Zscaler wanted this event to be a great, up-leveled experience that would make an impact and make attendees feel special the moment they walked in. They also wanted it to surpass other industry events their partners would be attending.
Billy Matiernan, Lightspeed Director of Events
Overview
Three Days of Connection and Opportunity
Zscaler, a leading cloud security company headquartered in San Jose, accelerates digital transformation so customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The SASE-based Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™ is the world’s largest in-line cloud security platform, distributed across more than 150 data centers globally and protecting thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss.
Zscaler brings together more than 100 partners from the Americas region for its annual Executive Partner Summit. The three-day event offers direct access to Zscaler’s executive team to explore strategies and new opportunities for mutual growth and success.
Challenge
An Exclusive Experience on a Tight Timeline
When Zscaler chose Lightspeed to manage event planning for the Executive Partner Summit, Zscaler had a venue, theme, program structure, and vision for the event. Lightspeed would make that vision come to life, from planning and production to creative design and on-site logistics.
The event would draw 170 executives to the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego, with the theme of “Partnering for Tomorrow’s Success.” The team had a short planning window to bring it all together.
Solution
Every Detail, Seamlessly Connected
Zscaler and Lightspeed created an Executive Partner Summit that combined a VIP experience with exclusive networking and industry insights.
Registration, Onsite Logistics, and Vendor Management. Every detail, from online and in-person registration to an optional golf experience before departure, came together seamlessly for attendees. Whether bringing in a team to build the ideal stage for presentations and awards, or managing lighting experts for maximum production value, Lightspeed provided the kind of event expertise only years of hands-on experience can bring.
Vendor Sourcing and Production. Lightspeed sourced and vetted vendors to fulfill print, production, and shipping needs to ensure all assets were in place and on time for the event.
Web & Creative
A Consistent Experience from Invitation to Arrival
Web, Branding, and Creative Treatment. Throughout the event, guests saw a consistent display of custom-designed creative assets underscoring the Zscaler brand and event theme. The registration website, badges, menus, place cards, signage, on-site merchandise, and other creative assets ensured a continuous look-and-feel for the event experience.
Registration. A custom registration website made it easy for VIPs to RSVP, have their questions answered, request any special needs be met, and see who among their peers would be attending.
Executive Engagement
Space for Ideas and Meaningful Conversations
Executive Presentations Support and Speaker Sourcing. Messaging and design support ensured speakers delivered their presentations with impact. Lightspeed’s speaker sourcing service gave attendees the opportunity to hear award-winning speaker and author Scott McKain on how to move beyond being distinctive and take your brand and business to the next level.
Executive 1:1s. Networking opportunities don’t just happen. Lightspeed provided expertise on timing and other tips to ensure 1:1s between Zscaler and partner executives delivered a productive experience for all.
Evening Events
Memorable Moments Beyond the Meeting Room
Reception and Dinner Events. Evening events can leave a lasting impact but require seemingly endless decisions. From menu and linen choices to grand archway entrances and dramatic lighting, Lightspeed made Zscaler’s event vision a reality with meticulous planning and production. Guests enjoyed a Coastal California welcome reception and a Mediterranean-style celebration dinner. Thorough back-up planning enabled a smooth transition to move the al fresco dining indoors due to a sudden change in the weather on Day 2.
The Finale
An Experience That Lit Up the Night
Drone Show. The celebration dinner ended with an ooh-and-aah-inspiring drone show in the night sky. Guests brought their after-dinner drinks outside to view a group of 300 illuminated drones create clicking champagne glasses and Zscaler imagery to music.
“For the drone show, there were a lot of logistics to clear with the hotel, as well as FAA regulations to adhere to. All of that equaled an over-the-top experience and a big hit with attendees.”
Results
Setting the Stage for Future Partner Events
The upscale event provided the ideal backdrop for networking and strategic planning for Zscaler and partner executives.
Even with a tight planning window for Lightspeed, the Executive Partner Summit delivered on all counts with positive feedback from Zscaler executives and attending partners.
One attendee has chosen to partner with Lightspeed to plan a similar event for their company. Meanwhile, Zscaler and Lightspeed are already in conversations for next year’s event, with Lightspeed to be involved from the beginning in venue sourcing as well as the wide scope of event services.
Our Services
Make Your Next Event Extraordinary
Ask us about these and other services for your next virtual or in-person event:
- Branding
- Creative Design
- Communications
- Engagement and Entertainment
- Event Planning and Production
- Event Registration
- Project Management
- Speaker Engagement and Support
- Strategic Communications
- Video Production
- Web Design/Development