Essence Festival

Since 2012, Solomon Group has proudly partnered with ESSENCE to produce the annual ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ in New Orleans — one of the largest and most influential cultural gatherings in North America, drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees each year and generating significant economic impact for the city.

Strategic Partnership and Scope

ESSENCE Festival requires nearly a year of planning and coordination. As the festival’s lead production partner, Solomon Group oversees the full spectrum of live event services, including:

• Creative development and design
• Production management
• Technology design and implementation
• Scenic fabrication and installation
• Sponsorship activation and exhibitor support
• Venue management and logistics
• Talent and show calling at stadium scale

This partnership extends beyond technical production. We are proud to collaborate with Black-owned businesses, suppliers, and creative partners, reflecting ESSENCE’s mission and ensuring the festival is both by and for the community it celebrates.

Day to Night Experiences

• By Day: At the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience and Exhibitor Floor deliver thought leadership, brand activations, celebrity meet & greets, art markets, food vendors, and cultural programming that uplift and inspire.

• By Night: At Caesars Superdome, the festival transforms into a concert spectacular. Over the years, Solomon Group has produced performances by Prince, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Diana Ross, Mary J. Blige, Lil Wayne, Lionel Richie, and countless others — making the evening concerts a defining cultural stage.

Innovation in Festival Technology

To manage credentialing and the flow of hundreds of thousands of attendees and VIPs in a single weekend, Solomon Group pioneered an RFID wristband system to streamline ticketing, access, and point-of-sale. This breakthrough evolved into WRSTBND, now a leading event technology company serving festivals and live events worldwide.

Recognition and Impact

• Recognized as one of the premier cultural festivals in the U.S., featured in Billboard, Forbes, and Rolling Stone
• Generates hundreds of millions in local economic impact annually, supporting the city of New Orleans
• Celebrated for its diverse workforce and partnerships, aligning production with the festival’s core values of representation and empowerment

Why It Matters

ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ is more than a concert series — it is a cultural institution. For over a decade, Solomon Group has partnered with them to deliver an event that balances logistical precision, creative excellence, and cultural authenticity, reinforcing ESSENCE’s role as a beacon of Black culture and community.