For a financial-sector event, the annual Roth Conference brings big-name talent and production values not so far off scale from the Grammy Awards.
The yearly corporate conference for the Roth Capital Partners investment banking firm, held at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, includes a series of evening receptions whose themes borrow from headline musical performers. This year brought out Wiz Khalifa, the Offspring, and the Chainsmokers for full-scale concerts—plus corresponding parties influenced by each performer and genre—on March 12 to 14.
Elite Productions International produced the parties, as the company has done for the last 20 years. Organizers built the venue from the ground up, in a permitted parking lot adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton. Organizers built power, subflooring, astroturf, and audiovisual elements—and a 25,000-square-foot, 98-foot-tall tent—in the space. It hosted three nightly receptions back to back to back, on a quick turnaround; each new theme and floor plan was put in place with fewer than 18 hours between the end of one event and the start of the next. This year also marked significant growth in scope and scale, with about 6,000 attendees over three evening events, compared to 4,000 guests over two nights last year.
Event producer and creative director of Elite Productions International Lili Shadab said, “The key is in the pre-production—coordinating the fine details to all vendors and briefing them prior to the actual events to ensure everyone was on the same page." More than 200 staff on site and about 50 vendors pulled it all off.
The first night had a Fast & Furious theme, with a Wiz Khalifa performance and 800 guests. The focus was on a high-adrenaline environment, inspired by automotive style and racing. Luxury vehicles and vintage cars were displayed throughout the space, and silver Mylar drapery hung from the ceiling. Simulated racing arcade games allowed attendees to compete side by side, and cocktail tables were made from tire wheels and hubcaps. Centerpieces incorporated miniature car replicas, and dancers and models wore racing-inspired attire. Wiz Khalifa closed the night, performing hits like “Black and Yellow” and “See You Again” from the movie franchise.
On the second night, the Offspring inspired a mad circus theme with a whimsical and wild atmosphere. Warm, vibrant colors such as red, orange, and yellow popped in the space. A larger-than-life gold human face was the center of attention, serving as a front for a DJ setup. Floral centerpieces incorporated purple boa feathers and dyed hydrangea. Carnival concession stands served up cotton candy and buttered popcorn. The Orange County native rock band performed songs like “Pretty Fly (For A White Guy).”
The last evening’s event had a house party theme called “We Ain’t Ever Getting Older,” inspired by the Chainsmokers. About 2,800 guests found a palette of red, white, and blue in the space, where banner pendants hung from the ceiling and backdrops of candid photos behind bars lent a school-dorm feel. Throw pillows with Greek lettering evoked fraternities and sororities, and cocktail tables featured beer bottles holding stems of wildflowers. Capping it off was the Chainsmokers’ performance, which included heavy special effects such as smoke machines, confetti drops, and vibrant LED backdrop screens.
![For the circus-theme night, roving entertainers included a fire-eating and boa constrictor contortionist, plus a stilt walker. Dancers were made up with exaggerated costuming and hair styling to give them a mad look, and a circus ringleader and a costumed panda greeted guests as they entered the venue.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/04/sagejustice7_1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![A three-dimensional media wall with chrome hubcaps installed around a logo created a graphic photo op at the first night's Fast & Furious theme party.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/04/mikebugaoan1_2.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Food vendor the Gastro Garage created artisanal sweet and savory doughnuts, finished on-site with power tools and flame torches by staff costumed to resemble a pit crew. Tool boxes, welding helmets, and oil tin cans decorated the food station.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/04/mikebugaoan3_1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Blue and purple accents and uplighting decorated the party space, and cars—both toy and life-size—added to the look.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/04/sagejustice18_2.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Wiz Khalifa closed the night, performing hits like “Black and Yellow” and “See You Again” from the Fast & Furious movie franchise.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/04/sagejustice28_1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Golden, LED-decorated jester faces provided accent decor for bar areas and dancer platforms, which were enclosed in caging.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/04/sagejustice18_3.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Vintage circus-character banners, featuring characters such as the 'Master Juggler,' decorated the space.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/04/sagejustice27.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Vintage props and decor included giant polka-dot balls and trunks, flanking strategic areas such as the media wall to create points of interest.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/04/michaelmunson2_1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![In the house-party themed space, models and dancers were dressed in attire inspired by the Greek system and university life.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/04/mikebugaoan1_3.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Using red and blue Solo cups, Elite Productions designed a custom art installation and media wall, bearing an 'R' for Roth.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/04/sagejustice1_2.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![A variety of beer-related activities included beer pong and a beer-bong area.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/04/sagejustice30_1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Urban metal and cocktail tables without linen conveyed a bare aesthetic. Beer bottles, cases, and cardboard six-pack holders served as materials for floral centerpieces and installations to accentuate the house-party theme.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/04/sagejustice21.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![On the last night, food vendor Company 77 made and served pizzas to order in their unique, signature way: in and on a retooled fire truck.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/04/sagejustice25_2.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Attendees wore custom LED wristbands, which lit up in changing colors synchronized to the Chainsmokers' set list.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/04/sagejustice26.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)