SGASi Production Services Updates

Red Encore Drapery Transforms a Room in Miami

2011-04-15T15:27:19+00:00

Our South Florida office just sent in these gorgeous photos of our Red Encore at a charity event in Miami. Black fiberotpic curtain behind the stage added depth. With local offices in Las Vegas, Orlando, South Florida (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale), Dallas and Atlanta we're close to most large scale events at preferred venues nationwide.

Field Installation: Audience Riser at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

2011-03-29T13:58:01+00:00

Huge thanks to long time clients Stungun Productions for accommodating our photographer at their recent event at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess; we're extremely proud of how these turned out. Note the improved skirting on the front edge of the riser; it's taken us many years to perfect that! The photos here show two risers in a long and somewhat narrow room separated by a main aisle. The build featured a large assortment of angled decks to achieve the client's design. Produced by Stungun Productions, Inc., Santa Clara, CA.

A Tale of Two Stadiums

2011-02-28T22:25:12+00:00

(Lansing, MI) This winter, we built ice rink support platforms for both the Big Chill at the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, and the Heritage Classic at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Two great events, two great stadiums and two distinctly different approaches.

The brand new artificial turf at Michigan Stadium provided the perfect opportunity to use our EPS Geofoam system. Using data from a detailed topographical survey, high density expanded polystyrene blocks are precisely cut for a perfect fit to the crown of the field, resulting in a surface that is level to within an eighth inch in 200 feet. Layers of tongue and groove OSB ensure that any point loads will be spread out to minimize the built-in deflection of the artificial turf. Best of all, this system affords considerable cost savings in materials and manpower.

The battle-scarred natural turf of Heinz Field presented a different set of challenges. We knew there was no way to predict the condition of the field after the last regular season game so we used our tried and true aluminum frame decking system, with adjustable supports on four foot centers. Nothing beats a sharp eye and a laser level for dealing with unpredictable terrain. Time was of the essence, so we started as soon as possible after the Steeler's game, working through the night into the next day, finishing in twenty hours and well ahead of schedule.

New Scenic Set: Saturn Squares

2011-02-21T16:41:01+00:00

(Orlando, FL) Inspired by the rings of Saturn, SGA's new stock set offers infinite options for designers to create specialized looks. A 3' x 3' aluminum panel is backed with spandex fabric. Inside, a slightly smaller diameter ring is mounted on an axis that can be configured horizontally or vertically. The axis is indexed at 30-degree increments to allow for orientations from completely flat to 90-degrees from origin. These panels are designed to be flown from above in a modular configuration depending on stage height and width. They are shown here with alternating horizontal/vertical configurations with monochrome and dichromatic lighting that adds an element of depth to any production. If you've been searching for a new look for your next show, we'd love to create some custom configurations of this stock set for you.

SGA Hosts Open House at New Orlando Operations Center

2010-12-16T15:14:37+00:00

(Orlando, FL) In August of 2010, SGA combined our two Orlando locations (Drape/Scenic and Staging/Seating) into a new facility. The 100,000+sq.ft. building (link to map) is now home to our Southeastern United States Operations center. The industrial space was designed to maximize storage, provide working space for our scenic department, and provide efficient office space for the combined operations.

SGA invited over 400 local clients, suppliers and industry friends for an open house tour of the new facility. Teams had set up several demonstration and interaction areas for guests who were served a wide variety of Cuban-inspired foods from local caterer Troy’s Cuban Cafe. The first thing guests noticed upon arrival was the prominent set up of SGA's mobile stage in the parking lot with local DJ Event Concepts, who kept the environment filled with music and projected videos on the side of the building after dark. A 40’ platform had been built at dock height extending from the building with cocktail tables and a dance floor. Guests were greeted by members of the SGA sales team and entered the building on a red carpet. Local LMG offices supplied architectural lighting indoors and outdoors.

Once inside the tour began in the voluminous warehouse. A twelve-foot diameter, circular, rotating elevated turntable surrounded by transparent ClearDecks held bartenders from Cool Breezes, who kept guests’ thirst quenched with a selection of beers and wines. Surrounding the bar was a 40’ x 40’ “L”-shaped two-tiered, lounge-style riser showcasing brand new white leather Sophisitcation furniture from partners from Orlando’s AFR/Room Service. The main room was draped with SGA’s Royal Blue Encore Indoor/Outdoor velour drapery.

