2016 Archive : Gartner Symposium

Project Details

Fabric 1

Vinyl
Producer: Losenberger US LLC
Supplier: Losenberger US LLC

Graphics Company
Ranier Industries

Please describe the project specifications

The Gartner Symposium/ITxpo is the world’s most important gathering of CIOs and senior IT executives, with an agenda that includes 500+ analyst sessions, workshops, roundtables and mastermind keynotes across five full days. For the event, we provided seven structures totaling approximately 200,000 sq. ft.

What was the purpose of this project? What did the client request?

Being the largest IT expo in the word, the number of attendees of the Gartner Symposium eventually outgrew the capabilities of even the largest and most lavish resorts. Simply put – there isn’t currently an Orlando venue that Gartner hasn’t outgrown, so an existing trade show venue had to be expanded to accommodate, feed, and provide enough uninterrupted event space to the show’s massive number of attendees.

The installation included three different facilities for dining and food, and one space that served as an extension of an existing convention hall. Additionally, we provided over an acre of uninterrupted event space with education sessions, consulting sessions, etc. held in separate breakout rooms. All of the venue’s ballroom spaces are opened and became trade show floor – which we expand with tents.

To top off the colossal size and scope of the project, organizers did not want to attendees to feel like they were in tents. Therefore - our goal was to keep transitions from permanent space to temporary space seamless, and to create a more pleasant, open, and comfortable environment.

What is unique or complex about the project?

What’s most unique about a project of this scope is the immense amount of planning and logistics that it requires. The planning for this event takes place year-round to produce a successfully executed installation, live event, and strike. The overall size and scope of the show, combined with a strict build schedule and installation on an active resort property without disrupting guest activities also provided unique challenges.

As an example, high-speed data lines/fiber optics must be run into the facility to accommodate point of sale capabilities and high-speed internet – all of which has to be installed below the structure floors as the tent itself is being constructed. In the tent that acts as an extension of existing space, the fire sprinklers must be connected to the primary venue’s existing sprinkler system. Aside from the implementation of such a solution, the approval and permitting process alone is a major undertaking requiring cooperation between our crew and multiple engineers.

Gutters connecting one structure to another accommodated the client's goal of providing seamless transitions from existing to temporary expo space, and the sheer amount of graphics, signage, and customization inside structures created the consistent, branded atmosphere that Gartner attendees have come to expect.

What were the results of the project?

With projects of this magnitude, results are measured in timelines. Our team must complete tasks by exact dates through multiple rounds of permit inspections in order for the tents to be cleared for occupancy by other vendors - who then move in to complete their installations, all before receiving a permanent certificate of occupancy prior to the event launch. This all takes place on an active resort property with minimal disruption to guest activities.

Aside from our ability to repeatedly adhere to the absolute strictest of build schedules, it’s worth noting that Gartner attendance is off the charts, and continues to grow year after year.

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