Each year, IAAPA brings together the global attractions community for a week of education, spectacle and industry celebration. And each year, PRG works behind the scenes to raise the bar. At its core, IAAPA 2025 was not a single show, but a network of interconnected experiences operating simultaneously across the campus. PRG supported programming six sessions, dozens of breakout rooms, and hundreds of exhibitor booths, all managed as one cohesive production ecosystem.

From keynote moments to education sessions, exhibits, special events, and live performances, the scope required centralized oversight paired with hyper-localized execution, ensuring every space functioned independently while remaining fully synchronized.

Serving as Overall Technical Director, PRG’s Walker Harris led both the technical design and onsite execution, developing the full production framework in close collaboration with the client and creative partners.

Building the Backbone

To support a show of this magnitude, our teams installed more than 8 miles of cable, threading infrastructure through every corner of the conference. The theater alone required 1,200 amps of power for a near-surround audio system, a dense lighting rig and multiple layers of video and control.

Comms and RF support were equally robust, with 198 wireless RF channels deployed across campus and 60 comm packs in constant use by the general session team.

Equipment on a Grand Scale

The sheer weight of the production tells its own story. Across all areas, PRG moved and managed a combined 652,900 pounds of equipment, including:

• 500,000 lbs in the General Session Theater
• 140,000 lbs in Breakout Rooms
• 16,800 lbs across Exhibit Spaces

Rigging in the theater was pushed to the limit, operating at 98% of point capacity, and more than half the room, 56% of its total square footage, was dedicated to technical operations.

Broadcast, Communications & Control

The General Session Theater operated with seven broadcast cameras, supporting live IMAG, recording, and content distribution throughout the venue. Communications infrastructure was equally robust, with 60 comm packs deployed across the show, including 40 Riedel Bolero wireless packs and 20 panels.

PRG utilized Riedel integration across the campus, linking audio, network feeds, and media servers into a unified communications backbone — a critical component in managing high-volume programming across multiple zones.

Even the smallest details underscored the scale: more than 25,425 feet of gaff tape were used to keep operations clean, safe, and show-ready from load-in through strike.

Audio, Video & Lighting

The technical systems at IAAPA 2025 were designed to support a wide spectrum of content, from executive presentations to live performance, without compromising quality or agility.

Audio deployment included a multi-zone L-Acoustics system, engineered to overcome significant ceiling height and weight constraints while delivering consistent coverage throughout the theater. Front of house mixed on a Yamaha PM7, with an Avid S6L monitor console handling over 100 audio channels.

Video systems featured new Disguise media servers, enabling dynamic content playback across 168 monitors, five LED walls, and multiple scenic elements throughout the venue.

Lighting was deployed across 426 fixtures, supporting everything from clean corporate looks to theatrical performance moments, often within the same program block.

Creative Collaboration & Live Programming

IAAPA partnered with StudioBound as the creative force behind the Opening Ceremony and Hall of Fame programming. PRG worked alongside StudioBound from the outset, collaborating on run of show, creative direction, and technical execution. StudioBound developed the content, choreography, and original backing music that shaped the program’s narrative.

The Opening Ceremony featured a live backing band performing original music written by StudioBound, underscoring the theatrical scale of the production. Throughout the week, PRG also managed all band and performance logistics, including green rooms, artist riders, and stage management for global performers.

Programming spanned an extraordinary range: from corporate speakers and park announcements featuring Universal characters onstage, to a Broadway-level Opening Ceremony complete with live musicians, dancers, singers, scripted moments, and choreography. The Broadway touring band from Rock of Ages was among the featured performers, adding another layer of complexity to the show flow.

Five Days of Programming

Over three days, the general session hosted six marquee events followed by two days of breakouts and exhibits. The programming lineup featured live bands, a gospel choir, executive presentations, and a rapid-fire schedule that demanded precision from every department.
 
One of the most memorable moments of the week came during the IAAPA Hall of Fame ceremony, when Dolly Parton was inducted. Unable to attend in person, Parton accepted the honor remotely, with her longtime business partner Chris Herschend accepting on her behalf. This moment blended technology, storytelling, and industry legacy on a global stage.

Powered by a Flexible, World-Class Crew

Behind every seamless transition was a crew operating with exceptional flexibility and range. Teams shifted effortlessly between corporate presentations, live announcements, character-driven moments, and theatrical performances, often within minutes.

The production was supported by a standout roster of talent, including veteran audio engineers, Disguise specialists, and partners such as KO Productions, who served as executive producers overseeing content management and show calling.

It was this adaptability, paired with meticulous planning and integrated systems, that allowed IAAPA 2025 to operate at scale while maintaining precision across every space.