SAP's Premiere Event Supported By PRG in Frankfurt & Florida

SAP SAPPHIRE Event in Orlando Florida, lit by LD Paul PalazzoSAPPHIRE NOW, a yearly global business event presented by SAP, the world's leading provider of business software, was held simultaneously in Frankfurt, Germany and Orlando, Florida. The events highlighting SAP's innovative business solutions were linked in real-time online and streamed between venues. Production Resource Group (PRG) supplied the lighting systems for both venues.

Utilizing a single provider for both events ensured that continuity could be easily achieved. It also guaranteed that Lighting Designer Paul Palazzo received the highest quality equipment and support for the simultaneous events. Palazzo, the LD for ten previous SAPPHIRE events, supervised the Frankfurt setup while working on-site in Orlando. “I designed the template, the whole concept of the thing and told them how to implement it from 5,000 miles away,” he said. At Messe Frankfurt, Palazzo's design was implemented by Habegger AG, under the technical management of Eventrix AG. PRG worked closely with Habegger to provide the 170 tons of lighting and rigging technology, including 140 automated fixtures, over 2,000 conventional fixtures, close to 14,000 feet of truss and 550 motors.

The producer for the Orlando event was Joe Venturella, President of i4D Event Services, Inc. “The design approach this year emphasized SAP's successful transformation into an agile, innovative company,” Venturella explained. Working with Palazzo and Production Designer Dana Christensen, the team created an open environment for 322 interactive demonstration stations and 269 exhibiting partners on the conference floor, as well as a 7,000-seat keynote space, satellite theatres, two TV studios, lounges and session spaces.

For the Orlando event, PRG provided the complete lighting package including 250 automated fixtures and over 3,000 conventional fixtures. PRG also supplied 740 chain hoists and over 15,000 feet of truss to rigging contractor Kish Rigging.

Palazzo noted, “The biggest challenge was just getting the sheer volume of the show accomplished in the timeframe allowed. PRG has always been very flexible; they understand what I need.”

Venturella agreed, “PRG has always been really great. Partnering with a global company such as PRG gave us the tools and resources to execute innovative ideas without compromise due to resource limitations. PRG's support was exceptional.”

For more information on PRG, please visit www.prg.com.

About Production Resource Group - Production Resource Group, L.L.C. (PRG) is the world's leading supplier of entertainment and event technology to a wide range of markets, including corporate and automotive events, concerts, special events, theatre, television and film, trade shows, and installations, such as theme parks, museums, retail stores and performing arts centers. PRG provides integrated services and equipment, including audio, video, lighting, rigging, staging, and scenery and automation systems for these markets from more than 31 offices in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.