10 tactics you can do now to make money from your online events. As the COVID19 pandemic tightens her grip on the world, event planners are turning to online events to continue delivering their message. Many have made great progress with understanding the opportunities hosting an event online can provide with a significant reduction in costs being the obvious one. Some more experienced online event planners have taken it a step further and are charging for access to their content further increasing the cost margin. As your audience potential grows exponentially now that time and distance are redundant, your event with its millions of eyeballs can become a very attractive sponsorship opportunity to the right brand. Sponsorship can be an efficient revenue stream to further increase the ROI of your event. Sponsorship has other benefits too, such as building positive associations with companies that share your values or purely providing your audience with the entertainment factor as sponsors get creative with their valuable placements. We all watch the Superbowl for the ads right? A key benefit to online sponsorship over traditional sponsorship like physical banners and event announcements is the opportunity to demonstrate the benefit to your sponsor via digital data reporting. Other sponsorship deals also allow you to share the customer data with them such as registration details for their own marketing purposes. Simply put – the ROI for digital sponsorship is easy to track and can provide more lucrative opportunities over traditional sponsorship. What can you offer a sponsor? Start with looking at your assets to see what spaces can be utilised. Remember your audience experience is the most important factor so only if the sponsor fit is natural, don’t try to cram in sponsor placements as it’ll only detract from their effect and make the online experience way too salesy if not spammy. A tiered approach can help here with the most expensive sponsorship options getting the most real estate and then so on, but remember to limit the number to only a handful at most. The number will depend on your event – the audience size, type, and duration. We’ve compiled 10 online sponsorship tactics that you can use to drive revenue today, plus deliver other positive outcomes such as engagement, ROI analysis, relationship building and more. 1. Banner ads on your online event site or event app If you’re streaming your event or offering on-demand it’s a great opportunity to drive revenue by offering banner ads which link to sponsor sites. It’s a great way to offer branding opportunities for sponsors as well as associate your online event with industry associations or businesses associated with the event content. You can provide your sponsor with helpful ROI metrics like number of impressions, time spent on page, unique visitors, click-throughs, audience demographics and more. Your presenters may also like to utilise this option to promote their business. Other options include offering sponsorship opportunities to suppliers in exchange for a discount on their services. There may be multiple opportunities on your event site such as your registration page. This is great real estate as every attendee needs to go to this page. Plus, depending on your sponsorship deal you can negotiate to share the details of your registrants with the sponsor. Remember here you’ll need to clearly state in your Terms and Conditions how you’ll be using their data to ensure you’re abiding by privacy laws. The last thing you want to do is risk a negative experience with your audience for the sake of a sponsor. Event apps are now common place at live events, and they can also be a great tool to engage remote attendees. Apps are convenient solutions for providing instant access to information about events, sessions, presenters etc., plus sponsorship opportunities such as banner ads, pop-ups, sponsored messages or logos on different screens. There may be multiple opportunities for sponsorship and advertising on your event app. As these apps normally have multiple screens/pages, there are multiple opportunities for sponsorship. Speak to your event app provider to explore what sponsorship options you have. As with banner ads, event planners can demonstrate ROI with your sponsors by providing analytics as mentioned above. 2. Sponsored video ads In addition to banner ads, event organisers can offer sponsors the opportunity to show videos. If relevant, you can show these in between presentations, before a breakout session or before a session starts like a YouTube Pre Roll. Again, the ROI can all be demonstrated via analytics. Videos can be embedded in your event website, on an event app or even within your event comms such as at the bottom of an eDM. 3. Branding on presentation slides or the ‘skin’ of your live stream Another option for sponsor branding is to include the company’s logo as part of the border of your event website’s ‘skin’ – also known as the template. An example would be to include their logo or message in the header or footer of the live stream website skin such as “This presentation is in partnership with Company X”. 4. Sponsored Media Walls as Virtual Background With all eyes on your video, the background behind your presenters is a simple and subtle yet highly effective way to integrate sponsorship. Think of it like a virtual media wall and you can give your sponsors the option to design the background based on their message such as a repetitive watermarked logo or something entirely different. If you have multiple speakers you could even offer different speaker backgrounds to different sponsors based on their content. Again you could provide the sponsor with the number of viewers, impressions, time engaged and more as data to measure ROI. 5. Sponsor call outs or segments in your stream ‘This conference is proudly brought to you by….’. It’s one of the most obvious sponsor placements and if included at the beginning of the event video, you can guarantee as least 90% of attendees will hear it based on average video viewership data. You could couple the announcement with a logo that appears on screen and a script provided by the sponsor, similar to a radio read. If your sponsors wanted to get more creative you could let them sponsor the networking element, ice breaker or break out session. For example, Lipton Ice Tea could sponsor the initial ice breaker intro where you get attendees or speakers to introduce themselves and answer some fun questions to warm up the crowd. You could get Wriggly gum to sponsor yoga break session - after you’ve had attendees watching a 2 hour session, they’re sure to get restless and start to wriggle. There’s so many possibilities on fun ways to naturally integrate a sponsor and make it enjoyable for your attendees too. 6. Branded sponsor polls Similar to the creative sponsor integrations, you can offer branded sponsor polls throughout your online event. One of Encore’s most popular digital tools is Event Poll – a live audience polling platform that lets you ask questions and your attendees respond in real-time using their mobile phone or computer. With over 10 question formats you can use it to stimulate discussion, vote, ideation, survey, trivia, Q&A and feedback. Whether you integrate the sponsor into the question, into the question template design or host a sponsored poll the options are endless. For example, a sponsor could host an online trivia with a prize as a nice breakout session. You could offer a branded skin for your event’s Q & A segment so when attendees submit their question, it gets displayed on screen on the sponsored Q & A. 7. Sponsorship in Email Placements If you are sending email invitations, event updates or other communications, you can offer sponsors the opportunity to include their logo or banner creative in the footer of the email. This would also link through