Got Light is ecstatic to have been named Special Events 2020 Gala Awards Winners for Best Decor at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala!

We celebrate this honor with our amazing staff and crew who created this stunning design! And a big thank you to our event partners Blueprint Studios and Events, Hensley Event Resources, and McCalls Catering & Events.  

“Receiving our second consecutive Special Events Gala Award is an amazing honor,” says co-owner Jon Retsky. “Over the past fifteen years, our success has been built on creatively transforming empty spaces by employing innovative solutions and designs.  We are proud Got Light has been recognized as an international leader in event and lighting design.”

The 2019 SF Symphony Opening Night Gala featured a concert program by Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas, the San Francisco Symphony, soprano Susanna Phillips, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano, tenor Jonathan Tetelman and bass-baritone Ryan McKinny as the vocal soloists, along with Ragnar Bohlin’s San Francisco Symphony Chorus. Partygoers were provided with six unique venues to enjoy pre and post concert revelries, including three dinner spaces, two luxe after-party lounges, and a neon-filled block party on Grove Street.   

The Patron’s Pavilion tent showcased one of three dinner spaces.

Perhaps the most impressive venue of the night was the Patron’s Pavilion dinner tent. Got Light assisted in the fabrication and design of eight, 12,000 pound, stunning fringe chandeliers containing more than 3,000 gold illuminated pendants. The end result? A dazzling illusion of sparkling stars against a deep indigo ceiling.

The Gala Awards have been hosted by Special Events magazine, the premier industry publication, since 1986, when the awards honored the “top 10 events of 1985.” They recognize the finest work in special events worldwide. This year, Special Events joined forces with Catersource to provide awards to professionals in the catering and event design industries. The event brought together over 500 suppliers and 8,500 professionals for an unmatched networking and learning opportunity. For the 2020 Gala Awards, the magazine received entries in 21 categories from countries around the world, including Canada, China, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Thailand and the United States. Members of the Special Events magazine Advisory Board, made up of leaders in the event profession, reviewed all entries to determine the nominees and winners. The Gala Awards were given out on March 12th at a black-tie ceremony at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

The tent transformed into a swanky nightclub while attendees enjoyed the concert.

The City Hall rotunda also served as a dinner space.

Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall transformed into a Havana inspired VIP lounge.

Partygoers spilled out onto Grove Street for a dance party.