Mercury Sound and Lighting

Professional Audio, Lighting, Staging and Video

Case Studies

Auditorium AV Integration Case Study: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

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An auditorium has to be ready for a lot of different uses. One day it may host a company presentation, the next a panel discussion, and the next an event that calls for a completely different look and feel.

That flexibility was an important part of Mercury Sound & Lighting’s work in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Whitmer Auditorium in Detroit.

For this auditorium AV integration project, Mercury upgraded the lighting system and controls with a focus on giving the space more capabilities while still keeping everyday operation manageable for the people using it. The project included new performance lighting in several areas of the auditorium, updated lighting controls, power management, system programming, installation, commissioning, and staff training.

Giving the Auditorium More Lighting Flexibility

One of the biggest parts of the project was expanding what the auditorium could do with lighting.

Mercury added new fixtures in gallery positions, above the front of the stage, and along the sides and back of the performance area. Together, these positions give the room more options for illuminating presenters, creating depth on stage, and changing the overall look depending on how the auditorium is being used.

Rather than relying on one general lighting look for every program, the upgraded system allows different areas of the stage to be controlled and shaped more intentionally.

For the people sitting in the audience, that can mean presenters are easier to see and the stage feels more polished. For the team operating the room, it means having more flexibility when moving between meetings, presentations, performances, and other events.

Auditorium AV Integration Should Still Be Easy to Use

Adding more technology is only helpful if people can actually use it.

That is why the control side of this project was just as important as the lighting fixtures themselves.

Mercury incorporated a dedicated lighting console, networked lighting control, wall-mounted scene controls, and integration with the auditorium’s existing Crestron environment. The system was designed so preset lighting looks could be triggered through the room’s broader AV controls, helping simplify common uses of the space.

In everyday terms, the goal was to give the auditorium more sophisticated lighting without making every user operate a complicated production console just to use the room.

For events that require more hands-on control, the dedicated lighting console provides additional flexibility. For more routine uses, preset scenes help make the system much more approachable.

Updating What Happens Behind the Scenes

Some of the most important parts of an AV integration project are the things most people will never see.

Along with the visible lighting upgrades, Mercury’s scope included updated dimming and relay control for the auditorium’s lighting system. These improvements help manage how power is delivered to both traditional and intelligent lighting fixtures and allow the new system to respond properly to the room’s controls.

The project also required coordination with the building’s AV network and electrical work being completed outside Mercury’s scope. Mercury provided the control-side connections, system configuration, testing, and commissioning needed to bring the pieces together.

That coordination matters on an auditorium AV integration project because the final user experience depends on multiple systems working together, even when those systems are being handled by different teams.

Designing for the People Who Use the Room

A finished AV system should not feel like something only a technician knows how to operate.

Mercury included training for BCBSM staff covering the new architectural controls, lighting console, and fixtures. That training helps the people responsible for the auditorium understand not just what the system can do, but how to use those capabilities in real situations.

This is an important part of professional AV installation. The project is not finished simply because the equipment has been mounted and connected. The people using the space need to feel comfortable with it too.

A More Adaptable Auditorium

The Whitmer Auditorium project was ultimately about giving Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan more ways to use an important space.

The upgraded lighting positions provide greater control over how the stage is illuminated. The new control system brings those capabilities together in a way that supports both simple everyday operation and more advanced event needs. Behind the scenes, updated dimming, relays, networking, and programming help the entire system work as one.

That balance is what thoughtful auditorium AV integration should accomplish. The technology can be sophisticated, but the experience for the person using it should feel straightforward.

Planning an auditorium upgrade or another professional AV installation? Start Your Project with Mercury Sound & Lighting to create a system built around how your space actually needs to function.

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Mercury Sound & Lighting Celebrates 25 Years

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Twenty-five years is a big milestone for any company, but for Mercury Sound & Lighting, this celebration was about much more than marking a date on the calendar.

On August 21, 2026, our team came together at Studio Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan, surrounded by friends, family, clients, partners, and longtime supporters who have all played a part in Mercury’s story.

For our founder and CEO, Dave Johnson, the evening was a chance to celebrate 25 years of building Mercury alongside many of the people who have supported him and the company along the way. It was a room full of familiar faces, shared memories, long-standing relationships, and plenty of reasons to celebrate.

