Eli Lilly Manufacturing Leadership Conference

Event Synopsis:

Eli Lilly’s Global Manufacturing Awards brought together the company’s top 50 executives for an evening celebrating excellence, leadership, and innovation. Tasked with delivering a world-class experience on a limited budget, our team designed a technologically driven, visually stunning event that married creativity with efficiency.

Hosted at Lavann Midtown, the ceremony featured a fully digital stage environment where projection and motion graphics replaced traditional fabrication — maximizing visual impact while minimizing spend. Guests were greeted with a warm reception and photographed upon arrival; those portraits were then transformed into Olympic-inspired animated visuals, a nod to Eli Lilly’s sponsorship of Team USA and the evening’s “Going for Gold” theme.

The program combined precision lighting, dynamic AV integration, and a custom gourmet menu curated by a boutique caterer from New Hope, Pennsylvania. As co-emcee alongside Ed Hernandez, President of Manufacturing, I helped bring a tone of connection and inspiration to the evening. The event was hailed by the client as the most engaging and seamless awards ceremony they had ever hosted — a true reflection of thoughtful design, storytelling, and executional excellence.

Highlights:

• “Going for Gold” Theme inspired by Eli Lilly’s sponsorship of Team USA
• Digital Stage Design leveraging motion graphics and projection in place of fabrication
• Animated Guest Portraits transforming executive photos into Olympic-style visuals
• Curated Culinary Experience from a boutique Pennsylvania caterer
• Dynamic AV & Lighting Design delivering a premium, high-impact show experience
• Hosted by Leadership — co-emceed alongside the President of Manufacturing
• Praised as Eli Lilly’s Best Ceremony to Date for creativity and execution

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Lead: Directed full program development, production, and execution.
• Emcee: Co-hosted the awards ceremony alongside Eli Lilly’s President of Manufacturing.
• Vendor Management: Led all third-party partners including AV, catering, and production vendors.
• Technical Oversight: Directed digital stage design, lighting, and AV integrations.
• Creative Direction: Led thematic development and design of all visual and experiential assets.
• Operations: Managed contracting, insurance, and budget reconciliation.
• Client Leadership: Oversaw all communications, approvals, and stakeholder alignment.