to their site or a campaign page. You can provide them with data such as recipient numbers, open rate, click rate and more. Being digital you also have the option to offer sponsors the ability to test their creative or messaging by sending to a small segment f the database with the winning creative (base on clicks) sent to the wider audience. It is more legwork for the event organiser but depending on the sponsor’s spend it could be a nice value add and incentive to help improve their ROI. 8. Promotion via event social media In the lead up to the event, you can offer the opportunity to promote sponsors via your social channels. Be sure that the posts are relevant to your audience, for example: We’re proud to partner with Company X as part of our event. During our presentations you’ll hear from their CEO on [insert subject]. Then include a link to their site. As with social media you can give them the opportunity to post a video, a link to their site or campaign or static images. Be sure to ask sponsors to include posts on the event on their socials too to spread the word. 9. Keynote presentations Sponsorship of your keynote presentations is a great opportunity as all attendees will be focused on this session. For example ‘This presentation is brought to you by Company X’. 10. Offer sponsored Virtual Event Bags Not only is this sustainable, a virtual swag bag is also a great way to surprise and delight attendees whilst giving sponsors great exposure. You can give your sponsors the opportunity to curate what goes into attendees' swag bags, be it coupons or vouchers, a free trial for a software, or an online course. The bag would then be shared directly with your attendees for them to access via email, social media, or the event app, either before, during, or following the event. A virtual swag bag also provides reporting data such as how many people accessed it and how they interacted with the items in the bag, which you can share with sponsors and use to help inform what materials attendees found most valuable. Provide value with your virtual event sponsorship Digital sponsorships are nothing new, they're just usually implemented in conjunction with other, physical branding opportunities such as brochures or giveaways. When planning a fully virtual event, you can focus solely on the digital part and capitalize on the real estate you do have available. Sponsors can also be offered access to your attendees contact details. Permission is of course vital, so you need to enable attendees to opt in to receive communications from the sponsor. Another option is to offer a number of tickets to your event to sponsors for colleagues to attend. Consider every touch point of the online event you’re producing – there will be multiple ways you can add sponsorship opportunities. Anything that your attendees are looking at or interacting with is an opportunity to incorporate sponsor. Speak to the virtual event experts Encore have helped hundreds of clients pivot and turn their onsite event into successful online experiences. Whether you're organising a company announcement, an ongoing training series, a mutli-day association conference or an interactive webinar, you can count on Encore's in-house team of digital experts to provide you with the right technology to get online. Explore our range of online event solutions today and get in touch to start discussing your options for meeting in 2020. EXPLORE VIRTUAL EVENT SOLUTIONS GET IN TOUCH TO DISCUSS MORE ... Read More

So you’ve decided to look into having more sustainable events with the admirable aim of a reduced carbon footprint. Congratulations. It’s a responsible and positive move. As an event planner, you have an opportunity to show others the way to lessening the impact on our valuable resources. This is not a passing trend, but rather a mindful practice at the heart of any business strategy and future goal planning. “Between air travel, energy use, and excess food (not to mention booth installations, printouts, and giveaways), the average 1000-person event reputedly produces 530 metric tons of CO2e emissions.” Julius Solaris, Event Manager Blog Thankfully, sustainability is achievable and may be easier than you think. Why it’s Important to Know Your Impact To make constructive changes, event planners need to gauge their current practices. Why? Knowing the impact events may be having on the environment points to specific areas for improvement. This is not a lesson in how bad you might have been, but instead it’s something far more positive. Awareness. Knowing the facts gives you an idea of what to measure and helps focus your energy onto specific areas to change or improve. The end result is being able to see clearly how your practices contribute to improved sustainability. Sustainable Events: Where to start Not sure where to begin? Try looking at these points. Most event planners will recognise many, if not all of these aspects of their daily lives. Right from the start The beginning of any event plan has many contact points. The first phase impact can be reduced by cancelling meet & greet travel plans and replace with video conferencing. The good news here is you’ve also just saved on travel and accommodation costs as well as improving our event’s footprint. The Paper Trail It’s an obvious one, but going paperless can be the easiest way to start minimising waste. Use an event app, build an event website, or stick to emailing. Encore offers a free event app called Cumulus which gives you and your attendees the convenience of easy access to all event information at any time, everywhere you go so reducing paper waste is easy. Use this free event app specifically built to ensure delegates have easy access to all event info and live updates before, during and after the event, without the need for excess paper use. When all else fails, stick to email. Power Consumption Does your AV and event technology provider actively take steps to reduce their energy use? Overuse of power and underutilising of more eco-friendly options is one area constantly under the microscope. Where possible use renewable energy sources and switch all lighting to LED and lower power efficiency systems where possible. Your AV technology provider should be willing to rationalise inventory to minimise redundancy and over-engineered AV solutions. Have the conversation with them to see how you can both achieve a reduced footprint for your event, there’s often cost savings involved to. Venue Locations & Transportation Hosting your event at a venue with accommodation facilities immediately cuts the need for transportation. Your guests will appreciate not having to think about cab-charges and Uber rides to get to their hotel safely. This is a great opportunity to really consider your venue options. Easily walkable venues, and those close to public transport assist significantly. Where combined/local event venue and accommodation are not possible, offering shuttles are a great alternative. One vehicle transporting many attendees reduces the impact of several vehicles in the traffic at once. In addition, clearly conveyed information about public transport sent out to registered attendees will be greatly appreciated. Also, when scheduling your event, take into account peak travel times to avoid the traffic. Faster travel means less impact and happier commuters. Modern Day Conveniences Encourage alternative transport. Have bike racks, bike storage areas or bike concierge at your event. We’ve all seen more and more bicycles in the city. People making their own stand on reducing their personal footprint will likely remember an event where this is on offer. Having change areas, private shower facilities and lockers at your event also makes life even easier for those choosing peddle power. Food & Beverage Catering companies using eco-friendly utensils is a simple way to make an immediate