Groundbreaking event design excites an elite audience

Chase Center Groundbreaking

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Flawless event production celebrates the vision for a world-class arena

Arenas and stadiums are epicenters of excitement and magnets for community interest. When the Golden State Warriors were ready to break ground on the Chase Center in San Francisco, its owners wanted the celebratory event to suit the magnitude of the moment. They needed an elegant environment and engaging program that would inspire some of the biggest names in California and the NBA. Transforming a construction zone into a tented theater gave the high-profile audience a glimpse of the possibilities this multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility would bring to the Bay Area.

An energetic chorus and all-star lineup of athletes, executives and politicians kicked off the groundbreaking event with remarks. Then came the unexpected. Scooping golden shovels into a symbolic dirt patch triggered a troupe of dancers dressed in construction gear to flip the script. Their acrobatic performance wowed the crowd and warmed them up for a big reveal. Finally, the entire back panel of the tent lifted away to frame a view of the raw expanse that would soon become the state-of-the-art Chase Center complex. Guests felt like they were in the front row of the 18,000-seat stadium as a trio of excavators performed a “backhoe ballet” choreographed to music with acrobats demonstrating breathtaking feats. Dynamic dancers captivated the audience by leaping off big machines and bouncing from hidden trampolines before a close-up pyrotechnic display closed out the show with a literal bang.

Strategy

Creative Services

Event Production

Technical Production

Behind-the-scenes event management enables large-scale impact

Building hype across the community reached well beyond the stage. Behind-the-scenes production involved simultaneously delivering digital guest experiences through VR headsets and live streaming, plus coordinating efforts with multiple media outlets. This required seamlessly executing technical production while creating infrastructure to accommodate every event component and connect across audiences.

Designing an immersive event in an unconventional setting—especially extending the performance environment into the construction space—involved creativity and attention to detail. We also brought in appealing food and beverage services that added fizz to the celebration. Guests and press needed level flooring to navigate the outdoor space safely. Access to electricity, restrooms and Wi-Fi was just as essential as a perfectly timed run-of-show. The full effect communicated the Chase Center’s aspirations to become a destination for arts and entertainment as well as adrenaline-fueled athleticism. National media coverage highlighted all the ways the groundbreaking event dazzled the audience, delivering a “slam dunk” experience.

construction cranes in choreography

high-flying acrobatic dancers

23,700

square feet of tented event space