Nov 26 2018
Encore Research

Event technologies are an excellent way to make your events more engaging. Whether your next event is a large meeting, conference, or gala dinner, below are must-have event technologies that will take your event from good to great. 1. Use a free mobile app customised for your event
Get the tech: Cumulus
Apps are a great way to get your event information into the hands of your attendees. Use it to publicise your agenda, key meeting information, topics, presentation details and speaker bios. Plus the Cumulus mobile app is FREE for every client using us for their event services and you can customise it to suit your branding. Packed with 10 useful integrations and features it is a must-have app for any event planner wanting to instant and convenient communication with all attendees – who wouldn’t want that? 2. Find out what your audience is really thinking
Get the Tech: Event Poll
Live audience polling is a great way to increase engagement during your meeting or conference. It helps you engage with your audience and get their involvement in your content. You can also use it before the event to make sure your agenda is on track. Or use it to get feedback immediately after your event rather than losing responses with a post event email survey. 3. Touch the future of presentations
Get the Tech: Touch Kiosk Touchscreens are perfect for displaying interactive content at your event, information screens or impressive way finding signage. They can also be strategically placed to acknowledge sponsors, for photo booths and even for live quizzes at events to immerse them in your content and enhance their experience. 4. Harness the hype of social media Get the tech: Event Feed
Social conversations extend the impact and influence of the event outside the venue walls. Guests capturing and sharing their favourite moments, keynote insights or sporting goal via their social channels, enables your event to engage a world-wide audience. But how are you encouraging or leveraging off this exposure?
Event Feed is an online social media platform designed for event planners to encourage and facilitate social conversations. Make your branded event hashtag known and all social posts from Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with that hashtag will be pulled onto the platform and after moderation are published on screens around the venue for everyone to see. It’s a simple and engaging way to stimulate conversation and gets your brand out there! Get the best practices for integrating social media into your event. DOWNLOAD GUIDE 5. How your event can be everywhere at once
Get the tech: Webcasting, Event Streaming and Recording When you want to maximise your event’s impact by reaching a national or global audience, distance and time can be challenging factors. Encore’s webcasting, streaming and recording products have been created with the knowledge that audiences today need the convenience of live access to information as well as on demand catch up.
Speak to the event technology experts
With so many new technologies on the market and readily available, the hardest part for event planners and marketers is determining which event technology they need! That’s where Encore Event Technologies comes in. As a leading event technology company, we have over 30 years experience in matching your event objectives with the right solutions. With the largest range of event services at our disposal you can bet we will have the answer to your brief and provide you with a creative solution that takes your event from good to great. Don’t waste another precious minute, get in touch with us today and let’s make your event vision a reality! Let’s Chat – … Read More

Recent Posts

Recent Events: Latest Gala themes, new table projection mapping, an Outback conference & more.

