Backstage
Temptation and Beyond
Published in May 2008 Departments
Special event design and production firm The Meetinghouse Companies Inc. produced “Chocolate Decadence” at the 2008 Event Solutions Fabulous Showcase in Las Vegas, the signature event of the Event Solutions Idea Factory and catersource Conference & Tradeshow.
Inspired by the theme of the showcase, “Temptation,” Meetinghouse’s Margarita Heinzel and David Halsey, in collaboration with Pauline Parry and Dan Smith of event design and production company Good Gracious! Events, created the perfect environment for chocolate lovers.
Guests entered the exotic room, inspired by the Aztec origins of chocolate, through a dramatic tunnel, lush with foliage. An environment of patterned light, intimate lounges and buffets of chocolate delights greeted them. The focal point within Chocolate Decadence was a pyramid, 24 feet tall with 32-foot-long sides.
Modeled after ancient Aztec structures, the pyramid served as both décor and the stage for an array of performers, themed to the event. Talent and event management company Key Artist Group custom re-created its Lady of the Lake to fit the Aztec theme. Musical performances throughout the evening supported the Mesoamerican concept.
1 One of many, this chocolate station was pinspotted and backed up by projections of the Aztec calendar provided by Intelligent Lighting Creations (ILC).
2 The glowing bar, illuminated from within by color-changing LED lights, was powered by battery packs to avoid cords on the walking space. Meetinghouse designed and fabricated the bar using Lucite and aluminum trim.
3 Three 53-foot-long semis brought in décor, 95 lighting fixtures and 400 feet of black truss. Meetinghouse collaborated with ILC to configure the truss at unusual angles. These angles accommodated hang points and mirrored the Aztec patterns throughout the space, thus making the truss integral to the décor.
4 The pyramid’s tower had four Martin LC panels showing LED video of an Aztec character symbol and flames. The pyramid itself was constructed of approximately 80 4-foot by 8-foot stage decks. Custom skirting panels created by Meetinghouse were texture-painted to enhance the lighting.
5 Continuous entertainment was positioned on different sides of the pyramid. Once guests entered the space, they experienced a unique design feature or performance at every turn.