change. Choose providores and caterers that are committed to using sustainable fish, organically grown fruit and vegetables, and locally sourced hormone-free meat. Ditch plastic for biodegradable or reusable cups. Another tip with catering is to not over-cater the event. The guest list should be quite specific in terms of numbers, and dietary requirements, so you can cater for your guests’ needs. If you find yourself with an abundance of leftover food, consider the many companies that accept donations in the area. Waste Disposal Have you confirmed your venue has the facilities, and the mindset to recycle waste? Everyone should be well aware of the need to re-use and recycle in order to reduce landfill and the overall impact on our environment. Ensuring there are adequate recycling bins and general waste bins around the venue will safeguard against any issues with imposed clean-up fees or removal costs. Go Digital Use online registration platforms to be more sustainable. Not only is it cost-effective, but will save delegates time enrolling on the day. Send e-mail notifications and create e-tickets to be scanned from their smartphones to eliminate the need for endless paper printouts. Use digital signage at your event, rather than one-off pull-up banners. Build a website or an event app. This goes a long way to reducing the need for excessive amounts of printed badges, programmes, posters and brochures. Putting your event sustainability plan into action Ok, so you know what is possible, now’s the time to translate it into your reality and transform yourself into more than just someone whose intentions are good. Create a List Put the ideas in order, beginning with those things where you can have an immediate impact, through to those which will require more thought, planning, and discussion with others. For you, maybe using less paper, and having more Skype meetings is completely do-able in the beginning. For every point you’ve made, add the goals. Be Realistic This is not something that can happen overnight, so don’t have the expectation that you can save the world in a week. Plans that are rushed or ill-considered will be doomed to fail, or worse, not even see the light of day. Review and Monitor Over time, add and remove where necessary to make each goal stronger. Long term, consistent and thoughtful objectives are the way to go. Sustainable event inspiration Check out these three events Event Brite shared that have put their suitability goals into action. Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 A little known fact is that these Games were the first to secure the ISO 20121 sustainability standard. This measure of sustainability is voluntary and is a promise to all those watching that this event leaves behind a path of positive footprint reduction. All the venues where the competition was held were completely car-free. In addition, the organisers used a local company to provide efficient and clean energy. They also ensured the headquarters for the Games were on an energy supply recognized as a Green Tariff. Baseball All-Star Games Major League Baseball requires its members to be a member of the Green Sports Alliance. Providing sustainability guidelines, the Alliance ensures the following happens: Teams collect recyclable items throughout each game. Solar panels are installed at events where possible. The aim is to have each game powered by 100 per cent renewable energy. Traditional ‘Red Carpet’ events are now referred to a ‘Green Carpet’ by the use of eco-friendly materials for the carpet. Any food prepared at events that remains untouched is donated to their preferred charity for those in need of a meal. The Show Goes on at the Shambala Festival England's four-day carnival-like Shambala Festival has taken steps to ensure much of its single-use plastics are eliminated entirely. Individual water bottles are encouraged for refilling onsite to reduce bottled water housed in plastic. For those who forget, the sale of stainless steel bottles adds to driving the point home on the reduction of harmful and wasteful synthetic materials. Other Helpful Resources for Sustainable Events Want more? Check out these additional places to go. Sustainability in Events - Event Manager Blog Checklist to a Sustainable Event - Climate Wave How to make an event more sustainable - Event Brite To have an environmental conscience is commendable. Putting these goals into action wherever possible during your event sets you apart. This is not just about you as an event planner feeling better about your impact, but an ongoing commitment your company and its guests will bear witness to. In a world full of rhetoric and promises, actions speak louder than words. Let’s begin your action points today. Our experience can show you the way to more sustainable event planning. Contact us for expert advice on your next event by sending an online enquiry today and we'll get right back. ... Read More

Elevate your stand or event with Encore’s latest eye-catching visual display solution, Pixel Totems. Impactful in their presence, with options regular banners cannot match, Pixel Totems give your message or event imagery a new and exciting platform. If you’re not familiar with the medium, this form of visual digital display is simple and flexible yet highly impactful. For event planners and set designers, your life just got better and brighter. What is A Pixel Totem? Essentially, Pixel Totems are tall LED screens displaying static, or video content. They are a great alternative to small to medium-sized format displays such as pull-up banners, way finding signage or feature screens for stages and are designed for use in both small and large events. Event planners have the option to use them as individual panels showing individual images, video and messages or combine them for an impactful display. The display can be configured to show content on one screen or spread across multiple totems and you can have the creative freedom to display the same content or different content across each totem. Use as a main set design for smaller events, or added digital impact for larger events and conferences. Pixel Totems pack a punch and will grab attention however they’re used. Older style banners are tried and tested staples for any event, and will likely remain, but now there’s a new kid in town. This is the set design solution for the next age. Vivid and impressive, with the ability to cater to your vision for the event. Whether you are setting a corporate mood, selling a dream or telling a story, Pixel Totems offer creativity without bounds. What Events Can Pixel Totems be Used For? The applications for integrating Pixel Totems in your event design are endless but in the spirit of offering inspiration, consider the following possibilities. Way-Finding Perfect for registration desks, or events, Pixel Totems can be used to highlight the path to different areas, show people where to sign up or simply where a communal meeting point is. For larger groups of people, this can be invaluable in getting people to their seats or to clear specific areas at varying times such as where their specific talk or breakout session is. Impactful Branding and Messaging At conferences, charities and galas, event sponsors can use Pixel Totems to display their brand’s message. Use all screens for the one voice or several for different sponsors. Going Once, Going Twice – Charity and Auction Displays Auctions are the perfect place for Pixel Totems to showcase individual items. Their brightness illuminates any piece and offers enticement for potential bidders. Show an item in its true beauty or convey the plight of a charities’ ultimate beneficiaries through the use of one or many totems. Dynamic Speaker and Presenter Bios Ditch the pull-up banners for Pixel Totems for your speaker bios. Take advantage of the static or video capability and display