Raising the bar in creative design: Encore creates an enchanted wonderland The Million Dollar Lunch
Encore transformed the Palladium at Crown Melbourne into a mystical wonderland experience for guests at The Million Dollar Lunch – the AFL’s annual fundraiser for Children’s Cancer Council.
Encore has partnered AFL to deliver the annual fundraiser for more than 10 years. For the recent event, the brief was to transform the gala into an elegant, immersive and never before seen experience for 600 guests.
From the beginning of the process, Encore’s event designers and creative project managers focused on the overall creative strategy. More than 100 hours went into the creative design phase with even more given to creative production, setup, client walk-throughs and show-day production. The Encore team then produced life-like 3D render illustrations, and technical illustrations to demonstrate their creative vision.
The theme of ‘Enchanted wonderland’, called for custom design/bespoke decals, décor, props, that all had to be designed, fabricated and installed within a tight timeframe.
Photo credits: Jonathan DiMaggio; Graham Denholm
Additionally, audio-visual technology and lighting scenes were masterfully developed to create and compliment the magical experience.
The storybook inspired décor elegantly-designed themed areas, cutting-edge audio-visual and lighting technology including LED Cubes displays were all integrated with the luxury venue to elevate the event into a never seen experience – certainly worthy of the name ‘Million Dollar’ lunch.
The Encore creative team paid particular focus on the guests’ journey through the magical experience. Guests arrived at the Atrium greeted by a custom floor decal reminiscent of a ‘rabbit hole’, signaling the start of a magical journey. As the guests made their way through the Atrium to the Palladium, they encountered checkered floor and vortex decals accompanied by oversized ‘this way – that way’ themed signage protruding out of whimsical floral bases. ‘Drink me’ carts with signature cocktails were serviced by storybook inspired characters.
At the end of the pre-function area, guests continued their adventure up the escalators where they were greeted by more storybook-inspired characters, inviting them to travel further through and entrance feature doors constructed as a giant book– like a literary portal to an enchanting world of fantasy and intrigue.
Photo credits: Jonathan DiMaggio; Graham Denholm
As guests turned through the pages of the storybook tunnel, they entered the ‘Queens Court’ – a lusciously red-lit, velvet-draped room, decorated with chess-piece themed cocktail tables leading to a red and white floral-embellished throne set in front of an illuminated backdrop. The Queen sat on an all-white throne greeting guests in character.
Guests had a photo opportunity at the Queen’s Court before finding their allocated seats on the digital display kiosk before walking into the main room and the adventures within.
Following the red-lit, heart shaped themed Queen’s Court, guests entered into a lush green scenery – a wonderland garden complete with giant plants, forest ferns, décor mushrooms and wildlife; including an ornate, oversized candelabra – flanking a Neon arch entrance drawing guests into a spinning world of a ‘Topsy turvy tea party’.
Photo credits: Jonathan DiMaggio; Graham Denholm
The main room was themed as a whimsical and lush garden tea party and featured a central main stage for formalities and a satellite stage hosting the live band. Encore paid special attention to radial sound dispersion from a centralised audio cluster given its flown location and guests being seated around the central stage.
Lighting was precisely designed to perfectly complement the event theme with both intelligent beam fixtures, custom designed GOBO’s and a series of colour wash across the venue. The lighting effects were stunning as the light shimmered and sparkled against the silver sequin drapes that lined the perimeter of the room.
Encore utilised the latest in LED display technology constructing six giant LED cubes suspended from the ceiling, running customised content. These innovative displays were used to create hype moments with custom animations produced by Encore featuring live tally of funds raised as record donations poured in.
Pocket watches hung from the ceiling with themed animations showcasing each auction item and show the formalities, while also showing live to camera shots of the entertainment, MC and speeches.
“Their creativity and technology solutions are just simply mind blowing. They are the best in the business when it comes to creating immersive themed events”
Tables draped in green velvet overlays and custom printed doily bases created a unique tea party style including enchanted florals, teacups, glass candlesticks, butterflies, and tall candelabras.
Photo credits: Jonathan DiMaggio; Graham Denholm
Once the formalities were complete, VIP guests were surprised to find the seamless sequin drapes peel open up to reveal a speakeasy afterparty!
The creative for this room was inspired by the key and the bronze and checker elements. The magic continued with an infinity, LED checkered dance floor and ‘Key hole’ DJ stage. The attention to detail extended to an enchanted floating desert table offering yummy treats.
The Million Dollar Lunch event raised more than $2.9 million in much needed funds for the Children’s Cancer Council.
Photo credits: Jonathan DiMaggio; Graham Denholm
Photo credits: Jonathan DiMaggio; Graham Denholm
Long-term client of over 20 year, the Humpty Dumpty Foundation approach Encore to again deliver their annual Balmoral Burn Sponsors Dinner. This year was to be particularly special as it was the 20th anniversary of the event. The Balmoral Burn is a gruelling 420m run up Awaba Steet in Mosman, one of the steepest hills in Sydney, where corporates, schools and individuals taking part to raise money for the Foundation.
The Sponsors’ event was attended by patrons including Ray Martin, Jane Fleming and Rugby legend Phil Kearns who came up with the concept 20 years ago.
For this year’s event the brief was to transform a unique space like a marquee on the beach into a gala atmosphere, bringing in warmth and light through every aspect. Working with Humpty partners Ted and Co, the enchanting atmosphere began outside, where the technical team created lighting effects to illuminate the pathways toward the marquee and into the main room. On entering the room main the marquee roof was illuminated by decorative gobos. Event branding was showcased with high impact using Encore’s Pixel Totems displaying imagery from previous events. To further enhance branding behind the main stage, a large 3.6m wide by 3m high digital banner was erected between the Scenic Panels to display Humpty’s Balmoral Burn graphics. Warm amber strip lighting was used to cast a beautiful glow over the beachfront, which was visible through the clear marquee wall. A nice effect to add depth to the event design.