Nov 26 2018
Encore Research
See how we used custom table projection mapping to create an extraordinary dining experience for our first Experience Encore event; delivered exciting new concepts for gala dinners and awards nights; and even hosted a four-day conference in the Outback! Welcome to our final edition of AMP for 2018! AMP Newsletter is our chance to show you the creative and technical work that's been happening across our regions to inspire your next events. In this edition we highlight our first and hugely successful Experience Encore event, some creative new awards night concepts, as well as a fantastic example of how to integrate your message throughout your event. Michael Magafa | National Sales Director Below you’ll see a snapshot of some the amazing work our teams produce to help inspire your next events! If you have any questions about the events or our solution please get in touch with me. QUEENSLAND Queensland Hotels Association Awards for Excellence Venue: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre Encore were tasked with creating the atmosphere of a modern summer sun-soaked indoor beer garden for the annual Queensland Hotels Association (QHA) Awards for Excellence Gala Presentation. Hosted on 8 October 2018 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Encore delivered a total event production solution to immerse the 1,100 guests. As the focal point for the awards, Encore created a unique custom stage set which included a 5.7m circular projection screen along with two large rounded screens either side. The full projection surface totalled 26.5m wide x 5.7m high, plus 6m delay screens positioned in the back half of the room for coverage. Two winding, foliage trusses framed either side of the stage while oversized curved circular trusses covered with foliage and beautiful festoon lighting, hung from the ceiling over the stage and dance floor. Along with incorporating creative and production services, Encore also provided Event Feed social media integration. The skin design of the social media feed was also designed to complement the overall theme to complete the experience. Kelly-Anne Mott, Events and Partnerships Officer from Queensland Hotels Association was thrilled with Encore’s work for the impressive awards dinner production. “We are absolutely delighted with how spectacular the event was. Encore once again delivered, from the custom circular screen and stage set, to the stunning furniture and styling, to the content and digital services,” said Ms Mott. VICTORIA Consult Australia Awards Night Venue: Park Hyatt Melbourne Guests were invited to a night at the circus for this year’s Consult Australia Awards for Excellence at Park Hyatt Melbourne. Held on 10 October 2018, Encore created a vintage circus experience for the 250 guests. Styling was a key component to achieving the look, with the hero a ceiling installation using red and white fanned drapery to create the “under the Big Top” effect. The ceiling was lit in reds, whites and ambers to create additional mood and excitement. Beautiful red and white velvet drapes also lined the venue to simulate tent walls. Circus themed table centrepieces were designed using popcorn bucket bases with a string of fairy lights emerging from the top to meet a large red or white helium balloon. The centrepieces were individually lit from the ceiling to add additional colour and focus. To complete the Circus atmosphere, moving lights were hung from the ceiling to search across the crowd to simulate the “Roll up, Roll up” introduction of the Circus Ringmaster and acted like a crowd spotlight throughout the course of the evening. Mark Rock, Marketing Manager at Consult Australia commented, ‘We were very pleased with how this year’s Annual Awards for Excellence went. The Circus theming was extremely striking and the feedback on both the look and feel of the room was overwhelmingly positive.” The event was truly a carnival for the senses creating an unforgettable experience for all. NEW SOUTH WALES Experience Encore Venue: Cell Block Theatre, National Art School Sydney This year Encore hosted their first “Experience Encore” event for corporate clients, treating them to an intimate evening of great food, wine and entertainment at the National Art School in Sydney’s Darlinghurst. Upon arrival, guests met in the courtyard of a brilliant up-lit Cell Block Theatre for cocktails and canapés before taking their seats. A spectacular table projection sequence set the scene, choreographed perfectly with the opening track. Popular culinary personality, TV host and author Justine Schofield, designed the amazing menu inspiring Encore’s production services team to develop a dreamlike sensory experience. The audience were transported on a culinary and sensory journey like no other. The theatrics included custom table projection mapping themed to each course, complimented with a matching ceiling light show using kinetic lights to create a vibrant and fun experience of the dish. Vickianne Lane, Principal, Flick It To Me Solutions, said the evening was a truly unique experience that showcased the creativity of the Encore team. “I was taken on a sensory experience – from the food and the way it was introduced, the immersive visuals, the music, was all orchestrated so seamlessly. It was wonderfully creative,” she said. Michael Magafa, National Sales Director at Encore, said the evening was a great way to say thank you to our clients. “A great event is when every element comes together to create a memorable experience. Technology doesn’t make an evening. How it’s applied, does. Engagement and evoking emotion does. Having Justine Schofield curate and present her amazing menu with passion, humour and authenticity simply made it easy for us to create a sensory environment around her wonderfully delectable food. Thank you very much to our guests, the incredible band and to Justine for joining us. And, to our inspirational team for their limitless creativity. We’re looking forward to the next #experienceencore.” VICTORIA The Million Dollar Lunch Venue: Palladium at Crown, Crown Melbourne The Children’s Cancer Foundation 'The Million Dollar Lunch' soared to incredible new heights this year raising a record $2.5m in 2018 with over 600 guests in attendance at Crown Melbourne. Encore Event Technologies were responsible for the technical production as well as conceptualising and pitching to event organisers the visionary theme ‘Galaxies – an out of this world experience’. A special pre-function space was designed to get guests prepared for launch with the interior of a rocket ship created using set design, styling, lighting and sound effects. Upon show time, the immersive theatrics continued as the “rocket ship” doors opened to reveal two tunnels, leading to the Palladium at Crown. The experience was one of mystery, excitement and discovery thanks to the use of fog jets, creative lighting, and more sound FX. The VIP guests emerged from the mist to orbit a glamorous new world as the ultimate reveal of the beautifully-lit ballroom was unveiled. Under a draped ceiling covered in twinkling, starry lights, returning MCs Edwina Bartholomew and Hamish McLachlan enchanted the audience and introduced a touching story from beneficiaries of the Children’s Cancer Foundation. The stage backdrop was designed to emulate the windows of spaceship – created using 14 hex panels in a diamond shape with 3D content projected onto it. Throughout the evening guests were treated to entertainment by the LED dancing troupe and enjoyed a menu specially designed by renowned Crown chefs to complement the theme. Following the high-end auction, Australian singer-songwriter and popstar, Samantha Jade, brought the house down with a stellar performance to cap off the extraordinary occasion. Mark Holmes, Executive General Manager – Food & Beverage, Crown Melbourne, spoke about the event’s success, “Encore Event Technologies were once again able to deliver and ensure the event was a success! As a valued partner they contribute in terms of every aspect of the event from the initial concept, to design, to flow and of course the content - once again a memorable event was delivered – thank you. The entire luncheon was seamless and remained true to our objectives, while contributing to a very worthy cause.” AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Canberra Business Chamber Gala Venue: National Convention Centre Canberra Encore were tasked with delivering a purple themed gala dinner for this year’s annual Canberra Business Chamber Gala Dinner. Hosted at the National Convention Centre Canberra, the on-site team achieved a visually spectacular gala that “took their breath away”. Purple lighting effects, styling and set design elements were key components to creating this look. The hero of the evening was a giant chandelier Encore constructed using hundreds of interlinked Scenic Panels in contrasting designs. When illuminated with purple lighting and gobos, the Scenic Panels’ laser cut shapes cast stunning reflections around the venue walls for a truly unique and impactful focal point. This was the first time the Scenic Panels had been rigged to the ceiling in a multi-layered chandelier formation and the vast ceiling of the National Convention Centre provided the perfect canopy. The purple event theme was carried through the table floral centrepieces, drapery and lighting. This was the third year that Encore has delivered the event for the Canberra Business Chamber. Kate Holland, Event Director commented, “Just wanted to thank you and the team for a great night last night. You all did a fantastic job and the room looked amazing! We really appreciate your work for the Chamber and your professionalism." Stuart Buchanan, General Manager of Encore ACT was delighted with the result, “The team went over and above to deliver on the brief to wow guests. This was the first time we have created a giant chandelier using our beautiful Scenic Panels product. The team continue to come up with unique and beautiful displaying using them in different ways. The clients and guests loved the effect.” AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY 20th Family Business Australia Conference Venue: Various Venues in Alice Springs The rugged beauty of Australia made the perfect backdrop for this years Family Business Australia (FBA) 20th National Conference. Hosted in Alice Springs from 9-12 September, the conference brought nearly 400 FBA members to the Red Centre to participate in the 4 day event. Encore were engaged to produce the events, supplying all audio, lighting and projection for the whole convention, which included a conference held at the Alice Springs Convention Centre, numerous key-note speaker sessions, master classes and workshops that ran simultaneously, plus a number of social events throughout the region. At the first outdoor dinner, at Telegraph Station, Encore constructed a giant custom-made projection screen, allowing award winner images and videos to be projected from 30m away while maintaining perfect visual quality. This delivered an engaging experience and created an emotive sense of pride for the winners. This gave the client’s content of award winner video stings and slides an impressively large canvas. The final evening of the conference ended in style with an event at the Old Quarry. Surrounded by walls of red rock, guests were treated to a performance by Tommy Crowe, who played his didgeridoo on a ledge overlooking the crowd before the live band got delegates dancing under the stars. Encore created an immersive atmosphere for Tommy’s performance by dramatically lighting the rock behind him creating a glowing silhouette on the quarry. The spectacular experience concluded after Tommy’s performance with him painting contemporary aboriginal art in his unique style on a large canvas. Encore filmed Tommy painting and projected his work onto the rock wall in real time, which gave the illusion of the painting being created directly onto the cliff. Danielle Ricato, National Events and Sponsorship Manager, Family Business Australia was thrilled with Encore’s work. “I don’t even know where to start when talking about this event, it was sheer perfection, from start to finish. “There were so many moving parts to this event, and I am in awe of the enormous amounts of work that went into making this all look effortless!” said Ms. Ricato. Brien Keys, Regional General Manager for Encore Event Technologies remarked, “The Encore team was proud and honoured to go the extra mile, working with such an amazing client in the FBA for an event attended by amazing people. It was truly a privilege to produce the event at some of Central Australia’s most spectacular settings. The technical challenges posed by the locations were a great opportunity for our technical teams to showcase their talent.” AUCKLAND 24th International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centres Conference Venue: SKYCITY Convention Centre Auckland New Zealand was on show at this year’s 24th International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centres Annual Conference. Held over four days 1–4 October at SkyCity Convention Centre, Encore Event Technologies were engaged by the New Zealand Defence Force to deliver a world-class conference for its 300 Defence and Police Force delegates from across 58 countries. Being its first year hosted in New Zealand, and a very far distance for delegates to travel, it was crucial the event was a success and ran seamlessly. Encore’s winning production solution promised an immersive “Kiwi-ana theme” that celebrated the country’s unique flora, fauna and cultural history. In brining this to life, we used a range of services from audio visual, staging and styling to a dedicated event app and speaker services. Providing unique surprise and delight moments throughout the Welcome function, Gala Dinner and Closing Ceremony were important elements in the brief which our team delivered on beautifully. Syd Dewes, Lieutenant Colonel, Lead Planner, New Zealand Defence Force. “We had delegates representing 58 countries attend and they universally speak of the conference as being a fantastic success. “The auditorium screen images that changed daily, the accompanying lighting effects, and injection of distinct New Zealand nature sounds, was a fitting artistic display by Encore. When combined with speaker preparation services, and presentation uploads, we were furnished with an outstanding auditorium production. That performance contributed to our guests rating the conference as world class.” -- Partner with the production specialists for your next event At Encore, we believe in turning ordinary events into extraordinary experiences. With Australia's largest range of event production solutions at our fingertips, we have the creativity and technology to bring your event vision to life. From conferences, galas and exhibitions to sale incentives, product launches and touring roadshows; we have the network, experience and equipment to deliver your event seamlessly. Get in touch with us today to start discussing the requirements for your 2019 events. ... Read More

