The 288 Group

What The 288 Group does

The 288 Group (legal entity: 288 Sports Group, LLC) is a Richmond, Virginia-based B2B experiential marketing and events services firm founded in 2015 by Principal/Owner Brian Edmonds. The company delivers end-to-end services across three core offerings: experiential marketing (strategy through execution), event ideation and on-site management, and corporate sponsorship solicitation and activation. It serves corporate brand partners, sports properties, and tourism organizations, with named engagements spanning NASCAR at Richmond Raceway, the ECNL youth soccer league, WynnBET, Sheetz, Lexus of Richmond, Virginia Credit Union, Dominion Energy, and Richmond Region Tourism, among more than 100 documented partner collaborations. Revenue mechanics are professional-services based: custom, project-based engagements with no publicly disclosed pricing or self-service channels, sold through direct relationship-based sales.

The firm operates a sub-brand, 288 Travel, that handles branded hotel reservation booking, room block coordination, and payment processing for partner events, extending logistics capability beyond pure marketing. The operating geography is regional, concentrated in Virginia and the broader Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, with additional activity in Louisiana. Underlying technology is not disclosed; the operating model is labor-driven, reliant on a team of approximately 12 people covering travel, experiential, customer support, accounting, and asset management functions. Compliance posture includes CCPA and GDPR adherence via the 288 Travel privacy framework. The company is privately held with no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and no subsidiaries beyond the 288 Travel trade name.

Name

The 288 Group

Legal name

288 Sports Group, LLC

Website

https://the288group.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The 288 Group is a Richmond, Virginia-based B2B experiential marketing and events firm that delivers event ideation, on-site execution, sponsorship activation, and branded travel services to corporate brands, sports properties, and tourism organizations across the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Experiential Marketing Services

NAICS

Other Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services (56159)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Meetings & Group Travel Management (Corporate Groups) (THAKAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wholesale Groups, Series & Allotments (Group Blocks/Charters/Allotment Contracting) (THAKAJAH)

Keywords

• Experiential marketing services
• Event management services
• Sponsorship activation services
• Brand activation services
• Corporate event planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Experiential Marketing Services: Full-service experiential marketing including strategic planning, event execution, brand activations, and consumer engagement for corporate partners. Services encompass staffing, asset transport, event setup/teardown, and on-site support.
2. Sponsorship Solicitation and Activation: Exclusive corporate sponsorship procurement and activation services, notably for the ECNL (Elite Club National League). Building meaningful partnerships designed to enhance brand integrity, generate incremental revenues, and create impactful guest experiences.
3. Branded Travel Services (288 Travel): Travel booking and coordination services for events, simplifying interactions among Partners, Hotels, Event Companies, and Customers. Includes hotel reservation management, room block coordination, and payment processing.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The 288 Group provides full-service experiential marketing, event ideation and execution, and sponsorship solicitation and activation for corporate brand partners, connecting them to consumers through branded travel, events, and sports experiences. The firm also operates 288 Travel as a sub-brand to manage hotel reservations, room blocks, and travel logistics in support of partner events.

Product overview

The 288 Group is a marketing and events company offering three core services: Experiential Marketing, Event Ideation and Execution, and Sponsorship Solicitation and Activation. The company also operates 288 Travel as a subsidiary brand for travel booking and reservation management services. These services work together to connect partners to consumers through branded travel, events, and sports experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Experiential Marketing Full-service experiential marketing that delivers impactful brand experiences blending smart tactics, decisive strategy, and efficient resource use, flowing from ideation to execution with the client's brand vision as guide. Intended for corporate brand partners seeking authentic customer connections.
• Event Ideation and Execution End-to-end event planning, staffing, and on-site management that brings brand ideas to life, inviting consumers to experience brands in unique and intimate ways. For corporate partners running branded events.
• Sponsorship Solicitation and Activation Builds meaningful corporate partnerships designed to enhance brand integrity, generate incremental revenues, and create impactful guest experiences. Includes exclusive corporate sponsorship procurement and activation for properties such as the ECNL.
• 288 Travel Travel booking and coordination service that simplifies and streamlines interactions among Partners, Hotels, Event Companies, and Customers. Includes hotel reservation management, room block coordination, and payment processing for events.

