Here’s the question:

How can an organization strive to make a large corporate event, convention or conference an intimate, meaningful experience? How can corporate photography reflect that aspect? Gold Grid Studios, a leader in Chicago conference photography, rose to the challenge.

The NAFCD + NBMDA Annual Convention at The Hyatt Regency in Chicago brought together members of The North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors to engage in topical industry-related discussions. The corporate event coordinators at NAFCD + NBMDA had a primary goal to create an “intimate, focused experience” for attendees. 

NAFCD – NBMDA presented Gold Grid Studios with the challenge of capturing moments throughout the conference that showcased both large room conversations and speakers as well as small group breakout sessions and one-on-one conversations.

The result?

Gold Grid Studios contributed commercial photography for the conference that emphasized the focus on intimacy and meaningful conversation at both large and small scale. Our experienced team was familiar with the unique set of rooms and layout of The Hyatt Regency, and used that knowledge to present the conference organizers with images that captured their vision and goal.

Gold Grid Studios photographed this multi-day convention at The Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Photographs depicted intimate, focused experiences amidst a large-scale meeting.
The Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago offers a number of spaces for presentations, speakers, trade shows, and workshopping.
Gold Grid Studios photographed this multi-day convention at The Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Photographs depicted intimate, focused experiences amidst a large-scale meeting.
Conference attendees sat at round tables, which provided a setting well-equipped for more focused, one-on-one and small group discussions.

The Hyatt Regency is one of the largest event spaces in downtown Chicago, so that knowledge was key. It is a 365-foot tall building with over 2,000 guest rooms in two different towers connected by an above-ground skyway and an underground concourse. Plus, it houses all of its cutting-edge, the modular event spaces.

Gold Grid Studios photographed this multi-day convention at The Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Photographs depicted intimate, focused experiences amidst a large-scale meeting.
Signage directed convention attendees throughout the various spaces at The Hyatt Regency.
Gold Grid Studios photographed this multi-day convention at The Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Photographs depicted intimate, focused experiences amidst a large-scale meeting.
Panel discussions brought together industry leaders to offer insight on industry trends and ideas.

The high ceilings, a large atrium with walkways, and massive elevators do the heavy lifting to quickly transport visitors and guests about the building. But the thing the Hyatt Regency excels at are the sheer amount of nooks, cocktail bars, clusters of chairs for relaxing, and intimate spaces that dot the interior. There is no lack of space here, but also no lack of smaller spaces to get away, get to know a new colleague, or reflect on the day’s keynote speakers.

Gold Grid Studios photographed this multi-day convention at The Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Photographs depicted intimate, focused experiences amidst a large-scale meeting.
Gold Grid Studios photographed this multi-day convention at The Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Photographs depicted intimate, focused experiences amidst a large-scale meeting.
Many opportunities for networking and conversation enriched the convention’s series of events.

As photographers well experienced with the scale of multi-day conventions, as well as Chicago conference photography, we stay aware of what a space can say about your event. The meditative fireplaces that mark these gathering spaces, the LED walls that add the warm glow, or an edgy, modern look. We are drawn to the variation of aesthetic character in these spaces. It just feels good.

If you’re looking for an event space for your next corporate event, try to find a balance of intimacy with functionality. The photographs will say quite a bit about that as well. 

Gold Grid Studios is familiar with the majority of Chicago venues, their quirks, their overall look, and how we can accommodate the space through beautiful lighting, and meaningful commercial photography. 

Gold Grid Studios photographed this multi-day convention at The Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Photographs depicted intimate, focused experiences amidst a large-scale meeting.
Breakout sessions situated conference-goers at round tables to continue round-table discussions and workshopping between presentations.
Gold Grid Studios photographed this multi-day convention at The Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Photographs depicted intimate, focused experiences amidst a large-scale meeting.
Gold Grid Studios captured accomplished award winners during a series of award presentations.

NAFCD + NBMDA also worked with The Hyatt Regency Chicago on their own strategy to create intimate environment, during the main presentations and break-out sessions. Instead of having row chair seating throughout the room, the Hyatt Regency set up round tables, with modern white linens. Attendees automatically had the opportunity to join various small groups for the duration of the programming, which fostered discussion, idea generation, and meaningful exchange.

Gold Grid Studios photographed this multi-day convention at The Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Photographs depicted intimate, focused experiences amidst a large-scale meeting.
Gold Grid Studios photographed this multi-day convention at The Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Photographs depicted intimate, focused experiences amidst a large-scale meeting.
Gold Grid Studios photographed this multi-day convention at The Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Photographs depicted intimate, focused experiences amidst a large-scale meeting.
Gold Grid Studios photographed this multi-day convention at The Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Photographs depicted intimate, focused experiences amidst a large-scale meeting.
Gold Grid Studios photographed this multi-day convention at The Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Photographs depicted intimate, focused experiences amidst a large-scale meeting.

NAFCD + NBMDA delivers value through trends, networking, education, and leadership at their Annual Conference. All of this becomes possible through seamless event coordination in a venue that fostered the sense of intimacy during a large event and this was reflected in the images that showed those relationships forming.

We are a small team at Gold Grid Studios, but well-equipped to show imagery that is compelling for your corporate event. Because the moments depicted through commercial photography – at an event at any scale – should feel intimate, too.

Let us know if you’re planning your next conference or convention!