Proceeding on the tour, guests passed under a scaffold-based bridge which served the dual purposes of routing high-voltage power to the rotating bar and as a 12’ tall display platform for several of SGA’s rental lecterns. The bridge & tunnel were draped with Ruby Red Encore IFR Indoor/Outdoor Velour fabric, providing a backdrop for a set of stock set pieces. Passing through the tunnel featuring stock gold-colored drape tie-backs, guests found themselves in front of an Alto Stadium Seating System facing a 40’ Gerriets Carbon Fiber Roll-Screen which they were invited to place into position with the push of a button on the control console nearby. Images of previous installations were projected onto the screen.

The tour completed with a walk-thru of the scenic workshops for painting and fabrication and finished back in the offices up front. Our most sincere thanks to our event partners including Lindsay Cosimi and Julia LeMere of AFR/Room Service, and David John of LMG Orlando. SGA hopes to repeat the success of this event in Las Vegas, South Florida, and Dallas in 2011.

The Big Chill at the Big House - SGA Provides Ice Rink Platform for Record-breaking Crowd

2010-12-15T20:51:54+00:00

(Ann Arbor, Michigan) On Saturday, December 11th the University of Michigan hosted rivals Michigan State University to an NCAA Men’s Hockey game in their newly renovated football stadium affectionately known as “The Big House”. Promoters dubbed the event “The Big Chill at the Big House” and did movie tie-ins, music, and fireworks to celebrate breaking the existing Guiness World Record for attendance at a hockey game. If you are wondering what all of this has to do with a staging company, read on.

This past February SGA developed a new technique to put ice rinks on football fields that was tested successfully at Camp Randall Stadium for the Culver’s Camp Randall Hockey Classic. The basic challenge for anyone putting an ice rink on an uneven surface is twofold: overcome the curvature of the football field (which can vary from ½” to 12” between center field and the edge), and spread the weight of the ice and a Zamboni out enough so that it does not crack. SGA was contacted by Ice Rink Events, whose chilling technologies and expert ice-making ability calls for a flat surface; one that SGA was happy to provide.

SGA custom contour-cut a matrix of over 1300 4'x 8' foam sheets to the curvature of the field and skinned those on top and bottom with another 1300 sheets of 4’ x 8’, ¾” thick tongue and groove OSB. The rink was built atop the insulation sandwich. SGA’s client Ice Rink Events was then able to easily and efficiently place their chilling tubes and rink boards atop this platform and create the rink.

SGA also provided a 118’ run of 4’ wide scaffold that ran down the length of the stadium’s only entrance tunnel and over the locker room door. The huge bridge provided a safe and secure viaduct for the refrigeration unit’s feed and return lines. The entire installation project was covered extensively by University of Michigan film crews and the Discovery Channel, who are producing a documentary to be released in 2011.

SGA wishes to thank Ice Rink Events for a successful partnership and their continued support. As more stadiums become true multi-use facilities, the two companies are both dedicated to developing technologies that will enable these types of projects to happen more efficiently and economically each time. Keep an eye out for SGA’s next ice platform this New Year’s day in Pittsburgh.

Installation Photos: White Sateen Event Drapery

2010-09-15T20:28:26+00:00

(Las Vegas, NV) Pinnacle Exhibits is a 3D brand agency known for their ability to create custom environments for their discerning clients. They turned to SGA's Las Vegas location to assist with one of their latest projects. White Sateen event drapery created an ethereal space while custom-fabricated brackets enabled the mounting of Pinnacle's custom globe lighting for the rooms. SGA's Las Vegas salesperson Justin Meadows elaborated a bit about the job, "Pinnacle designed the whole thing from top to bottom and were all about the details." Based on these photos, we'd give them high marks for the design and execution here; it's an outstanding look and our new favorite photos for white sateen event drape. Many thanks to Zack for sharing the photos from the event.

Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida transformed with SGA gear and know-how

2010-07-08T13:54:25+00:00

(Clearwater, Florida) SGA's Risers over Theater Seats (RTS) system enables tiered and flat platform placement over theater and stadium seating without the removal of existing seats.

