We've shared a little about the results of the Addy Awards but haven't said much about the Addy experience itself. The Mid-Michigan Addy Awards committee chose MessageMakers to develop and implement its chosen theme, “The End Is Near.”

Apocalyptic awards show? Sure.

We brainstormed, refined, and produced an experience to match the overall theme and the visual theme represented by the existing poster.

MessageMakers transformed the event space in the MSU Union into a fallout shelter (complete with appropriate stage and table décor) and scripted the show host as a character convinced that the world was ending that very night, played by an excellent local actor.

WLNS television news announcer Evan Pinsonnault helped to set the mood by filming video spots to usher attendees into the space and reassure them when it was safe to come out. To further encourage attendees to "seek shelter" in the event space, performers in hazmat suits and gas masks served as ushers (and performed an impromptu breakdancing routine while waiting for attendees to file in).

Fog machines served as "weaponized hallucinogens," welcoming a Mayan zombie puppet show as an event interlude. Yes, really. You should have been there.

We even managed to fit in a guest appearance by the MessageMakers decorative Spam^® collection in the slide deck artwork.

MSU's caterers did a fantastic job playing off the theme as well, incorporating a giant rat ice sculpture surrounded by Twinkies^® (combining the poster's artwork with the Super Bowl commercial-approved end-time treat) into the hors d'oeuvre table.

Many thanks to the Mid-Michigan Addy Awards committee for choosing MessageMakers to create their unique, transformative experience. We had a great time working with you.