We helped innovate a time-honored tradition and tip off the 2024 NBA All-Star Game in style.
Indianapolis is hands-down one of the best sports cities in the world. But when we won the bid for the NBA All-Star Game, we knew we couldn’t just rest on our laurels. The All-Star Game welcomes over 100,000 fans for “the best weekend in basketball” every year—and as always, our community set out to be the best of the best.
In the months leading up to the 2024 All-Star Game, INNOVATIVE worked closely with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the local Host Committee to elevate this year’s event to the next level.
The standout idea to come from this planning was the concept of an opening ceremony—a first-of-its-kind event to tip-off the All-Star Weekend festivities. Just like the first Super Bowl Village in 2012, this Tip-Off event would be free and available to the public, welcoming fans to Indianapolis with an all-star lineup of celebrity guests and an exclusive concert from T-Pain himself.
The All-Star Tip-Off event launched this star-studded weekend like never before.
INNOVATIVE collaborated with GANGGANG and Dodd Technologies to design and produce this event at Bicentennial Unity Plaza—with our owners working on site as both director and show runner. Throughout the 40-minute event, our priority was to ensure that everything went as smoothly and spectacularly as possible.
We started by crafting a script for our hosts Mike Epps and Tamika Catchings, capturing their unique voices while giving meaning to the moments unfolding on stage. We welcomed basketball legends like Larry Bird, Oscar Robertson, and 20 famous Pacers alumni to the stage. And we even coordinated Tyrese Haliburton’s epic entrance, having him arrive in a custom All-Star IndyCar driven by Conor Daly.
As Co-Chair of the Arts and Culture Committee, GANGGANG also organized a live performance called “We Are,” featuring 140 local dancers, musicians, singers, as well as the Harlem Globetrotters. INNOVATIVE complemented their performance with a dynamic video showcasing golden moments throughout Pacers history.
Event management requires equal parts confidence and collaboration.
Complex events on this scale can be difficult because they require perfect timing, careful communication, and true inspiration to make an impact. Fortunately, our team has the event management experience to execute our clients’ vision, while bringing our own creative touch to the project.
INNOVATIVE spent days rehearsing the All-Star Tip-Off event, until all of the tech, the talent, and the team played their parts flawlessly. In addition to directing the show, our team also managed the talent—with a 1-on-1 concierge assigned to each individual. In fact, on the day of the Tip-Off, over half of our company was on set, wearing headsets, and helping coordinate the event down to the minute.
INNOVATIVE worked with the community to bring Indy’s All-Star vision to life.
From the initial bid to the final wrap, our team dedicated hundreds of hours to helping Pacers Sports & Entertainment transform downtown Indianapolis into Indy’s Home Court. On top of the All-Star Tip-Off event, we produced the All-Star television spot that broadcast the event, created videos for the NBA Board of Governors meeting, designed two animated projections to light up the city, and filmed the entire All-Star Weekend for future viewing.
Of course, INNOVATIVE was only one of many organizations that gave their time and talent to this event. But as the weekend came to a close, we were honored to hear from the Host Committee that our team “delivered beyond comprehension.”