Ruth Eckerd Hall contacted us about the possibility of creating a stage and dance floor for their Annual Spring Gala over their theater seats, with dinner served on their existing stage.

We think it looked especially unique, and love the idea of "flipping the house" by putting the audience on stage, and the performance out over the house.
As you can see from the photos, this scales remarkably well in this theater and created an intimate and fun environment for guests attending. Many thanks to our client for the use of their photos from the event.

Field installation: Cleardeck pool stage at Caesar's Palace

2010-07-08T13:39:40+00:00

SGA's Cleardeck transparent stage panels set the mood for a fashion show in the pool at Caesar's Palace.

SGA's Flat-Floor and Raised Alto Seating Shines at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

2010-06-08T21:41:23+00:00

We're taking a small break from writing to allow one of our best clients a chance to discuss his recent event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Our goal is to provide more of a user's perspective as opposed to our own. Please help us welcome guest blogger/writer Mark Sorensen, Vice-President and Executive Producer at Gail & Rice. Be sure to check out some of their work we've featured here before as well, including this time-lapse of a ballroom meeting installation.

(Las Vegas, NV) Once planning began for our long time client's recognition event we decided early that if we could avoid being in a typical ballroom we'd go that route. The goal was to do something different.

We zeroed in on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and designed a theme around NASCAR and winning. The ideal spot for the event was the infield garage area and we wanted to make it appear as if watching the event like you would in the stands at the raceway so stadium seating was required. The challenge was how to keep the audience shaded and utilize an existing structure in the Neon Garage area of the Speedway.

We developed a design that we thought could work and called our partners at SGA to help analyze how we could fit 1,000 people in the space. The CAD guys there are really great and after describing our vision to them, drew up a plan that would work.

But it didn't stop there. SGA sent local (Las-Vegas) managers to do their own site surveys and take detailed measurements on at least two occasions to make sure this could work. They recommended their Alto seating - we were outdoors and it looks most like real stadium seats - so we went with that plan.

It turned out great. We had to have a light pole removed and make some modifications to the area but the seating fit under the existing canopy snugly and we built our stage under a temporary tent that married up to the existing cover. It looked like it was meant to be and the Speedway staff even took note for future events that would benefit from our plan.

SGA was the perfect partner and fit for this project. Special thanks to Keith Menne and Corey Ploetz for helping us pull this project together!

Say, Hello. (Hello Las Vegas Dinner Riser at the Venetian)

2010-06-08T14:19:01+00:00

Some gorgeous images from the Hello Las Vegas cabaret-style dinner riser installation at the Venetian Resort.

Installation Photo: Audience Riser at the Terranea Resort

2010-06-08T13:33:21+00:00

Corey snapped this shot of a First Class Audience riser for The Trillium Creations at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. The finished riser had seating for 418 across the three blocks. The far riser in the photo also had a 24' x 8' production platform.

Production Time Lapse: Curved Audience Riser & Scenic Installation

2010-05-18T19:17:13+00:00

Many thanks to clients Gail & Rice for sharing their footage of a full production installation time-lapse of a pharmaceutical sales conference. This is one of the first examples of a combined SGA installation with full scenic and a large-scale, curved audience riser.

SGA Expands University of Phoenix Stadium for WrestleMania XXVI

2010-05-10T15:34:12+00:00

WrestleMania is the most successful and longest-running professional wrestling event in the world. First produced in 1985 this year marked the 26th consecutive event and the fourth that SGA has helped build. SGA has worked with the WWE’s Brian Petree on some incredible shows and would like thank the organization for continuing to count on SGA to provide stadium infill seating at each venue. Since first becoming involved in 2007 SGA has helped enhance sightlines, maximize attendance, and most importantly, help fill camera angles with thousands of lower-bowl fans with our stadium infill risers in Detroit, Orlando, Houston, and this year in Glendale at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

Brent Klein, Director of Design in SGA’s CAD Department shares a bit of technical information on the two-week, 26-truck SGA installation:

"University of Phoenix Stadium is not able to accommodate rigging from the rafters, so WWE had to go with an outdoor set up. The preliminary plans were to use the spider legs first seen in the Citrus Bowl, however late in the process they decided to use a different system called “The Pyramid”. Our design team was able to incorporate the WWE's pyramid structure with minimal impact to the overall design and function of the risers. A technical challenge was presented when we realized that the 10’ x 20’ bases needed to be tied together with a cable tie. This last-minute challenge was overcome quickly with a call to local Southwest Scenic, who made custom ADA-Compliant access ramps that neatly and professionally covered the cable. Having them work on this issue allowed SGA to keep our resources and crew hard at work on the custom gear we were already providing.

