MEN IN BLACK, TOO

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Production of
the Opening and Closing Sessions of the
Event Solutions Expo 2003

A. Introduction - The Challenge

John Baragona is the kind of guy who likes to out-do himself. It's about growth.

This year's Event Solutions Expo was also about practical demonstrations, ways of putting valuable information in the hands of attendees - and with plenty of "WOW Factor" for good measure.

The setting for this year's Opening and Closing General Sessions was the main ballroom at the San Diego Convention Center, and two hour-long shows, complete with keynote speakers and audiences of approximately 300-500 special event professionals, meeting planners and corporate professionals from around Southern California, the US and even foreign countries like Colombia, Mexico and Ecuador.

The end result of this one-time collaboration of more than 20 separate production companies and entertainers was the richest and most impressive General Session ever produced in the state of California. If a corporate client had been charged for all the entertainers, staging, content and so forth, the bill would have easily exceeded $60,000 for the two shows.

The eye candy of virtual characters, widescreen projection, digital scenery, a water screen, a magician, lasers, streamers, fireworks and high resolution video graphics all combined to have extraordinary impact on the willing audiences. The excellent entertainment in the form of musicians, characters, illusions, and dancers kept the pace steady and interesting.

The most amazing thing that happened was that it all came together in just a few weeks, and the vast majority of the project was donated by companies who saw an opportunity to showcase their best work.

The purpose of this report and the following webcast is to make inside information available to anyone interested in learning more about what was done, who did it and the challenges that were presented.

And it was definitely my pleasure to produce this work, as well as to work side-by-side with such a great group of professionals. I heartily recommend each and every one of them if you are looking for special event services.

Thanks to John Baragona and all the team.

Gary Jesch, Head Performer, CHOPS & Assoc. Live Animation

Photos by Bryce Witcher, Director of Marketing & Production, Event Solutions
and Carolyn Baragona

Additional video by John Jaworksi and Gary Jesch.