Leonard Curtis

Brief

Leonard Curtis approached Sterling via our long-standing client, Red Alligator, to deliver their first-ever flagship conference. As a debut event, the objective was to establish a strong visual identity, deliver a premium delegate experience, and set a benchmark for future Leonard Curtis events. The client wanted an environment that felt modern, professional, and engaging, while remaining approachable and aligned with their brand values. The vision was to create an event that not only showcased their expertise but also reinforced their position within the industry. A key part of the brief was to create a conference space that encouraged audience engagement and focus, supported high-quality presentations, and felt visually impactful without being overwhelming. Every design and production element needed to work cohesively to enhance the overall experience, from staging and lighting to content delivery and delegate flow.

Solution

We delivered a complete technical and scenic solution for the main conference inc a designed lighting package to provide a warm white stage wash, ensuring speakers were clearly lit at all times. This was complemented by a coloured room wash using moving lights to introduce a subtle dappled texture across the space, adding depth and atmosphere without distracting from the content on stage. All lighting was controlled via a lighting console, allowing for intuitive, flexible control throughout the live show. Full signal distribution was included to ensure reliability and consistency across all technical elements.

The stage set was designed with an 8m wide by 3m tall set and we incorporated wider set pieces behind the main set that were finished with curved edges. This helped us achieve a softened look and to create contrast/visual layering, providing a clean, modern backdrop. This set up was tied together with a central custom foamex Logo to ensure Leonard Curtis’ branding was at the forefront of the event. A 16’ x 9’ central projection screen was installed, paired with a 12k projector positioned just above the set. This ensured bright, crisp visuals that were clearly visible from all areas of the room, supporting presentations, video playback, and branded content. For the after-party, the focus shifted to creating a vibrant, social atmosphere within the iconic Cloud 23 venue. Our in-house creative team were able to capture the event across both the conference and after-party. Following the event, dedicated time was allocated to edit the footage into a polished montage, produced to the brief supplied by the client. This content was designed for ongoing marketing and internal communications, extending the life of the event beyond the day itself.

Result

We successfully delivered a seamless, modern, and visually striking event that exceeded expectations for Leonard Curtis’ first conference. The bespoke set, considered lighting design, and integrated technical solution created a fresh and unique experience that captivated the audience while supporting clear communication and engagement throughout the day.