Red Hat Summit Conference
Case Study
Industry: Corporate
Location: Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
Audience Size: 3800 Conference Attendees
Scope: Full Technical Design + Execution
Client: Red Hat
- Technical Direction
- CAD Drawings/Floor Plans
- Show Direction/Stage Management
- Audio, Lighting and Video Equipment
- Engineering
- Stage Design and Execution
- Content Coordination
Capabilities
THE CHALLENGE
How do you avoid telling the same story twice? The challenge and privilege of partnering with a client that hosts annual events is designing each year’s iteration with a story of its own. Collaborating on Red Hat’s annual conference provides a yearly opportunity for us to improve upon the ideas and technology we’ve used in the past.
There’s no better setting for such innovations than Red Hat Summit. The corporate event offers hands-on labs, networking, and peer instruction for IT industry and tech professionals looking to connect with others in the field. It is the preeminent open-source software event of the year.
Within the ever-changing landscape of open source software, there’s always something new to attract the conference member attendee. It’s these developments that dictate the year’s theme which then guide our innovative event design.
This year’s theme, “Expand your possibilities,” left us with more than a few big shoes to fill starting with the expansive size of the Boston Convention Center. The hope was to inspire both new and long-time attendees while making full use of the vast space available to us, all while enhancing Red Hat’s conference theme.
Together, we used instinct and experience to cultivate a novel yet systemized design to represent where Red Hat was taking the industry next.
THE STORY
Expanding the possibilities became the perfect launching point for a larger-than-life audio-visual experience. The plan started by taking full advantage of such an oversized space:
- Keynote stage design included 180’ worth of LED screens
- Screens flew three stories high above the speaker which created a widescreen cinematic canvas
We created an open-source feel to the environment by removing the natural lighting and using far-reaching canopy lighting at the entrance of the event hall. The design style included nods to Red Hat’s clean, minimal aesthetic throughout, including the use of LED ribbon scenic design.
THE SYSTEM
The primary focus for this corporate event of IT and tech professionals is providing cutting edge education on what’s next for the open source community. This translated into monumental talks given on a stage that both topically and visually formed the centerpoint of the entire event.
Half a football field’s worth of LED screens comprised the starting point for the staging design. Engineers announced the latest technologies beside automated LED-surrounded demo pedestals, each activating with custom motion graphics.
These made for dynamic reveals of speakers as they autonomously slid into position from a concealed track system in the stage. Use of the track system made a powerful statement for the most crucial moments of the event.
When a client’s goal is to make a significant impact, our approach is to put their story at the forefront of the event through use of cutting-edge AV technology. Working in tandem, the tech, design, education, news, and interpersonal connection brought Red Hat’s primary message to new heights.
THE RESULTS
This marked our 8th year producing Red Hat Summit delivering:
- Six Keynotes
- 60+ Breakout Sessions
- Trade Show Floor for 3,800 Attendees
Fortunately, even after so many years, Red Hat’s yearly conference theme always provides us with endless inspiration. We were ecstatic to collaborate with Red Hat once more witnessing those in attendance enhance their skills while building connections in the open source community.
When our own efforts match the enthusiasm of the experts on stage, it creates a kind of magic inside the room. It’s within that magic where we “expanded the possibilities” at Red Hat’s show-stopping annual corporate event.
We have gotten nothing but praise, praise, and praise for the entire event, and I know you guys impressed the hell out of them.
Thanks for your tireless efforts, professionalism, and the care you take
Colleen Downs, Senior Producer, J Ben Bourgeois Productions Inc.
with us and our client to make sure all is seamless.
Unique abilities, superb attitudes, and professionalism
Steven Smith, White House Communications Agency
enabled our agency to provide critical communications for the President of the United States.
As usual, you solved the problem (someone else’s problem at that!) and the client never knew…
The BI team never ceases to amaze me
Tom Bercu, Principle, Tom Bercu Presents
and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that!
I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for your can-do work ethic this past weekend,
you all were fantastic and the team effort was amazing.
Paul A. Marks, Sr. Producer, J. Ben Bourgeois Productions, Inc.
As you know this is not a one-person event, it takes the hands of many to make it all happen, you all were a HUGE part of that team. Again, THANK YOU!”
Your AV team played a crucial role in Last night’s event success.
From setup to execution, everything ran smoothly and seamlessly.
arolina Quijano, Director, Global Events, Oceana
The sound, visuals, and overall technical setup were of top quality, and we received many compliments from attendees on the production value. We truly appreciate your dedication, attention to detail, and willingness to accommodate our wild ideas! It is always a pleasure working with you, and we look forward to doing it again next year!”
You never cease to amaze me!!!
I wanted to send a heartfelt thank you for a truly incredible event. You made it truly remarkable.
Tom Bercu, Owner & Creative Director, Tom Bercu Presents:
The feedback from all of the guests and from the client have been incredible. People were truly blown away and we so LOVE working with you. Your flexibility, can-do attitude, patience and guidance are so appreciated. You are always five steps ahead of the game and I couldn’t imagine doing this project without you! We look forward to working with you again soon.”
From planning to execution, your team treated my event like it was the only one that mattered.
Jessica Rowland, Director of Alumni Engagement and Programs, California State University, Fullerton
Their level of customer service and attention to detail is one of a kind. They really knocked it out of the park!
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with everyone at Brite Ideas. We appreciate our partnership and look forward to many more years working together.
Our Vision & Visionaries event was once again a success, and it was because of your amazing team!
