QSC San Diego 2024: Elevating an Industry Event
QSC San Diego 2024 was an ambitious undertaking that pushed the boundaries of creativity, logistics, and time management—and it stands as a testament to the power of meticulous planning and teamwork. As the in-house video producer and animator for Qualys, a leading provider of cloud-based IT, security, and compliance solutions, I was tasked with creating a stunning array of media assets to bring the company’s annual Qualys Security Conference (QSC) to life.
QSC is more than just an industry event; it’s a platform for cybersecurity leaders, practitioners, and innovators to share insights, showcase groundbreaking technologies, and foster connections. For the 2024 San Diego conference, I had just 30 days to conceptualize, produce, and deliver a dynamic suite of videos, animations, and digital signage that would set the tone for the event, reflect the company’s cutting-edge brand identity, and leave a lasting impression on attendees. The result? A highly polished production that not only elevated the conference experience but also underscored Qualys’ commitment to innovation and excellence.
Setting the Stage for Success
In preparation for the conference, I led the creation of three dynamic promotional videos that highlighted major product launches and key offerings. My role encompassed everything from conceptualizing the storyline and messaging to directing the production and overseeing post-production to ensure the videos aligned with the event's branding and goals. While these videos were developed prior to the event, they debuted on stage to captivate the audience and set a high-energy tone for the conference. By crafting engaging visuals and clear messaging, the videos played a pivotal role in building anticipation, generating buzz, and ensuring attendees were excited and informed about what was to come.
Honoring 25 Years of Innovation
QSC 2024 was particularly special as it marked the 25th anniversary of the company. Recognizing the importance of this milestone, I took the initiative to uncover and curate our rich history without direct stakeholder intervention. I connected with individuals across the organization to gather key insights, major milestones, photographs, videos, and meaningful mementos that tell our story. Simultaneously, I managed a vendor to produce a compelling slideshow, ensuring it complemented the heartfelt 25th-anniversary video I created. Together, these pieces struck a perfect balance between nostalgia and forward-thinking innovation, celebrating the company’s journey while inspiring excitement for the future.
Creating a Premium Customer Advocacy Video
In the lead-up to QSC 2024, I traveled to Ohio to collaborate with the team at Cintas, capturing their story as part of a premium customer advocacy video. Working alongside a talented film crew and makeup artist, I directed on-location filming to ensure high-quality visuals and authentic storytelling that aligned with the company’s values. This project involved meticulous planning, from pre-production coordination to capturing dynamic interviews and b-roll footage that showcased how Cintas leverages our solutions to deliver exceptional results. The final video debuted during the keynote presentation, serving as a powerful testament to our impact and leaving a lasting impression on attendees.
Streamlining the Experience with Digital Signage
On-site, I played a key role in ensuring the event ran smoothly by producing animated digital loops displayed through the hotel’s internal signage system. These dynamic displays provided attendees with up-to-date schedules, session names, and clear directions, all seamlessly integrated with the event’s branding. To create a premium experience, we kept motion minimal, confining it mostly to subtle background elements. This approach ensured the visuals were engaging without being jarring or distracting as attendees walked through the halls. Additionally, I collaborated with the hotel staff to carefully time when schedules would update on the screens, ensuring that every transition felt seamless and professional. By managing daily updates and coordinating these efforts, we provided attendees with accurate, timely information right where they needed it.
Larger-Than-Life Messaging: Marketing-Focused Digital Signage
In addition to directional signage, I developed marketing-focused digital signs that looped throughout the venue, creating an immersive and impactful experience. These animations and graphics were displayed on towering LED walls, several times taller than an average human, giving the event spaces a larger-than-life feel. The bold visuals not only highlighted key products and company achievements but also reinforced the brand’s messaging in a way that was impossible to ignore.
The messaging was meticulously timed to align with product announcements made on stage, ensuring seamless transitions between the live event and online product video releases. This synchronization amplified the impact of each announcement, delivering a unified experience for both in-person attendees and the online audience.
What made this effort even more exciting was the debut of a new branding style developed specifically for this conference. The animations and graphics introduced fresh design elements that reflected the company’s forward-thinking identity, leaving attendees with a lasting impression of the value and innovation offered.
Capturing the Heart of the Event
During the event, I managed photography and videography to capture the energy and key moments. This included overseeing interviews for customer advocacy videos, conducted on a custom-designed set I helped create. Post-event, six high-end case studies emerged from these interviews, solidifying the company’s reputation as an industry leader.
Wrapping It All Up
Post-event, I delivered polished highlight videos, edited photos, and ensured all recorded sessions were made available online for replay. These assets not only extended the event’s impact but also demonstrated the value of comprehensive media coverage. But there’s so much more to this event than the final deliverables. From crafting small animations for PM PowerPoint presentations to juggling my regularly scheduled webinars and productions alongside QSC preparations, the scope of my contributions spanned a wide array of creative and logistical challenges.
If you watch the highlight video below, you’ll see a particularly meaningful moment featuring our CEO walking next to a timeline on the wall—a timeline I did the bulk of the research for to celebrate Qualys’ 25th anniversary. As someone who has been with the company for most of its history, this moment held incredible significance, as he was literally walking through the past couple of decades of his life. To commemorate this sense of achievement, we invited all employees on-site to sign their names on the timeline where they joined the company, transforming the installation into a living celebration of our shared journey.