How to plan a successful roadshow event

Oct 29 2018
Encore Research
Planning any event involves juggling a lot of moving parts, but the geographical spread of roadshows means there are even more moving parts to keep track of. Taking on such an event can prove to be very effective for you and your team or business strategy, but it requires quality planning from all angles. Whether you’re looking to launch a new product, educate your delegates, raise funds for a charity, recognise achievements or something else entirely, below are some key considerations to produce a successful roadshow. Below are 5 important production elements to consider when planning a roadshow event. Clearly define your goals for the event roadshow Set clearly defined goals for your event. When your event production partner understands the purpose for the event, they can help you create a solution tailored to your desired outcome and deliver your message effectively. When your goals are clear, each production decision becomes easier to make. Also ensure your goals are measurable. If getting sales leads is important to you, the event can be customised to help you capture relevant details from your attendees. You will be far more satisfied with your efforts if your ROI can be measured. Carefully select the time and locations for your roadshow Who do you want to attend your event, and what seasonal factors or holidays could affect attendance? When planning where and when the road show will happen, you need to ensure it’s suitable for your audience. Additionally, check the region’s weather and climate conditions. If you’re planning to hold your event outdoors, ensure it’s not during the wet seasons. Or, if it’s going to take place during the summer, ensure there will be adequate shade and hydration facilities. Be aware of when school holidays, public holidays and special cultural holidays are occurring. If you’re planning to host during a busy time, you need to consider accessibility and availability of venues, suppliers, services and so on. Team up with an event production partner Your production partner is your single most important ally in organising your event. When choosing a partner, find one that has the right network, experience and capability to deliver a quality event. Avoid switching partners at the last minute, as you will run the risk of offering an inconsistent experience. Additionally, you may end up incurring more costs, and the planning process will be more disjointed. Ideally, you should pick a national company that can travel with you to ensure the event is delivered consistently in each location. Working with one company also makes admin and planning much easier, so you’ll save on costs as well as effort. Once you know where you’ll be hosting your event, you can find an experienced road show producer to help you narrow down your locations and venues. If possible, find a producer with a large network of venues – this can save you a lot of time and the headache of ending up in less-than ideal venues. An experienced road show production company can assist you throughout the entire planning process to ensure a desirable outcome. Take advantage of their skills, products and experience to help you reach your goals. Harness the power of event technology Take advantage of the following event technology to maximise engagement and ROI: Event apps. Apps are convenient for both organisers and attendees and can help relay important details about the event. Social media. Use a dedicated event social media platform to get the word out about your event. You can also use it to drive up engagement, build community and amplify your reach. Polling. Use live audience polling to ask questions, get feedback, encourage discussion or quiz your audience. Live stream. A production partner can live stream your event on a website or via social media to amplify its reach. It's a great way to engage wide spread audiences as your event travels, and if you record the event you can use it later for marketing, sales or improving on the next one! Make it creative, engaging and consistent Creating new, unique and compelling experiences is key to a successful event, and repeating these experiences for each event is the challenge for roadshow organisers. Making the message creative, engaging and consistent is the cornerstone of every successful event, regardless of what kind of event it is. People remember experiences where their senses have been engaged. Research has shown us that the more senses you engage, the more memorable the event is. Lean on your production partner to help you create a memorable experience for your attendees. They will help you find a solution that can be replicated to ensure attendees will receive the same experience regardless of where they attend your event. Partner with roadshow event production experts Encore Event Technologies have delivered countless event roadshows for companies across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Whether you’re looking to host an event interstate, internationally or simultaneously we have the breadth and experience to deliver it consistently and seamlessly. Get in touch with our team of production experts to start discussing your event roadshow needs - call 1800 209 099 or send us an online enquiry and we'll get right back. ... Read More

