Company: Russell Harris Event Group, North Hollywood, CA
Company Description: Top industry, event producer, and designer, Russell Harris brings his clients more than twenty years of expertise in exceptional event design, production, and delivering results. RHEG has garnered an impressive client list, including such notable names as FOX Broadcasting Television, ABC, Intel, Audi, Causeway Capital Management, Linkedin, Google, and Disney Media Distribution.
Nomination Category: Event Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Brand & Experiences - Interactive Outdoor Event
 Nomination Title: FUTUREPROOF FESTIVAL 2024
- Which will you submit for this nomination, an essay of up to 525 words describing the event - its genesis, goals, development, and results - OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length describing the same? CHOOSE ONE:
Written essay of up to 525 words
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video:
- If you are providing a written essay of up to 525 words about your nominated event, place it in this space. Make sure that you address the genesis, goals, development, and results of the event, and mention that date(s) on which the event was produced:
Total 525 words used.
September 15-18, 2024 - 4000+ Guests
Genesis & Goals
Future Proof 2024 continued redefining wealth management conferences with their groundbreaking outdoor experience. Breaking free from traditional conference centers, RH EVENT GROUP transformed a parking lot into a vibrant, interactive space emphasizing connection, innovation, and engagement and immense growth for 2024.
Bringing together the largest concentration of top financial leaders, the event fostered knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and dynamic networking. This bold, unconventional approach turned challenges into a transformative success, setting the benchmark for future financial conferences.
Development and Challenges
Executing such an ambitious event required vision, ingenuity, and constant teamwork in overcoming logistical and environmental challenges:
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Immense Growth: The team navigated strict Coastal Guard regulations restricting event layout to maintain public access. A creative solution secured overflow parking adjacent to the venue, accommodating 300 daily staff. We maximized the lot footprint to house over 100 sponsors (double the year prior), three stages, and numerous interactive activities, meetings and food & beverage.
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Sponsor Activation: A last-minute sponsor request added complexity. The client envisioned a catwalk experience with a lifeguard tower elevated 10’ above ground, expanding the booth from an initial 20’x 20’ to a staggering 150’x 50’ structure. This required engineering deadlines, permits, fabrication and ingenuity to execute.
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Weather-Related Obstacles: High winds tested both design resilience and adaptability. Signage was strategically downsized and stabilized, while LED screens and food pavilions were secured or adjusted to ensure safety without compromising aesthetics and operations.
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Technical Precision for 1-on-1 Meetings: The unique algorithm facilitating 30,000 + 1:1 meetings introduced last-minute space planning challenges requiring facilitation of a spatial restructure.
Results:
The festival-style conference spanned three transformative days and delivered unmatched opportunities for education, engagement, and entertainment. Key achievements include:
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4,200 Attendees: The highest concentration of financial leaders and innovators in one place.
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Engagement at Scale: 30,000 + curated 1:1 meetings over 3 days, facilitated by a sophisticated algorithm, generated invaluable connections and takeaways for attendees.
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Interactive Programming:
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Three breakthrough programs promoting peer collaboration through interactive roundtables and sessions.
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Daily wellness activities like HITT workouts, sound baths, and yoga to energize participants.
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Engaging entertainment, including X Ambassadors, DJ Mick, Third Eye Blind, and interactive AI-driven experiences like Cecilia the AI Bartender.
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Incredible Growth: Almost double from 2023.
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Vast Sponsorship Growth: Over 125 sponsors activated creative, immersive installations across a meticulously designed layout. Up from 75 from 2023
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Three massive stages transitioning seamlessly between content sessions, trade shows, and evening entertainment.
Impact:
Future Proof 2024 achieved overwhelming success:
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Elizabeth Koehler (Wealth Advisor): “The event provided a great platform to unpack the latest trends in our industry and exchange knowledge and insights.”
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Bob Elliott (Investor): “Great time connecting with so many thoughtful advisors, innovative investors, and passionate members of the media.”
Future Proof 2024 is a testament to RH EVENT GROUP’s ability to turn bold visions into extraordinary realities. The event’s unique setting, meticulous execution, and resilience in overcoming unforeseen challenges set it apart as the gold standard for interactive outdoor events and redefined what a financial conference can achieve. The outdoor design, programming scale, and attendee satisfaction showcased the RH EVENT GROUP’s expertise in large-scale production.
- Optionally, list the appropriate creative and production credits for the nominated event, such as the following: Advertising Agency/City: Client: Art Director: Cinematographer: Creative Director: Designer: Director: Illustrator/City: Music Producer/City: Photographer/City: Printer/City: Producer: Production Company/City: Programmer: Writer: Web Development Firm/City:
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Creative Direction & Production: RH EVENT GROUP
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Flooring: Event Carpet Pro
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GCE: Event Fabrication + Custom Booth Builds + Graphics
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GBS: Spandex Linen
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Town & Country: Tenting + Misc
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AFR: Furniture Rentals
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Form Décor: Furniture Rentals
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Taylor Creative: Furniture Rentals
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IMPE: Container Builds
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JW Cole: Shipping
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WS Display: Custom Printed Tents
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CGS: Graphics
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Flipside: Janitorial
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United Site Services: Restrooms/ Fencing
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Powertrip: Power/Distro
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MPG: AV
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Food Trucks: FoodSmackdown
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