(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.
SGASi 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, 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 SGASi 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 SGASi departments (Stage & Drape; Audience Risers, and Scenic) working together to provide these amazing results.
(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 SGASi for your last-minute needs!
(Madison, WI) When the University of Wisconsin hosted an outdoor hockey game in its historic Camp Randall Stadium, Ice Rink Events chose SGASi 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 SGASi 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, SGASi’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 SGASi 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 SGASi is ready to help them when they do.
This video is property of the Women's Association of the NJPAC, and used with permission.
Many thanks to Lighting Designer Al Crawford, whom we met up with at LDI2009, for forwarding us the link to this amazing time-lapse video of our installation and venue conversion at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center created by Midnight Media Group - http://www.mmgi.tv . Special thanks to MMGI and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
We also have some wonderful still photos which we put in the updated gallery in our previous post.
(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, SGASi 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, SGASi provided clear sightlines for patrons located closest to the action. Photos by Corey Ploetz.
(Orlando, FL) Many thanks to the organizers of the 2009 Parnelli Awards for inviting SGASi 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, FL) Many thanks to our clients, friends, and suppliers who came out to see us at the OCCC last week for LDI2009. We were very proud to be exhibiting in a new booth designed and built by our scenic division, and I'd like to personally thank Roland and Colin for their hard work to ensure it went in successfully.
Our booth would have been very bleak if not for our partners at NMR Staging & Events, who brought in four touch-screen 46" plasmas and two 50" plasmas for our twitterboard. Jason and Jim, we're eternally grateful!
The show went well and we're now busy with follow-up. We look forward to seeing everyone next year in Las Vegas for LDI2010.
(Orlando, FL) LDI 2009 install day one completed, heading back out to OCCC to put the rest of the booth together this morning. For more info, check out the full post on our blog.
(Lake Buena Vista, Florida) SGASi 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.
SGASi 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 SGASi 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 SGASi part of their event.
(October 6, 2009 - Newark, NJ) SGASi 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 SGASi RTS PDF Brochure or visit our information site to request a copy of the Venue Transformation Kit.
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."
(Las Vegas, NV) SGASi recently completed the installation of elevated, wrap-around seating for 477 for The HardBat Classic produced by Empire Entertainment, Inc. at the Venetian / Sands Expo Center.
Special thanks to our clients Empire Entertainment for the money shot of the finished product.
Old Town Lansing's Blues Fest brings over 15,000 people to the area over a two-day period. SGASi installed a 32' x 20' platform at 32" over the very rough and uneven Turner Street. Having just installed a smaller riser for Jazz Fest, we decided to do the understructure with all-terrain scaffold. Great decision by Brent, and a well-appreciated VIP platform with a view to the main stage!
SGASi's Keith Menne, Brent Klein, and Ben Slayter installed three VIP risers for Lansing's JazzFest a few weeks back. The small units elevated the crowd and provided great sightlines to the south stage. We're looking forward to BluesFest in a couple weeks!
Kathleen Petersen and Sara Link attended the National Assocation of Catering Executive's Taste of NACE: Orlando last week, and snapped a few shots for us.
Kathleen writes, "SGASi donated 210 running feet of 22' tall white chiffon, which was in all the entrances and placed in various areas throughout the main ballroom. Since wthis was a Susan G. Komen fundraiser for breast cancer awareness, pink lighting surrounded the room and reflected on our drapery just beautifully."
Thanks to Kathleen for the photos, please be sure to check out the miniature podium with "Staging Sara" Barbie doll. These women are awesome!
(Mt. Pleasant, MI) The Soaring Eagle Resort & Casino recently took advantage of SGASi's flat-floor seating capabilities to quickly and efficiently deploy seating for over 2,000. SGASi's floor brackets allow seats to be ganged together for fire and safety codes. If your event needs to rent "just seats" without the elevation of an engineered system, contact us today.
