Seen and Heard at SBC Ameritech
With the help of CSSI, Concentrix produced the Annual Sales Force Meeting for SBC Ameritech at the Rosemont Theater for the second year in a row. Concentrix Producer Jennifer Incorvia contracted Chicago Scenic to design, build, and manage all the scenic elements for the event. CSSI Project Manager Ross Hamilton worked closely with the Concentrix team and Rosemont Theater Manager Ron Stern and Head Carpenter Ray Yukich.

The through-line of the meeting was a comedic skit in the style of several popular spy movies. The opening scene was a musical spoof of the movie Men in Black. The audience roared as the back wall was lifted to reveal silhouettes in front of the cyc, complete with signature suits and sunglasses. Even Austin Powers made a special appearance for the event. The audience laughed as they watched the main characters, named 630 and 708, repeatedly try to infiltrate the SBC Ameritech Corporation and steal their business ideas. Yet each of their valiant and humorous attempts were foiled by their own ineptitude. The audience enjoyed the show and was thrilled when top SBC Ameritech executives made presentations that were integrated into the flow of the show.

CSSI designers set the tone of the show by placing the action in an industrial warehouse. The set filled the entire Rosemont Theater stage and included two large projection screens that were incorporated into corrugated steel facades. Guest speakers and general business information were projected onto the screens throughout the meeting. Two access ports were placed below the screens to allow speakers and cast members on and off the stage. Some of the more humorous action took place above the stage on a giant multi-level catwalk made of corrugated steel and louvered ducts. Multiple paint techniques were applied to the scenic elements by CSSI Painter Amy Holsman to achieve the underground looks.

Job Lead Dan Yuen supervised the job as it went through the CSSI shop and led the onsite installation. Mike Walsh of Mike Walsh Productions was the technical director for the show.

Harley Davidson Celebrates 100th Anniversary
This year marks Harley Davidson’s 100th Anniversary, and the Harley Owners Group (HOG) organized the Open Road Tour to celebrate the occasion in a special way. Producer Pete Office of Ripple Effect Inc. asked Chicago Scenic to create a traveling display for the event.

In order to show off all of the HOG chapters worldwide, Chicago Scenic fabricated a 20-panel display wall that was layered with CNC-cut panels and silk-screened information about each chapter. As it travels with the Open Road Tour throughout the United States from July 2002 to August 2003, each HOG chapter will have the opportunity to secure their chapter chevron patch to the wall. CSSI also built a custom steel rolling cart to easily and securely transport the portable wall. The special display will be placed in the Harley Davidson Hall of Fame following the end of the tour.

Job Lead Wayne Adams supervised the display as it went through the CSSI shop and Project Manager Ken Zommer made sure everything was completed on time and on budget.

Photogenics Booth Takes Cover
Photogenics Inc., a vendor at Navy Pier that takes digital photos of Ferris wheel riders, asked CSSI to specially modify their souvenir photo booth. Concerned that their expensive computer hardware and photographic equipment would be damaged by rain and snow, Steve Craig and Ruben Perez worked with Project Manager Rick Boultinghouse to get exactly the coverage and protection their booth would need. Joan Puttroff of Navy Pier was also involved on the project, facilitating logistical requests and making sure the project followed Pier standards.

CSSI built the original structure along with many other vendor and information booths as part of an earlier initiative at the Pier. Chicago Scenic re-engineered and modified the existing Photogenics booth and produced the new interior build-out, which involved a new cabinet-style enclosure to protect and house the high-tech equipment. A new canopy roof with a rigid awning was also installed to better weatherproof the enclosure and a roll-down cabinet enclosure was added to augment the weatherproofing and add greater security.

Moore Medical Wanted More
Moore Medical, a distributor of medical, surgical and pharmaceutical products, wanted more than just a typical pole and drape exhibit booth for the recent American Occupational Health Conference at McCormick Place. Moore Medical called on Project Manager Ken Zommer and the crew at Chicago Scenic to help.

CSSI Designer Tom Ryan created elements for the booth that successfully drew the attention of the many buyers at the show. He designed the 20-by-40-foot booth to give the feel of old and new Chicago. The cornerstone of the booth was a large Chicago Theatre marquee complete with chasing lights that highlighted the Moore Medical logo. Brick building facades, old-style street lamps, and light posts made up the perimeter. The interior displays were backed with 16-foot-tall icons of the Chicago skyline.

Job Lead Wayne Adams was in charge of the construction and installation on the project. The Term Group supplied installation labor.

LaPetite Has Big Plans
CSSI is continuing to grow relationships with La Petite Academy and Cresta Group by helping produce their annual leadership meeting for the second year in a row. The event was held at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando, Florida, which was chosen as the event site because the hotel has a La Petite childcare facility on its premises.

The two-day meeting included a long opening general session, an awards banquet, and a short closing session. The event was a huge hit last year due largely to the custom set CSSI designed and built and the surprises President Judith Rogala revealed during the meeting. Last years’ mountain-themed set was specially designed to allow Ms. Rogala to make a grand entrance by rappelling down the front of it. This year she had even bigger plans.

CSSI Designer Ryan Hall was charged with creating an even more spectacular set for this year’s event. The Creative Team at Cresta Group developed the theme for the skits and scenery from the movie Big. The set consisted of a 16-foot-diameter Ferris wheel with lights, game tents, a Zoltar fortune telling machine, and was surrounded by wooden dock pilings set off by ropes. CSSI Painter Amy Holsman painted the entire set in forced perspective to give the feeling of looking down a pier.

To create the effect, an actress playing a young Judith made a wish to be big to Zoltar, a fortune telling machine. After a series of vaudevillian skits, the audience was thrilled when the “big” Judith magically appeared on the stage with the help of special effects.

Job Lead Wayne Adams provided shop supervision and coordinated the scenic elements for the show. Project Manager Gary Heitz provided onsite technical direction and logistics, and worked closely with Producer David Teckler on organizing and supervising technical aspects of the show which included pyrotechnics smoke, and an enchanting magician.

Sears Holds 95th Annual Shareholders Meeting
Chicago Scenic has maintained a long-standing relationship with Sears, Roebuck and Co. for over twenty years. Every year we provide logistics, planning, scenic design, and construction services for their annual Shareholders Meeting. This year Sears held their 95tth annual meeting in their Hoffman Estates headquarters and Chicago Scenic was there once again to fulfill all of the corporation’s needs.

This year Chicago Scenic provided the company with rental podiums and surrounds. The easy-to-install set is refurbished annually and stored in the CSSI warehouse. Project Manager Gary Heitz worked with apprentice and first time Job Lead Luis Salces this year to make sure everything ran smoothly and on time.

Besides stage décor, CSSI also provides a customer service desk with a backing wall, signage in the lobby of the venue, and three question and answer booths. The booths are positioned in the aisles of the meeting room and are equipped with lights that switch on when someone enters the booth, signaling that a participant is prepared to ask a question.

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