In 2024, the “Expect Greater” campaign, UC Davis’ most ambitious fundraising initiative, surpassed its $2 billion goal ahead of schedule, ultimately raising over $2.25 billion to support student success, research, and innovation. The campaign’s culmination was marked by a grand celebration featuring carnival-inspired games and a three-ring spectacular, showcasing the profound impact of philanthropy on the university community.
Our Wired Production Group crew was honored to contribute as the official event and video production partner on this milestone event with UC Davis, as it seems like only yesterday was the beginning of the campaign (all the way back in 2020!).
After a 1,800-mile adventure across the United States, our event production team transformed the University Credit Union Center into an immersive environment that captivated over 2,000 attendees on October 18, 2024. The celebration was designed around the concept of “The Greatest Show.” Our Wired Production Group crew of 14 traveled across the map to produce the show with local labor assistance from LASSO, ClaryComm, and Tried & True Productions. Our crew’s experts handled the technical elements that complemented UC Davis’ program and its dynamic performances and presentations, creating an unforgettable evening.
Video, Voiceovers & More to Create the Ultimate Show Experience
With the event plans taking shape nearly a year in advance, UC Davis’ creative team worked closely with our Creative Producer, Josh Busche, to develop a content plan for the evening event. This included an opening video for the program, which covered the scope of the campaign and its impact. Other video elements throughout the program included specifics about each of the fundraising campaign elements.
In addition to the video content, Wired Production Group’s creative team created themed backgrounds for the LED video screen for each speaker and live performance. All of these video pieces aligned with special performances throughout the night, including the “Endowed Chairs” performance from a Las Vegas performance group, visuals during an acrobatic aerialist mixed with live singing performance from UC Davis students, and more, creating a cohesive visual style.
Before The Show: Circus-Style Afternoon Entertainment with UC Davis
The pre-event setup in Hutchison Field outside the University Credit Union Center was….not outside. Due to high wind warnings in Davis, the planned outdoor entertainment called “Center Stage” was moved indoors less than 24 hours before the launch of the event. Our Wired Production Group crew was tasked with the logistics to move all of the entertainment setup indoors, plus managing the audio for all performers and providing directional and information LED posters in the mezzanine for attendees.
With the last-minute interior setup design, there were multiple themed zones around the mezzanine for attendees to learn more about the colleges and programs receiving support from the fundraising campaign. Each zone offered a variety of informative and interactive experiences, ranging from liquid nitrogen sorbet to the brewing program, a fossil collection, and a neonatal intensive care showcase. The now-indoor entertainment was provided by students and leaders from UC Davis, including:
- Samba School Unplugged presented by the Department of Music
- The Magic of Chemistry presented by the College of Letters & Science
- Melodies of Chamber Singers presented by the Department of Music
- Incredible Tails of Triumph presented by the School of Veterinary Medicine
- The Materials Marvels Magic Show presented by the Department of Materials Science & Engineering
This is all in addition to multiple games, concessions, and face painting – talk about something for everyone!
As the afternooon wrapped up, Taiko drummers escorted attendees to their assigned seating for the show on the big stage! The planned indoor show is where our crew says the real magic happened.
The Idea: Under the Big Top
The stage design had to accommodate acrobatic aerialists and live singers, while still offering a level of professionalism with the University speakers to showcase the success of the fundraising campaign. Between the Chancellor dressed as the ring leader in a tux and top hat, the President of the Foundation entering on a tricycle, and a Vegas performance group showcasing chair stacking, all event design elements combined to create content that reflected the program’s theme and still had meaning to the campaign.
The Execution: The Greatest Show at UC Davis
The interior design featured one 12-foot round and two 8-foot round stages, with a big top tent-style blue and yellow swag extending from the center court to the mezzanine railings. For the backdrop, Wired Production Group provided a custom 62’ LED screen displayed in front of the UC Davis blue drape. Interior lighting design created the ultimate “WOW” factor by pulling all the flashy stops, including rogues, vipers, auras, and uplighting fixtures.
For over half my career, your company has helped me create one-of-a-kind experiences for our donors. I trust you to make my organization look great, and you never let me down. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Achieve Extraordinary Things Together Through Philanthropic Events
Over the last 15 years, Wired Production Group has been honored to work with the staff at UC Davis to create and execute extraordinary event experiences to complement their giving programs. The “Expect Greater” campaign has been especially wonderful to work on as the project began during the COVID-19 pandemic and brought a sense of community when communities were searching for togetherness. Through giving, communities can achieve incredible things.
For more information on the campaign, please visit the UC Davis Giving website here. To learn more about donor engagement and fundraising event production with Wired Production Group, please connect with our team of professionals.