Encore delivers a spectacular "modern Queensland beer garden" for the QHA Awards

Oct 24 2018
Encore Research
The Queensland Hotels Association (QHA) held their Awards for Excellence Gala Presentation on 8 October 2018 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, engaging long-term partner, Encore Event Technologies to delight the 1,100 guests. Encore were tasked with creating the atmosphere of a modern summer sun-soaked beer garden, indoors. This was achieved through a total event production solution combining an impressive custom stage set, unique multimedia, engaging digital services and stunning creative styling. Guests were welcomed by lush turf running through a traditional timber arbour dressed in Edison bulb drops and fresh greenery with QHA branding. With the stage being the focal point for the awards, Encore created a unique custom set which included a 5.7m projection circle along with two large rounded projection screens either side. The full projection surface totalled 26.5m wide x 5.7m high, while 6m delay screens positioned in the back half of the room ensured full room coverage. “Having worked on the QHA Awards for many years, the challenge is always how to outdo the previous years’ event. “Our client had a clear vision for this year’s awards and I’m proud to say our team exceeded their expectations,” commented Stacey Buckley, Event Manager – Encore Event Technologies. Two winding, foliage trusses framed either side of the stage while oversized curved circular trusses covered with foliage and beautiful festoon lighting, hung over the stage and dance floor. Continuing the event styling, a stunning ceiling feature complete with oversized hanging foliage and Edison bulb drops caught guests’ eyes and was perfectly positioned above the second awards presentation area. Along with incorporating creative and production services, Encore also provided live digital technology via Event Feed social media integration. The skin design of the social media feed was also designed to complement the overall theme to complete the experience. Encore’s latest piece of audio visual equipment, the Disguise media server, ensured the announcement of the awards ran smoothly, managing 196 cues, live multi-camera switching, audio stings and entertainment tracks. All of this was pre-programmed the week before the event by Encore’s Head of Production Andrew Priddle and Technical Director Tim Stewart. Kelly-Anne Mott, Events and Partnerships Officer from Queensland Hotels Association was thrilled with Encore’s work for the impressive awards dinner production. “We are absolutely delighted with how spectacular the event was. Encore once again delivered, from the custom circular screen and stage set, to the stunning furniture and styling, to the content and digital services. “Another superb event that addressed our brief beautifully: a modern Queensland beer garden,” said Ms Mott. ... Read More

Increasing fan engagement at the NRL Grand Final with Live Polling

Oct 8 2018
Encore Research
The 2018 NRL Grand Final saw 500 guests invited to an exclusive event at Sydney's ANZ Stadium where they enjoyed a dinner, 2 VIP discussion panel sessions, half time entertainment and post-game wrap up. Taking this year’s match day experience up a knotch, the NRL engaged Encore Event Technologies to devise a crowd engagement solution that was simple to implement yet fun and interactive. Encore delivered the perfect solution – Event Poll – our exclusive live audience polling platform that connected the spectators and encouraged lively discussion. The concept was to use the platform for a competition for ’Who will score the first Try?’ and also capture questions from the audience for the panel of NRL celebrities. The MC Andrew Voss introduced the Q&A and competition which built excitement in the room while guest submitted their questions and predictions for first try. In 10 minutes over 200 guest names and questions were posted to screen. Rebecca Portors from the NRL commented, “Event Poll was a great addition to our game day function, it was so simple to use and provided a new level of engagement with our audience, I was impressed with how many people used their phones to enter the competition and submit a question to the panel without having to run microphones around the room.” Get involved and follow the conversation: #NRLHospitality hospitality@nrl.com.au -- ... Read More