And because this was Mercury’s anniversary, there was really only one way we wanted to do it.

We produced the entire event ourselves.

Building a Celebration That Felt Like Mercury

Our goal was to create an event that felt personal while also giving guests a true look at what Mercury can do when it comes to live event production.

We wanted the experience to highlight the different sides of our team and bring together audio, lighting, video, staging, entertainment, and event technology in one space.

Studio Center gave us room to create something that felt much bigger than a traditional anniversary party. The production included a 12-by-24-foot main stage, six VIP seating areas, a full audio system, extensive lighting, large-scale projection, displays throughout the venue, and multiple LED video elements.

But the technology was never meant to be the focus on its own. Every piece was there to help create an atmosphere where people could spend time together, reconnect, enjoy the entertainment, and celebrate Mercury’s history.

A Night Built Around Music, People, and Energy

Music was a major part of the night.

DJ Flexx, DJ Chad, DJ Troy, and DJ Chantel Jeffries all performed throughout the celebration, giving our production team the opportunity to create different looks and energy levels as the night progressed.

The audio system was designed to give the room full, consistent sound while supporting the different DJ sets and other program needs. Lighting helped change the feeling of the space throughout the evening, using moving fixtures, color, stage lighting, and atmospheric effects to make the studio feel like a completely different environment once the doors opened.

Video added another layer to the experience. Four projectors were blended across the studio’s cyc wall to create a large visual backdrop, while additional screens throughout the venue displayed drink menus and sponsor content. LED video was also incorporated around the DJ area and stage.

Together, those elements gave us a chance to showcase the different parts of live event production that Mercury brings together for clients every day.

Celebrating the People Behind the 25 Years

As much as the production mattered, the people in the room mattered more.

Our team was able to celebrate alongside family members, friends, clients, partners, and people who have worked with Mercury throughout different stages of the company’s history.

For Dave, that meant being surrounded by many of the people who had supported his vision over the past 25 years. For our staff, it was a chance to step away from the usual event-day roles for a moment and celebrate what the team has built together.

More than 20 sponsors also helped support the event, and Wabeek Country Club catered the celebration. Sponsor recognition was incorporated throughout the room, including dedicated displays featuring a rotating sponsor loop.

Most importantly, all event proceeds benefited Give Merit, giving the anniversary an opportunity to support an organization that means a great deal to Mercury.

Producing Our Own Milestone Event

There was something special about having our team produce an event that was also celebrating our own work.

The production began days before guests arrived, with multiple load-in days, equipment preparation, staging, lighting, video, audio, content, and show operations all being coordinated by the Mercury team.

That process gave us the opportunity to put our full range of live event capabilities into one celebration.

From the stage and sound system to the lighting, video, sponsor displays, and entertainment support, the event reflected the kind of detailed production planning our team brings to client events every day.

The difference this time was that when the work was done, we got to celebrate too.

25 Years Down, and Plenty More Ahead

Mercury’s 25th anniversary was a chance to look back at how far the company has come, but it was also a reminder of who made that growth possible.

Our employees, clients, families, partners, sponsors, and friends have all been part of the Mercury story, and being able to bring so many of them together in one room made the milestone feel even more meaningful.

We are proud of the production we created, but even more grateful for the people we got to share it with.

Planning a milestone celebration or live event of your own? Plan Your Next Event with Mercury Sound & Lighting and let our team help bring the experience together.

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All images provided by Nico Salgado Photography

Detroit Live Event AV Production for Nonprofit Fundraisers: Inside Iron Chef Detroit III

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How Professional Event AV Helped Iron Chef Detroit Raise Over $107,000 for the Community

A successful fundraiser isn’t just about bringing people into a room.

It’s about creating an experience that inspires them to support something bigger than themselves.

That was exactly the goal of Iron Chef Detroit III, Cass Community Social Services‘ annual fundraising event held at Eastern Market’s Shed 5. The evening brought together some of Detroit’s most celebrated chefs, more than 20 local food and beverage partners, community leaders, sponsors, and supporters for an exciting live culinary competition—all in support of an organization dedicated to fighting poverty and creating opportunity throughout Detroit.

