In the heart of Detroit at the illustrious Huntington Place, Display Group showcased its event design prowess during UWM's annual holiday party. With a Hollywood theme in mind, the company's divisions transformed the venue into a star-studded spectacle reminiscent of Tinseltown's most iconic moments.
From the get-go, Display Group's design team was set on recreating the magic of Hollywood. Their vision? To immerse guests in interactive elements that would transport them straight to the heart of the entertainment world. Attendees were greeted by a lavish 250-foot-long red carpet, flanked by various step-and-repeats. Flashing lights and camera sounds mimicked the fervor of paparazzi, setting the tone for the evening.
The event's entertainment and stage design drew inspiration from award show stages and theaters. A rich color palette of deep reds and golds was chosen, and with the expertise of lighting designers these hues were accentuated with dramatic lighting effects that shifted with each performance. But the Hollywood experience didn't stop there. The venue also boasted a recreation of the Hollywood Hills, complete with branded Rodeo Drive storefronts, towering 16-foot palm trees, and lush greenery scattered throughout seating areas. The pièce de résistance? A curated day-to-night lighting effect that made guests feel as though they were basking under the California sun.
Display Group’s A/V team was tasked with providing audio, video, lighting, rigging, and full production services. Their contribution was nothing short of monumental: Six months of meticulous planning, a dedicated team of project managers, designers, and engineers, and a crew of over 100 staff members culminated in an event that was truly fit for Hollywood royalty.
Covering a vast 500,000-square-foot space, Display Group faced the challenge of delivering a controlled and immersive audio experience. The solution? Deploying around 100 state-of-the-art speakers from D&B Technologies and DAS audio systems. This setup catered to a main stage area that hosted multiple national acts and accommodated up to 10,000 guests, with additional audio support for another 10,000 attendees throughout the venue.
Display Group’s video engineering team harnessed large-format LED technology to craft standard 16:9 main stage LED walls and an expansive 250-foot LED wall that simulated a breathtaking outdoor view. Over 1,000 LED panels adorned the space, and custom projection mapping transformed carved foam into realistic, larger-than-life buildings.
Lighting, the unsung hero of event decor, was masterfully executed. With an inventory that included 250 chain motors, 5,000 feet of truss, and over 1,000 individual intelligent and LED conventional lighting fixtures, the team illuminated the venue in a way that was both atmospheric and functional. Custom stage lighting designs were crafted for performances by Ludacris and Dan + Shay, and a 70,000-square-foot space underwent a mesmerizing day-to-night transition, further elevating the guest experience.
The collaboration between Display Group's teams was a testament to the power of creativity and technical expertise. Together, they crafted an unforgettable Hollywood-themed soirée that will be remembered for years to come.