Quantifiable outcome

• $400,000+ raised for local charities since 2016 through Champions for Charity events
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Virginia Credit UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 2022Virginia Credit Union established a naming rights partnership for 11 fields at Striker Park as Virginia Credit Union Fields at Striker Park. Enables $50,000+ annual scholarships for youth soccer players.
• Richmond RacewaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRichmond Raceway, known as America's Premier Short Track, hosts NASCAR racing and 200+ special events annually. The 288 Group executes multi-layered grassroots marketing initiatives generating awareness and ticket sales for Richmond Raceway's NASCAR Cup Series weekends.
• ECNL (Elite Club National League)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerECNL represents excellence in youth soccer for boys and girls. The 288 Group exclusively manages corporate sponsorship procurement and activation for the league, supporting their mission to 'Raise the Game' in youth soccer.
• WynnBETcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWynnBET is a leader in mobile sports betting operating in partnership with Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas. The 288 Group builds activation events at sporting and social events throughout legalized states.
• Lexus of RichmondcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLexus builds the world's finest luxury vehicles. The 288 Group brings wow-factor to Lexus of Richmond events including ride and drives, celebrity ambassadormeet-and-greets, and owner experiences. Also supports Champions for Charity fundraising golf event.
• SheetzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSheetz is a family-owned American chain of 24/7 convenience stores and coffee shops. The 288 Group manages all aspects of Sheetz store openings including event staffing, asset transport, activation setup/teardown, and general oversight.
• Richmond Region TourismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRichmond Region Tourism introduces the world to Richmond, VA through conventions, meetings, and visitor attractions. The 288 Group assists by building thoughtful activations and providing diverse staff.
• Rosie's Gaming EmporiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRosie's Gaming Emporium and Colonial Downs Racing operate gaming and racing locations throughout Virginia. The 288 Group manages off-site event activations including transport, setup, and tear-down.
• Atlas42minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtlas42 is RVA's premiere event venue in the heart of Innsbrook. Partnered with The 288 Group to build RVA Hoops Madness immersive March Madness viewing experience.
• Dominion EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDominion Energy created Solar Spot for solar-powered mobile device charging at events. The 288 Group supports full-scale logistics and operational support for this outreach tool.
• Richmond StrikerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1975, Richmond Strikers is a youth soccer organization supporting 4,500 players ages 4-19. The Virginia Credit Union Fields naming rights partnership enables expanded programming and scholarships.
• Richmond KickersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRichmond Kickers is a professional soccer club that participated in the #WeAreRichmond initiative bringing Ted Lasso cast/crew to Richmond for an exhibition match.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Cvent: Event management and group travel technology platform handling hotel room blocks, attendee registration, and event logistics. Comparable to the 288 Travel sub-brand's hotel booking and room block coordination services for partner events.

Direct peers

• Octagon: Global sports marketing agency that connects brands to sports fans through sponsorships, activations, and experiential campaigns. Direct competitor to The 288 Group in sports-driven experiential marketing and sponsorship procurement.
• TEAM Enterprises: Experiential marketing agency specializing in sports betting, sports sponsorships, and brand activations. Highly comparable given The 288 Group's WynnBET partnership and parallel focus on sports/gaming consumer engagement.
• GMR Marketing: Experiential marketing agency specializing in sports, entertainment, and consumer activations. Strong overlap with The 288 Group's model of brand-to-consumer sports activations and partnership-driven event execution.
• On Location Experiences: Premium experience provider delivering sports travel packages, hospitality, and event-based consumer experiences for major sports properties. Comparable to The 288 Group's branded travel + sports experience model combining event access with travel coordination.
• Sparks: Experiential marketing agency focused on brand experiences, live events, and sports partnerships. Comparable to The 288 Group in delivering event-based activations and sponsorship procurement for major brands.

Broad incumbents

• Freeman: Large event and experience management company delivering trade shows, brand activations, and corporate events. Comparable in event execution capability but operates at much larger scale across many event categories.
• Momentum Worldwide: Global experiential marketing agency under the McCann Worldgroup umbrella, delivering brand experiences, sponsorships, and event activations. Comparable to The 288 Group's experiential and event execution capabilities but at multinational scale.
• Jack Morton Worldwide: Large global brand experience agency producing experiential campaigns, events, and sponsorships across industries. Comparable to The 288 Group in service offering (experiential + events + activations) but operates at significantly greater scale and geographic breadth.
• George P. Johnson Experience Marketing: Large experience marketing agency known for corporate event programs, sponsorship activations, and brand experiences. Comparable in delivering full-service ideation-to-execution for major brands, but operates globally with much larger teams.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/288sportsgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-288-group
• Facebookfacebook.com/the288group
• Instagraminstagram.com/the288group

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The 288 Group