This June, student aid professionals from across the country converged in Anaheim, California — not just for the NASFAA 2025 National Conference, but for something more: a showstopping experience that captured the spirit of education, community, and a touch of California theme-park wonder.
At MAC, we don’t just build stages — we build stories. And for NASFAA, the story was all about creating a space that inspired imagination, movement, and momentum — the very heart of student success.
So what did we do?
We took the thrills of nearby theme parks and the client’s conference message… and turned them into a custom set design that rode like a dream.
The curved truss, lined with vibrant LED light strips, didn’t just hold lights — it became a roller coaster, soaring overhead in bold loops of kinetic energy. It was an architectural metaphor — a nod to the ups and downs of the student financial aid journey, and the people who guide students through every twist and turn.
But we didn’t stop there.
We introduced CNC-cut showpieces — a castle, a ferris wheel, and a stylized backdrop cityscape. These weren’t props; they were layered icons, woven together to carry the event theme right off the screen and into the room.
Every layer was intentional. Every silhouette had a purpose. From the majesty of the castle to the spinning nostalgia of the ferris wheel, the stage told a story of opportunity, growth, and future dreams — just like the professionals in the audience help create every day.
And then came the light.
With custom gobos casting branded shapes and strategic lighting cues pulling conference colors beyond the stage, the entire room became part of the experience. The audience wasn’t just watching from the seats — they were inside the message.
This wasn’t just another general session. It was a stage that sparked inspiration. A design that made you look twice. A production that connected message with meaning — and did it all with MAC’s signature blend of creativity, precision, and just a bit of show business flair.
Because when it comes to staging a national conference that educates, engages, and elevates — we don’t just light the way…We engineer the magic.
