Forbes Under 30 Summit

In both 2021 and 2022, we had the privilege of playing a key role in producing the annual Forbes Under 30 Summit in Detroit. Our involvement covered all aspects of the event, including stage production, lighting, audio, technical support, and hybrid event elements. We made sure everything ran smoothly for both in-person and virtual attendees, creating a seamless experience from start to finish.

The Forbes Under 30 Summit is a major event that brings together over 2,000 young entrepreneurs, leaders, and creators from all sorts of industries. This four-day gathering features dynamic speakers like Megan Thee Stallion and Steve-O, private concerts, and immersive spaces designed for exclusive networking, culinary experiences, and community engagement. We were honored to partner with Forbes to bring their vision to life, transforming the Detroit Opera House into a vibrant and impactful environment for all attendees.

One of our focuses was refining the experience based on feedback from 2021 to make 2022 even better. For example, we designed and managed an outdoor networking and dining area featuring local food trucks, music, and refreshment stations—creating a cohesive space where attendees could relax and connect without leaving the venue. We wanted to make sure the space was on-brand and offered plenty of opportunities for meaningful connections.

Our approach to pre-production planning allowed us to anticipate challenges and offer creative solutions to meet the needs of the Forbes team. We identified locations within the Detroit Opera House to create intimate spaces for activities like private book signings and small roundtable discussions, ensuring every part of the event was engaging and added value for the attendees.

“The Bluewater team works seamlessly as an extension of our own to help bring our vision to life and build the event experience our attendees come to expect.  The attention to detail and overall knowledge this team brings to the table is unparalleled.” – Brett Cohen, Forbes | Executive Director, Production and Event Partnerships

Beyond technical production, we also managed branding for sponsor locations, created custom engagement opportunities throughout the space, and introduced interactive elements like our “magic door” activation, which revealed different honorees each time it was opened. By continuously listening and refining our approach, we helped ensure that the Forbes Under 30 Summit remained an unforgettable experience, building excitement and engagement for future events!