Nutanix

Next Level Unlocked: A Closing Party for the Tech Community

Next Level Unlocked: A Closing Party for the Tech Community

Sector

  • Technology

Event Type

  • Creative & Management & Production

To close .NEXT 2026 in Chicago, we were asked to deliver the event’s final moment – a post-conference party that would bring everyone together at the end of the week. This year, the focus was firmly on what’s next, from AI to hybrid cloud, so the experience needed to reflect that sense of progress and forward movement. With a strong understanding of the audience and how these events come to life, we were given the space to shape the concept.

We looked to Chicago to bring that idea to life, a city with deep roots in gaming culture, using the idea of progression through past and future gameplay as a way to connect the story of the business with the experience itself.

The Solution

We brought .NEXT Level to life at Radius nightclub by transforming the venue into a two-part “city of play”, built around the idea of past and future gaming.

Arcade Alley channelled the bold, nostalgic energy of classic arcades. Guests were met by polaroid paparazzi, snapping flash photos as they arrived and setting the tone from the first moment. Neon face paint stations, popcorn servers and roaming performers added layers of interaction, while a live band brought a sense of rhythm to the space.

Nexus City introduced a more immersive, future-facing environment through lighting, digital elements and design. Mirror-clad stilt walkers greeted guests on arrival, with jello shot copters moving overhead and hot air balloon servers cutting through the crowd. The music drove the pace here, with a live DJ, and built towards the final full-room confetti drop. The experience built naturally throughout the night, keeping the energy high from start to finish.

Across the courtyard, a wide-ranging food offering brought together Asian, Mexican and Italian concepts alongside Chicago-style hot dog carts, liquid nitrogen ice cream and blue raspberry candy floss. Interactive highlights, including a Candy Crush wall, created standout moments that guests were drawn back to throughout the night.