This was not our first gig in University of Phoenix stadium and thanks to an outstanding previous site inspection by Andrew Smith and Josh Mayer our CAD Department has a high level of dimensional detail on the stadium walls, structure and obstructions. We put this into use on the design for the stadium infill risers and the result is a seamless transition from the stadium design to the temporary riser design. This allowed us to give very specific requirements for custom decking to our Scenic department, who in turn knocked it out of the park with their attention to detail and build quality.

Our contact at University of Phoenix Stadium, Jimmy McDonald, has been instrumental to our past success at the venue for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Regionals. He helped streamline the permitting process that enabled SGA to pass all inspections quickly and successfully. It’s important to note how strict the inspection process is at this level and how our designs, gear, and installations passed with flying colors."

Seeing the level of production values in this event it’s immediately apparent that this team not only knows how to do a world-class gig, they know how to create a level of excitement and spectacle that’s seen nowhere else in the world. SGA would like to thank Brian Petree and the entire WWE Family and Jimmy McDonald and the University of Phoenix Stadium crew for counting on us this year. We look forward to next year’s event.

SGA Installs Audience Riser at National Harbor

2010-02-23T16:59:34+00:00

(National Harbor, MD) When you meet the end user and he mentions, "You guys do great work, your crew was spectacular AND this was a big ass riser." you just need to put that in the newsletter. The name stuck throughout the production.

SGA recently installed this riser for 2,702 in the Potomac Ballroom of the fantastic Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center for a large business meeting produced by Georgia-based Staging and Design. It incorporated a tunnel through the center of the riser that helped create a dynamic special effect for acknowledging award winning guests. Many thanks to Staging & Design for counting on us again!

Atlanta Audience Riser, Set and Stage

2010-02-22T15:36:40+00:00

(Atlanta, GA) Many thanks to one of our favorite long-time clients Gail & Rice for hiring us to provide the full spectrum of services now available from SGA for a pharmaceutical business meeting at the Hilton Towers.

The curved design of the First Class Audience Riser was complimented by the curved set & stage provided by our Scenic Department and our event drapery added the finishing touches to the room.

This was a great example of all SGA departments (Stage & Drape; Audience Risers, and Scenic) working together to provide these amazing results.

Town Hall Audience Riser in Henderson, NV

2010-02-22T15:22:59+00:00

(Henderson, NV) When POTUS is coming to town, you never have the lead time you'd like. DAV Productions called us on a Monday to provide this Town Hall style Audience Riser, stage, and press risers for a televised event and it installed two days later. The riser sat 78 guests on top of a 40' x 28' stage. Thank you for counting on SGA for your last-minute needs!

A Better Stadium Ice Platform, Faster - SGA Provides Rink Platform for Camp Randall Stadium

2010-02-11T14:26:00+00:00

(Madison, WI) When the University of Wisconsin hosted an outdoor hockey game in its historic Camp Randall Stadium, Ice Rink Events chose SGA Production Services to provide the all-important foundation for the ice sheet.

Experience was a big part of that choice. There had been two previous college hockey games outside in football stadiums and SGA played a crucial role in both. The first was the "Cold War" at Michigan State University in 2001, which set the record for attendance at an outdoor hockey game. Then there was the aptly named “Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic” at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

Each venue has its unique characteristics and for this game, we chose to use a decidedly different approach. The Camp Randall field has an 18 inch crown and a surface of springy artificial turf. The challenge was to create a level surface over the crown of the field that would support the ice sheet and not deflect under the weight of two 8,000 lb. Zambonis. Protecting the artificial turf while neutralizing its deflection was another high priority.

