Festivalizing Data Innovation with NetApp

NetApp, a global leader in data management solutions, hosted its annual flagship event, NetApp INSIGHT 2024, in Las Vegas. The event brought together innovators, dreamers, and data drivers to explore the future of intelligent data infrastructure.

Known as the tech festival of the year, INSIGHT celebrates innovation, data-driven advancements, and cutting-edge cloud technologies. The event offers a platform for 1:1 interactions, hands-on learning, and networking opportunities with leaders from Google Cloud, NVIDIA, DreamWorks Animation, Aston Martin, and Porsche Motorsport. 

NetApp partnered with Opus Agency on creative, production, registration, housing, mobile app development, sponsorship, ambassador staffing, and more, to ensure that every moment was smooth and enjoyable. Our team designed and managed several key aspects of the event, including Festival Grounds, Camp Cloud: AI Edition, The Club, and Encore: Let’s Celebrate. 

The event’s Festival Grounds—a lively expo space—was a centerpiece of our creative and production efforts. As the event’s central hub, the 90,000+ square-foot space was designed to boost collaboration and learning. The festival vibe was unmistakable, with a drumline leading attendees from keynote at the Headliner Stage to the Festival Grounds. There, attendees were greeted with a giant, 3D NetApp logo, inviting them to take photos and share on social media.

Festival-goers were wowed by sponsor activations, like Porsche's hyper-realistic driving simulator. They enjoyed live performances from stilt walkers and interpretive dancers, took content at the various stages around the Festival Grounds, snapped Insta-worthy photos with DreamWorks characters like Shrek and Po from Kung Fu Panda, and collected iconic INSIGHT pins.

A longstanding NetApp tradition, the pin program began at registration where attendees received their first pin, initiating a gamified journey through the event. With 25 collectible pins available, the program encourages curiosity, sparks conversations, and unites all aspects of the event. Each year, attendees add new pins to their lanyards and totes, often wearing pins from previous years, making this cherished activity a true symbol of the NetApp community.

Camp Cloud: AI Edition was a space crafted with a festival feel in mind. Designed to resemble an outdoor campsite, it featured immersive elements like tents, bonfires, “fishable” indoor ponds, yard games like cornhole and bocce, and even a custom outdoorsy scent. This setting allowed for deep discussions around AI and cloud technology in intimate, campfire-like settings.

For VIPs and executives, The Club was designed as an exclusive retreat offering a more personal experience. It included a private meeting space, shopping boutique, café, and concierge service and served as the go-to space for high-level networking and decision-making.

We closed out the festival with Encore: Let’s Celebrate, the ultimate Tuesday night party at Area15 featuring the rock supergroup Royal Machines. Sponsored by NetApp’s partner ecosystem, the celebration provided an electric atmosphere of music, food, and immersive moments.