Holographics: How to create mind-bending 3D illusions at your event

Sep 24 2018
Encore Research
If you saw Australia’s own Dami Im perform at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, or Lady Gaga duet with the late David Bowie at the Grammys, you’ve seen the amazing potential of this technology to astonish audiences. The technique includes a Holographic Mesh Screen - an invisible, metallic coated screen that when hung on your stage becomes a vehicle for 3D content to appear in thin air. It is unique because it doesn’t require any special rigging or reflective floor space to project onto, and can be used in most venues. The Holographic Mesh Screen works by fooling your brain into thinking there’s a three dimensional object hanging in the air in front of you. A high-powered projector is used to beam custom-made video footage onto the screen, using perspective and a black background to simulate three dimensions. Most importantly, the stage, objects, or people behind it are lit without that light touching the screen, giving an illusion of depth. When your brain tries to reconcile what is really a 2D projection and the depth behind it as information it can make sense of, it decides it’s a three-dimensional object. Some people call this effect a ‘hologram’, but technically it’s the latest technological innovation of an illusion called ‘Pepper’s Ghost’ whose origins go all the way back to Victorian times. Encore have been deploying our massive Holographic Mesh Screen to spectacular effect on gala dinners, awards nights, and product launches. For the Australian Hotels Association NSW Awards, attendees were initially intrigued by what looked like a bare stage bounded by black drapes, before the lights went down and the screen came to life with an enormous 3D digital set that interacted with dancers both in front and behind it, ingeniously tracked with motion sensors. Even awards presenter Shane Jacobsen got to have fun with the interactive elements before handing out the gongs. Pictured: Encore uses Holographic Mesh Curtain and motion tracking technology at AHA Awards. For legendary Chinese spirit-maker Moutai, known as ‘the world’s most mysterious spirit’, Encore Event Technologies enhanced the mystery to celebrate 46 years of the 2,000 year-old tipple in Australia. Giant three-dimensional bottles hung in the air, and custom-made video content showcased the brand’s history, highlighting the cultural significance of the occasion to over 500 distinguished guests. The Holographic Mesh Curtain provides an ideal effect for any event that needs a big 'wow' factor. It’s perfect for product launches, and can used to entertain at gala dinners, award nights, in any venue with controllable lighting and some depth on stage. Ask your Encore Event Manager about the potential of using the amazing Holographic Mesh Screen for your next event, and put your imagination to work! Get in touch by calling 1800 209 099 or sending an online enquiry today. ... Read More

10 important things you'll unlikely think of when planning your company AGM

Sep 12 2018
Encore Research
Planning an Annual General Meeting (AGM) is an amazingly complicated and detailed task. Whilst you may feel completely organised with your T’s crossed and I’s dotted, on the day all of your hard work could easily come undone by anything from a faulty microphone to a wobbly chair. An AGM with an experienced event services provider is the only way to make sure everything is covered and cared for, especially when the unexpected happens. There are things that only an event services provider experienced in organising AGMs knows to anticipate before you even know you need them. Here are 9 things to consider when holding your AGM that you likely didn’t know you needed: Are your seats comfortable? You may be sitting for hours. The last thing you want is for your shareholders and board members to think back to the AGM with memorable physical discomfort. If your AGM is being webcast, you don’t want it filming your board members continuously wriggling in their seats trying to get comfortable. Plus, an uncomfortable audience is a distracted one. It may seem a relatively simple task, but selecting the right seating for both your board members and audience can be one of the most important decisions you make. For a recent NRMA AGM, which chair to choose divided our event production team. After much consideration in the end we opted for a white arm chair that could swivel - it was functional, comfortable and not out of place on a stage. How will the audience be seated? Once you have selected the perfect chair, something not too comfortable nor too hard, you have to consider how they’ll be positioned. Do you have theatre style seating with your shareholders facing the stage or do you have something different in mind. The choice of seating style can dramatically change the overall vibe and tone of the AGM. Did you know there are 10 seating arrangements for events for you to choose from? How will the board of directors table look? Depending on your AGM’s goals and budget, there are a variety of set design options available from custom designed sets to standard branded tables. A great way to reduce costs is to partner with an event services company who already have an AGM table built with inbuilt speakers and microphones which can be rebranded to your company’s aesthetics. But maybe you don’t want a board table. Some AGM’s have their members seated on a couch. Whichever option you go for you’ll need to consider many things such as how they’ll store their presentation notes, how will the audience hear them, is there a place to put their water glass if they’re thirsty? You need an experienced camera, sound team and event team to cover all the bases. Every year the AGM has to evolve at the same pace as your company advances. With these advances comes new challenges for the event staging partner. From the sound in the venue, to the screens and projectors used in the presentation, to the shareholders watching and listening at home - each year the AGM adapts and evolves, and so does the team with it. An experienced event services partner has been keeping up-to-date with all of the latest advances in audio visual production and event technology to produce a new and improved AGM every year. How will you communicate with your shareholders? Advances in event technology can make your AGM a dynamic experience and give transparency to your shareholders. It is important that lines of communication be open and clear. The whole point of the AGM is to give all the shareholders the best impression of your company and to show that you have an interest in them and them in you. Through mobile phones your company can now have a direct link to your shareholders. An event app can provide instant communication with your shareholders and a single location for you to conveniently upload all the relevant information to. With updates given about the AGM if something unexpected occurs and with live content delivered on the day, it can be the best tool at your disposal to deliver an amazing AGM. We have listed 10 ways event apps are enhancing the AGM experience for both the organiser and the shareholders. Webcast your company AGM so everyone has the chance to attend A great event services partner makes sure to cater to all the needs for those present on the day but also for those who cannot attend in person. Often a company’s shareholders will be widely dispersed around the country and world so one of the hardest elements of organising an AGM is determining how many attendees you’ll need to allow for. A great way to help manage this is webcasting the AGM. This means those shareholders who cannot attend physically can watch the AGM from the comfort of their home, office desk or on the go. Similarly, webcasting the AGM allows the event to live long beyond its end. If you are considering webcasting your AGM ensure your event services provider is experienced in webcasting live events as there is a lot of elements involved from the recording and camera angles to ensuring the webcast skin is branded and the recording is streamed successfully online. Cater to all your audience’s needs – access and appetite It would be incredibly single minded to think of your audience only in terms of how it would be for you to attend. Every different person has very different needs and some have more requirements than others. When organising an AGM your event services partner will need to provide adequate solutions for all shareholders – from the hearing and sight impaired, to those needing wheelchair access. A great event staging partner will have closed captions for both those in attendance and those at home, as well as thorough recordings of the speeches from the day. And don't forget catering! Most AGM's do a buffet style lunch and make sure to stick to the schedule for breaks. It’s an age old saying but no important decisions should be made on an empty stomach. Rehearse! Not everyone is comfortable in front of a microphone. Actually you could say that almost everyone is terrified of public speaking. Almost 75% of the population suffer Glossophobia, or more specifically, a paralysing anxiety from public speaking. Even though your board of directors may be experienced in their roles, public speaking is a skill and needs to be rehearsed. With so many elements during an AGM such as running through all the formalities, speaker presentations, Q&A...your board of directors need to know what’s going on and when. Rehearsing your AGM also allows your event services partner to refine the production such as camera angles, audio adjustments for different speakers, presentation management and the list goes on. Remember the little things. Some things can only be learned from experience. Whether it is knowing to have a registration desk situated in a visible spot so everyone can register on entry, to having a more intuitive seating arrangement to suit your AGM style. Even knowing to pre-open bottles of sparkling water so it won’t cause issues on the stage for the speakers or noticing if one of their microphones has come loose or is not working correctly – it’s the care and attention to detail by your event services partner that differentiates a good one from a great one. The Biggest Tip: Partner with an event company that specialises in delivering company AGMs With all these considerations it is no wonder most companies choose to do AGM’s with an event services partner. It is part of the event services providers' experience and range of AV and event production solutions to give you the very best event experience. From lead up, during and after the event, your event services partner is the expert you need to have a seamless, engaging and informative company Annual General Meeting. Encore Event Technologies has been delivering AGMs since 1986 and is one of the most trusted event services partner with a track record of delivering AGM’s at the highest standard with complete client satisfaction. Start planning your company AGM today! Get in touch with us by sending an online enquiry or calling 1800 209 099. ... Read More

