How AHEAD Elevated Its Hybrid Sales Kickoff with Ten Events’ Broadcast-Quality Production

The Challenge

As a national leader in cloud, data, and digital engineering, AHEAD needed to unite more than 1,600 employees for its annual Sales Kickoff—an event designed to inspire, align, and energize teams for the year ahead.

After years of virtual gatherings that felt flat and disconnected, the stakes were high: leadership wanted an event that captured AHEAD’s new company vision—“to make an extraordinary impact on our industry, our clients, and each other”—while bridging the gap between live and remote audiences.

AHEAD’s team wanted an experience that felt authentic, inclusive, and premium—but without the stress and technical chaos that often comes with hybrid events.

“We looked at other providers who tried to make us fit into their hybrid event model. Ten Events was different—they heard us, collaborated, and helped us define what success looked like for our team.”

— Anita Moore, AHEAD

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The Solution

Ten Events partnered with AHEAD to produce a multi-site hybrid broadcast that combined cinematic production with seamless interactivity—transforming their annual kickoff into a unified, high-energy experience.

Our approach included:

• Full-scale production management across multiple locations, including Moonlight Studios in Chicago
• Live studio broadcast with a three-camera setup, LED wall integration, and stage design mirroring AHEAD’s brand aesthetic
• Simultaneous hybrid engagement through the Xyvid Pro platform, connecting in-person attendees, remote viewing parties, and individual virtual participants
• Interactive features like live polling, chat, and a virtual photo booth—bridging the experience across all audiences
• Creative show flow management, ensuring polished transitions, live interactions, and broadcast-level quality from start to finish

“Production value is really what made everybody feel like, ‘Oh, we’re legit.’ There’s a sense of pride when employees see that level of quality from where they work.”

— Caitlin DeGuzman, National Event Manager, AHEAD

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The Results

The hybrid kickoff was a resounding success, setting a new internal standard for employee engagement and event quality.

Impact highlights:

• 1,600+ employees connected nationwide—across live, remote, and browser-based participation
• Real-time engagement via polling, chat, and interactive content
• Seamless hybrid integration that made every attendee feel included, regardless of location
• Zero technical disruptions, thanks to on-site engineers and end-to-end support
• Employee feedback called it “the most engaging kickoff yet.”

The event not only delivered on AHEAD’s vision of “extraordinary impact”—it became the blueprint for future hybrid company events.

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The Takeaway

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for exceptional hybrid events.

AHEAD’s Sales Kickoff proved that when creative intent meets production excellence, the result isn’t just a meeting—it’s a moment that strengthens culture, pride, and performance.

“We wanted to sleep well at night knowing the event would wow our employees. With Ten Events, that’s exactly what happened.”

— Caitlin DeGuzman, National Event Manager, AHEAD

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About the Client

AHEAD helps enterprises accelerate digital transformation through cloud, data, and engineering solutions. Headquartered in Chicago, the company’s people-first culture and forward-thinking leadership have made it one of the most respected names in enterprise IT.