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lighting

Cattle Baron’s Ball 2022 – A Rousing Success

November 1, 2022

The 2022 Cattle Baron’s Ball has been another rousing achievement, raising millions for cancer research. But a winning ball is not only the result of its VIP guest list or high-profile sponsors. Nor is success guaranteed with revered performers, luxury raffles, or silent auctions. Although these are critical components, successful fundraising events need something more.
Large live events, especially non-profit fundraisers like the Cattle Baron’s Ball, are complex machines with many moving parts that must work together to ensure success. Numerous vendors need to be coordinated, and the schedule of events needs to cross-reference with the venue’s capabilities and limitations. Event production has to find a way to adapt and overcome challenges so the event can go on. 
That’s why an event’s production needs to be entrusted to a capable and well-experienced team. Our family-run, full-service event production house has been the go-to Cattle-Baron’s Ball event partner for over 40 years… And our seasoned team of industry experts ensure the annual event goes without a hitch every year.

A Brief History of the Cattle Baron’s Ball

The first Cattle Baron’s Ball was in 1974, some 48 years ago. It was a western-style Texas BBQ event that attracted over 500 guests. The aim was to raise funds for cancer research through the community-based American Cancer Society. The inaugural event raised $56,000 for research via ticket sales and an auction. Today, the Ball hosts more than 3,000 guests and raises millions of dollars each year.

AV Production Partner Throughout the Years

Onstage Systems has been a passionate partner of the Cattle Baron’s Ball for many decades. We support them with stage design, indoor and outdoor lighting, audio systems, and additional event production. It’s our mission to enhance the evening’s performances and make the Ball an unforgettable experience for every guest.
The 2022 event was the 49th ball, located at Southfork Ranch in Parker, Texas. Our team proudly supports spectacular performances by headlining talent on every occasion. This year’s live music performances were provided by Chris Young and Old Dominion.

Why Fundraising Events Partner with Onstage Systems

Onstage Systems has been providing event production services since 1978. We are a full-service audio-visual partner with a family-oriented culture. We treat all who work with us as extended family, which is reflected in our work. Our true grit, work ethic, and professionalism are unrivaled in the industry.
Being a full-service event production company means we take care of various needs for the annual Cattle Baron’s Ball. This year, more than 100 techs and assistants were involved in the setup, production, and event teardown.
Here’s a summary of Onstage Systems’ audiovisual services:
Audio
Video
Lighting
Wide range of innovative and superior audio technologies. These sound solutions guarantee to engage and enrich the guest experience. We own and maintain our own equipment, which guarantees not only the best tech in the industry, but also the best equipment to go with it.
Event production video shows stage actions on giant screens at events, broadcast to television, or streamed live on the internet. Multi-screen and complex corporate events need technology to produce results that the high. end client demands. 
Tailored lighting solutions that give events a wow factor. Designs that ignite awe, and precision-oriented results that make the client and the attendee see what is meant to be highlighted. Perfected lighting strikes the ideal balance for optimal performance and joyous audience experiences. 
AV Installations
Event Production
Stage Design
Custom, unique audiovisual installations are built to exact needs, specifications, and budgets.
 
Comprehensive event support from start to end. Includes full planning logistics, technical aspects, and additional services on request. Event production takes ideas from concept to seamless execution.
Unique, creative stage designs that serve the intent and aesthetics of a live event. They harmonize different elements and overall layout, thus fixating the eyes and ears of a captive audience.
Special Effects
Equipment Rentals
Staging & Rooftops
Special effects used to add excitement and elevate drama. Illusions, sounds, and visual tricks engage guests, leaving audiences with truly memorable experiences.
Top-of-the-line AV equipment rentals that add technical perfection to any event type. Think backline rentals, speaker systems, audio consoles, microphones, barricades, ramps and more.
Widest choice of mobile, custom staging in the Southwest. Along with rooftops, crowd control barriers, and more, vital to transforming any landscape into highly coveted venues.

Safe Event Solutions for Our Clients

No indoor or outdoor challenge is too great for the committed teams at Onstage Systems. Moreover, we hold certifications for Event Safety Alliance® Member and ESAT Core Safety Training. Our healthy obsession with rigorous safety means we always use approved, safety-compliant PPE, tools, and equipment.