By the end of the night, the event had raised more than $107,000 to support Cass Community Social Services and its work throughout the community.

Mercury was proud to provide the Detroit live event AV production that helped make that experience possible.

Turning a Busy Venue Into One Shared Experience

Fundraising events are about more than logistics.

They’re about connection.

At Iron Chef Detroit III, guests weren’t simply watching a cooking competition. They were networking, visiting tasting stations, supporting sponsors, and celebrating an organization making a meaningful impact across Detroit. With activity happening throughout Eastern Market, one of the biggest challenges was ensuring every guest stayed connected to the main event.

That’s where thoughtful event production makes all the difference.

Rather than relying on a single stage experience, Mercury designed a production that allowed guests throughout the venue to feel like they had a front-row seat. Multiple professional camera angles captured every challenge, every plated dish, and every reaction from the judges, while live video switching delivered those moments to large displays positioned throughout the space. No matter where attendees were standing, they could stay engaged with the competition as it unfolded.

At the same time, a professionally designed audio system ensured introductions, chef interviews, sponsor recognition, and fundraising announcements were heard clearly throughout the venue. Instead of competing with crowd noise, every important message reached the audience the way it was intended.

The technology wasn’t there to steal the spotlight.

It was there to keep the spotlight on the event.

More Than Equipment—Creating an Experience

When people think about event production, they often picture speakers, microphones, or lighting fixtures.

In reality, professional Detroit live event AV production is about shaping the guest experience.

For a fundraising event, every detail contributes to the outcome.

Clear audio keeps attendees engaged with the program instead of distracted by missed announcements.

Live video allows every guest—not just those closest to the stage—to experience the excitement as it happens.

Thoughtfully designed lighting draws attention to the moments that matter most, whether that’s introducing competing chefs, recognizing sponsors, or celebrating the organization’s mission.

When these elements work together, guests spend less time worrying about what they can see or hear and more time connecting with the purpose behind the event.

For nonprofits, that matters.

A more engaging event creates more opportunities for meaningful conversations, stronger sponsor visibility, greater audience participation, and a memorable experience that encourages continued support long after the evening ends.

Behind the Scenes So Clients Don’t Have To Be

While guests enjoyed incredible food and friendly competition, Mercury’s production team was working behind the scenes to keep every element running seamlessly.

Our team coordinated professional audio, live video production, cameras, theatrical lighting, stage support, communications systems, and technical direction to ensure the event ran smoothly from setup through load-out. Dedicated camera operators, audio engineering, stagehands, and technical leadership worked together behind the scenes so organizers could focus on their guests—not troubleshooting equipment.

That’s the difference between renting equipment and partnering with an experienced Detroit live event AV production company.

The gear matters.

But it’s the people behind the technology who make an event feel effortless.

Supporting a Mission That Strengthens Detroit

One of the reasons Mercury enjoys producing nonprofit events is because we get to see firsthand how meaningful experiences can inspire meaningful action.

Iron Chef Detroit III featured local culinary talent including chefs Andy Hollyday and John Vermiglio, with more than 20 food and beverage partners helping create an unforgettable evening for guests. Hosted by Carlos Parisi and Jon Kung and judged by respected members of Detroit’s culinary and arts communities, the event celebrated the creativity and generosity that make Detroit unique.

Most importantly, it helped Cass Community Social Services raise more than $107,000 to continue serving individuals and families throughout our community.

We’re grateful to have played a role in helping that mission succeed.

Because while our work revolves around audio, video, and lighting, our purpose is much simpler:

Helping organizations create experiences that people remember.

Planning Your Next Fundraising Event?

Whether you’re organizing a nonprofit gala, community fundraiser, corporate celebration, or large-scale public event, professional Detroit live event AV production can make all the difference in how your audience experiences your event.

From audio and lighting to live video, staging, and technical direction, Mercury provides complete event production services that help organizations engage their audiences, elevate their message, and execute with confidence.

If you’re planning an event and want a production partner that understands both the technology and the experience, we’d love to help bring your vision to life.

