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  1. Production & Strategy
  2. Strategy

How to Transport Event Guests Into the Future

During the Game Developers Conference, App Annie hosted an event that had a futuristic vibe.

Jenny Berg
April 11, 2016

During the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, App Annie—which creates business intelligence tools and market reports for apps—hosted an event for approximately 800 game-industry pros. Held at Mezzanine on March 17, the event gave life to the company's brand positioning. "App Annie is the future of apps, and we wanted to carry that through the event with a futuristic theme," said Caryl Lyons, managing partner at Roar Events, which planned the bash.

To achieve the intended look, planners relied heavily on lighting. "All the furniture was either illuminated or mirrored, so the light bounced around the space," Lyons said. Got Light's illuminated, geometric chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and LED light tubes hung in other areas. The entertainment from Gatsby Entertainment also glowed: Dancers performed with LED hula hoops, and aerialists were lit in black lights. "The attendees were gamers, so the night wouldn't have been complete without a 10-foot long LED foosball table," Lyons said.

The snacks from Culinary Eye Catering and Events were also inspired by the future. One area that guests gravitated to was a popcorn-wall installation, which had cups of popcorn tucked into a fence. A slew of doughnut holes, meant to resemble orbs in space, spilled out of the installation. Here's a look inside the event.

To match the futuristic theme, Got Light brought in their 'Trondeliers,' or illuminated geometric fixtures. When event planner Caryl Lyons saw the fixtures, 'I knew we had to hang them from the ceiling,' she said.
To match the futuristic theme, Got Light brought in their "Trondeliers," or illuminated geometric fixtures. When event planner Caryl Lyons saw the fixtures, "I knew we had to hang them from the ceiling," she said.
Photo: L. Bishop Photography
The event took place at live-music venue Mezzanine. Some 800 guests flowed through the bash over the course of the evening, and the venue held 500 at a time.
The event took place at live-music venue Mezzanine. Some 800 guests flowed through the bash over the course of the evening, and the venue held 500 at a time.
Photo: L. Bishop Photography
The event's theme was 'Vision.' The word was spelled out in an installation made with cups of popcorn. From the 'O' in vision, doughnut holes poured forth in a setup referred to as 'Orbs in the Abyss.'
The event's theme was "Vision." The word was spelled out in an installation made with cups of popcorn. From the "O" in vision, doughnut holes poured forth in a setup referred to as "Orbs in the Abyss."
Photo: L. Bishop Photography
The Trondeliers flanked the DJ booth, which also had the 'Vision' logo. The event featured two dueling DJs.
The Trondeliers flanked the DJ booth, which also had the "Vision" logo. The event featured two dueling DJs.
Photo: L. Bishop Photography
Entertainment included aerialists who glowed when a black light hit them.
Entertainment included aerialists who glowed when a black light hit them.
Photo: L. Bishop Photography
There were also performers twirling LED hula hoops.
There were also performers twirling LED hula hoops.
Photo: L. Bishop Photography
Guests played foosball at a table that glowed with LED lights.
Guests played foosball at a table that glowed with LED lights.
Photo: L. Bishop Photography
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