Flexible Event Production Solutions

No two Cattle Baron’s Balls are the same, but every event is a memorable success. Whatever the demands, Onstage Systems rises to all challenges. In addition, we can seamlessly add live streaming support to your in-person live event on request. With over 40 years in the business, Onstage Systems guarantees a smooth-running, stress-free function at every event.

Exhilarating Experiences, Everlasting Impressions

Let us handle the details. And you can take credit for an exhilarating experience that leaves everlasting impressions. Discover how our creative, comprehensive event production can help your next live, virtual, or hybrid event succeed.
View Onstage Systems’ Work Here

Category: Featured Work, Special Events Production

The State Fair of Texas, Illumination Sensation

November 9, 2021

State-Fair-of-Texas-Illumination-Sensation-Onstage-Systems
Photo Courtesy of the State Fair of Texas

Onstage Systems returned to work at The State Fair of Texas this year after last year’s Fair was canceled due to COVID-19. The State Fair has been running annually since 1886, and 2020 marks one of the few years the Fair has been canceled in its 135-year run.

Hosted in Dallas, TX, Onstage Systems’ hometown at the historic Fair Park, the State Fair of Texas is an annual celebration of the Lone Star State. The State Fair promotes Texas agriculture, education, and community involvement with quality entertainment and family-friendly fun. It is one of the largest in the United States, with more than two million visitors each year welcomed by its iconic mascot, the world’s tallest cowboy, the 55-foot Big Tex.

Onstage Systems has worked with their client, Interlaced Productions and the State Fair of Texas since the ‘90s on the Illumination Sensation show. Originally held inside the Cotton Bowl, the show has since transitioned to the Fair’s water gardens.

The nighttime event is a dazzle of music and live performance complemented with light and video shimmering through the water gardens and illuminating the National Landmark Fair Park complex with washes of vivid color against the night sky. A sight to behold, the Illumination Sensation combines high-energy pop music, fireworks, dancers, acrobats, and lights with synchronized pyrotechnics to create a delightful spectacle.

Onstage Systems provides the audio, lighting, and video projection for the show, with this year’s run being sponsored by Mattress Firm. The show was created by Onstage Systems’ long-time event partner, Interlaced Productions. Onstage Systems and Interlaced Productions have been working together for over 30 years to bring this performance to Dallasites and visitors all over the country.

This year’s Illumination Sensation had a few extra challenges for the team. First were the added safety parameters due to COVID-19. With the live event industry rebounding this summer and Onstage Systems having two certified COVID-19 Compliance Officers on staff, the extra precautions are now second nature for all Onstage Systems events. Also, due to COVID-19 and the canceled 2020 State Fair of Texas, event budgets were a little tighter for the 2021 State Fair of Texas. However, Onstage Systems and Interlaced Productions came together to create a brilliant light experience for the millions of fairgoers.

Shows happen each night of the State Fair of Texas’s 24-day annual run. The Illumination Sensation is a must-see for anyone attending future State Fairs. Just be sure to arrive early to beat the crowd and pick out a great spot to see the show!

See More Featured Work

Category: Featured Work, Special Events Production

How to Turn Your Next Event Into A Successful Hybrid Event

September 10, 2021

Hybrid events aren’t going anywhere. The addition of virtual experience components to in-person events looks to be the continued future for the events industry. According to a survey from EventMB, 67% of respondents agree: hybrid is the roadmap for events going forward. In fact, 71% of the respondents said they will continue to employ a digital strategy after COVID concerns pass. So, consider how you are going to evolve your future events by adding a hybrid component.

The critical factor is making sure you are making your event a hybrid event in the right way. For example, a hybrid event is NOT an in-person event with a live stream or video-on-demand replays of the live event. Creating a successful hybrid event means taking both your in-person and virtual audiences into account during event development and programming.

successful-hybrid-event-header

Types of Events That Can Be Made into Hybrid Events

  • Awards
  • Career Fairs
  • Commencements
  • Conferences
  • Educational Courses, Training, & Workshops
  • Expos
  • Fundraisers
  • Galas
  • Networking
  • Seminars
  • Summits
  • Tradeshows
  • Panels
  • Parties & Weddings
  • Product Announcements, Launches, & Demos
  • Internal events
  • Kickoffs
  • Large Meetings
  • Townhalls

A virtual component can enhance nearly any in-person event to turn it into a successful hybrid event.

