Tulane University's Yulman Stadium Kickoff Gala

With the grand opening of Tulane University’s first football stadium in 40 years, Yulman Stadium, a special celebration was in order. Organizers faced a daunting obstacle - staging an elaborate event for hundreds of VIP guests at the university’s uptown campus was not an option.

Solomon Group’s challenge was to design an experience that would give attendees a sense of Tulane’s beautiful new football stadium elsewhere. Working closely with event planners at Integra Productions, Solomon Group transformed several, cavernous spaces at Mardi Gras World to create a multilayered and exciting football experience for their guests.

Upon entering the building, attendees walked the green carpet through the venue’s Float Den as Tulane cheerleaders hailed their arrival. From there, guests made their way to “The History Room,” which included monitors rolling previous Tulane victories on the gridiron.

A player-like experience began as attendees emerged into “The Locker Room” before walking through a custom LED tunnel where fans cheered them on.

Finally, guests took to “The Field.” Overhead, a room-length, curved projection screen displayed a vivid, animated sky. Underfoot, painted football turf complete with yard and hash marks covered the entire space. Large-format graphics of Tulane players, custom fabricated tables and scenic elements, and an LED ticker surrounded the field. Later in the evening, the Midnight Rambler Band performed with special guests Joan Osborne, Allen Toussaint, William Bell and Catherine Russell on a custom-built stage.

The night before Tulane played its 2014 season home opener at Yulman Stadium, over 500 guests celebrated the return of on-campus football at an off-site event designed, managed, fabricated and produced by Solomon Group’s own winning team.