National Museum of African American History & Culture Grand Opening
National Mall Event Production, VIP Security, and Immersive Creative Event Production Design

Linder Global Events, a leading Washington, D.C.-based event management company, orchestrated the landmark grand opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, managing multi-year planning, robust VIP security for world leaders, innovative projection and A/V technology, and historic moments on the National Mall.

Bringing the Experience to Life

Over four years, Linder Global Events served as the trusted event and production partner for NMAAHC, crafting, planning, and producing the grand opening and associated milestone celebrations. The dedication program on September 24, 2016, brought together President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, John Lewis, Oprah Winfrey, international dignitaries, and celebrities. Linder managed all aspects of the VIP experience and security, coordinating with federal, museum, and diplomatic authorities. The creative vision included a signature seven-minute projection mapping film, displayed across all corners of the museum, as well as logistics for entertainment stages, poetry readings, musical performances, and celebrity and honoree receptions. Meticulous on-the-ground logistics supported a seamless experience for 30,000 guests on the National Mall.

Measured Impact: Event Results + Highlights

    • Delivered comprehensive event production for NMAAHC’s grand opening, ensuring flawless execution amidst national and global attention and multi-agency collaboration.

    • Managed VIP, presidential, celebrity, and diplomatic security operations—supporting participation from President Barack Obama, President George W. Bush, Congressman John Lewis, Oprah Winfrey, and significant international leaders.

    • Produced and executed a state-of-the-art seven-minute A/V projection film, broadcasting music, poetry, and historical imagery across the museum’s facades to inspire attendees and the public throughout the grand opening weekend.

    • Coordinated all event logistics and creative stage management for the dedication ceremony, which included readings from multiple eras of African American history and performances by luminaries like Stevie Wonder and Denyce Graves.

    • Supported Smithsonian, Secret Service, and National Park Service teams to safely host 30,000 guests and manage national media presence on the National Mall, reinforcing Linder’s expertise in large-scale, high-security D.C. events.

    • Enhanced the cultural impact of the opening by delivering celebrity receptions and visual storytelling, anchoring the NMAAHC as the world’s preeminent museum dedicated to African American history.