Your Ultimate Guide to Event Management

• The 3 things to nail before you even think about planning an event
• The 6 elements of a productive event management strategy
• How to optimize pre-event, in-event and post-event promotions
• Prime data mining and content creation opportunities
• Plus, real-world examples of these tactics in action.

ASV Guide Mockup Event Guide

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Engineered for Nightfall

Weather-ready lightboxes and glowing ornaments

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C A S E   S T U D Y

The JW Marriott San Antonio asked its agency, Lightswitch, to design a Christmas tree installation to serve as a centerpiece for the property's seasonal offerings.

Challenge

ASV’s primary technical challenges focused on fabricating four large, illuminated lightboxes that needed to be both structurally sound and visually striking, along with creating 545 oversized plastic ornaments across five different design variations, and seamlessly integrating electrical components into each ornament.

Solution

Precision-engineered and custom fabricated lightboxes delivered an immersive branded experience, and the hand-crafted decorative lighting installation positioned JW Marriott as a trend-setting hospitality brand, creating an Instagram-worthy focal point generating media and influencer-worthy content opportunities.

 

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Lightbox Engineering and Construction

ASV's approach to lightbox fabrication started with carefully selecting ¾" plywood for its stability, workability, and capacity to hold finishes. Using plywood made fabrication more affordable while ensuring the strength needed for large installations.

The design showcased complex geometric patterns and layered components that ASV brought to life using advanced CNC cutting technology– a vital requirement for a cohesive installation look. This precise machinery enabled ASV to cut intricate designs with outstanding accuracy, ensuring that each lightbox part met strict specifications.

ASV engineered the lightboxes with layered construction, where each design layer was set 1" above the layer below it, creating depth and visual interest. This layered method required careful engineering planning to ensure proper alignment, support, and aesthetic appeal. The offset layers also allowed light to pass through, producing dramatic shadow effects and enhancing the installation's visual impact.

To protect the wood components from weather exposure and ensure durability beyond a single season, ASV implemented a comprehensive finishing process. All plywood components were professionally stained to achieve the desired color and aesthetic, then sealed with two protective clear coats. This multi-step finishing process created a strong barrier against moisture, UV damage, and environmental wear, extending the lifespan of the lightboxes and safeguarding the client's investment

"Working with the talented and creative team at ASV was an absolute pleasure. We set the creative framework and gave their designers the freedom to play, which led to a seamless and rewarding collaboration. Their eagerness to listen, adapt, and refine ideas made the process fast and successful, and the end result speaks for itself—a truly new icon for our client."

- Warren K. Kong, Principal, Lightswitch

 

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Ornament Manufacturing and Production

The ornament production was one of the most technically challenging parts of the project, requiring a manufacturing process that could produce 545 units while keeping consistent quality across five different design variations.

ASV's approach started with creating prototype-to-master pieces for each of the five ornament designs. These masters served as templates for vacuum forming. Vacuum forming involves heating plastic sheets until they are pliable, then pulling them over a mold using vacuum pressure. This method allowed ASV to produce multiple copies of each design efficiently while keeping dimensional accuracy.

Once the plastic sheets were vacuum-formed, ASV took on the detailed task of hand-cutting each ornament from the formed plastic. The cut ornaments were then individually glued onto pre-assembled string lights, combining electrical functionality with decorative elements.

After assembly, each ornament was given a final gold spray finish to ensure visual consistency across the entire batch. The spray process required careful application to achieve even coverage without drips or flaws.

ASV performed dimensional checks, visual inspections of finish quality, and functional testing of the integrated lighting components.

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Integration and Installation Support

Beyond manufacturing the lightboxes and ornaments, ASV offered technical support to ensure these components integrated properly into the larger installation. The company collaborated with Lightswitch and the JW Marriott team to confirm that all fabricated elements matched the overall design vision and installation plans. ASV's expertise in material handling, best practices for installation, and coordination of components helped ensure a smooth transition from the fabrication shop to the final installation at the property.

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Results

The four fabricated lightboxes were delivered to the client on time and met all engineering specifications for size, strength, and finish quality. The protective finishes worked as expected, with the lightboxes keeping their appearance despite exposure to the San Antonio climate.

The 545 manufactured ornaments were created with consistent quality throughout the production process, with no defects or quality issues. The built-in lighting components worked reliably during the holiday season, providing both decorative and functional illumination that enhanced the overall atmosphere of the display

The completed installation was showcased on multiple social media platforms, with the lightboxes and ornaments acting as focal points in guest photos and shared content. The visual impact of ASV's fabricated components played a key role in the success of the entire project and enhanced the guest experience at the JW Marriott San Antonio during the holiday season.

Let us help you solve your next activation challenge.

Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to have a call with one of our Account Directors.

Adrian Si
Director, Marketing Strategy
ASV Experiential
asi@asv1.com
424-205-1426

Your Ultimate Guide to Event Management

Discover in the 24-page eBook:

• The 3 things to nail before you even think about planning an event
• The 6 elements of a productive event management strategy
• How to optimize pre-event, in-event and post-event promotions
• Prime data mining and content creation opportunities
• Plus, real-world examples of these tactics in action.

ASV Guide Mockup Event Guide

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