4Wall & Metro Media Productions Illuminate CNA's Global Nurses Solidarity Assembly

San Francisco, CA - In early October, 4Wall Entertainment and Metro Media Productions teamed up to bring California Nurses Association's vision to life at the 2025 Global Nurses Solidarity Assembly with a large-scale lighting, video, decking, and technical services package. 

CNA, which hosts gatherings to promote nurses' values and celebrate unionization initiatives, partnered with Metro Media Productions to transform its mission into an invigorating experience across San Francisco's Marriott Marquis hotel and Yerba Buena Gardens. "Event themes are developed based on strategic goals for the union, its place as a leader in the union movement, and the daily experiences of nurses in the workforce," Metro Media Production Manager Paul Tisa said. "Concepts like 'resistance' and 'resilience,' which were the thematic cornerstones of their 2025 convention, reflect those positions." 

Tisa spearheaded the approach with 4Wall to create a vibrant atmosphere that embodied CNA's vision throughout the event, from keynotes, discussion panels, and general sessions held at the hotel, to live performances and a cocktail party. 
"We collaborate with our technology partners to create an experience that enhances the client's event and communication goals," Tisa explained. "4Wall's lighting and video designers are critical to the process of equipment selection and system design." 
 
Essential to the event's immersion was an animated sequence that played across numerous LED walls with Absen PL2.5 Pro LED Panels and a full-video system. "The client, in conjunction with the production team, developed a thematic animation linked to a spoken-word song that anchored the event," Tisa explained. "The animation was used to introduce keynote presentations and discussion panels. A key part of the event's success was the visual experience of watching the animation on the wall-to-wall video display installed by the 4Wall team." 

In addition to the video walls spanning across both venues, themes of resilience and resistance shone through a warm color palette with CHAUVET Professional Maverick MK3 Wash, Maverick MK3 Profile, Color Strike M, and Vari-Lite VL3600 Profile fixtures. 4Wall utilized Elation Artiste Monet Profiles and Chauvet Maverick Force S Spot LEDs to bathe the Marriott Marquis' atrium in gold, red, and white while illuminating the break rooms with deep shades of red and pink.  

For Yerba Buena Gardens' stage and dance floor setup, the crew incorporated Maverick Storm 2 BeamWash fixtures, ACME Pixel Line fixtures, LED panels, and a steel deck package. "Lighting design, in conjunction with the video wall display, was central to creating an immersive guest experience," he said. "Our 4Wall LD, Devin Cruickshank, did a fantastic job working with our color and branding themes throughout the event space to create a unique and memorable space for our client." 

The installation of a larger citywide event posed a challenge for the crew, as it nearly impacted delivery schedules. Because 4Wall's logistics teams were operating both events, coordination with local IA and Teamster unions was crucial in preventing potential delays. "I love logistics, so a standout moment was watching the results of pre-production planning by the production team and 4Wall designers lead to a successful, on-time installation of the general sessions, despite a challenging timeline and load-in schedule," Tisa expressed. 

Tisa attributed 4Wall's expansive resources, expertise, and positivity throughout the endeavor as integral parts of the event's success.  "One of the reasons we selected 4Wall is because of their prep work before arriving on site. Our timelines are tight and critical to our success, so prepared lighting systems, like Tyler GT Truss, were prepped, addressed, and programmed prior to site arrival," Tisa concluded. "The video wall team that vetted the system components and prepared to integrate the design with our crew ensured a quick and seamless installation. The entire team was professional, positive, and committed to being our partner." 

Lighting Design: Devin Cruickshank
Programming: David Dibbs
Photography: Queens Candid Photography