09 AFTER SHOW How Do You Build a Festival From Scratch? with Mark Lopez

Ever wondered how you turn a Montana cattle ranch into a full-scale music festival with 20,000 people, two stages, a rodeo, and enough power to run a small city? Host Megan Martin hops in a cart with Mark Lopez, Chief Experience Officer at Show Imaging, for a behind-the-scenes ride through Under the Big Sky Festival.

From mapping out roads on raw land to building docks for semi-truck load-ins, adding shore power to cut down generators, and setting up safety systems that rival any major venue, Mark shares what it really takes to pull off a festival in the middle of Big Sky Country. 

Plus, we stop by the rodeo ring, VIP cabanas, and even the “bone yard” to see where the real magic (and chaos) happens.

🔥 What You’ll Learn:

• How Show Imaging transforms a rural ranch into a festival site, from roads to power grids

• What it takes to load in massive stages and gear without traditional loading docks

• The safety systems and communication chains in place for when the unexpected happens

• How rodeos, VIP builds, and local vendors create a uniquely “Montana” festival vibe

• Why thoughtful planning months in advance (even before the snow melts) is key to pulling it all off

  
  

About the Guest:

Mark Lopez is the Chief Experience Officer at Show Imaging, where he oversees festival production, brand activations, and large-scale corporate events. With experience managing everything from remote destination festivals to high-profile brand builds, Mark knows how to turn even the most rugged spaces into unforgettable event experiences.

Want more behind-the-scenes tours like this?

Join the Squared Squad at eventaboutitpodcast.com for bonus content, guest deep dives, and insider access to the biggest shows in the business.

Connect with Megan Martin

https://msquareddynamics.com/ 

Connect with Mark Lopez
https://www.showimaging.com/