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Restaurant AV Integration Project Spotlight: How Medusa Cucina Siciliana Enhanced Every Dining Experience

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Few restaurants understand atmosphere quite like Medusa Cucina Siciliana in Detroit.

Every detail—from the menu and interior design to the lighting and service—works together to create an experience guests remember long after they’ve left the table.

But one of the most important parts of that experience isn’t always something guests consciously notice.

It’s what they hear.

Background music should feel immersive without becoming distracting. Guests should be able to enjoy conversation without competing with the sound system. Whether someone is enjoying dinner in the main dining room, relaxing in the lounge, grabbing drinks at the bar, or spending an evening on the patio, the atmosphere should feel consistent throughout the restaurant.

That’s where Mercury Sound & Lighting came in.

Working with the Medusa team, we expanded and refined the restaurant’s audio system to create a richer, more balanced listening experience across every space while also giving staff greater flexibility behind the scenes.

The result is a restaurant that doesn’t just look exceptional—it sounds exceptional too.

Great Restaurants Sound as Good as They Look

When restaurant owners think about renovations, the conversation usually revolves around finishes, furniture, lighting, or kitchen equipment.

Audio is often treated as an afterthought.

But guests experience a restaurant with every one of their senses.

If music is too quiet, a room can feel empty. If it’s too loud, conversations become difficult. If one part of the restaurant sounds completely different from another, the entire experience can feel disconnected.

The best restaurant audio isn’t the loudest system.

It’s the one you barely notice because everything simply feels right.

That philosophy guided every decision throughout this project.

Rather than making broad changes, the system was upgraded to complement how each area of Medusa is actually used.

The main dining room and bar received additional low-frequency support to create fuller, warmer background music. The lounge was enhanced with dedicated bass reinforcement that helps create a more energetic atmosphere for guests gathering over drinks. Outdoors, weather-resistant speakers help extend that same premium experience onto the patio, so guests don’t feel like they’ve stepped into a completely different environment.

Every area has its own personality—but they all feel connected.

The Technology Behind the Experience

One of the biggest misconceptions about restaurant AV is that better sound simply means adding more speakers.

In reality, it’s about putting the right technology in the right places.

For Medusa, much of the project focused on adding strategically placed subwoofers throughout the restaurant. Unlike traditional speakers that handle vocals and higher frequencies, subwoofers reproduce the deeper tones in music. That extra depth makes playlists feel richer and more natural without requiring the overall volume to be turned up.

Guests don’t necessarily think, “Those are great subwoofers.”

Instead, they simply enjoy an atmosphere that feels more vibrant and immersive.

Mercury also added dedicated audio equipment that gives the restaurant greater control over how music is distributed throughout the building. Different spaces can maintain the right energy for the moment, whether that’s relaxed dinner service, a lively happy hour, or a private event.

The project also included dedicated DJ input connections, making it easy to host live entertainment without temporary cables, adapters, or complicated setup. Staff can quickly connect performers while maintaining the clean, polished appearance guests expect from an upscale restaurant.

It’s technology that works quietly in the background—exactly as it should.

Built to Grow with the Restaurant

Restaurants rarely stay the same.

Menus evolve.

Events become more frequent.

Private parties grow.

Outdoor dining expands.

The technology inside a restaurant should be able to evolve alongside it.

That’s why Mercury designs systems with flexibility in mind. Rather than installing equipment that’s limited to today’s needs, we help create solutions that support the future of the business.

Whether Medusa is hosting an intimate dinner service, welcoming a DJ for the evening, or creating a vibrant patio atmosphere during Detroit’s warmer months, the AV system is ready to adapt.

For the staff, it’s intuitive to use.

For guests, it’s invisible.

And that’s exactly what great AV should be.

More Than Equipment—An Experience

At Mercury Sound & Lighting, we believe AV isn’t about speakers, amplifiers, or cables.

It’s about creating environments where people want to stay a little longer, celebrate a little louder, and come back again.

Every restaurant has its own personality, and every AV system should reflect it.

For Medusa Cucina Siciliana, that meant creating an audio experience that complements incredible food, thoughtful design, and exceptional hospitality—bringing every part of the restaurant together through sound.

Because when every detail works together, guests don’t just remember the meal.