the Speakers’ images, bio and fun facts in an interesting way that get’s the audiences attention and briefs them on the speakers background and qualifications and excited to hear them talk. Budget-Friendly Backdrops When costs are stretched to the limit there's no need to compromise. Pixel Totems offer suitable LED backdrops by simply using a network facility. Link up ten unit’s together for an impressive light show for every budget. The great thing about the Totems is they are so flexible in their display options. Highlight the Sporting Heroes Show our sporting heroes in action with Pixel Totems. Display each player's photo, achievements or personal best times to create an impactful design and enhance the hype. For larger sporting gatherings and new team launches, player profiles, club history and competitor facts and figures all enhance the event look and increase engagement. For corporate Melbourne Cup events you can use Pixel Totems to build excitement with panels depicting jockey, trainer and horse information. All of which can be static or animated. Dress The Stage Pixel Totems are an affordable and high impact solution for injecting interest into a conference set design. The Pixel Totems can be spread across the stage to complement the main screen or clustered to a form a wall. Their design gives you a simple and flexible way to visually enhance with the messaging with static or animated imagery But wait there’s more. The ability to change the display at any point during the event gives freedom and a creativity that other forms of banners simply cannot. Imagination is the only limit! Why Pixel Totems? The stage holds people’s gaze, so why not liven things up. Pixel Totems are a great way to enhance your event and display super bright content to capture attention. Event planners are taking advantage of the way different displays and messaging during an event can be changed from hour to hour or from one topic to another, and clients are loving it. Creative use of digital visual tools for event and stage planning has never been more attainable. From glamorous charity dinners and annual corporate events to sporting registrations and club award nights, Pixel Totems offer it all. Move over pull up banners, it’s time for the new guy to take the spotlight. Let our LED Pixel Totems tell your story. Want to find out more? Register your interest in Pixel Totems and one of our helpful team members will be back in touch with more information. ... Read More

2019 was certainly another exciting year for Encore Event Technologies. Our teams delivered more than 46, 000 events across the Asia Pacific for our clients - from conferences, gala dinners and incentives to sporting events, roadshows and everything in between! We continued our pursuit of the very latest event technologies and pushed the boundaries delivering Australia's largest number of synchronised individual table projections. Our teams also designed new experiences using holographic mesh screens, launched a dedicated live streaming platform and new LED stage set solutions, plus we extended our venue partner network to over 115 venues across the Asia Pacific. Our creative teams also continued to shine, delivering on-trend styling, creative set designs and multimedia content that delivered amazing brand experiences for attendees. Whilst we can’t talk about every event in 2019 – there’s just too many! – We are proud to share with you some of the highlight corporate events we delivered last year. Amway China Leadership Seminar Venue: Australian Artillery and Armoury Museum (AAAM) Why it made the list: With over 6,000 attendees, the Amway China Leadership Seminar was one of, if not the, largest corporate events to hit Australia in 2019. The creative, technical and logistical requirements for delivering the event in a remote location was a great challenge our teams overcame making this a standout and very memorable event on our calendar. Amway China returned to Australia for the sixth time with more than 6,000 guests for their annual 2019 Leadership Seminar, this time held in Cairns. Seven waves of guests attended the 4-day seminar and incentive program between 21 March – 15 April. Designed and organised by Encore, the business sessions and concluding Gala Program treated guests to a spectacular experience including a special blended reality sequence created using layered multimedia, holographic effects and choreographed robotics show with a live performer. The challenge was designing a never-before-seen experience for a well-travelled client whom has seen almost everything. Amway China chose the Australian Artillery and Armoury Museum (AAAM) as the venue to add an unexpected element to the program. As the largest privately owned collection of military vehicles in the Southern Hemisphere, it offered guests a rare tank show experience. At 4,280 square metres, the venue was also large enough to accommodate the production equipment for both the gala and business sessions, catering and other suppliers. The Rainforest to Reef theme allowed Encore to design four distinct experiences: rainforest, beach, reef and river. Each environment was themed using a 270-degree screen that wrapped around the venue walls, customised soundscapes, roaming performers and reef-inspired table styling which incorporated lighting design. A key performance brought each environment to life and were each enhanced with creative technical production. The ‘rainforest’ environment included a thunder and lightning performance by the Million Volt Man, one of the most extreme live performers who uses high-voltage Tesla coil in his stunts. For the ‘river’ component, Encore created a custom ‘Fish Medley’ act which included singing and dancing animated fish on computer-controlled robotic LED screens that moved with the music. The ‘beach’ environment included an artistic Fabric Ballet performance featuring 18 DMX controlled fans with choreographed dancing, while ‘reef’ featured a game simulation of an underwater treasure hunt made possible using a range of AV techniques. The journey saw a live performer participate in the underwater adventure using layered multimedia with a holographic mesh screen, LEDs and choreographed robotics show. The end result was a memorable gala dinner that ended the international incentive on a high. Encore show producer Andrew MacColl said guests were blown away by the 270-degree multimedia projection, holographic projection and synchronised robotics. “The creative event design was matched with cutting-edge use of technology to create an amazing experience for guests,” he said. “Working in such a unique venue had its challenges, but also many benefits in that it allowed our team the opportunity to maximise their creativity to bring to life a blank canvas. Special Event Director, John Schryver, designed a truly unique and immersive experience which will undoubtedly be remembered long after the event. The team bought his design to life and delivered the series of events flawlessly.” See More Photos Virtuoso Symposium Gala Dinner Venue: Palladium at Crown, Crown Melbourne Why it made the list: As one of the largest custom table projection experiences delivered in Australia, the Virtuoso Gala Dinner is a clear standout for 2019. The combination of styling, design and AV technology delivered this truly immersive experience to the imaginative theme of 'Welcome To The Emerald City' and one we're still talking about. Guests were dazzled by beautiful table projections when Encore designed and delivered a never-before-seen showcase event on behalf of Crown Towers for Virtuoso, a luxury tourism company. Themed ‘Welcome to the Emerald City’, a play on Sydney’s nick name, every table had stunning, bespoke projections alternating throughout the evening. This was one of the largest table projection projects in Australia ever completed, with a total of 55 