The Benefits of Hybrid Events

The biggest pushback about adding a virtual component to a traditionally in-person event is that it will split the event’s attendees, and fewer people will show up in person. But, what we have found over the years is that virtual events don’t split your event’s audience. Instead, turning your in-person event into a hybrid event through a virtual component increases your audience size. The majority of remote attendees to a hybrid event would not participate if the event were offered as an in-person-only experience. When event admission, travel expenses, or simply taking the time away from the office prevents in-person attendance, a virtual experience opens your event to a broader audience.

Hybrid Event Scalability

Another essential benefit of hybrid events is scalability. Many of the growing pains associated with growing an in-person-only event are bypassed by turning your event into a successful hybrid event. Scaling the virtual component of a hybrid event for hundreds or thousands of more attendees is significantly easier and more cost-efficient than organizing the same growth for an in-person-only event.

Improved Analytics

Getting accurate numbers and metrics for an in-person is a difficult and often costly affair. Digital platforms and spaces are built with analytics in mind from day one. Event producers have a much easier and accurate measure of a hybrid event’s digital consumption. Instead of counting people coming in the door of an exhibit hall, many digital platforms can tell you how many people participated, in some cases down to the minute. It is much easier to determine what parts of your event were hot and which were not. These improved analytics make it much easier to plan your next event and rely less on guesswork and gut feeling.

Improved Flexibility

Hybrid events give you increased agility to pivot your event to changing circumstances. Travel restrictions, natural disasters, inclement weather, and shutdowns can wreak havoc on an in-person event. Often these upsetting circumstances can force an event to be postponed or outright canceled. Adding a digital component to your event to create a hybrid event provides you the flexibility, if needed, to move would-be in-person attendees to the virtual programming you already have in place as part of your event with much less work.

What Makes a Hybrid Event a Success?

The primary factor that leads to whether a hybrid event is a success or not is if it is engaging for your audience, especially digital audiences. What can your event do to make it a more fulfilling experience for your virtual audience than watching a live or recorded video stream of the event? Unique elements like behind-the-scenes and virtual attendee exclusive content are an excellent place to start. Can you offer breakout rooms, live chat, polling, or Q&A sessions for your virtual attendees to enhance their experience? Think of how you can turn your virtual attendees from a passive audience into an active audience.

Design Your Event Programming for Hybrid Audiences

One of the best ways to ensure your hybrid event is a success is by designing your event for attendance for in-person and remote audiences. It’s crucial your virtual attendees don’t feel like second-class attendees who are can only access parts of your event. Virtual audiences understand they will not have the same event floor experience as someone attending the event in person. But, think of how you can make their event experience as close to the in-person experience as possible.

Alternatively, you can design your event from the group up as two different experiences. For in-person attendees, you may want to focus on the networking element, meet and greets, booths, and mixers. Those experiences all play to the strengths of the in-person attendee. Meanwhile, remote attendees can focus on speakers, panels, and digital-first workshops. Because nothing stops an in-person attendee from going to these events in person or taking a break from the event floor to participate in a virtual session from their hotel room, consider what exclusive content you can create that caters to the strengths of each audience.

Produce Your Event Like a TV Program

Think of your event as a television show filmed in front of a live audience. Try creating smaller, in-person audience experiences and focus your event budget on increasing the production quality of your video, audio, lighting, and effects for remote audiences. Enhancing production quality in this way will make your hybrid event a better experience for both virtual and in-person attendees.

With this in mind, it’s critical to choose a venue for your hybrid event that has the AV technology, support, and internet quality to support your hybrid event. Experienced, full-service event production companies like Onstage Systems can help you choose a venue and work around any limitations.

Keep Your Programming Fresh

As previously stated, engagement is the number one factor for hybrid event success and success for any event type. Look for opportunities to mix up your programming, keep it fresh, and avoid the bog-standard corporate keynote, breakout, and repeat tendency. New, engaging content is essential when you’re dealing with virtual audiences. Their email, social media, and the rest of the internet are just a click away.

Digital attention spans are shorter than those of in-person attendees. Keep your programming focused and be concise. Keeping your content shorter and liberally structured with small breaks can help keep your audience fresh and engaged for a longer period of time.

Hybrid Event Pitfalls to Avoid

Creating a hybrid component for your event can lead you into some unexpected pitfalls, especially if you’re new to building an event to service in-person and remote audiences. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid when planning your successful hybrid event.