Technologies transforming live events: An overview of what you need to know

Sep 5 2018
Encore Research
The right technology can take your event from good to great. It can help you create immersive, engaging events that everyone talks about and help you better communicate and connect with your audience. It can wow your audience during a presentation, turn entertainment into a piece of art, enhance stage sets to become amazing visual experiences, or engage your audience by making them active participants. We’ve identified and delivered some of the hottest new event technologies and are launching new innovations all the time. Plus we’re always looking to the future to see what’s coming over the horizon. Here are some of our favourite examples of how Encore is using event technology in events to inspire yours to be the greatest success they can. Gesture control to create dynamic presentations Gesture control enables presenters and performers to control presentations, sounds, lighting, animations and video. It’s a dynamic effect, where the presenter’s movements trigger any kind of content to react via movements, gestures or manipulating objects/props. We’ve implemented gesture control through a few different methods, including special cameras that track movement, kinetic sensors hidden in props, clothing or objects concealed in stage sets. One of our award winning uses of gesture control was for a paint company – during the CEO’s presentation, he ‘painted’ the massive screen behind him to reveal beautiful murals on buildings in Dubai on screen. He then used gesture control again to announce the colour of the year by moving a paint tin around during the presentation to reveal the colour of the year. Holographics to enthral and entertain Encore has amazed event attendees with 3D hologram technology at recent events. It’s a modern take on an old technique which uses an invisible mesh screen and projecting onto it to create a hologram effect. Video content is beamed onto it and the audience’s brains are fooled into believing there’s a three-dimensional object hanging in the air. The trick is in the content and the lighting and the effect is breathtaking! We’ve created custom designed content and used perspective tricks to create the illusion for a really amazing guest experience. Recently we created 3D stage sets and even used motion sensors so that dancers could control and interact with the ‘hologram’. We’ve also conjured product images that materialise out of thin air on a giant scale. Read More: Holographics - How to create mind-bending 3D illusions at your event Kinetic lighting that moves to the beat of your event Kinetic lighting has recently been really popular at events like music concerts. A uses dozens or even hundreds of individual lights often in spherical, of baton shapes hung individually on their own fly-line and mechanical winch. Each light is coordinated by a computer and controlled via the lighting desk and each light can change colours, fade, or strobe on command. A matrix of Kinetic Lights can move in complex patterns, simulating waves or move in time with the music or entertainment. It’s lighting a technique that creates a dynamic sculpture of light and movement. Kinetic lighting can be used to great effect when paired with other media. At Encore, we’ve delivered an installations that move with music, choreograph with aerial artists who performed within the installation and also recently in a theatrical effect to reveal of a presenter on stage. Event technology provides virtually limitless ways to enhance engagement with your attendees. Let's start discussing your event requirements, get in touch with our team today so we can find the right solution to maximise the experience for your guests. Get In Touch Projection mapping from delightful small-scale to large scale and 3D A favourite with our technicians to deliver impactful engagement, projection mapping, has been used in many forms for years, but the trend is to use it in unique and unusual ways. Over the years, Encore have projected custom content onto giant 3D objects, vast sand stone walls, quarries, the facades of stadiums and even created a restored vintage Airstream caravan. Recently we also wowed spectators at the national netball championships with amazing animation projected directly onto the court. What we see trending in projection mapping is more unconventional, intimate applications that put the illusion directly in front of the audience. Encore recently partnered with Pullman Reef Hotel Casino Cairns to bring the viral sensation ‘Le Petit Chef’ to Australia - , a delightful animation of a little chef delivering food straight onto guests’ plate. We also created an unforgettable dining experience for Dom Perignon to celebrate their brand and heritage as well as a ‘coral reef’ on a dining table for an event in Queensland. Read more: How table projection mapping can be used in events for branding, personalisation and story telling Video and 3D rendering to visualise your event One of the most popular technology trends we’re seeing right now isn’t for the live event itself, it’s for planning. Advanced 3D video rendering means it’s now possible to create a complete 3D render of your event, in the actual venue and watch a video ‘flythrough’ of the event and view every element such as the stage set, lighting, styling and other elements. Virtual Reality to experience and engage For bigger events, we’ve taken our video pre-visualisations a step further and created virtual reality experiences to enable clients to wander through their event and see it from any vantage point. They control where they go within the virtual event such as walk onto the stage or wander around the table settings. All aspects of the event can be experienced including the stage set design, lighting, theming and even the presentations and video content can be run live on screen in the simulation. It’s an amazingly powerful tool, and means there are no surprises on the day. It’s also great for getting buy-in and approval by decision makers! Read more: Discover how we're using Virtual Reality technology for event pre-visualisation Augmented Reality to create fun and excitement We’ve been really excited to see the emerging uses for Augmented Reality (AR) in live events. AR is a great addition to the creative toolbox for the event itself. Your guest’s smartphones and tablets can be used for gamification to surprise and delight, uncovering ‘prizes or treasure’ hidden throughout your venue or a table’s centrepiece can come to life with animation. The thing to be aware of with AR is that it does need to be planned many weeks in advance, allowing time for the apps required to be approved in both the Apple and Android app stores. The Encore Crystal Ball When you’re as excited by new technology as we are, anticipating what the ‘next big thing’ will be in events is one of the best parts of our job. We’re always looking to the future to discover the next big thing or new ways to create amazing experiences for our clients. We are privileged to be able to champion new techniques and equipment, and aim to inspire our customers to keep their audiences engaged and enthralled. See you in the future! As award winners and technical leaders in the events field, our team at Encore Event Technologies are constantly pushing the boundaries of what they can achieve with our equipment, and constantly watching emerging technologies to enhance our work. Contact us today so we can work together to uncover a unique solution to make your event the most engaging it can be - Call 1800 209 099 or send us an online enquiry and we'll get back to you! - ... Read More