individual table projections and an absolute stand-out of the event that had the guests enthralled. The entire event was meticulously designed to ensure the guests were taken on a full sensory journey using clever event production, from the dancers in genuine ‘Wicked – The Musical’ costumes, to the Palladium Ballroom being drenched in emerald drapery, green and gold lights highlighting the extravagant details, such as iconic ruby red slippers hanging from chandeliers and the projected yellow-brick road that led to the main stage. In the centre of the room four giant LED screens 4.8m x 2.4m, dubbed the ‘Crown Tower’, featured custom animations throughout the evening. As each course unfolded, the food changed theme and the city skylines of Melbourne, Perth and then Sydney, were featured on the Crown Tower LED screen, lights were adjusted to create the ambiance of the city in focus and all 55 tables simultaneously came to life with individualised table projections. The projections contained animated clockwork, infinite emerald jewel clusters and art deco inspired designs - all spinning on each person’s plate. Catrina Bennell, General Manager for Encore Victoria, believes this event is a defining moment for Encore highlighting the capability, expertise and full creative production the team can offer. “This event was perfectly over the top and left everyone in awe with the full sensory experience it offered. Guests were amazed, constantly taking photos and videos of the night with sheer joy on their faces. It is definitely a night to remember and will travel back home with each of the guests,” says Ms Bennell. See More Photos ICMS Australasia Geo Week Venue: National Convention Centre Canberra Why it made the list: Our Canberra team executed a series of events, hosting over 600 delegates as part of ICMS Australasia's Geo Week. Drawing inspiration from Indigenous artwork and culture, our set designers and styling team designed a cohesive and vibrant environment for each of the events making this a highlight event for 2019. Encore were entrusted to transform the National Convention Centre Canberra (NCCC) to host ministers for Group on Earth Observations Week (GEO Week), demonstrating a spectacular connection to Australian landscape and Indigenous culture. Between 4 – 8 November, over 600 government members, business leaders, heads of international non-profits and passionate experts gathered for GEO Week, to discuss global priorities including the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The event included industry exhibitions, track sessions, workshops, meeting spaces, a series of dinners, presentations, an Awards Dinner, and live broadcasts to the global community. Australian Indigenous culture was featured with the logo ‘Earth Dreaming’ - a design representing our world as it appears from space but through an Indigenous lens. Encore’s event styling team incorporated the Indigenous artwork into all aspects. Customised designs were created for a central 3.5m diameter circular screen, plenary panel tables and the main stage, along with the use of red, blue and yellow which connected the room and represented the earth’s elements. Strategic lighting was used to reflect the Australian landscape with a red wash over the audience, creating a warm atmosphere during the day. This atmosphere was carried through to the Awards Dinner, with the use of native plants, natural fabrics, fairy lights and red hue spot lighting. Overall the event was a huge success, providing guests with unique insights into the worlds scientific efforts on earth observations. Queensland Hotels Association Awards Night Venue: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre Why it made the list: This event brought out the best in the team from our set builders who designed and built the ball-pit, to our creative vision, lighting and rigging teams who really pushed the limit in event production. The giant LED screen combined with the fun retro styling elements, interactive entertainment made this event one our team will talk about for years to come. We have The Big Pineapple in Nambour, The Big Macadamia Nut on the Sunshine Coast and The Big Bull in Rockhampton, but nothing prepared the 1,300 guests of the Queensland Hotel Association Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner for ‘The Big LED Screen’ designed and delivered by Encore. The creative idea behind the event design, The Big Things of Queensland was literally taken to new heights by the Encore team for the pinnacle event in the Queensland hospitality industry, hosted at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The 2.4-meter-high circular screen was 7.5 meters in diameter and incorporated 2.5 tonnes of LED. The LED structure was the centrepiece of the event, which also playfully brought to life interactive retro-inspired theming throughout the room such as a ball-pit with a selfie camera, and a functioning ice cream van serving sweet treats. Kelly-Anne Mott, Events and Partnerships Officer, Queensland Hotel Association said the theme was inspired by the uniqueness of Queensland and having fun. “This is the pinnacle event on our calendar and with the best in the business attending, we wanted them to have a fun time, provide optimal chance for networking and celebrate our industry in style. “The brief was to bring to life our fun and quirky theme and the Encore team exceeded all our aspirations with designing their own ‘very big thing’. “The engagement we got from the ball-pit, interactive bar and ice cream van was excellent. These three important design elements were carefully curated to encourage maximum engagement – and they did. “We had people dressed up in black tie gowns lining up to jump in the ball-pit and have fun. The activities were perfect for creating interactive elements. “Creating a space for our people to truly celebrate and unwind was a triumph,” said Ms Mott. Daniel Hazard, General Manager, SEQ Encore, said this event brought out the best in the team from our set builders who designed and built the ball-pit, to our creative vision, lighting and rigging teams who really pushed the limits in event production. “We rigged the giant LED screen from the ceiling of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and created a circular stage below to complement – it was central to the overall design and a focal point of the event. “Combined with the retro styling elements, interactive dancers and the entertainment, this was an event that will be talked about for years to come. “We know the importance of ensuring guests have their expectations exceeded year after year, and this was no exception,” said Mr Hazard. See More Photos Think Brick National Awards Night Venue: Palladium at Crown Melbourne Why it made the list: It's easy to see why this was a highlight event for our Melbourne team in 2019. Taking inspiration from the architectural design submissions, our team created a glamorous galactic experience with this unique spaceship inspired stage set the hero for the evening. The evening demonstrated Encore's ability to weave a concept throughout every element, evening building custom installations for that extra touch. As Australia’s major design awards, the Think Bricks Awards bring together architects and the building design industry to celebrate their achievements in style. Taking inspiration from the architectural design submissions, the brief to Encore was to create the ultimate glamorous galactic experience. The end concept, a galaxy inspired theme, was designed in collaboration by the Encore and Think Brick teams. Encore entwined the theme throughout every element of the event, from the AV and lighting through to set design and styling. Being an awards night with all eyes on the stage, Encore designed an impressive stage set that was both on theme and purposely built to ensure every guest had the same