Not Treating Your Audiences as Equals

It cannot be overemphasized how important it is that both your in-person audience and virtual audience feel like they’re getting a fantastic experience from your event. That means you need to go out of your way to ensure each audience has special moments of experiences that give them that sense of fulfillment. To craft a unique and memorable experience for your virtual audience, you can’t just set up a camera and mic and record what’s going on for the live audience. Include parts in your event programming that provide an experience that cannot be duplicated or better executed for other types of attendees.

Scheduling Your Event Without Thought to Timezones

It can be easy to forget that your virtual attendees may be tuning in from a different timezone. If you have a keynote speaker that starts at 8 AM EST, that’s 5 AM for your attendees on the West Coast. This problem is compounded further if you need to consider a sizable overseas audience. Assess the geographic distribution of your attendees and give priority to the most-anticipated parts of your event, scheduling them in the most convenient time slots for the majority of your virtual attendees. You might also consider some early-morning or late-night programming for your event that your faraway attendees to access according to their schedules.

Spending Your Budget in the Wrong Place

Overspending on food and beverage budgets or an oversized venue is not uncommon. Introducing a virtual component to an in-person event can allow you to spend your event budget in new and different ways. Conversely, you must avoid skimping on your A/V budget. A sizable portion of your hybrid event’s audience is dependent on good video, sound, and lighting to get the most out of the experience. People are not going to be happy with a subpar virtual event experience.

Complicated Technology and Tech Problems

Technology issues can be a death knell for the virtual component of your hybrid event. You need the resources to handle complicated technology, tech gremlins, and other logistical issues. These issues can range from picking a venue with subpar internet capabilities, a difficult-to-use virtual event platform, or an amateur event partner. That’s why it’s best to partner with a capable, full-service event production company like Onstage Systems, which has a successful history of putting on in-person, virtual, and hybrid events of all types. A great events partner can help you plan for a successful hybrid event from the start and assist you in picking the venue, software platforms, and equipment to create a successful hybrid event.

Successful Hybrid Events with Onstage Systems

A recent GBTA study found that the number of hybrid events is expected to double compared to last year. Creating your successful hybrid event means partnering with a company you can trust to help bring your event to life. Work with a professional event production company with decades of experience producing all manner of events: from helping put on concert tours across the US for some of the biggest names in music to black-tie galas, corporate conferences, virtual holiday drone shows, and more. Let Onstage Systems help make your next event into an unforgettable hybrid event.

Contact Onstage Systems

Category: Special Events Production, Concerts & Tours, Corporate Events, Music Festivals, Worship Events, Sporting Events, Trade Shows

Coyote Drive-In Theater Concert

July 1, 2020

The May concert was produced by Onstage Systems at the Coyote Drive-In Theater in Fort Worth. The event was a fun, but challenging event to produce. The Coyote Drive-In Theater concert also had the significance of being one of the first events to bring live music back to Fort Worth in the wake of the COVID-19 shutdown.

coyote drive-in theater concert audience
Photo by Andrew Sherman – Lone Sound Magazine

Featured Performers

  • Paul Cauthen
  • Vincent Neil Emerson
  • Nikki Lane
  • Remy Reilly

Drive-In Theater Concert Event Challenges

drive-in concert performers and sign
Photo by Andrew Sherman – Lone Sound Magazine

The biggest challenge was accounting for the health and safety of everyone involved. That was why the Coyote Drive-In Theater made a great venue choice for hosting a live, outdoor concert. The audience area was large and designed for attendees to be separated in parking spots. Attendees were assigned parking to every other parking spot. This helped create natural social distancing space between attendees. Onstage Systems also followed the latest health guidelines for hand sanitation and wore masks in close proximity. Coyote Drive-In Theater helped ensure social distancing with signage and limiting occupancy around the restroom and concession areas.

See more featured work from Onstage Systems

Onstage Systems fully utilized the Coyote Drive-In Theater’s space while providing the addition of the lighting, mobile staging, and full audio support appropriate to a concert of this size, to included FM transmission. This allowed attendees the option to listen to the concert over their car FM radios while enjoying the air conditioning. However, many concert attendees took the opportunity to get a little sun and fresh air, listening to a full L’acoustics concert PA system out in the open air from lawn chairs and pickup beds.

Photo by Andrew Sherman – Lone Sound Magazine

The second big challenge Onstage Systems had to overcome to make the event a success was the Coyote Drive-In Theater’s schedule. The drive-in was in full operation with nightly movie times starting after dark. The Friday show did not end until 11 PM. The Onstage team hustled in the dark to set up the stage, lighting, and all the integration for the Saturday afternoon show. And once the show was over they struck the scene in two hours and had Coyote Drive-In Theater back to normal in time for its 8:45 PM movie.

