Event Planning Magic at Universal Studios Hollywood

Written By Amy Green, Co-Founder, BDI Events

The BDI Events team produced a 1,500-person awards show & after party that showcased the iconic theme park.

When your event destination is a world-famous theme park, expectations are sky-high. And we love rising to the occasion. 

This past spring, BDI Events had the thrill of once again producing a dynamic awards program and after party for approximately 1,500 guests at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Orchestrating this event involved high-energy show production, gaining private access to some of the park’s most iconic lands, and managing all the behind-the-scenes logistics that come with working in a live theme park environment. To do it all, his event brought together imagination, strategy and precision in equal measure.

Here’s how it all came together. 

Creating an Immersive Event Experience

The evening kicked off with a large-scale awards program in Universal's outdoor event hub, Globe Gardens. This area of the park is truly a blank canvas that we transformed into an immersive, theatrical environment. 

The purpose of the event is to celebrate, honor and recognize the remarkable dedication and inspiring work of the teachers and team members who work a network of tuition-free, open-enrollment charter public schools. The goal is for all attendees to feel valued, represented, engaged and inspired, as well as for their team to connect with their colleagues from across 20 school campuses.

Key production elements for the 45-minute award show included:

  • Custom graphics and branded motion content to elevate storytelling and visibility

  • A full AV package with intelligent lighting, video switching and live camera feeds

  • Stage management that ran a tight show flow, with nine award presentation moments, keynote remarks from the organization's CEO, a mariachi and folklorico performance, and a dynamic emcee to hold it all together! 

  • Backstage hospitality and run-of-show logistics for seamless transitions

  • Branded popcorn bags at every seat, along with cold beverages 

The energy in the space was electric. And the message was clear: this organization knows how to celebrate its people—and BDI knows how to make it unforgettable.

A Magical  After Party Set in Springfield to Hogwarts

As the applause wrapped up, guests stepped outside into a fully private, after-hours party in two of Universal’s most iconic lands: Springfield (home of The Simpsons) and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™.

We activated both areas simultaneously with:

  • Open rides like The Simpsons Ride and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™

  • Interactive photo ops with beloved characters

  • Immersive theming and lighting to enhance the after-dark atmosphere, along with custom gobos 

  • Themed food and beverage stations featuring Butterbeer™, churros and more

  • Two live DJ areas to keep the crowd dancing

Guests had the freedom to wander between lands, take in the sights and celebrate under the stars. And yes—Hogwarts at night? Pure magic.

Planning the Event: BDI Behind the Scenes

Producing an event of this scale inside a high-profile  theme park comes with unique considerations:

  • Advanced coordination and credentialing for after-hours access

  • Strict timelines and load-in windows, coordinated around park operations

  • Collaborating with in-house teams from Universal Studios to align on safety, branding and guest flow

  • Transportation logistics to get 1,500 attendees to and from the event safely and efficiently

Without careful planning and precise execution behind the scenes, the event flow and guest experience would have suffered immensely.  It takes meticulous event planning, seasoned production management and trusted vendor relationships to bring all the moving pieces together.

At BDI Events, we believe producing a large event should never mean it feels impersonal. This event at Universal Studios struck the perfect balance: an inspiring program with meaningful recognition, followed by a celebration designed for joy, connection and impact.

Planning an Unforgettable Celebration?

Whether it’s inside a theme park, studio backlot, on a beach or a mountaintop, BDI Events knows how to create event experiences that leave a mark. Whether it’s for a group of 60 or 1,600, let’s make your next big celebration bold, thoughtful and logistically bulletproof.

We’ve been producing corporate events and galas for over 20 years, and we’d love to hear more about your upcoming event. Contact us today to start planning.

Amy Green, Co-Founder, BDI Events

Amy leads the production of our social and fundraising events. Her passion is crafting your event’s timeline and script, and then seeing your story come alive as a result. A native of Austin, TX, but an Angeleno for the last two decades, Amy believes events are crucial in furthering the reach of any organization. When she’s not event-planning, Amy is spending time with her family, ideally while eating Tex-Mex and ice cream.

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