experience. The result was an impressive treble LED screen installation comprising of 12 LEDs in a four-armed configuration, resembling a spaceship-like design. This served as the main screen showcasing the outstanding work of the award nominees and its clever design ensured everyone had perfect view of the awards stage. Throughout the evening, guests were continually immersed in the galactic theme thanks to the custom on-screen content designed and produced by Encore which was all based off the Think Brick Awards 2019 graphics developed by Think Brick. In addition to the three-armed stage set, Encore custom built an amazing a ceiling installation over the bar in the adjoining room for the after party. The light installation featured large numbers of baton lights to resemble lightsabers and illuminated with colours matching the client’s logo. The styling created a luxurious atmosphere with every detail adding to the theme from metallic tablecloths to dark drapery around the room. After the last award, a video played on the big screens to wrap-up the formalities of the event as confetti cannons exploded to celebrate the successful night which was 11 months in the making by the Encore team. To mark the end of the formalities, Encore used a kabuki drop to reveal a full band playing on the main stage in the adjoining room along with the custom lightsaber-lit bar for the after party. Elizabeth McIntyre, Group CEO, Think Brink was delighted with the event, “Our brief to the Encore team was to create an event with WOW-factor. We particularly wanted a super-sized screen to showcase the amazing work of the architects attending. Our guests loved the after party light-up bar with the ceiling installation above. It really brought the theme to life and delivered on need to impress our guests.” See More Photos National Dental Care Gala Dinner Venue: InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort Why it made the list: The creative production involved in designing last year's National Dental Care Gala Dinner cements this event as a highlight for 2019. Our team turned every inch of InterContinental Sanctuary Cove's ballroom into an 'Enchanted Garden' - including a custom built 4.5m tall tree that was placed in the middle of the room. Guests were transported to a whimsical, fantasy land with every corner of the MacArthur’s Ballroom transformed into an ‘Enchanted Garden’, enhanced by interactive elements creating a truly immersive experience. The creative challenge to Encore was to deliver something extra special that stood apart from the previous six events and made guests feel part of an exciting story from the moment they arrived. Guests arrived at what used to be the Fountain Terrace, but which now was a magical garden decorated with fairy lights scattered in trees, giant orbs floating on cascading fountains, foliage-printed balloons with vine strings floating around the space all hinting to the evening that lay ahead. Stilt-walkers dressed as woodland creatures greeted guests and led them down a magnificent winding path to the ballroom entrance, elegantly lined with twisted willow trees lining the staircase and cascading foliage and florals draping down the balustrades. The hero design feature in the room was the 4.5m tall artificial tree placed in the centre of the ballroom with branches covered in soft green leaves reaching over the tables with special gobo lights casting tree-like shadows around the room. The teal hue lighting continued the enchanted garden atmosphere and also a clever nod to National Dental Care’s brand colour. The entertainment was a huge part of this unique event, from fairies pouring champagne to woodland creatures roaming the room. There was even a fortune teller whispering good fortune amongst the three-metre tall trees in a special feature area of the room. Lush green AstroTurf covered the floor creating a designated game space with giant Jenga, chess pieces and mini golf. A giant floral wall sat on one side the room providing the perfect backdrop for guests to take pictures. Katie Jackson, Head of Marketing, National Dental Care said they really wanted to transport the guests to another world, and then Encore delivered on that. “It was an incredible event, our attendees were blown away. The event certainly transported our guests to an enchanted kingdom and everywhere you looked there was a new wonder to be seen.” said Ms Jackson. Tony Chamberlain, Managing Director, Encore, congratulated the team in South East Queensland for delivering a spectacular event themed to perfection. “This event hit the nail on the head with not only the physical appearance of the event but the atmosphere that was created with the high level of attention to detail. We were asked to deliver an immersive party atmosphere and the team certainly delivered on that we did,” said Mr Chamberlain. See More Photos Hyatt Australia 'Living Grand' Dinner Venue: Grand Hyatt Melbourne Why it made the list: The clever extension of the menu using custom table projection mapping, turned this intimate event into a unique culinary journey filled with multi-sensory stimulation. Held on Thursday 19 February, the Grand Hyatt Melbourne Living Grand Dinner brought the four elements to life in a unique sensory experience. Combining audio visual theatrics, custom lighting and creative styling, Encore delivered a unique culinary and visual journey with multi-sensory stimulation. Table Projections for Living Grand 2019 at Grand Hyatt Melbourne from Encore Event Technologies APAC on Vimeo. 48 VIPs were led down a dark tunnel into a dimly lit room, surrounded by black drapes with ambient music playing in the background. The room was sparse, with minimal styling and theming building intrigue as to what was to follow. Once guests were seated, the journey began, completely immersing them in the sounds and visuals, complementing the menu course by course. The entree took guests underwater with sounds of the ocean filling the room and swimming fish flawlessly projection mapped onto the tables and drapes. Then when the sorbet was served, it was accompanied by images and sounds of ice breaking and shattering throughout the room. The main course was themed fire and smoke. Diners were blindfolded before the sounds of burning wood and fire floated through the air. The Encore team then projection mapped fire onto the table while mains were served. Along with the sizzling of food on the grill, the room was filled with low fog slowly rising from the floor as the guests took off their blindfolds. The final course was an ode to Willy Wonka with the room lighting up with the colours of liquorice Allsorts, a chocolate river flowing down the tables and the infamous theme song of the Oompah Loompas playing. For this night to be a success, the timing of the projection and audio had to be perfect. Grand Hyatt Melbourne General Manger, Ilan Weill was thrilled with the work Encore produced. “We of course appreciated your innovation and hard work to meet the deadlines and listen to us. However, the special thank you I would like to convey is for your partnership and amazing spirit working and having fun with us on what was a last-minute idea and turned out to be a fully produced wow type of night. Your patience, great attitude, talent and how you joined forces with us on the night was felt by everyone involved and we really appreciated working together as one team,” said Mr Weill. “We are delighted to call you our partners – Thank you again!” See More Photos Volkswagen Customer Xperience Summit Venue: Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane Why it made the list: The impressive 48m wide custom built stage set propelled the 2019 Volkswagen Customer Xperience Summit into our highlight list for last year. Encore was set the challenge to create a memorable high-end audio-visual feast communicating the ‘Iconic’ theme