They remember how the space made them feel.

Ready to Elevate Your Restaurant?

Whether you’re opening a new restaurant, renovating an existing space, or looking to improve the guest experience, Mercury Sound & Lighting designs AV systems that work seamlessly for your staff and create memorable moments for your guests.

Let’s build a restaurant that sounds every bit as impressive as it looks. Contact Mercury today to start the conversation.

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Merit Park Detroit: Building a Community Hub Through Technology, Sports, and Connection

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Some projects are about technology.

Others are about people.

Merit Park in Detroit is about both.

Located on Detroit’s west side at Grand River Avenue and I-96, Merit Park is an ambitious community development project designed to create opportunities for Detroit youth through athletics, education, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and community programming. Developed by Give Merit, the nearly 60,000-square-foot campus is being built to serve as a destination where young people can learn, compete, create, and connect. The facility will feature athletic spaces, educational programming, media production capabilities, outdoor recreation areas, and gathering spaces designed to strengthen the surrounding community.

When Mercury Sound & Lighting was brought into the project, the goal wasn’t simply to install audio, video, and lighting systems. The goal was to help create an environment capable of supporting everything from basketball tournaments and community events to educational programming, content creation, concerts, and future growth.

A Technology Ecosystem Designed for Community

One of the most exciting aspects of Merit Park is the variety of experiences that will take place within a single campus.

The facility includes a multi-purpose arena, a professional studio space, outdoor gathering areas, a teaching kitchen, a soccer field, shipping-container-based community spaces, and a VIP room. Each area serves a unique purpose, but all of them need to work together seamlessly.

Mercury’s integration team designed and installed technology infrastructure that connects these spaces into one cohesive experience.

Throughout the campus, professionally designed audio systems ensure announcements, presentations, music, and events can be heard clearly whether visitors are in the arena, outdoor park spaces, soccer field, community gathering areas, or educational environments.
At the heart of the facility, centralized control systems allow staff to manage technology across multiple locations, simplifying day-to-day operation while giving the organization flexibility for future programming.

Creating an Event-Ready Arena

The arena is expected to become one of the most active spaces within Merit Park.

To support everything from athletic competitions and community events to presentations and performances, Mercury installed a comprehensive audio system, dynamic event lighting, large-format LED video displays, scoreboard technology, and centralized controls.
The result is a space that can easily transform depending on the event taking place. One day it may host a youth basketball game. The next, it could become the backdrop for a community celebration, educational event, or live presentation.

By designing flexible technology systems from the beginning, the facility is prepared to support a wide variety of uses for years to come.

Indoor Basketball Court Rendering

Empowering Storytelling Through Media Production

One of the most unique features of Merit Park is its focus on helping young people develop skills beyond athletics.

The campus includes a professional production studio equipped with broadcast-quality cameras, lighting, video switching systems, monitoring, communications equipment, and production controls.
This technology creates opportunities for content creation, live streaming, educational programming, interviews, digital storytelling, and media production training.

As content creation continues to play a larger role in education, business, and entertainment, these resources help provide Detroit youth with access to tools and experiences that can open doors to future careers.

Extending the Experience Outdoors

Merit Park isn’t limited to what happens inside the building.

Outdoor areas throughout the campus are being equipped with integrated audio systems, decorative lighting, and technology infrastructure designed to support community events, recreational programming, and everyday visitor experiences.
From the soccer field and public gathering spaces to the shipping container district and outdoor park environment, technology has been thoughtfully incorporated to enhance the experience without overwhelming it.

The goal is simple: create spaces where people want to gather.

Technology That Supports a Bigger Mission

What makes this project special isn’t the size of the LED walls, the number of speakers, or the sophistication of the control systems.

It’s what those tools will enable.

Give Merit has spent years creating programs that help Detroit youth access educational opportunities, mentorship, and life-changing experiences. Merit Park expands that mission by creating a permanent home where those programs can grow and reach even more people.

For Mercury, this project represents more than another integration installation. It’s an opportunity to help build a place where technology supports connection, creativity, learning, and community impact.

What’s Next?

Merit Park remains an active and ongoing project, and we’re excited to continue bringing this vision to life alongside the incredible team behind it. If you’d like to learn more about the project visit the Merit Park website.