Virtual Reality Check - what it is, what it isn't and how it can shape your event

Aug 20 2018
Encore Research
Virtual Reality (VR) is a hot buzzword in both technology and event circles right now. Like most new technology, it takes some time to understand all the possible applications and determine the best uses for each industry. Virtual Reality refers to a computer generated or 360° video environment (or hybrid of both) that a viewer can explore freely, usually while wearing a VR headset. VR creates a world the viewer can explore as if they were really walking around in it. When a VR experience is created using a filmed environment, it uses numerous 360° videos stitched together to create a seamless environment enabling the viewer to navigate through the VR experience. This is different from a simple 360° video, which is a single panoramic video that gives the viewer a fixed, single position to watch it from. Viewers can look left and right, up and down, but not control where they go. What you see is what you get Encore Event Technologies has used VR to great effect for pre-visualisation of some of our client’s events. When the designs for the stage set, styling, vision, and lighting are completed, we use VR to show our clients a completely realistic and immersive simulation of exactly what their event will look like. Our VR experiences are so advanced, they can even see their video content running on the screen, and watch the lighting effects render exactly as they will during the event. Image of person wearing VR headset viewing with a 3D pre-visualisation of their event. Using VR for buy-in, budget and expectation management As an event planner of a large-scale event, a pre-visualisation of the event using VR is the ultimate peace of mind – you will know exactly how everything will look and feel, and you can wander freely through any vantage point in the venue; on stage as a performer, seated as a guest, and anywhere in between. It’s also an amazing tool to help get buy-in from within your organisation – marketing can sign-off on brand look and usage, the CEO can be shown what to expect when they walk on stage, and most importantly, whoever is approving the budget can be clearly shown what they’re getting for their investment. Image of Virtual Reality used at the 2017 IMEX Conference in Las Vegas showcasing a luxury accommodation brand. For engagement and value-add to marketing, sales and sponsors Virtual Reality technology has been used to great effect by tourism operators to enable trade show visitors to experience key attractions, or visit resorts. Product demonstrations are also becoming popular at events to give attendees an interactive demonstration without needing them there. This is an especially great opportunity to display large, bulky products where it would normally be hard (or impossible!) to get them to the event. Partner with the experts for using Virtual Reality in your event Whether you’re looking to showcase, inform, demonstrate or entertain, Virtual Reality provides event planners with a myriad of solutions and uses in both the pre-planning phase and during the event. Encore Event Technologies are leading the way with pre-visualisation in the event industry, and are excited by the possibilities of bringing VR to life for your event. Contact our team today to discuss incorporating VR into the pre-planning phase of your next event. ... Read More

Recent Events: Table projection mapping, new Kinetic Lights, interactive seating charts and more