for the Volkswagen Customer Xperience Summit 2019. The event welcomed over 800 delegates in two streams from across the Volkswagen dealer network at the Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane on 19-21 February 2019. Conceived and convened by Volkswagen Australia Director of Customer Experience and Marketing Jason Bradshaw, more than 800 Volkswagen Group Australia staff and delegates from the nationwide dealership network attended what is believed to be the biggest customer training exercise held by an auto importer in this country. The commanding stage set delivered a massive impact. Encore’s technical team created a mammoth screen consisting of 5 custom borderless screens combined to form one large canvas of 48m wide, this included two curved screens at either end to frame the 28m custom black acrylic stage. Over 150 pixel mapped LED neon tubes encased the top and bottom of the screens creating a futuristic feel and complementing video content. Two circular stages made of black reflective acrylic built either side of the screens created a platform for two of the latest Volkswagen vehicles launched at the event. This impressive event delivered a series of captivating on-screen animated experiences on the huge projection surface which flowed thru to the pixel mapped lighting effects adding an extra level of excitement and drama. The central screen was also recessed to enable the speakers to make a dramatic entrance from behind the stage set. By day the impressive stage was beautifully lit with red and blue with spotlights shining on the cars and reflective stage. During the conference the dramatic staging hosted Omar Johnson VP of Marketing for Apple, followed by presentations by a number of guest speakers and dealers. During the gala event in the evening the premium dealer awards were presented. The lighting show was ramped up to the maximum, plus pyrotechnics, the release of thousands of streamers and CO2 canon blasts to celebrate the major awards. Michael Magafa, National Sales Director for Encore was delighted with the impact created by the giant stage set and the overall seamless delivery of the event. “The brief was to create a big impression, so we delivered a huge solution! The stage encased the entire room and the team designed an impressive lighting and projection solution to captivate the guests. I am very proud of the team’s flawless delivery for our client.” See More Photos The Million Dollar Lunch Venue: Palladium at Crown, Crown Melbourne Why it made the list: We love a creative concept that links beautifully with the event's message and the 2019 The Million Dollar Lunch was a prime example. The creative concept In Full Bloom, stemmed from the event's message 'Where Successful Outcomes Bloom' lead our team to deliver a spectacular floral feast. The immersive experience was created by treating every surface in the room with a mixed media approach, seamlessly blending large paper flowers with projection mapping, with scale and colour at its core. This year’s The Million Dollar Lunch set new benchmarks for event design, raising over $2.1 million for The Children’s Cancer Foundation at Crown Melbourne. The fundraising event was a visual splendour with Encore’s in-house team transforming Palladium at Crown under the playful theme In Full Bloom. The exclusive VIP guest list are veterans on the event circuit, so every year it’s crucial the team continue to raise the bar and deliver a new experience. Encore delivered a fully immersive experience by treating every surface in the room with a mixed media approach, seamlessly blending large paper flowers with projection mapping, with scale and colour at its core. Guests were welcomed into a beautiful but strategically simple pre-function area to ensure the full impact of the main room was achieved. The floor was covered with green carpet representing grass, succulents and foliage positioned around the room - all a subtle hint of what was to come. There was a 3x6m illuminated Event Backdrop as the media wall where guests were photographed on arrival. When the guests entered The Palladium, they stopped in awe at the grand scale of the room elegantly decorated to reflect a garden. Their eyes were immediately drawn to the central stage with four 4.5m high daisy shaped LED screens, angled to tower over the guests. Over 140 custom made paper flowers with a diameter of up to 2m, built on-site, were clustered around the screens in each corner of the room and around the centre stage. Table projections were used to create dramatic impact and carry the floral theme with custom animations including blooming flowers, creeping vines, rippling water and fluttering butterflies to tie in with the giant paper flowers. This element was creatively used to enhance the auction, with each of the 11 auction items being projected and moving around the table so each guest could see what was on offer. Projectors were a major visual element of the event, with 70 being used in total. Ten were used for the wall projections made up of two different loops, blooming flowers and cascading flowers displayed during meals. With every corner of the room styled boldly guests were wowed by visual bursts of colour, unique design and the creative use of AV technology to bring the theme together. Catrina Bennell, General Manager Encore Victoria, believes this event is a defining moment for Encore highlighting the capability to bring unique custom designs to every event. “We were absolutely delighted to work on this inspiring event with such a beautiful cause at its core. The team delivered on a massive scale with big flowers, big effects, bold colour and big fun uniquely delivering the unexpected,” says Ms Bennell. See More Photos Top Secret Dinner Venue: National Convention Centre Canberra Why it made the list: Each year for the Top Secret event Encore is tasked with showcasing the technical and creative event production capabilities at the National Convention Centre Canberra. In 2019 the hero feature was a holographic mesh screen which the team innovatively used in several ways - including using it to make it appear as though the venue General Manager was interviewing himself on stage as if there were two of him. Encore served up an incredible holographic-like experience for some of Australia’s leading event industry professionals, at the “Love and Desire” themed Top Secret 2019 Dinner on Friday 22 March. Hosted by the National Convention Centre Canberra (NCCC), as part of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), this dinner was part of a 3-day program run by the Canberra Convention Bureau (CCB). The program consists of a series of individualised experiences for an exclusive group of national meeting planners. Showcasing business event products and services, the program allows Canberra’s events community to demonstrate the calibre of events in our nation’s capital. The hero of the night was Encore’s expert use of a holographic mesh screen, highlighting the venue as a premium event space and showcasing the technology available when holding an event at the NCCC in conjunction with Encore. Using the holographic mesh screen, Encore created animated content such as a hot air balloon that appear as though it was floating through the air. Our team wanted to push the boundaries for this year's Top Secret 2019 Dinner, bringing Stephen Wood, General Manager of the National Convention Centre Canberra into the room through a hologram. Guests were able to watch Mr Wood standing onstage, interviewing himself as if there were actually two of him. The use of holographic mesh screens is usually only seen at big budget events such as Eurovision and the Grammys, or on television. However, Encore were able to demonstrate to event managers how this technology is possible at their events with the right team and the right venue. Mr Wood commented, “We love