easy to distribute. Branded coloring books are a great fit for school open houses, community festivals, health fairs, pediatric and dental offices, libraries, parks and recreation departments, banks, credit unions, and other family-focused events. Custom Coloring Books A custom coloring book is created specifically for your organization. Instead of placing your logo on an existing design, every page features original artwork and content that reflects your business, mission, or message. You can include your mascot, products or services, local landmarks, educational topics, safety tips, puzzles, activities, or just-for-fun pages. Whether you're introducing students to a new school, teaching healthy habits, celebrating your community, or explaining what your business does, a custom coloring book tells your story in a creative and engaging way. Give Families Something They'll Remember Back-to-school season is the perfect time to think beyond the standard promotional products. Whether you're looking for a branded coloring book featuring your logo or a completely custom coloring book with original illustrations and content, Behind Your Design can help you create something families will be excited to take home. Sometimes the best promotional products aren't the ones everyone expects. They're the ones everyone remembers.

More Than a Grand Opening: Building a Brand People Remember

July 1, 2026
When Superior Lawn & Landscape completed its new facility, they wanted an event that felt as professional and polished as the company they’ve built. Behind Your Design partnered with their team to bring that vision to life, creating an experience where every detail reinforced their brand. From the moment guests arrived, the Superior Lawn & Landscape brand was present. We managed signage, catering, beverages, entertainment, photography, and overall layout, along with rental coordination to create a cohesive, functional space. We also created branded giveaways and promotional items, including aluminum cups, koozies, journals, chapstick, bug spray, sunglasses, and lots more. Door prizes and a raffle featuring company merchandise added excitement and gave guests keepsakes from the day. The biggest visual impact came from something simple: the custom Hawaiian shirts. Seeing the team and staff in coordinated branded apparel instantly created unity. It transformed individuals into one team with one identity and reinforced the company’s personality in a way traditional marketing materials can’t. That’s the power of branded apparel.

Bringing the Flint Soap Box Derby Back to Its Historic Home

July 1, 2026
Some projects are about creating great branding. Others are about helping bring a piece of community history back to life. This spring, Behind Your Design had the privilege of supporting the return of the Flint Soap Box Derby to Cronin Derby Downs, the original home of the Flint Soap Box Derby, where racing first began in 1969. On May 30, 2026, the newly restored track welcomed racers, families, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters back to the hill for the inaugural race at its historic location. It was a day filled with excitement, nostalgia, and community pride, but the impact of the Soap Box Derby extends far beyond a single race day.
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