Auto Shows Kick into High Gear in Chicago and Detroit
Year after year, Chicago Scenic goes into overdrive to get carmakers ready for the annual auto shows in Detroit and Chicago. At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, we worked with Clear!Blue to provide scenery and automation for General Motors’ highly anticipated press event. This event was particularly special because it was the premier use of our new automation and show control system: an easily transportable, user-friendly system that can handle the most complicated automation for shows. For GM’s event, our new system was used to fully integrate video with automated rotating LED-covered walls and the 16- and 18-foot turntables that allowed a 360° view of their newest cars. We also provided many of the other elements of the set, which was designed by Duke Durfee, including an oversized hanging screen surround, cyc wall, the steps and stage leading up to the set and press risers.

The Chicago Auto Show featured many Chicago Scenic projects too. Working for George P. Johnson on the Toyota and Scion press events, we provided three turntables and two tracking LED walls, all of which were controlled by our new automation control system. We also provided 4,000-sq. ft. deck and ramps for the cars to drive on, support structures for large LED panels and screen, along with a fabric backdrop to complete the environment.

Working with MVP Collaborative on a Volkswagen event, we provided a 36-foot-long wall and covering plus we supervised its delicate installation.

Another Clear!Blue project, Dodge’s press event involved building a unique construction site with units of plywood and featured scaffolding towers, a large scrim backdrop, press risers, and several banners (one hung on a truck). The addition of many other jobsite-related supplies made the Dodge construction vehicles look right at home on the set designed by Duke Durfee.

Brady Bunch Alive and Well in the Hearts of Leo Burnett
The Symphony Center is accustomed to hosting classical affairs, but Leo Burnett’s annual employee meeting was a classic in a different sense: it was made to look like the home of one of TV’s most cherished families, the Brady Bunch.

With all of its 70s retro charm, CSSI brought The Brady Bunch’s living room back to life, from the iconic staircase to the oversized brick and stone fireplace to a look-a-like of the horse statue that famously adorned a sideboard. The staircase was used to bring speakers onto the stage for their turn at the microphone.

Working with producer Denis Giroux, CSSI Design Manager Tom Ryan faithfully recreated the set while project manager Gary Heitz oversaw the entire process.

Gatorade Makes a Splash
Gatorade made quite a splash when it introduced its new product packaging at a recent meeting at the Geneva Grand Resort.

Clad completely in light-friendly corrugated metal, the futuristic set allowed for the placement of two rear projection screens, and featured a center door that opened to allow speakers to enter and exit the stage.

The set, designed by CSSI Design Manager Tom Ryan, is so impressive that it has been added to our collection of rentable sets. Contact our rental department at 312-274-9900 for more information.

<<Click here to learn more about Corporate Presentations
<<Back to Spring 2007 Newsletter