Rudolf Střítecký is a recognised show designer, dramaturge, and creative leader behind Art4Promotion – a company redefining the concept of multimedia shows. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to creating grand, emotionally powerful productions that merge cutting-edge technology with unique artistic vision. His mission is clear: to tell stories and create experiences that not only impress but also deeply move audiences and leave a lasting footprint.
Under his leadership, Art4Promotion has produced large-scale shows for brands such as ČEZ, KOH-I-NOOR, Mercedes-Benz, NOVA TV, and the Youth Olympic Games of the Czech Republic. With his artistic signature and attention to detail, Střítecký has established Art4Promotion as a market leader capable of delivering unique and large-scale projects that inspire and resonate far beyond the event itself.
Q1: Your event was selected among the 55 best projects in Europe. What was the main inspiration, and how did you aim to overcome the “boring meetings” paradigm?
Our main inspiration was to create not just an event, but an emotional journey. To show that an event can be more than a program, a reception, or a few glasses of wine. For us, it was a chance to tell a story, to deliver a message, to unite a nation through a shared emotional moment.
it was about inspiring the future generation of athletes and showing that Czech creativity can speak not only to our nation but to Europe with a strong voice.
The Youth Olympic Games opening ceremony wasn’t just the start of a sports event – it was about inspiring the future generation of athletes and showing that Czech creativity can speak not only to our nation but to Europe with a strong voice. This motivation helped us to overcome any boring meetings.
Q2: How did you practically balance innovative technologies with authentic human connection at your event?
For us, technology and people were not opposites – they were storytelling tools. Every element we chose had one purpose: to tell the story. The monumental water wall became our canvas, the acrobats in the sky embodied human courage and dreams, and the thousands of children forming Olympic rings represented unity and legacy. Innovation and human presence blended into a single narrative, where each element – whether digital or human – was part of the same emotional script.
Q3: Which three elements would you say had the biggest wow effect on participants?
A monumental 150-meter-wide water wall was created in collaboration with over 200 volunteer firefighters and accompanied by lasers and orchestral music.
Acrobats soaring 50 meters above the water in glowing Olympic circles.
A Czech record: 2,165 children creating the largest living Olympic symbol in history.
Q4: Sustainability and legacy are two key evaluation criteria. How did you ensure your event left a positive footprint after it ended?
Our legacy was not material, but emotional and educational. We told thousands of children a story – that behind every victory lies hard work, obstacles, and the courage to never give up. By becoming part of the living Olympic rings, they experienced that success is built step by step. Without small victories, there are no great ones. That memory will live with them, inspiring a mindset of perseverance and pride long after the show ended. And it proved that even in a regional city, something extraordinary can be born and resonate across Europe.
Q5: Which new ideas or formats (e.g., pop-up, hybrid, guerilla, CSR) did you experiment with for the first time?
We experimented with the very definition of a stage. Instead of building one arena, we turned an entire city into our performance space – the river, the square, even the skyline. Coordinating more than 800 performers was a challenge in itself, but it became part of the magic. Most importantly, we created a symbolic bridge between České Budějovice and Paris – between the Black Tower and the Eiffel Tower, between the Vltava and the Seine. This new format was not just a show; it was a story of connection that carried meaning far beyond the city limits.
Q6: How did you engage participants in co-creating the experience, and what impact did this have on the outcome?
The key moment of co-creation was when thousands of children formed the Olympic rings – it wasn’t just a visual effect, it made the entire host city come alive. Suddenly, České Budějovice was not only watching the ceremony, it was part of it. This energy flowed directly into the Olympic competitions: stadiums filled with spectators eager to cheer for the athletes. And the engagement didn’t stop there – social media exploded, with more than 7 million views in a country of just 10 million people. For us, that was the true impact: transforming a city and a nation into active participants of the story.
Q7: What kind of feedback did you receive from the audience? Did you incorporate their response during the event?
The feedback was overwhelming: pride, goosebumps, even tears. Many said it was one of the most emotional moments they had ever experienced. During rehearsals, we refined timing and energy flow exactly to maximise that emotional response – and it worked.
Q8: In what ways has your event become a benchmark for others in the industry?
Circles proved that even from a regional city, you can create a show that stands next to Porsche, L’Oréal, or Deloitte. It became a benchmark in how technology and emotion can merge into a narrative that inspires. Our courage to go beyond the standard definition of an event is what sets us apart.
Q9: How does it feel to have your project evaluated both by an international jury and an audience through the 80:20 voting model?
It feels complete. The jury recognised the creative and professional excellence, while the audience confirmed the emotional impact. Having both perspectives align is the best validation of what we do – because we create shows for hearts and minds equally.
Q10: Which trends in the events industry do you see as most crucial for the future, and how do you plan to integrate them into your upcoming projects?
Immersive storytelling, sustainability, and inclusivity. Audiences don’t want to watch; they want to feel and belong. That’s why we will continue designing shows where technology amplifies emotions, where community plays a central role, and where every project leaves behind meaning, not just memories.
Q11: If you had an unlimited budget, which element would you add to elevate your event even further?
We would expand the footprint to embrace the whole city – connecting districts with light, sound, and performance. But at the core, it’s not all about the budget. The true value lies in creativity, courage, and the ability to move people.
Q12: What was your own personal highlight or most memorable moment from Conventa Crossover 2025?
For me, the most powerful moment was standing on stage in Ljubljana, hearing that our show had been awarded Best in Creativity – ahead of projects by global brands like Porsche or L’Oréal. In that second, it wasn’t only about pride. It was proof that Art4Promotion’s way of creating – turning every event into a story with meaning and emotion – can resonate on the highest European stage.
Find out more about Art4Promotion here.
