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
