Custom Experiences
Cracker Barrel | ADP | Synnex | Kroger | Porsche | HD Supply | Mississippi State | Choice Hotels | Autodesk
EVENT: Global Sales Conference
AUDIENCE: 4,500 LOCATION: Orlando, FL
DATE: April 2024
THE ASK: "Something fun" to open their global sales conference.
THE CHALLENGE: Creating something that would truly resonate with Cracker Barrel's brand identity and store experience while maximizing the available production elements.
THE SOLUTION: Created an experiential show where the video screen became a 3-D rendering of their actual storefront. Every element was programmed to sync with the performance - the lights, windows, LED signage, and even actual Cracker Barrels were lit up instead of using standard LED drums.
THE EXECUTION: We opened the show off stage, on a mini-store front, located in the side of the venue, wearing CB aprons with our names on them. Playing along to a custom track of recorded kitchen sounds in rhythm, we played the items you know from the walls in stores as we walked to the stage. In a programmed moment, the stage went dark, the barrels lit up, and we started drumming along with a custom sound track. Halfway through, the 3-D storefront started moving too - the sign, the windows, even the porch lights.
THE RESULT: 4,500 team members experienced their brand come to life in a way they'd never seen before - an immersive celebration of the Cracker Barrel experience that connected their corporate identity directly to the energy and excitement of their sales mission.
Cracker Barrel
ADP
EVENT: Pro Summit AUDIENCE: 4,800 attendees LOCATION: Resorts World, Las Vegas DATE: March 2025
THE ASK: Use technology to show attendees how AI can make work better and easier through a high-tech performance.
THE CHALLENGE: Using AI in a live setting is not reliable or fast enough yet for seamless performance execution.
THE SOLUTION: Created a three-section performance: the first two sections provided musical input to "teach" the AI various songs, artists, and instruments, while the third section featured AI output combining all the input elements into a unified musical experience.
THE EXECUTION: A jaw-dropping integration of all LED screens, lights, and drums. Custom set carts were built to immediately remove instruments, allowing the emcee to seamlessly introduce the conference without delay.
THE RESULT: Demonstrated the tagline "Humans create amazing things, but with AI they can create the unimaginable" through live performance, showing 4,800 ADP employees the practical magic of human-AI collaboration.
Synnex
EVENT: INSPIRE Conference (Company Merger Celebration) AUDIENCE: 3,500 attendees LOCATION: Greenville, SC DATE: October 2022
THE ASK: Create an opening experience that would celebrate both the merger of two strong companies (TD and Synnex) and the emotional return to in-person events after 2.5 years of isolation.
THE CHALLENGE: Telling a complex dual story - honoring two separate company legacies while celebrating unity, plus capturing the profound emotion of being face-to-face again after the pandemic separation.
THE SOLUTION: Developed a custom narrative arc using a reimagined version of "Burn" by Ellie Goulding. Created a performance that started with isolation (text and eight prerecorded musicians on screen) and culminated in live unity (10 LED drums, LED Les Paul guitar, and LED bass guitar on stage) - mirroring their journey from separated to synchronized.
THE EXECUTION: The story unfolded on massive LED screens, beginning with text reflecting pandemic isolation, then introducing the prerecorded musicians. At the pivotal ‘face to face’ moment in the script, the stage exploded with light as live performers joined the screen musicians in perfect synchronization, creating a seamless blend of virtual and live elements that embodied their ‘power of us’ message.
THE RESULT: 3,500 employees experienced their company's transformation story through live entertainment - from isolation to inspiration, from two separate voices to one unified vision, perfectly timed for their first major in-person gathering in over two years.
Porsche
EVENT: Experience Excellence Holiday Event AUDIENCE: 1,500 LOCATION: Atlanta, GA DATE: December 2018
THE ASK: Create a "trap Nutcracker" performance alongside indoor ice skaters, ballerinas, nutcrackers, and live reindeer under the theme "Experience Excellence."
THE CHALLENGE: Organizing and rehearsing group that have never worked together before, with custom audio, and building a performance that transitioned seamlessly.
THE SOLUTION: Developed a custom audio track with distinct sections for each performer, blending traditional Nutcracker elements with modern trap beats that complemented the other acts’ specialties.
THE EXECUTION: Pre-coordinated by emailing audio sections and counts to each group for individual rehearsal, followed by morning rehearsal to synchronize all elements. Successfully combined various performers by showcasing what each group does best.
THE RESULT: Standing ovation and compliments all around - proving luxury brand standards and creative collaboration could create something memorable that honored both traditional holiday elegance and modern innovation.
HD Supply
EVENT: Elevate Convention AUDIENCE: 2,500 people LOCATION: Nashville, TN DATE: September, 2024
THE ASK: Create an interactive drumming show using custom scaffolding built to spell out "ELEVATE" with multiple performances throughout the evening.
