Behind the Scenes at The Summit: An Insider’s Look at What It Took to Make It Happen

When attendees walk into a flawless, high-energy event like The Summit, they’re greeted with stunning visuals, crystal-clear audio, and a program that feels fluid and perfectly executed. But what attendees don’t see is the work that happens in the weeks—and months—leading up to that moment.

That’s where we come in.

At AV Chicago, we had the honor of partnering with the Ateema team to help bring this year’s Summit to life, supporting two simultaneous locations and delivering the technical expertise needed to keep everything running like clockwork.

Two Locations, One Seamless Experience

The Summit spanned two venues—City Hall/Recess and Morgan MFG—each with its own layout, flow, and technical demands. We staffed both with highly skilled AV professionals, working in sync to deliver consistent quality, seamless transitions, and fast adaptability—no matter where attendees were or what part of the Summit they were engaging with.

The Power of a Unified Team

We assembled a team of experts, each handpicked for their experience and ability to adapt in fast-paced environments. Coordinating across multiple spaces meant aligning different crews, managing show flows, and syncing schedules. Every cue, panel, and transition needed to feel effortless for the audience. Achieving that required deep collaboration, long hours, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Pre-Production: The Unseen Hero

What makes an event like The Summit feel so smooth? Hours and hours of pre-production planning.

We conducted multiple site visits, collaborated closely with the Ateema team, built event layouts, mapped load-in/load-out logistics, customized equipment lists for each room’s needs, and created detailed technical drawings. We considered every scenario, solved problems before they happened (we are Show Ready), and laid the foundation for flawless execution.

Designing with Impact in Mind

One of the visual highlights of the event was the LED wall on the main education stage.This wasn’t just a screen—it was a dynamic canvas that amplified keynotes, presentations, and branding moments, helping drive messages home with maximum impact.Paired with illuminated scenic elements designed to "wow," it set a captivating tone for the main stage.

Meanwhile, the awards and DJ stage, framed by a custom diamond-shaped LED backdrop, brought distinct energy to the exhibit hall. Custom moving graphics animated the space, creating an immersive sensory experience that elevated the entire event.

Tech That Supports Engagement

From the exhibit floor at Morgan MFG to the breakout rooms at Recess, our focus remained on creating continuity and clarity. We implemented seamless video integration throughout the exhibit space to keep messaging consistent.Meanwhile, breakout technology supported two concurrent education tracks—each with unique speaker needs, layouts, and timing. Every mic, screen, and cue point worked together flawlessly to enable distraction-free learning and engagement.

Navigating Complexity with Clarity

Large-scale events like The Summit come with countless moving parts and stakeholders—each with unique priorities. From content creators and sponsors to venue teams and leadership groups, we worked closely with everyone to ensure every vision aligned.

Why It Matters

Events like The Summit don’t just happen—they’re built with intention, expertise, and heart.We’re grateful to be part of a community that values collaboration, high standards, and innovation, and we’re proud of the role we played in bringing this incredible event to life.

Until next time—we are Show Ready, always.