Extraordinary’s Illumination of the MTSI Gala with Expert Event Lighting Services
Modern Technology Solutions Inc.
Modern Technology Solutions Inc. (MTSI) is a leading engineering services and technology solutions provider supporting the U.S. government and commercial clients. With a focus on advanced technology, intelligence, and mission support, MTSI delivers specialized expertise across defense, aerospace, and national security sectors.
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's companion facility in Chantilly, Virginia. Housing thousands of iconic aviation and space artifacts, including the Space Shuttle Discovery and a Concorde across two massive hangars, it offers an unmatched, awe-inspiring setting for high-profile corporate events and galas.
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Executive Summary
For their annual gala, Modern Technology Solutions Inc. (MTSI) selected the breathtaking Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. Hosting a large-scale corporate event in a massive aircraft hangar requires careful planning and precise execution, but Extraordinary Entertainment provided a comprehensive staging and lighting package to warm up the expansive space.Â
With a dynamic pattern wash, strategic uplighting, and custom gobo projections, we converted a cavernous museum into an intimate, highly branded environment. The result was a visually stunning evening that celebrated the company’s achievements while honoring the iconic venue.
Project Overview
Modern Technology Solutions Inc. (MTSI) is a leading engineering services and technology solutions provider. As a federal contractor supporting national defense and engineering programs, MTSI operates to exacting standards—the same precision Extraordinary Entertainment brought to executing their gala. To celebrate their team’s hard work, they planned a grand corporate event at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, a companion facility to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.Â
The venue houses thousands of aviation and space artifacts, including a space shuttle and a supersonic Concorde. MTSI needed a production partner capable of delivering top-tier event lighting services that matched the location’s scale and prestige.
As a DC/Maryland-based production company with deep experience at premier Northern Virginia venues, Extraordinary Entertainment was well-positioned to navigate the Udvar-Hazy Center’s unique requirements.
The Challenge
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is an awe-inspiring space, but its sheer size presents a significant challenge for corporate event planners. The primary hurdles for this gala included:
- Scale of the Venue: The massive hangar has incredibly high ceilings and vast concrete floors, making it difficult to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for a seated dinner and presentation.
- Lighting Restrictions: The space serves as a working museum. The lighting design had to safely highlight the historical aircraft without damaging the artifacts or blinding guests.
- Brand Visibility: In such a large and visually busy environment, establishing a clear brand presence for MTSI required powerful, highly visible solutions.
- Acoustics and Staging: Delivering a clear focal point for speeches and awards within an open hangar demanded a strategic staging setup.
The Solution
To meet MTSI’s vision, Extraordinary Entertainment engineered a custom lighting design that would fit the unique dimensions of the venue. We focused on adding texture, warmth, and clear branding to the space. Our full-scale production deployment included:
- Dynamic Pattern Wash: We blanketed the expansive venue floor with a custom pattern wash. This broke up the flat concrete surfaces, adding immediate warmth and visual interest to the dining and mingling areas.
- Strategic Uplighting: We used high-output uplighting to illuminate the hangar’s massive architectural features. We also carefully highlighted the surrounding aircraft, turning the museum’s exhibits into a dramatic, integrated backdrop for the gala.
- Custom Gobo Projections: To make sure the MTSI brand remained front and center, we installed custom gobo projections. We projected crisp, prominent client branding onto the walls and floor, cutting through the vast space to reinforce the company’s identity.
Professional Staging: We built a centralized staging area to anchor the room. This provided a clear, well-lit focal point for executive speeches and award presentations.
Results
The strategic application of our event lighting services turned a challenging, oversized venue into a spectacular setting for MTSI’s corporate event.
- Elevated Atmosphere: The pattern-wash lighting successfully warmed the space, making the cavernous hangar feel intimate and inviting for guests.
- Seamless Brand Integration: The high-output gobo projections delivered massive, undeniable brand visibility, anchoring the event visually.
- Enhanced Venue Features: The targeted uplighting beautifully showcased the museum’s iconic aircraft, providing guests with a unique, high-end museum experience.
Flawless Execution: Our production team navigated the strict guidelines of a national museum, delivering a safe, stunning event without a single technical issue.
Takeaways
The MTSI Gala demonstrates the incredible impact of professional lighting design. When dealing with unique, oversized venues, standard room lighting simply falls short.Â
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Through the layering of different lighting techniques, like a textured pattern wash, targeted uplighting, and crisp gobo projections, you can manipulate the scale of a room, highlight its best features, and establish a strong brand presence. This event proves that with expert execution from Extraordinary Entertainment, even the most daunting spaces can host an intimate, unforgettable corporate event.
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