While the Coyote Drive-In Theater concert was a one-time event, Onstage Systems looks forward to doing more drive-in concert events in the future. In addition to producing live in-person events, Onstage has experience producing live streams and other virtual events.

Learn more about Onstage Systems virtual event services HERE.

Photo by Andrew Sherman – Lone Sound Magazine

Category: Featured Work, Concerts & Tours, Music Festivals

4 Ways to Enhance Your Concert Stage Design 

January 8, 2020

Your concert stage design allows you to intimately connect with your audience and showcase your creativity in all its glory. Therefore, on the day of your event, the last thing you want is to perform on a stage that wasn’t optimized for visibility. Here are 4 ways you can enhance your concert stage design and create memorable moments for your audience:

1. Consider The Audience’s Point of View

Crowd ready to view the concert from any angle
No matter how impressive your concert stage looks, if your audience can’t see you, it won’t matter how many special effects you include in the performance. Before you start designing the stage, take a closer look at the audience’s point of view.
Is your venue located on an incline or small hill that requires the audience to look up? Would it be difficult for those standing in the back of the venue to see your performance? Are you expecting a large turnout or is this a smaller event? 
Depending on your audience’s visibility, crowd size, and the design of the venue, you’ll need to adjust your stage design to ensure everyone in the crowd can see every part of your performance. 

2. Create Lasting Memories with Memorable Lighting

Stage design is enhanced with lighting
Knowing how to properly light a stage requires a mix of technical expertise and a splash of creativity. But if you want to bring your concert stage design to the next level, you’ll want to invest in memorable lighting effects that set the mood.
In addition to stage and spotlights, you can work with an event production company like Onstage Systems that has an all-encompassing inventory of LED fixtures, decor lighting, atmospheric lights, dimmers, and any other light fixture you’d need.
These upgraded lighting setups will shower your venue in colorful hues and transform the atmosphere in the room. The secret to designing an ideal lighting setup is to align your performance with your lights. Do you have a high energy, dynamic performance? Consider automated lights that change with the music. Is your performance sentimental and ethereal? Opt for mood lights that complement the music.

3. If You Can’t Build A Tall Stage, Build A Wide One

Stage design is enhanced with a wide stage
The size and scale of your stage has a lasting impact on how the audience experiences the performance. A small stage surrounded by a 360-degree audience offers an intimate feel while a massive stadium with a giant stage offers a completely different concert experience.
Your ability to imagine creative stage designs is limitless, but the technicalities of your venue may constrain how large you can design your stage.
Instead of building a towering stage with sky-high lights and special effects, opt for a wide stage that envelops your audience instead. Wide stages are perfect if your venue is indoors and constrained by the height of the building. A wider stage also allows you to creatively segment your performance into sections so different parts of the performance can take place in various sections of the stage.

4. Cover Up Wires and Cluttered Equipment

Stage design is enhanced by covering the clutter
Now that you’ve secured a venue and established a layout for your stage design, the last item on your to-do list is to cover up wires and mask any cluttered audio visual equipment. 
As you’ll quickly discover during your setup, wires, crates, and AV equipment can accumulate on the stage and distract your audience. The easiest way to hide unruly gear is to cloak your mess behind curtains, fences, or other design elements.
If for some reason you’re unable to discreetly cover your tracks, another solution is to use lighting equipment to dim your cluttered areas and spotlight the performers. This simple act of misdirection will keep the crowd focused on the show instead of the clutter.

Putting Your Stage Design Together

audio visual elements at a concert
When you design your concert stage, your priority should be to enhance the customer experience. Concertgoers want to feel immersed in the performance with zero distractions to get in the way of their enjoyment. 
Although these four tips can help guide you towards an enhanced concert experience, there are always unforeseen circumstances that can make your path towards success more difficult. Whether it’s a change of weather, last-minute venue relocation, or a crate with missing equipment, anything can happen.
Avoid the stress of designing your concert stage and contact an event production company like Onstage Systems. Our team is comprised of industry veterans who understand how to produce memorable concerts and have experience attending dozens of concerts themselves. At Onstage Systems, we aren’t just event production specialists, we’re music fans just like you who want nothing more than to create lasting memories.

Category: News

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