Ribbon Insights 26 at Mercedes-Benz World

In September, Ribbon brought its partners, customers and industry leaders together for Insights 26, a two-day conference at Mercedes-Benz World in Brooklands, Surrey. Themed "The Fast Track to Autonomous Networks", the event needed a venue with real energy and a production that could keep pace with it. Ribbon chose Peachy Productions as its production partner, trusting us to deliver every technical and creative element across the venue, from the first CAD drawing of the main stage to the final note of the evening reception, plus the photography and videography that captured it all.

The brief: one partner, every space

Ribbon wanted a single production partner to take responsibility for the whole event. That meant the main conference room, the registration and arrival areas, the exhibition stands, the breakout spaces and the evening programme, along with all of the technical equipment that ran through them.

Mercedes-Benz World is an extraordinary venue, but it is a working automotive showcase rather than a blank conference hall. Heritage racing cars, glass atriums, live displays and a test track all had to sit comfortably alongside a full conference build. Our job was to bring the Insights 26 brand to life across those spaces while working with the venue's character rather than against it.

Having one team responsible for design, technical planning and delivery gave Ribbon a single point of contact. It also meant every screen, light and speaker across the venue was planned as one joined-up system.

Designing the main stage from CAD up

The main stage was the heart of the conference, and it started life on our drawing board. Peachy Productions produced the full CAD plans for the main stage and conference room. They set the stage footprint, LED screen size and position, audience layout, sightlines, rigging points and power. The plans let Ribbon see exactly how the room would look before a single flight case arrived. They also gave the venue the detail it needed to approve the build.

The finished stage centred on a wide LED screen carrying Ribbon's bold, light-streaked Insights graphics. Below it, giant freestanding Insights letters ran along the stage front, lit from beneath so they glowed in every photograph. Moving-head fixtures and LED uplighters washed the room in Ribbon's signature purples and pinks. A carefully tuned sound system meant every keynote and panel was clear from the front row to the back.

Two days of keynotes, panels and awards

Over two days the main room hosted keynotes, technical presentations, panel discussions and Ribbon's Partner Awards Ceremony. Each format needed something different from the production. Keynotes on AI voice agents, network transformation and even the value of Formula One called for seamless presentation playback and confident stage lighting. Panel sessions such as the Cloud Native Panel needed balanced radio microphones, speaker graphics on screen and lighting that flattered four people sitting side by side.

Our technical team ran show calling, playback, sound, lighting and camera from a single control position, keeping changeovers quick and the programme on time. Camera feeds and relay screens made sure delegates further back never missed a moment. For the Partner Awards Ceremony, the room was transformed with new title graphics, colour-lit stage letters and a more theatrical lighting state, giving Ribbon's partners a proper moment in the spotlight.

Exhibition stands and breakout spaces

Beyond the main room, the conference spread across Mercedes-Benz World's atrium and heritage gallery. We delivered the exhibition and demo stands where Ribbon and its sponsors showed their technology. Each stand had screens, demo stations and branded pull-up banners, set among the venue's historic cars and displays. Lounge seating created relaxed spaces for delegates to meet between sessions.

Arrival made an impact from the start. A branded video wall framed the registration and information desk, and tall portrait screens carried the Insights 26 identity through the multi-level atrium. Ribbon's Partner Program desk sat beside floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the track.

Photography and videography

We also captured the whole event in photography and video. Our photographer, Adrienne Photography, covered both days, from the empty room before doors opened to the keynotes, panels, stands and evening reception. That gave Ribbon a full library of images for its website, social channels and future marketing.

Our video crew filmed the sessions and ran a dedicated interview set with a branded backdrop, lighting and camera. Handheld gimbal crews moved through the exhibition area, recording conversations with speakers, partners and delegates. The footage gave Ribbon highlights and testimonial content to use long after the event.

An evening among the supercars

When the sessions closed, the venue became the star. Delegates gathered for an evening drinks reception among Mercedes-AMG concept and sports cars, with live violinists performing beside the displays. Our team supported the evening with sound and lighting that let the cars and performers shine without overpowering the conversation.

The result

Ribbon Insights 26 delivered two full days of content, networking and celebration in one of the UK's most distinctive venues. By bringing the stage design, CAD planning, technical equipment, exhibition stands, photography, videography and crew under one production partner, Ribbon could focus on its guests and its message while we took care of everything behind it.

Planning a conference, product launch or partner event? Talk to Peachy Productions about bringing your next event to life.

Photography: Adrienne Photography