Dennis thought it was prudent that we’re there, and we’re going to be doing a soft launch of the new brand. If you’re coming be sure to let us know we’d love to connect. If you’re local, hit us up for some passes, and let’s meet up.
We’ll be at the far right end of the convention center in the Staging Pavillion, booth 1574.
Acquisition Extends Product Offerings for Company and Adds Strategic Locations __________
LANSING, MI and ORLANDO, FL, 10 June 2009 – SGA Production Staging is pleased to announce the simultaneous acquisitions of ASI Production Services and All Staging Unlimited. The combined company will begin joint operations immediately as SGASi Production Services. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
SGA is the industry leader in the design and execution of scalable event seating and staging solutions, including seating systems and audience risers. ASI is the nation’s leading rental provider of theatrical drapery and temporary stages with warehouses in Atlanta, Orlando, Las Vegas and Ft. Lauderdale. ASU is a premier provider of scenery, production automation and sets. SGASi will provide the broadest range of venue transformation capabilities to the events marketplace. SGASi will be led by Tom Hilton, President. ASI’s President, Dennis Smith, will remain at SGASI as Executive Vice-President.
”I’m very pleased and excited to announce the merger of SGA Production Staging with and ASI and ASU,” said Tom Hilton, President of SGASi. “The combined rental assets, the expertise and artistry of ASU and the support of the most experienced production team in the industry sets the stage for an extremely powerful combination. Our customer base will notice the expanded range of product offerings, which enables us to provide an unsurpassed level of services. We proudly welcome Dennis and the rest of his team to SGA.”
“I am very proud of our 25 years of service to the event industry and look forward with great confidence and enthusiasm to the heightened success that the combined companies will bring, said Dennis Smith, Executive Vice President of SGASi. This new company will offer conveniences and synergies that will quickly be recognized by our clients. The production experience in SGASi is unsurpassed in the industry and is the one-stop choice for all elevated risers, drapery and scenic design. I am very happy to be a part of this strong company and talented team and look forward to many years of success in the event industry with SGASi.”
(Las Vegas, NV) The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada" sign turned 50, and SGA installed a ClearDeck runway to commemorate the occasion. Photos by Corey Ploetz, SGA.
We'll be running this for the online version of Sports Business Journal, which links to a specialized landing page for the people running Stadiums. It's a bit different to see our banner in a rotation with the likes of Sun Trust Bank and ExpressJet, but we'll see how we are received by the largest sports weekly publication in the industry.
SGA would like to congratulate our friends at the WWE and Reliant Stadium for setting an all-time capacity record for WrestleMania 25.
WWE Press Release issued late Sunday night:
WRESTLEMANIA® RECORD SELLOUT April 5, 2009
HOUSTON, TX, April 5, 2009 – World Wrestling Entertainment® set a new record tonight at Reliant Stadium in Houston for the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, grossing $6.9 million in revenue. This is the highest grossing live event in WWE history. With 72,744 in attendance, the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania surpassed SuperBowl XLIII in Tampa (70,774 attendance). WWE® fans from all 50 states, 24 countries and 7 Canadian Provinces attended the pop culture extravaganza.
"The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania proved that everything is indeed bigger in Texas,” said John Saboor, Senior Vice President, Special Events, World Wrestling Entertainment. “The great city of Houston welcomed WWE fans from around the world and helped make WWE history as the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania was our biggest ever.”
WrestleMania XXVI will take place at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ on Sunday, March 28, 2010. Ticket information will be announced later this year.
We're happy to have played a small role in this event, and wish everyone at the organization our thanks and praise. Another job well done.
SGA Production Staging challenges event, production and staging designers to compete in a staging design contest. Using the SGA ClearDeck staging system, designers are challenged with constructing a creative concept design to showcase this uniquely transparent product.
The SGA ClearDeck Design Contest is open for submissions from April 1st, 2009 through May 31st, 2009. Contest rules and prize information can be found online.
Contestants are encouraged to submit multiple designs.
Old Town Lansing's 
sgasightlinesspring2009-web.pdf 
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