The second Fanatics Fest and first Fanatics Games took place from June 20 to June 22 at the Javits Center in NYC. The three-day event featured athletes, celebrities, interactive experiences, and several competitions where attendees could win big prizes.
The One Way Event Production team built and operated trade show booths for two organizations hosting competitions and other events during the fest, including NBC. Our team worked with NBC to bring their trade show vision, complete with interactive LED elements and a real suspended goal post, to life.
To learn more about the build, competitions, and execution of the event, keep reading!
The Booth.
The NBC trade show booth had four primary components. First, the three different competitive events, two of which used an interactive LED wall, and one which used a custom floor.
Second, the LED leaderboard, which was displayed on either side of the booth to provide real-time updates on the standing of the competitions.
Next, there was a 800lb goal post, which was suspended from the ceiling with banners and lights alongside it.
Finally, there was a shop in the back of the booth where competition winners could get their prizes.
Utilizing LED for Interactive Elements
Throughout the three-day event, competitions at the NBC booth allowed attendees to try their hand at three different sporting events.
Using an interactive LED wall, competitors were able to throw real footballs at different targets to test their accuracy. Also utilizing the interactive LED was the basketball shootout, where attendees were challenged to see how many baskets they could make. The final competition, no-ice curling, featured a custom floor where attendees got to see how they’d measure up to the pros.
Because real footballs and basketballs were used (and repeatedly thrown at the LED wall!) We utilized hardened impact resistant LED.
Planning & Execution.
Our team was engaged by the agency working with NBC only three weeks before the event, which meant we were working on an incredibly short timeline. What added to the condensed timeframe was the scope of the event: the intricacies of flying the 800lb goal post which is designed for ground support, rather than mounted overhead; the inclusion of several interactive LED elements; and a convention center that, due to its size, is notoriously complex.
We implemented a modular framing system which allowed us to design a booth that could be built quickly, was easily customizable, and could be adjusted prior to load-in, as needed. With the design confirmed and finalized, we began the load-in and build process on Monday, June 16, when we also received the goal post.
While it’s often easier for AV teams to work with internal technicians or those from their trusted bench of freelance talent, union convention centers typically require that union labor be utilized for many of the positions. Because the Javits Center is a union venue, our team had the added complexity of working with technicians from two different unions throughout the build.
During the event, three of our in-house technicians and two production managers ran the booth, ensuring everything ran perfectly, communication with our client and the venue team remained smooth, and attendees had an incredible experience.
The result was incredible. The build and execution of the dynamic and fun trade show booth was flawless, attendees had a blast with the competitions, and we loved producing it!
Our team loves building and running trade show booths of all scopes and sizes. The number of possibilities, creative applications, and unique requests we get make each event different, exciting, and fun to design and execute. The Fanatics Fest 2025 was no exception, and we’ll be raving about it for a long time!
If you have an upcoming trade show and are looking for an AV or production partner, we’d love to work with you! Reach out to us at WhatsUp@OneWayEP.com to get started.