GRAND OPENINGS
The openings of U.S. Bank Stadium and TCO Performance Center marked two of the biggest moments in Vikings franchise history.
Here's how I jumped right in to Executive Produce the ceremonial openings of both buildings in my first 90 days on the job.
Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting
With the ceremonial ribbon cutting, U.S. Bank Stadium officially opened for business on July 22nd, 2016.
Less that two months following my first day with the Vikings, I produced the ceremony and managed the speaker program, which included Vikings ownership and top executives, the Governor of Minnesota, City and State officials, and top executives from stadium construction partners.
The Purple Gala
In the days that followed the U.S. Bank Stadium ribbon cutting ceremony, I served as Executive Producer for
the biggest VIP party in town: The Purple Gala.
The invite-only, black tie event would serve as the welcome party for the team, coaches, staff, players, VIP corporate partners, and other distinguished guests.
We rigged an elaborate overhead truss grid and built a catwalk stage to give the 1.75 million sq ft stadium an intimate appeal and to enable a custom dinner program featuring performers from Cirque du Soleil.
The evening concluded with a headline musical performance by Emmy, Oscar, and Grammy Award-winning performer,
Jennifer Hudson.
HEADQUARTERS
GROUNDBREAKING
Less than two weeks following the US Bank Stadium Grand Opening, the Vikings broke ground on their new headquarters construction project across town.
I produced the ceremony, featuring a video board suspended between two excavators, a naming partnership revealed by dump truck, and a shovel delivered to Commissioner Roger Goodell via skydiver.
RECOGNITION
For my work in leading Grand Opening projects, as well as my work in producing the stadium's first home game, I was recognized as the Vikings employee of the month in September 2016.
I was proud to be recognized with this award, which can only be bestowed once in a career, in just my fourth month on the job. Even more importantly, during the span of this period my wife and I welcomed our second child.
