Revamping the 5 Star Corporate Challenge: From Class Project to Signature Fundraiser

When I worked with the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, one of my favorite projects was taking an event that started as a gift from a Frisco Leadership Class and turning it into an annual fundraiser that businesses and the community couldn’t wait to be part of: the 5 Star Corporate Challenge.

The Leadership Class did a fantastic job creating the event framework. It wasn’t your average corporate challenge — it mixed traditional field day activities like tug-of-war, basketball shootouts, and soccer skills competitions with more playful additions like an adult trike relay and a lip sync challenge. The idea was there. The energy was there. My job was to honor their foundation while revamping it for better flow, stronger branding, and bigger community impact.

Elevating the Experience

The first thing I tackled was branding. A unique event like this needed an identity that would draw businesses in, showcase Frisco’s competitive spirit, and give participants something to rally around. From there, I went event by event, looking for ways to improve flow, spectator engagement, and marketability.

Take the lip sync challenge — originally, teams performed their routines in front of a few judges. It was fun, but nobody else saw it. I knew this was the most unique and entertaining piece of the entire day, not to mention marketing gold. So we moved it to the finale, gave teams time to prepare after the other challenges, and turned it into a full production.

The results were electric. The crowd got involved, people pulled out their phones to record, and the content spread on social media before we could even post ourselves. In later years, teams went all out — think a full “Dirty Dancing” routine with a surprise twist ending that had the crowd roaring. It quickly became the highlight of the event and a tradition that only grew stronger year after year.

The Chamber Cup

Next, I introduced the Chamber Cup — a trophy that became a coveted prize. Frisco is a sports town, and competition runs deep. Businesses wanted bragging rights and a symbol of their win to display proudly in their offices. The Cup not only fueled competition but also created built-in marketing. The first winning team launched a playful “Come and Take It” video challenge to future competitors, and just like that, another tradition was born.

Building Community

Finally, I added a large tent with seating, linens, a stage, and audio — a central hub for networking, awards, and shade. It gave company reps a place to gather, connect, and celebrate their teams. Later years brought more creative challenges like the human hamster race with inflatable balls on a track, plus small logistical improvements as the event matured.

Shaping the Event’s Identity

The first things I tackled were branding and flow. A unique event like this needed an identity that businesses could connect with, and the framework had to work better for both participants and spectators. From there, I went event by event, improving flow, spectator engagement, and marketability.

As the event grew, so did its branding. The tagline “Frisco’s Ultimate Adult Field Day” (not my line, but a perfect fit) was added, perfectly capturing both the playful and competitive spirit of the challenge. It gave the event a clear identity that resonated with participants and the community alike.

 Lessons Learned

The event wasn’t without its challenges. Coordinating multiple activities, volunteers, scoring, and rules took serious planning. We learned quickly how to manage ultra-competitive participants and keep things fair. Some ideas didn’t pan out — like a misting fan cooling station that ended up leaking more than cooling — but each year the event got sharper, more fun, and more impactful.

It was easily one of my favorite events of the year, every year. And one key takeaway I always share: having a committee chair or member with strong social media skills is invaluable. Our “Trike Gang” marketing campaign was one of the most memorable and showed how creative content can expand reach and excitement.

Event Decor Tip

Brand your event in a way that connects to the city’s culture. The Chamber Cup trophy and team-branded elements gave participants a sense of pride and created natural conversation starters.

Guest Experience Tip

End your event with a “spectator moment.” Moving the lip sync challenge to the finale gave attendees an unforgettable shared experience and amplified the event’s energy.

Logistics Tip

Plan for high competition and crowd engagement. Clear rules, strong volunteer training, and a central hub for networking and shade make the difference between chaos and smooth operations.

👉 The 5 Star Corporate Challenge proved that with thoughtful adjustments, an already great idea can grow into a signature community event. It’s a perfect example of how Cline & Co helps elevate events by combining creativity, structure, and strategy.

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