Screens were set up all around the room and displayed video showcases of Humpty’s great which raises funds for much needed medical equipment for sick children in hospitals across Australia. Beautiful lighting again illuminated the space creating a gala atmosphere. Beautiful Scenic Panels frame the stage, while tables were decorated by stunning centrepieces by Ted and Co which complemented the event design perfectly.
Encore’s National Sales Director, Michael Magafa commented on the event,
“Each year the team strives to come up with a new, creative for this worthwhile event and this was no exception. The result was an inspiring, emotional and rewarding celebration for this fantastic cause. The team always approach this event with excitement and strive to do something new and creative each year. We excel with our experience. We know the event intimately and it is the small details that ensure everything goes to plan,” said Michael.
Claire Reaney, from the Humpty Dumpty Foundation was delighted with this year’s event,
“We always look forward to our annual Sponsor Dinner as it’s our opportunity to acknowledge our supporters. The Encore team always come up with new and creative ways to make the event memorable.”
Encore had the privilege of delivering this year’s Essendon Football Club Hall of Fame Gala hosted at Victoria Pavilion for 450 special guests. It was one of the largest events Encore had the pleasure of delivering purely in-person since the start of the pandemic in 2020. As the in-house event production company at the venue, Encore provided a complete technical production solution.
A snapshot of what was included:
- 12 metre custom LED wall
- 16k Projection
- Extensive moving light package
- Content was created by Essendon Football Club under our recommendation for optimum impact across the LED.
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To learn more about the event and watch replay videos head to Essendon Football Club’s Website
Photography Credit: Lucas Dawson Photography
Encore had the huge honour of providing a complete event production solution for the 2022 National Folk Festival main Narragunnawali Stage. Over the course of the 4-day festival, Encore delivered all staging, lighting, audio vision and rigging components as well as looked after over 35 artists including national headline acts such as Kate Ceberano, Josh Pyke, Archie Roach and Yothu Yindi. The mammoth 3500 square meter tent hosted over 5000 people at times.
The stage needed to be large enough to hold a 200 person choir but also feel intimate enough for single performers. Our solution was a specially designed lighting rig to cater for the vast differences in the artist line ups. To ensure everyone had ‘the best seat in the house’ we utilised dual LED screens with a multi-cam shoot for imag and recording with the opening and closing ceremonies being live streamed to thousands around Australia and the world.
Early this year, our South Australian team were tasked with creating a magical, ‘Hogwarts’ inspired event. To truly immerse the 240 guests into the Hogwarts theme, our team pulled out all stops – from the location, to the lighting and styling and down to delicious catering by local, Ellie Beer Catering – everything oozed magic and made you feel as if you were really at Hogwarts.
Want to discuss your next event with our team of experts? Get in touch today!
Encore were asked to create a spectacular Welcome Dinner for the annual Joymain incentive trip with Sydney as the destination for 2015. The Royal Hall of Industries was the perfect venue to cater for the 1600 mainland Chinese including 100 of the company’s VIPs. Over the course of the day, we arranged a host of entertainment and performances that brought to life the true blue Australian culture to make this year’s incentive bigger and better than ever. From jumping kangaroos, boot-scooting cowboys, to Priscilla Queen of the Desert Drag Queens and Harley Davidson’s all set against a projected Sydney Harbour backdrop, the event was a pleasure to deliver, showcasing our expertise in delivering truly integrated events.
As the in-house AV and event services provider to Canberra’s iconic National Convention Centre, Encore (formerly Staging Connections) were tasked with showcasing the venue as part of the Canberra Convention Bureau’s business tourism event – aimed at encouraging more business events to the Canberra region. The team used creative AV with a focus on projection mapping to highlight the venue’s capabilities and showcase Canberra’s selling points as an event destination.
Read more about this event via our blog post “How to use creative AV to win major incentive events at your venue“.
Encore amped up their premium concept design capabilities at the Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) Gala Dinner, exhibiting custom hexagon-shaped screens onstage at this year’s event. The impressive visual displays ensured the CINZ brief was reflected strategically throughout the space, and complemented the stunning interior decorations which tied in the ‘mosaic’ theme beautifully. Encore (formerly Staging Connections) have worked closely with CINZ for eight years, and as such, were given full creative licence to design the event.
CINZ hold the dinner to showcase to international guests what the New Zealand conference and incentives industry has to offer, and this year did not disappoint. Heather Cornish, CINZ Event Director, later said of Encore’s involvement, “Just wanted to send you a formal note to say THANK YOU for your amazing support of MEETINGS – we really appreciated it. Your personal commitment is very much appreciated. As a sponsor, you play a crucial role in the success of this project – we simply cannot pull off MEETINGS to the standards we aspire to without your generous support so thanks again.”
1000 guests in 3 waves across 12 events equals 1 massive incentive road show. Leading Indian event company Encompass Events, approached Encore (formerly Staging Connections) to produce and deliver the Asian Paints Privilege Club Incentive Event Series.
The event series was held in various venues in Sydney and the Gold Coast with the aim of strengthening personal ties within the Privilege Club and reward the Asian Paints staff for their hard work and commitment. The theme was ‘Ultimates’ and Staging Connections were tasked with bringing this to life throughout each of the 12 events including the Welcome function, team building and social events, the grand conference and closing Gala dinner.
The incentive gave our Sydney and Gold Coast teams the opportunity to collaborate and produce a truly unforgettable experience through a complete event staging solution. It was a masterful celebration of everything we love; from design to delivery, including production and stage management, logistics, audio visual, styling, design and even interactive technologies.