THE CHALLENGE: Designing a performance concept that could be repeated multiple times during the event while maintaining surprise and engagement, integrated with ongoing DJ entertainment.
THE SOLUTION: Created a narrative where drummers dressed as janitors would gradually appear throughout the space, starting by sweeping in time to the DJ's music before making their way to the ELEVATE scaffolding to begin drumming.
THE EXECUTION: Four separate performances throughout the evening where drummers emerged one by one, sweeping rhythmically to the beat of the DJ music, then converging at the scaffolding letters to create an impromptu jam session with the DJ , who was also a drummer.
THE RESULT: Great response across all four performances, successfully maintaining audience engagement throughout the evening with a concept that felt spontaneous while being carefully choreographed.
EVENT: Maroon Madness (Basketball Season Launch) AUDIENCE: 5, 575 LOCATION: Mississippi State, MS DATE: October 2019
THE ASK: Create three different high-energy performances that could hype a basketball arena for the launch of their basketball season.
THE CHALLENGE: Coordinating with existing university groups (MSU drumline and dance team) while ensuring all performances authentically represented the university's brand and traditions.
THE SOLUTION: Delivered LED drum performances with custom hype music and school-themed visuals, street percussion performances, and a finale combining all elements with the MSU drumline and dance team. Created a custom remix of "Walk This Way" featuring each group individually and together.
THE EXECUTION: Extensive coordination through discussions with the drumline captain, dance team captain, and university officials to ensure authentic representation. Three escalating performances culminating in the combined finale that showcased each group's strengths.
THE RESULT: Standing ovation from an energized arena full of basketball fans ready to cheer on their teams for the season - successfully launching the basketball season with maximum crowd energy and school spirit. A separate performance was also featured on SEC Nation on ESPN.
Mississippi State University
Choice Hotels
EVENT: Owners Council - Revolution: Faster, Stronger, Smarter AUDIENCE: 5,000 attendees LOCATION: Las Vegas, NV DATE: June 2016
THE ASK: Create an opener aligned with the "Revolution - Faster, Stronger, Smarter" theme, incorporating an Orwell's 1984-inspired concept about breaking conformity.
THE CHALLENGE: Translating a dystopian literary theme into motivating, high-energy entertainment that would energize 5,000 hotel owners while staying true to the revolutionary message.
THE SOLUTION: The producer created a video intro about conformity that would be dramatically interrupted by a female drummer running down the aisle to smash the screen, launching into a power drumming performance using hotel-themed instruments (hotel bells, ironing boards, barrels).
THE EXECUTION: Video intro set the conformity tone until the dramatic screen-smashing moment transitioned into high-energy drumming, followed by cheeky audience interaction and one drummer serving as emcee for role calls throughout the performance.
THE RESULT: Left the attendees anxiously awaiting the rest of the conference - successfully capturing the revolutionary energy and building anticipation that carried forward into their business sessions.
Kroger
EVENT: National Store Managers Convention AUDIENCE: 8,500 people LOCATION: Louisville, KY DATE: October 2012
THE ASK: Create a performance in the round using store-related items to open their national store managers convention.
THE CHALLENGE: Designing a 360-degree performance that would authentically incorporate Kroger's brand elements while engaging an arena-sized audience of store managers from multiple angles.
THE SOLUTION: After planning meetings, partnered with a local Kroger rep to walk through actual stores, gathering costumes, shopping carts, signage, and other branded items to create an authentic retail-themed performance.
THE EXECUTION: Built a custom set on wheels that could be spun to close the show, performing in the round to ensure all 8,500 store managers had full visibility regardless of seating. Used actual Kroger store elements to create a performance that celebrated their retail environment.
THE RESULT: Standing ovation from all sides of the arena and successfully incorporated Kroger-branded items in the show - connecting 8,500 store managers to their brand through unique entertainment.
Autodesk
EVENT: Go Beyond Conference AUDIENCE: 3,500 people LOCATION: Nashville, TN DATE: March 2023
THE ASK: Create an interactive performance starting from the back of the room, winding through the aisles ending on stage. High energy and engaging with twelve drummers, male and female.
THE CHALLENGE: Creating a performance that could work across a massive ballroom space while maintaining synchronization and epic impact for 3,500 attendees spread throughout the venue.
THE SOLUTION: Developed a hybrid approach combining live and pre-recorded elements, using pre-recorded drums to supplement live performance for both timing consistency across the large space and enhanced epic impact. Created flexible timing sections that could be stretched or cut based on entrance logistics.
THE EXECUTION: Designed the opening forty-five seconds to be adaptable, allowing for the full minute needed to travel from the back of the ballroom to the front stage. Strategic use of live solo sections and full live performance moments while maintaining pre-recorded foundation for consistency across 12 drummers.
THE RESULT: Large standing ovation, successfully setting up the CEO to come on stage and welcome everyone to the convention - creating the perfect high-energy transition from entertainment to business content.