CF Carrefour Laval Fall Activation: 4,000 Guests in 2 Days
Overview Client:
Client: CF Carrefour Laval (Cadillac Fairview)
Date: September 2026
Venue: Carrefour Laval, Laval, QC
Event Type: Retail Brand Activation
Event Theme: Escales au Jardin (Garden Escapes), Fall Edition
Duration: 2 days
Total Guests: 4,000+
A Season for Reflection
Fall is when people start looking back at the year. The days get shorter, the sweaters come out, and there’s a quiet pull toward reflecting on what’s been and what’s next.
That was our starting point for the fall edition of Escales au Jardin, or “Garden Escapes,” at CF Carrefour Laval. The mall’s garden, with its lush plantings and monarch butterflies, was the inspiration. Our job was to bring people into it. Over two days, we filled it with small, warm moments: a cup of tea, a hunt for hidden golden butterflies, and a tree that slowly filled with people’s hopes for the year ahead.
It was our third season with Carrefour Laval this year, after spring and summer. And we’re not done yet, because the series continues into 2027.
What We Delivered
Concept development and creative direction
Design and procurement of all event décor
Design and production of all interactive installations, including the intention tree, the golden butterfly hunt and a claw machine
Design, sourcing and styling of a custom tea bar
Tenant partnership and sampling coordination with Mr. Pretzels
Brand ambassador staffing and on-site management, with uniforms sponsored by Ardene
Event install, with load-in and load-out scheduling
Vendor coordination and detailed budget management
How We Designed the Fall Edition of Escales au Jardin
The Intention Tree
The intention tree was built around one idea: fall as a time to reflect and set goals for the year ahead. Guests of all ages wrote their hopes, goals and dreams on small cards and added them to the branches. The trees started the weekend completely bare and filled up over the two days. By the end, they held the intentions of hundreds of people who had stopped for a moment in the middle of their shopping trip.
The Golden Butterfly Hunt
Ten golden butterflies were hidden throughout the activation, and guests set out with a card to find them all. The hunt was a way to get people exploring the garden instead of walking past it, which is exactly what Carrefour Laval wanted. Families moved through the plantings together, past the garden’s monarch displays, looking in places they would usually never notice.
The Tea Bar
We designed the tea bar from the ground up, from the layout to the loose-leaf blends in glass jars to the branded cups. It had to look inviting and keep the line moving on a busy mall weekend, so we planned it to serve efficiently. Guests chose their blend and had it poured hot right there. It became a natural place to pause between the other experiences.
The Claw Machine
There’s something about a claw machine that brings out everyone’s competitive side. Our machine was stocked with clear prize capsules, and kids and parents alike lined up for their turn at the controls. Between the reflective moments at the intention tree and the slow wander of the butterfly hunt, it gave the space a burst of playful energy.
Bringing Tenants Into the Experience
We partnered with Mr. Pretzels for sweet and savoury sampling under the playful question “Sucré ou salé?” (sweet or salty?). Ardene sponsored the uniforms for our brand ambassadors. Including the mall’s own retailers meant the activation worked for the businesses inside Carrefour Laval as well as for its visitors.
A Weekend That Filled the Trees
Around 4,000 people walked through the activation and took part, and more than 1,000 prizes were handed out over two days. The clearest sign of success was the trees. They started bare and ended the weekend covered in other people’s intentions.
For Carrefour Laval, the activation brought new attention to one of the mall’s best spaces and gave shoppers a reason to spend time there. We’re back at Carrefour Laval for 2027, and already thinking about the garden’s next season. Stay tuned!
Want to see more? Read about our spring activation at Carrefour Laval, or browse our case studies.
About TEA
The Event Agency is a full-service event planning and production company delivering extraordinary corporate and private events with strategic precision. From brand activations and experiential marketing to annual company meetings and bespoke corporate experiences, TEA combines creativity, business acumen, and meticulous attention to detail to surpass client expectations every time.
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