The 43rd United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) General Convention transformed The Paris Las Vegas into a celebration of its leaders and members, and of the craftsmanship that unites them. At its center stood a custom-built wooden stage that served as both a testament to skill and a symbol of union pride. The design reflected more than a century of history while the production team surrounded it with modern technology. The result was a convention that honored the past and looked toward the future.
Laying the Foundation
Planning began nearly a year before the August event, according to Stephen E. Hagstette Jr., client relationship vice president at Freeman Company. From the start, the goal was clear: to create a centerpiece that reflected the trade that built it. The UBC, one of North America’s largest building trades unions with more than a half-million members, led the vision. With pride in its 140-year history, the organization continues to train, educate, and represent the next generation of skilled construction professionals. Freeman designed and built the environment, while IMS Technology Services and The Paris Las Vegas joined the core team for technical execution and venue integration. Together they turned a standard ballroom into a handcrafted, high-tech convention hall.
“In a powerful tribute to the Carpenters’ legacy of custom construction and woodworking, UBC and Freeman designed and built a custom stage entirely out of wood. This handcrafted centerpiece served not only as a functional platform but also as a symbolic nod to the union’s deep-rooted craftsmanship,” Hagstette says.
That idea guided the design, balancing texture and technology so the stage looked like a carpenter’s pride and performed like a broadcast set.
Measure Twice, Cut Once
The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EASRCC) handled fabrication and staging. Union carpenters at Freeman’s Washington, D.C., shop built the convention stage, a detail that spoke volumes about pride of craft. Clean joinery, consistent finishes, and precise packing made setup efficient and exact.
EASRCC also helped set the tone before anyone reached a seat. A museum exhibition outside the main hall honored P. J. McGuire, one of the founders of the union. Historical artifacts and materials from the International Training Center traced the union’s growth and innovation. The concept was developed by Michael Tapkin and Robin Reape of EASRCC with support from Freeman designers. The result introduced the union’s story before attendees ever saw the stage.
Assembling the Framework
The stage took four months to handcraft in D.C. and then traveled across the country in road-ready sections. “Once completed, the stage had to be packaged, shipped across the country, and assembled on-site in just a few days,” Hagstette says. Careful labeling and coordination kept the process on time.
On-site, carpentry met technology. IMS Technology Services integrated a larger-than-life LED wall with the wood structure, so the room read as one design. When lights fell and the stage illuminated, the combination of wood and video created a powerful blend of tradition and innovation.
All Hands on Deck
Live events are a team effort, and this convention proved it. Carpenters, Teamsters, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) worked side by side to build registration areas, exhibits, the museum, and the main stage. “No single party could have done it alone,” Hagstette says. The collaboration showed how skilled union labor anchors the success of major productions.
Finishing Touches
Ballroom conversions can feel anonymous. This one did not. Wood defined the geometry, screens amplified the message, and lighting tied it together. The production felt cohesive and scaled for a national audience. The reveal landed perfectly as the LED wall came alive, the carpentry held its own, and the audience saw the union’s story told through the build itself.
Built to Last
The convention demonstrated how the trades and the live events industry thrive together. Skilled labor gives production teams precision and safety. Production partners give unions a platform to show where craft meets technology. That relationship keeps projects efficient and audience ready.
Together, the teams built more than a stage; they built a statement about what union craftsmanship can achieve.
Standing Strong
The 43rd UBC General Convention answered a simple question: what does union pride look like on a national stage? The answer stood in front of everyone: a union-built structure that could hold a movement and a production that honored the craft behind it. The best builds, as this one proved, are never solo.
Founded to support and advance the skill and safety of its members, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters represents carpenters across North America and invests in training for the next generation. Visit carpenters.org.
This story originally appeared in the Q1 2026 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 60. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/exhibit_city_news_-_jan_feb_mar_2026/60.
