BizBash’s 10 Fascinating Conferences of 2023 are sponsored by Pixis Drones.
Basics: Walmart Associates Week brought together nearly 15,000 Walmart associates from around the world to celebrate their accomplishments, reflect on the brand’s values and look to the future. The main gathering, produced by LEO Events, was held June 6-9 on the University of Arkansas campus. It was also streamed to over 150,000 people.
Focus on storytelling: LEO Events worked closely with the Walmart Solutions team to deliver a complex event consisting of four different components. At the U.S. Associates Meeting, hosted by Anthony Anderson and Cedric the Entertainer, Walmart’s national team soaked in a day of celebration, showcasing successes from the past year and honoring those driving positive change. . The presentation was interwoven with entertainment and ended with a performance by country music star Sam Hunt.
Meanwhile, the International Workforce Conference highlighted key regional wins and future growth plans. Cultural performances accompanied each presentation, and illuminated wristbands synchronized with the colors of each country’s flag added a unique visual element. And an energetic Sam’s Club Associates meeting emphasized the role our associates play in their communities. Inspirational messages and company updates were interspersed with live performance by illusionist Justin Fromm and musical entertainment by Fitz and the Tantrums.
David Kenyon, senior vice president of production at LEO Events, said the multifaceted program requires a careful balance between creativity and strategy. “Strategically speaking, storytelling was important,” he explained. “We wanted each conference to tell a unique story that would resonate with the specific audience for which the conference was intended. …Every aspect of the conference, not just a series of presentations. We wanted it to be engaging and immersive.”
The week culminated with the Walmart Associates Celebration, which brought together all 15,000 attendees. The celebration will highlight key team members, include important messages from Walmart leadership, and feature special musical performances by Shania Twain, Kevin Hart, Snoop Dogg, John Legend, Pitbull and more. was unveiled.
Kenyon explained that this large, unifying moment was the basis for the week-long gathering. “Essentially, this convergence means a common messaging thread running through the organization,” he noted. “This moment unites Walmart Associates under one umbrella, and its message resonates with everyone, regardless of their specific role or function within the organization.”
Engagement strategies worth stealing: Beyond the high-profile headline talent, Walmart and the LEO events team worked to engage attendees personally. “An annual highlight of the gala is the wide variety of talent that will be showcased on stage by carefully selected Walmart Associates from around the world,” Kenyon said. “This year there were performances by singers, dancers and even roller skaters.”
The stage design for the event also focused on engagement. For the LEO event, we chose to position attendees in a 270-degree arc around the stage using multiple LED screens that were shaped and angled to create forced perspective. “The media was mapped to this perspective, resulting in the illusion that the content felt authentic,” he says. “This effect created an immersive experience for everyone in the audience.”
And in a truly memorable moment, the celebration ended with remarks from Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, who welcomed special guest Tom Cruise.later Mission Impossible When Star interrupted McMillon’s “surprise” video call, a stuntman was bounced off the ceiling while trying to deliver a package, which immediately sparked sparks and caused smoke to rise, causing executives to flee the stage.
“Right after that, there was an explosion that looked like an explosion coming from the stage,” Kenyon recalled. “These effects required the pilot to have lights, custom props, and equipment to support the stuntmen. These features formed an environment that definitively expressed Walmart’s dedication to its employees. .”
Lessons learned: “The key takeaway is the need for continuous change and innovation,” Kenyon said. “To stay relevant, we will always introduce new ideas and cutting-edge technology. LEO’s commitment to evolution ensures that each year exceeds the previous year, delivering dynamic and engaging events. Adapting to and creating new trends is central to our future success.”
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Pixis Drones is a market-leading drone light show company built with experiential agency DNA and Hollywood movie elements. The company is known for its drone light shows for Super Bowl LVI, the 2022 NBA Draft, and the 2023 NFL Draft, but has provided shows for notable B2B and B2C brands across a variety of industries and markets.