Xtreme Spring Charity Auction and Gala

THE CLIENT:

Manheim Pennsylvania Auto Auction

DATE OF THE EVENT:

March 2025

INDUSTRY:

Corporate

CLIENT NEEDS:
  • Showcase and auction off high-end cars
  • Attract wholesale car dealers to participate either in person or online to purchase Ultra-highline, Classic, Muscle and Specialty Vehicles.
  • Create a buzz to kick off the spring wholesale auto market
  • Align theme with 80th anniversary celebration for the Auction
  • To sell a record number of high-end cars and to raise funds for Aaron’s Acres. 
OBJECTIVES:
  • Transform auto auction warehouse into high-end event space with online simulcast.
  • Generate excitement through audio, video and decor.
  • Reinforce the Manheim Pa brand.

Main Entrace and Design Elements

A signature challenge of every Xtreme Spring event is transforming the auto auction lanes into a vibrant, high-energy space that captures the spirit of the theme — and 2025 was no exception.

Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the auction, an iconic 1980s theme set the stage for a bold and colorful experience. Shumaker PDT brought the decade to life by designing custom day-glo graphics featuring the Xtreme Spring logo, infusing retro flair with modern branding.

These eye-catching visuals extended throughout the venue, seamlessly integrated with dynamic lighting effects that amplified the neon vibe and kept the energy soaring from the moment guests arrived. The result? A visually cohesive, on-theme atmosphere that set the perfect tone for a night of excitement, nostalgia, and generosity.

Lighting, Audio and Decor

For this unforgettable event, Shumaker transformed ordinary auto auction lanes into a high-energy, upscale showcase using a blend of lighting, drapery, and music. Dynamic lighting patterns danced across the concrete floors, masking the industrial feel and adding layers of visual excitement. Soft, illuminated drapes not only elevated the aesthetic but also served as effective sound baffles, creating a more intimate and polished environment.

Guests were treated to 80s-themed food stations by The JDK Group, complemented by vibrant custom neon accents that carried the retro vibe throughout the space. Adding to the playful décor, Shumaker designed and installed custom-built acrylic Rubik’s Cubes, suspended as striking focal points and stacked to enhance the thematic atmosphere.

Crystal-clear audio ensured that auctioneers’ voices cut through the buzz of conversation and background music, keeping bidders engaged. Once the auction wrapped, the sound system seamlessly shifted gears, filling the venue with party tunes to keep the celebration going. Oversized video screens, provided by Shumaker, displayed live feeds of the cars and bidding activity, connecting both on-site and online participants. Meanwhile, a precise stage wash kept the spotlight on the auctioneers, while moving lights followed each car, showcasing them in their best light—literally.

A highlight of the evening came when Grace Huang made a show-stopping entrance, cruising through a “Tunnel of Time Travel” in a fully restored DeLorean — the perfect nod to the event’s 80s theme. Shumaker added theatrical flair with bursts of cryogen effects and strobe lighting, turning the moment into pure magic. Following her grand entrance, Huang honored the auction’s 80-year legacy while sharing a forward-looking vision of innovation and growth.

What Our Clients Say

Our Xtreme Spring Specialty Sale and Charity Gala continue to grow into a premier event in our industry with record attendance year after year. Our clients get excited when this event rolls around because it helps kick off the Spring wholesale market. When we are looking to put on our best events, we can’t help but keep turning to Rod Shumaker and his team year after year and event after event. When your event partner is this top notch, it allows you to focus on your business while they transform your event space into something amazing.

John Crispeno

Marketing Manager at Manheim Pennsylvania Auto Auction

Ready to Elevate Your Next Event

Let’s chat about how we can bring your vision to life – and maybe surprise you along the way.

Ready to make some magic?