As construction progresses and new spaces begin to take shape, we’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes updates, installation milestones, and a closer look at how technology is helping transform this vision into reality.

Follow along as we continue this journey and help create one of Detroit’s most exciting new community destinations.

If you are looking to upgrade your existing space, or build a new one, reach out to Mercury today to see what we can do for you.

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*Merit Park rendering provided by Gensler.

dSPACE User Conference USA 2026: Delivering a Conference Experience Designed to Connect

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When attendees walk into a conference, they rarely think about what makes the experience feel seamless. They simply expect to hear every presenter clearly, see every piece of content without distraction, and stay engaged throughout the event, which is made possible by expert event technology solutions in the background.

That experience doesn’t happen by accident.

For the dSPACE User Conference USA 2026 at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan, Mercury partnered with the dSPACE team to provide comprehensive live event production services that helped transform a technical user conference into an engaging experience for every attendee.

Creating an Environment Built for Learning

The dSPACE User Conference brings together engineers, innovators, and industry professionals to explore emerging technologies, share knowledge, and build connections. With a packed agenda of presentations, demonstrations, and networking opportunities, every aspect of the event needed to support clear communication and audience engagement. This is where event technology solutions become invaluable.

Our role was to create an environment where presenters could focus on delivering their message while attendees remained immersed in the content.

To accomplish that, Mercury provided a complete conference AV solution including large-format projection, professional audio reinforcement, dynamic stage lighting, video support, staging, rigging, and event infrastructure throughout the space.

Making Every Seat the Best Seat

One of the biggest challenges in conference production is ensuring every attendee has a consistent experience regardless of where they’re sitting.

To support visibility throughout the room, Mercury installed a large-format projection system featuring a 54-foot screen and high-output projection. This allowed presentation content, demonstrations, and keynote visuals to remain clear and impactful across the audience.

Behind the scenes, our production team managed content playback, switching, and signal distribution to ensure presentations moved smoothly from speaker to speaker without interruptions. Such seamless transitions are only possible with the right event technology solutions in place.

The result was a polished visual experience that kept the focus on the content rather than the technology driving it.

Audio That Keeps Attendees Engaged

Whether it’s a keynote presentation, technical session, or audience Q&A, clear audio is one of the most important elements of a successful conference.

Mercury deployed a professional conference audio system designed to provide consistent coverage throughout the venue. Wireless microphones allowed presenters to move comfortably on stage while maintaining clear communication with attendees.

By delivering even audio coverage throughout the room, attendees could remain focused on the discussions taking place instead of struggling to hear important information.

Lighting That Elevated the Experience

Lighting does more than illuminate a stage—it shapes the atmosphere of an event.

For dSPACE User Conference USA 2026, Mercury incorporated dynamic event lighting that enhanced the stage environment while maintaining a professional look appropriate for a technology-focused conference.

The lighting design helped draw attention to presenters, support visual content on screen, and create a more engaging environment for attendees throughout the event.

Behind-the-Scenes Coordination

While attendees experienced a smooth and polished event, a significant amount of coordination happened behind the scenes.

From rigging and staging to power distribution and show control, every system was designed to work together as part of a larger production ecosystem. Our team collaborated closely with event organizers, venue staff, and presenters to ensure every detail was accounted for before the first attendee arrived.

The goal was simple: create an event experience that felt effortless. Effective event technology solutions are central to achieving that goal.

The Result

The dSPACE User Conference USA 2026 successfully brought together industry professionals for several days of education, collaboration, and innovation.

By combining strategic event technology, professional conference AV services, and experienced production support, Mercury helped create an environment where presenters could deliver with confidence and attendees could focus on what mattered most—the ideas being shared.

When technology works exactly as it should, it often goes unnoticed. That’s the hallmark of successful live event production, and it’s the standard Mercury brings to every conference, corporate event, and large-scale gathering we support.

Planning a Conference?

Whether you’re hosting a user conference, leadership summit, annual meeting, or corporate event, Mercury provides complete live event production and conference AV services that help create memorable attendee experiences from start to finish.

Contact Mercury to learn how we can support your next event.

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