BizBash
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
Topics
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • Industry Buzz
  • BizBash Lists
Resources
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
User Tools
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Get Featured
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Subscribe to Magazine
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
  1. Venues & Destinations
  2. United States
  3. Philadelphia

Transforming Your Event With One Focal Installation

Rebecca Pappas
October 27, 2015

The most recent World Meeting of Families marked the first time the event was held in the United States. The meeting, which has occurred every three years since 1994, is the largest global gathering of Christian families. Hargrove Inc., creator of world-class experiential events, trade shows, and exhibits, was tasked with preparing the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia for the international religious meeting’s U.S. debut, which was held September 22-27.

In addition to the unique entrance treatments, registration units, media center, and signage and services for show management, Hargrove created a massive stained glass window that helped transform the convention center setting into a serene place of worship. Two major factors were taken into consideration when designing and installing this feature: location and materials.

Location

When investing in a substantial focal installation, be sure it is placed where it will have a lasting impression. What areas of the event will have the highest levels of traffic? Should attendees have the ability to touch the installation? 

Hargrove strategically installed the stained glass window above one of the main convention center entrances on Broad Street, which created a massive impact from the moment World Meeting of Families attendees saw it. The colorful installation spanned three stories and was visible from both outside and inside the convention center. This stained glass backdrop truly gave the two halls that had been transformed into a 12,000-seat church an authentic cathedral feel.

Materials

While it appeared to be a true stained glass feature, the installation was accomplished using window clings, which saved time and money and was safer to use compared to glass. The completed window feature measured 19.5 feet wide and 72.5 feet tall and included 25 clings of various sizes and designs.

The Hargrove team spent hours agreeing on which colors and cling styles would look best once installed. This included choosing whether to use clings with tiny sparkles or a solid color and deciding which created the most realistic visual of a cathedral-style stained glass. Even the tiniest details can have the largest impact on an installation feature.

It is important to have an overall ambiance in mind when planning an event. Attendees and guests should feel engaged from the moment they step inside the venue and incorporating a statement piece can help transform the space.

Hargrove transformed the modern Pennsylvania Convention Center to a cathedral-like building with the help of its massive stained glass window installation.
Hargrove transformed the modern Pennsylvania Convention Center to a cathedral-like building with the help of its massive stained glass window installation.
Photo: Scott Spitzer Photography
Latest in Philadelphia
New Liberty Distillery
Philadelphia
8 New Venues in Philadelphia for Spring 2023 Meetings and Events
Lilah
Philadelphia
6 New Venues in Philadelphia for Fall 2022 Meetings and Events
Pera Turkish Cuisine
Philadelphia
10 New Venues in Philadelphia for Summer 2022 Meetings and Events
Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti
Philadelphia
10 New Venues in Philadelphia for Spring 2022 Meetings and Events
Related Stories
Best Day of Your Life
Philadelphia
10 Best Ideas of the Week: an Octopus Chandelier, Multi-Rotor Drones, an Edible Salad Mural
Proving that a vegan restaurant needn't be decked in earth tones, Charlie Was a Sinner is a bar first, vegan establishment second. The dark and alluring cocktail bar and lounge is evocative of the decadent headquarters of an imaginary secret society. The rich decor is finished with deep blues, dark wood paneling, reclaimed flooring, antique chandeliers, a brass bar top, and tufted velvet upholstery.
Philadelphia
4 Ideas for Fall Entertaining in Philadelphia
Acrobats from Australian group Strange Fruit showcased their talents outside of the tent, performing atop 15-foot poles.
Philadelphia
How the Arts Helped Make This Food Festival a Success
1. The Rittenhouse
Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA VENUES
More in Philadelphia
Philadelphia
8 New Venues in Philadelphia for Spring 2023 Meetings and Events
Take an inside look at these trending restaurants, resorts, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Philadelphia.
New Liberty Distillery
Philadelphia
6 New Venues in Philadelphia for Fall 2022 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzz-worthy restaurants, hotels, meetings and event spaces, and more recently opened in Philadelphia.
Lilah
Philadelphia
10 New Venues in Philadelphia for Summer 2022 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzz-worthy restaurants, hotels, meetings and event spaces, and more recently opened in Philadelphia.
Pera Turkish Cuisine
Philadelphia
10 New Venues in Philadelphia for Spring 2022 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzz-worthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces and more recently opened in Philadelphia.
Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti
Philadelphia
10 New Venues in Philadelphia for Fall 2021 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzz-worthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces and more recently opened in Philadelphia.
Sonnys Cocktail Joint
Philadelphia
10 New Venues in Philadelphia for Summer 2021 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzz-worthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Philadelphia.
Delta Hotel Philadelphia Airport
Most Popular
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Cannes Lions 2025: 90+ Bold Builds and Big Ideas From the French Festival of Creativity
Brands & Event Pros
Industry Innovators 2025: Sephora
Brands & Event Pros
Industry Innovators 2025: 10 Brands That Took Experiential Marketing to a Whole New Level
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
50 Cool Event Ideas You May Have Missed From Liquid I.V., Martha Stewart, Foot Locker, and More
Innovators
Industry Innovators 2025: Netflix
Brands & Event Pros
Industry Innovators 2025: Chase
Philadelphia
5 New Venues in Philadelphia for Spring 2021 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzz-worthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces and more that recently opened in Philadelphia.
The Olde Bar
Philadelphia
5 New Venues in Philadelphia for Fall 2020 Meetings and Events
Philadelphia's newly opened spaces for hosting meetings and events this fall.
Juno
Philadelphia
10 New Venues in Philadelphia for Spring 2020 Meetings and Events
Here's Philadelphia's newly opened restaurants, hotels, conference centers, and more for hosting meetings and events this spring.
Wine Dive
Venues
10 New Philadelphia Venues for 2019 Fall Meetings and Events
The restaurants, hotels, conference centers, outdoor spaces, and more in Philadelphia suited for meetings and events this fall.
Four Seasons Philadelphia
Philadelphia
10 New Philadelphia Venues for 2019 Summer Entertaining and Events
The restaurants, hotels, conference centers, outdoor spaces, and more in Philadelphia suited for meetings and events this summer.
Blume
Philadelphia
Today In Events: MTV to Launch First Reality Show Convention, ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ Will Have Live Powerball Drawing, Philadelphia to Host 2026 M.L.B. All-Star Game
Page 1 of 10
Next Page
BizBash
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  1. Privacy Policy
  2. CCPA: Do Not Sell My Personal Info
  3. Contact Us
  4. Site Map
© 2025 Connect Biz, LLC. All rights reserved.