Case Study
Hybrid
•Washington DC
•May 2024
We loved working with you!! Thank you to you and the entire team for being truly remarkable. The partnership was professionally executed and immensely appreciated!!
The American Public University System (APUS) organized a Commencement Weekend designed to resonate deeply with graduates, their families, and university faculty. The weekend featured an Oscar-style awards gala to honor faculty and staff, followed by three live-broadcasted commencement ceremonies spread over two days. Additionally, "Grad Central Station" was envisioned as a vibrant, memory-making hub for all attendees, offering a lively and engaging environment to celebrate this important milestone.
The primary challenge was to transform a vast, unfamiliar exhibit hall into an acoustically and visually stunning venue, all within a tight 49-day timeline. This involved designing the space, hiring staff, and preparing for potential protests during the commencement. Happily was responsible for every detail, from the glamorous gala setup to engaging activation areas for guests of all ages.
This production required careful planning and swift execution, coupled with the expertise to manage and adapt to the complexities of a large-scale event. As specialists in commencements, Happily expertly navigated the unique challenges of a university community and brand, bringing APUS's vision to life. Our deep understanding of the distinct needs of academic institutions enabled us to craft an event that resonated profoundly with the university's culture. This expertise fostered a strong, trust-based partnership that exceeded expectations and delivered an exceptional experience for all involved.
I am so grateful for you and the Happily team! I can easily say this was our best Commencement yet! Already looking forward to next year!
The Happily Experiential Studio was responsible for creating an immersive and engaging environment for all attendees, including graduates, faculty, and families. Led by the Experiential Producer and supported by the Associate Producer, Registration Lead, Marching Orders/Seating Lead Coordinator, and Activation Leads, Team Happily transformed the exhibit hall into a vibrant and celebratory space known as 'Grad Central Station.'
Team Happily designed and implemented activations like a step-in branded photo booth, life-size displays for social media posts, and safe, entertaining spaces for younger guests. Production Assistants and the Staging Supervisor played vital roles in ensuring that each activation ran smoothly and that every detail was executed to perfection. The Experiential Studio's careful planning also included managing key logistical elements such as catering, brand presence, and contract requirements, while navigating the vendor community to select the best partners for the event.
One of our proudest 'Happily Moments' was helping to dress up the children who walked with their parents to receive their diplomas on stage, making them feel special and included in the celebration. The Experiential Studio also coordinated the confetti cannons for the iconic 'turning of the tassel' moment, adding an extra layer of excitement to the commencement ceremonies. Through their collective efforts, the team ensured that every attendee left with lasting memories of this significant occasion.
The Happily Creative Studio unified the aesthetic vision for the entire APUS Commencement Weekend. Under the leadership of a Happily Creative Director, Team Happily took charge of the university’s brand transition, ensuring that all visual elements were cohesive and reflective of APUS’s bold identity. Set Designer and Stage Installers worked thoughtfully to bring the vision to life, from the oversized entry banner to the thematic floor clings and the striking designs within the commencement hall. Their combined efforts ensured that the event's visual narrative was consistent and fully branded, reinforcing the significance of the occasion and leaving a lasting impression on all attendees.
The Creative Studio also collaborated closely with the production team to develop detailed run-of-shows, accounting for the nuances of large-scale productions to ensure every moment was perfectly timed. This coordination was crucial in managing talent intake, transportation, on-site logistics, and preparation, ensuring all participants were fully ready to contribute to the event's success.
The Happily Broadcast Studio was responsible for capturing and streaming the event to both in-person and virtual attendees. The Happily Broadcast Team, including a Broadcast Director, Technical Director, and Content Producer, transformed a bare exhibit hall into a sophisticated ceremonial setting by raising fabric walls, carpeting the entire floor, and constructing two stages complete with audio, projection, lighting, and teleprompter setups.
Additionally a Happily Broadcast Graphics Designer, Motion Graphics/Animation specialists, Camera Operators, Audio Engineers, Lighting Designers, and Grips, ensured that the three separate commencement ceremonies were presented with multiple camera angles, ASL translations, and real-time visual projections, allowing all 14,000 in-person attendees and 16,000 virtual attendees to fully experience the event. Backstage Managers and Talent Wranglers coordinated behind-the-scenes activities, ensuring smooth transitions and a professional broadcast. Team Happily also skillfully handled unexpected challenges, such as a venue lighting reset due to a solar flare, demonstrating their ability to adapt and maintain the event's flow without disruption.
Thank you and your team so much for helping us this year! It was such a pleasure working with you all. I'd like to give a special thank you to Shalea and Koby working with us in the graduate lineup space. They were on top of things and were excellent communicators, making things so much easier for us to focus on prepping the graduates themselves. I hope to see them again next year!
The APUS Commencement Weekend was a remarkable success, with Happily skillfully managing a complex event that included a glamorous gala, live-broadcasted ceremonies, and the lively 'Grad Central Station.' Despite tight deadlines and logistical hurdles, the transformation of the exhibit hall and the flawless execution of the weekend highlighted Happily's expertise and versatility.
University leadership praised this Commencement Weekend as their best yet, recognizing Happily's professionalism and precise coordination. The support and guidance from Team Happily, especially in managing crucial logistical aspects, were vital to the weekend's success and in creating a source of pride for APUS.
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