Client: UC Berkeley
Venue: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
Transforming the Grand Ballroom into a Celebration of Heritage and Leadership
UC Berkeley hosted a two-day event at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong as part of its global roadshow, reconnecting with alumni and prospective students while celebrating a historic fundraising milestone of $7.37 billion. The event also marked the farewell of Chancellor Carol Christ and welcomed incoming Chancellor Richard Lyons.
Encore, as the in-house production partner, was tasked with delivering a complete solution that embodied the theme “Light the Way.”
The Solution
Encore designed a versatile production plan that transformed the Grand Ballroom for two distinct experiences. Day one featured an Academic Forum with theatre-style seating and a luncheon for 140 guests. A striking LED wall served as the stage backdrop, while custom gobos projected UC Berkeley’s branding onto marble pillars. The space was bathed in signature blue and gold lighting, creating a cohesive visual identity.
For the Celebration Dinner, the ballroom was reimagined with elegant banquet rounds, white and green floral centrepieces and ghost Tiffany chairs. Large illuminated letters spelling “Light the Way” greeted guests in the pre-function area. Dynamic lighting shifted through UC Berkeley’s colours, while entertainment included a choir performance and a nostalgic appearance by Oski, the university mascot.
Encore provided full AV support for speakers and performances, ensuring seamless transitions and flawless execution.
The Result
The event was a resounding success, praised for its creativity and precision. The transformation of the ballroom showcased Encore’s ability to deliver world-class production for diverse formats.
“This event’s success was significantly bolstered by Encore’s direct involvement with the client from the earliest stages of planning. Our team engaged in detailed coordination, from early morning calls with stakeholders in the U.S. to comprehensive pre-event rundown meetings. This thorough approach ensured complete oversight and seamless execution.”
— Daniel Neville, Assistant Director of Event Technology, Encore Hong Kong
UC Berkeley commended the event for honouring its leadership transition and campaign milestone, reinforcing the strong partnership between Encore and the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
