The holiday season is a time for celebration, especially for companies eager to highlight their annual accomplishments and express gratitude to their employees. Holiday parties offer a yearly chance for this, and many strive to organize events that create unforgettable memories for all. AV Chicago helped CTC Destination Management (CTC) create vibrant, festive spaces for two parties by using lighting to transform the venues.
Let’s take a closer look…….
The Peninsula Chicago
When CTC received feedback about emphasizing lighting for a yearly holiday party at The Peninsula Chicago, AV Chicago was their first call.
The evening’s main activities were held in a ballroom divided into two sections: one for dinner and the other for the after-party. Two smaller rooms designated for desserts or cocktails also required outfitting; however, the primary focus remained on the main ballroom. The two smaller rooms featured similar setups, with ground-supported truss towers equipped with moving lights on top, simplifying the installation process in those spaces.
Ground-supported truss towers and pin spots were used in the dining room to create an atmosphere that complemented the floral arrangements and party theme, while truss towers and eight Astera titan tubes were used for the after-party to create a more dynamic party vibe. With light that can be applied to individual pixels or the entire tube, the titan tubes provide numerous opportunities to create a more creative and engaging experience, making them ideal for crafting a dance floor or club atmosphere.
However, the after-party required additional programming, which included a board operator to adjust the lighting for each song as the party continued until 2:00 a.m., while the dinner programming could be set and didn’t need to change.
The truss towers eliminated the need to rig, saving time and money. Their minimal footprint also ensured that the placement of tables or screens was not impacted while providing good lighting coverage.
AV Chicago navigated a long day, beginning with a 7:00 a.m. load-in to ensure all rooms were set up by the time the party started later that evening. They coordinated with the Peninsula in advance to secure access to their dock for load-in, and they collaborated to conduct site surveys and confirm insurance, which saved time by addressing these tasks in advance. A split crew allowed AV Chicago to keep labor costs low while providing ample coverage from the 7:00 a.m. start through the strike after the after-party concluded at 2:30 a.m.
CF Industries | Chevy Chase Country Club
Working again with CTC, AV Chicago enhanced the Chevy Chase Country Club’s lighting to brighten up an annual holiday party they were hosting. The goal was to incorporate atmospheric lighting to enhance the different rooms throughout the venue, which were utilized for dancing, dining, and various announcements and acknowledgments during the evening.
The evening was highlighted by a jazz quartet that performed as guests arrived and later transformed into a lively party band as the night progressed, keeping partygoers dancing all night long. A few moving lights, Martin MAC Aura XBs, complemented the band, and Martin MAC Axiom moving light fixtures added texture and interest to the room, including the dance floor.
The AV Chicago team included eight technicians, including two lighting engineers. They adjusted their lighting schemes to complement the low ceilings of the dance floor area. Lower ceilings sometimes limit what can be projected on them, but the AV Chicago team creatively found solutions to work around that.
In the lobby, ETC Halcyon Titanium lighting fixtures with custom gobos created a moving snowflake pattern on the ceiling, transforming it into a winter wonderland as guests arrived at the party. The team introduced café lighting and additional atmospheric lighting to illuminate a unique photo-op area featuring real-life reindeer on the outdoor patio. Elation Volt Q5 uplights were also added to various spaces to enhance the atmosphere and interest, with the ETC Full Boar 4 lighting console controlling the entire network.
AV Chicago held meetings before the party to discuss the snowflake concept and design, ensuring alignment with the client’s vision. This also allowed time for customizing and installing the design into the lighting fixtures.
Interested in having us help with your next event? Contact us!