Aug 5 2018
Encore Research
See how we used custom table projection mapping to create an underwater dining experience like no other; delivered technical solutions to give over 1500 guests at this year's Flight Centre Ball a new, dynamic and visually spectacular experience; and in it's 11th year we delivered a first at this year's Men In Black Ball held in Perth! Welcome to our first edition of AMP as Encore Event Technologies! We share our AMP Newsletter every quarter to inspire your next event by showing you the great work that's been happening across our regions. In this edition we highlight an unforgettable projection mapping experience we delivered in Cairns, a Vintage Circus themed gala and Perth's Men In Black Ball turned 11! Our new Kinetic Lights have also made waves so make sure you watch the video to see them in action. Encore were also thrilled to be named Best AV and Best Event Technology Company for another year in the Spice Hot 100 Services and Suppliers so thank you to every one for your support. Michael Magafa | National Sales Director Below you’ll see a snapshot of some the amazing work our teams produce to help inspire your next events! If you have any questions about the events or our solution please get in touch with me. QUEENSLAND An unforgettable dining experience like no other Venue: Pullman Reef Hotel Casino Cairns Imagine seeing a lobster crawl across your lunch plate, waves crashing against your wine glass and schools of fish swimming beneath your plate as you dine. It’s an unforgettable experience that would last a lifetime and that was exactly the brief to Encore Event Technologies. Encore Event Technologies partnered with the team at Pullman Reef Hotel Casino Cairns to host an exclusive VIP famil for 12 clients. Guests came from across Australia to experience the stunning tropical Cairns region and the Pullman’s premier conference and event offerings. As the long-standing in-house event services partner, Encore delivered a complete event staging solution from concept to execution. The reef-inspired concept was developed around the viral sensation ‘Le Petite Chef’ – a unique dining experience that uses projection mapping to turn the table into a canvas for story telling. The experience of the Encore team ensured the activation was executed seamlessly. We overcame several obstacles to ensure the table projection mapping was mapped with pixel perfect precision and feasible within the venue’s parameters. The accuracy and precision of the table projection mapping left guests speechless; in wonder at the level of detail the projection achieved, feeling as though they were under the sea. Even the crockery was included as part of the execution, with sea life crawling over the guests’ plates while waves rolled over the table. To ensure a polished sensory experience, the visual elements of the project were matched with immersive audio effects and a sumptuous locally-sourced menu. The combination was incredibly impactful, with guests requesting the content be replayed four times over to absorb all of it. Louise Matthews, Director of Sales, Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, was ecstatic at the response, “The Encore team really enabled us to create an event with maximum impact within a tight timeframe. We couldn’t have asked for a better result.” NEW SOUTH WALES Flight Centre Annual Gala Ball Venue: Luna Park, Sydney cievents produced an incredible night of entertainment for Flight Centre’s annual NSW retail ball, bringing a different kind of circus to The Big Top at Sydney’s iconic Luna Park. Over 1,500 of Flight Centre’s management and staff gathered to recognise its high-achieving team members, and celebrate in grand carnival style. cievents once again engaged the technology services of newly rebranded Encore Event Technologies, who used the opportunity to pull out all the stops for their progressive client, featuring their latest lighting innovation, kinetic lighting. Responsible for the technology solution, Encore Event Technologies amplified cievents’ theme with creative lighting design for a flawless, high-impact experience. Visitors were welcomed at Luna Park’s Big Top by a visual feast of dynamic, colourful lighting, using Encore's latest Kinetic Lights which appeared as kaleidoscopic “dancing” spheres suspended from the ceiling as guests were absorbed in the carnival atmosphere. Hexagonal panels were configured in a dynamic formation and dramatic content projected as the backdrop for the stage performances. Six supersized-screens also projected with custom designed visual content to create a cohesive visual experience for the stunning event. The kinetic lighting technology was choreographed to change colour and move in sync with a breathtaking opening performance by well-known aerialist, Debonair, leaving the crowd mesmerised. The esteemed annual awards were presented to recognise the team’s achievements, broadcast across the room via the large-screens underneath the festoon-lighting, bunting and animated projections. Jonathan Leggett, from cievents, says the production team are ecstatic with the night, “We trust Encore to understand our brief and deliver seamless technology every time. We are constantly impressed with what the Encore team bring to the table.” Michael Magafa, National Sales Director, Encore Event Technologies, agrees the team outdid themselves, “Using our newest technology offering, kinetic lighting, gave us the opportunity to really elevate cievents’ vision for this event. We’re thrilled with the positive feedback we’ve received.” This event represented Encore Event Technologies’ first major foray under the new brand since it was announced on July 1, 2018. WESTERN AUSTRALIA Men In Black Ball 2018 Venue: Pan Pacific Perth Momentum for Australia hosts the annual Men in Black Ball for Perth’s social elite in support of men’s mental health and suicide prevention. As Pan Pacific Perth’s in-house AV services provider, Encore Event Technologies were tasked with creating a sophisticated, classy set design to complement the event’s 11th year anniversary. On the back of a successful 10th year celebration in 2017, the Encore team pushed new boundaries to welcome another decade of this significant annual fundraising event in 2018. Encore provided a complete event production solution including all audio, vision, and lighting, set design, styling and production management. This year we saw event technology play a larger role in enhancing the attendee experience – from an interactive seating chart using Touch Kiosk to generating social buzz using Event Feed. It was the first time we used an interactive seating chart for this event using our Touch Kiosk product. The touch screen made the tedious task of finding your seat amongst the masses a streamlined, convenient and enjoyable experience – a simple and clutter free improvement from the A3 print outs that used to line the entrance. Once the event started, the screen was then used to display sponsor content and messages, enhancing both the attendee experience and sponsor exposure. “It was great to see guests instantly drawn to the Touch Kiosk and keen to have a go. They were able to quickly find their table with a single touch, allowing them to get back to the very important business of mingling," says Carly Melderis, Event Staging Manager at Pan Pacific Perth. Drawing inspiration from the glamorous black-tie dress code, the Encore team adorned the ceiling in flowing, luxurious silks to create a fluid, textural element within the space. This also supported and embraced the meaningful, raw nature of the content shared onstage, encouraging men to be open about their struggles with mental health. The styling team created an elegant stage backdrop utilising 3D Scenic Panels in the Contour pattern and constructed a giant “X” and “I” Roman numerals to signify the event’s 11th year of the Ball. The stories inspired support in the room and on social media, with Event Feed providing a key platform for guests to share their thoughts and selfies of the evening with the hashtag #meninblackball2018. The event included a spectacular three-course dinner, with glowing testimonials from local Perth stars, a presentation of the coveted Most Inspiring Man of The Year award, live entertainment and a charity raffle and auction. Daniel Kerr, former AFL footballer for the West Coast Eagles, and Sean Thomsen, reality TV star, were among those who shared their personal experiences. Michael Lloyd-White, General Secretary of The World Kindness Movement, was named Momentum’s Most Inspiring Man of The Year to raucous applause. Have you seen our new Kinetic Lights? Watch the video and see the Kinetic Lights in action here. ... Read More