Monday Mashups: Displaying a Different World

Bands, comedians, or magicians might be the standard for live entertainment at corporate dinners—but employees at a recent company celebration were treated to a meal with a side of projection mapping - a way to display a different world.

For Amway’s 60th anniversary celebration in Las Vegas, more than 1,300 people, all of whom were designated top Amway business owners of the multi-level marketing company according to BizBash, experienced projection mapping on their place settings during a private dinner at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. The company tapped event agency Wilson Dow and projection mapping company Skullmapping to create 1,312 audiovisual displays that each consisted of three customized stories. The event set the Guinness World Record for the "Most Projection-Mapped Displays at a Single Venue,” which is the first of its kind.

Foregoing static decor or standard entertainment, Amway chose to use technology to push the company's thematic message of “future forward,” offering three stories that related to the brand's history, the attendees, and the food that was served.

The first animation welcomed attendees to the event and displayed historical footage of the company, followed by Vegas-theme imagery and a message from two company executives. The second animation involved a ceremonial pin that recognized the achievements of the dinner attendees. An iron maker took viewers to a workshop and forged the commemorative pin, revealing the design for the first time; as the final product was revealed, projectors dimmed and attendees were given their pin in real-time.

The final animation was related to food served at the event. A culinary artist traveled through a chocolate river, wafer house, and peppermint fields to create a dessert that was made for the event by the venue’s lead chef; servers then replaced the projection with the real dessert.

According to a Wilson Dow spokesperson, the project took more than two years to produce, from concept to execution. Set-up preparation included rigging 224 projectors and multiple day-of rehearsals with the hotel's banquet team.

Amway’s weeklong celebration took place in late spring, drawing 4,462 attendees. The Guinness World Record was made official on August 26. Can you imagine? We can! Take a look at the projection mapping here and devour the details of this different display at your next event!