Using topographical survey data and proprietary software, SGA’s CAD department was able to create a precise 3-D model of the field and the platform. Each 4′x 8′ section was then cut to exact dimensions and labeled. Once on site, the 561 pieces quickly dropped into place to create a solid, level platform in less than half the time of previous installations.

“The system flew together on site but before we could congratulate ourselves we had to know how it performed under load,” explains Tom Hilton, President of SGA Production Services. “When I got the thumbs-up from the Zamboni driver, I knew we’d done a great job.”

Over 55,000 fans flooded the stadium, which literally rocked when the crowd erupted with the famous Wisconsin “Jump Around”, igniting the home team into a come from behind victory. It was an unforgettable experience for all. Understandably, other colleges are now thinking of duplicating the success of this game and SGA is ready to help them when they do.

Kia Motors Plant Opening

2010-02-09T16:39:09+00:00

Kia Motors opened their first US plant in November, 2009 and SGA installed the drape and carpet for their press event. Check them out in the video.

SGA expands Rogers Centre for Buffalo Bills vs. NY Jets Game with Supplemental Stadium Seating

2009-12-10T21:43:51+00:00

(Toronto, Canada) Our gear is just returning to our warehouses from the installation of over 2,500 seats at the Rogers Centre in Canada. For the second year in a row, SGA has been part of the temporary conversion of the Rogers Centre into an NFL venue for thousands by installing end-zone seating on the North and South sides of the dome. Utilizing our supplemental stadium seating systems, SGA provided clear sightlines for patrons located closest to the action. Photos by Corey Ploetz.

2009 Parnelli Awards

2009-11-30T19:53:29+00:00

(Orlando, FL) Many thanks to the organizers of the 2009 Parnelli Awards for inviting SGA to provide the set design & construction. We were elated and honored to have been part of this year's event and hope to make an even bigger splash next year in Las Vegas. Congratulations to all of this year's winners.

Orlando Food & Wine Festival

2009-11-16T18:03:07+00:00

SGA provided our SL-250 mobile stage this weekend for the 2009 Orlando Food & Wine Festival. Special thanks to Zenya for the photo.

Hilton Bonnet Creek Grand Opening Gala

2009-11-16T16:27:48+00:00

(Lake Buena Vista, Florida) SGA was honored to have been selected as an event supplier for the recent Hilton Bonnet Creek Resort Grand Opening Gala. We provided a tiered dinner riser, the event stage, and cyc's on either side of the stage for video projection. Check out our photos of the event, above.

Spotlight: Meeting Services, Inc.

2009-11-04T15:57:24+00:00

SGA recently provided grandstand seating for 3,120 at Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. By elevating just one-third of the audience of 9,500 on a 12" rise SGA Stadium Seating Riser, sightlines for the attendees furthest from the stage were greatly improved. Perimeter placement of risers around in the room also helped transform an empty hall into an amphitheater atmosphere enhancing the excitement of the event. A hearty thank you goes out to Producer Matt LeVeque and Kendrik Johnson from Meeting Services, Inc. for making SGA part of their event.

SGA Installs Theater Conversion System at New Jersey Performing Arts Center

2009-10-06T18:11:11+00:00

(October 6, 2009 - Newark, NJ) SGA recently installed a 144' x 96' RTS (Risers over Theater Seats) system at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The main system ranged from +120" over the seats to +78" over the stage. All told, it provided dinner seating for 930. We're happy to share some recent install photos with you, and will update this post once we receive client photos from the main event. It looks amazing! If you're interested in getting more information on how to convert your theater, please download the SGA RTS PDF Brochure or visit our information site to request a copy of the Venue Transformation Kit.

From NJ.com:

Instead of holding dinner in a tent erected next to the arts center, the dinner, awards and entertainment were all presented in the theater. By building a platform that extended the stage out over the entire orchestra section and covered all the seats, the gala committee reinvented the annual event in lavish style.

Gala chairwoman Audrey Bartner said the concept first came up as a way to save the huge expense of renting and setting up the tent.

"Sometimes when you are faced with adversity it brings out creativity," said Bartner, a member of the Women’s Association of NJPAC, which runs the annual fund-raiser. "I’m telling you, I’m floating on air."