working with Encore, they always manage to outdo themselves with their innovation and creativity, and this event was no exception.” The theme for the 3 day familiarisation was 'Love and Desire', based on the current exhibition on display at the National Gallery of Australia. On each table were large 2D Scenic Panels on custom frames, designed to look like garden lattices in the shape of hearts as a nod to pre-Raphaelite theme of the 'Love and Desire' exhibition. Directly above the tables were 20 LED Kinetic Lights, programmed to move with the music and change colour throughout the night, creating a truly spectacular lighting display. Also taking inspiration from the 'Love and Desire' theme was the night’s entertainment. During the event, two actors from the Shakespeare by the Lake performance rose up after being hidden as guests and began to perform a selection of the Bard’s most famous sonnets. Continuing the surprises, instead of using one main screen, Encore set up four 60inch televisions across one truss structure on the main stage. They displayed the animated logos of Encore, NCCC, CCB and IHG in front of scrolling panoramic shots of Canberra spread across the 4 screens as a single wide screen image, showcasing the beauty of the city. “This was a truly sophisticated and memorable event. The National Convention Centre Canberra and guests were delighted with the outcome, and we can’t thank Encore enough,” said Mr Wood. See More Photos The Wonderful Company Conference Venue: InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa Why it made the list: The scope and production management involved with delivering this event over several days for 200 guests made it a standout for our team in Fiji. From delivering high-end dinners on a golf tee to importing classic cars whilst coordinating nine external suppliers for bump-in during a golf tournament. It was a fantastic event to be part of and one our team are proud to have executed seamlessly. Encore in Fiji were engaged by leading US health food company, The Wonderful Company, to deliver their annual sales conference for 200 high-performing team members in tropical Fiji. Held between 3 - 7 June 2019 at the InterContinental Fiji Golf & Spa Resort, as the in-house AV and event services partner, Encore collaborated with Rosie Hollidays who provided all the styling, decor and creative concept for the event. The event program comprised a Welcome Dinner at Kama beachfront, followed by two full days of conference sessions, and a white dress dinner on evening before a final day of conference sessions. The event vision was clear from the outset and the client’s prior production experience helped make the process run smoothly. The final concept was significantly larger than what was initially proposed as The Wonderful Company grew more excited about the event and more confident in Encore’s capabilities. The Welcome Dinner held on the foreshore of the resort was all about setting the tone for the event to come. There was lots of vibrant, colourful lighting to echo the tropical surroundings with guests even treated to a special ‘welcome drink’ in a kava ceremony - a traditional Fijian welcoming ritual. The tropical vibes continued into the design of the main conference in the Ballroom; the stage was dressed with a cane matting, the bright palm-tree imagery on the large 20ft x 11ft rear projector screen, as well as the suspended hollow wooden hearts which were used as a branding device. Across all of the events, The Wonderful Company's heart-shaped logo was incorporated in various ways from a gobo projected onto the roof at the Welcome Dinner, the suspended wooden hearts in the conference design and a special custom-made 5m flaming heart for the closing White Party. The scope and production management involved with delivering this event on the 4th tee of the golf course presented many challenges for the Encore team to overcome. There was actually a pro golf tournament happening at the time, which meant Encore had to coordinate the bump-in to occur at a specific time and work around their schedule. An event of this scale meant we were coordinating nine external suppliers, with a tight turnaround on a remote location. However the event went off without a hitch – even the ‘59 Chevelle car used for as a photo prop made it through Fijian customs just in time. Lighting was key to the event. We started the night with a blue wash, cloaking the event and which made the all-white guests and décor stand out. Then as the night progressed we continued to change the lighting colours and effects using our wirelessly controlled uplighting to suit the mood and energy as the event continued into the early hours. As the big finale guests were treated to a spectacular fireworks display. A wonderful ending to The Wonderful Company’s sales conference. See More Photos Start planning your 2020 events With 2020 already well underway, now is the perfect time to speak to your event production and technology partner to start discussing ideas and requirements for your event. As the trusted event production partner with over 30 years experience, you can count on our teams to help you design an unforgettable and successful event. It's what we do, and we have the awards to prove it. Get in touch with us today by calling 1800 209 099 or send an online enquiry and one of our helpful team members will respond as soon as possible. ... Read More

Hologram technology is now well within reach for creative even planners looking to make an impact at their next meeting, event, or brand experience. The ways to use holograms are only limited by the imagination. Here are some favourite examples of the holographic mesh screen in action which our technical teams have created. Holographics used for Presentations Add excitement to a presentation with both 3D illusions and interactivity. At the recent Top Secret Dinner at Canberra’s National Convention Centre Canberra (part of the InterContinental Hotels Group), Encore used a holographic mesh screen to create the illusion of a hot air balloon, synonymous with Canberra’s Enlighten Festival, hanging above the stage. Later in the evening, the presenter interviewed himself as a hologram. These illusions perfectly showcased the NCCC as a destination for events and conferences with state-of-the-art technical capabilities. You can use this technique to bring a speaker onto the stage who can’t attend in person and have them present as a hologram, how cool is that?! It also has the added advantage of not paying for transport and accommodation for the speaker, plus they only have to be available for the time it takes for their presentation. Holographics can be used to enhance any presentation; add a hologram of the product being released, project videos by guest speakers, showcase projects, or animate simulations. Even data and graphs could be made engaging with 3D computer animation! Performances enhanced with holographic technology As recent concert tours and AV shows attests, holographic technology is perfect for an amazing performance. One of Encore’s most impressive uses of the technology used a combination of holographic mesh, real-time motion tracking, projection, and dance. At the Australian Hotels Association annual awards, a dancer performed a duo with herself creating an amazing effect. Her movements were captured on camera and motion tracked, with a computer turning her outline into a 3D animated graphic in real-time, which was then projected onto the holographic mesh. Set Design using holographics 3D animations and images can be incorporated into any set design. Deploying at almost any size, anywhere, you’re only restricted by lighting and background. Encore have created custom set designs using holograms for companies such as Moutai China, who were treated to the illusion of a giant bottle of Moutai spirit hovering in mid-air on a 20m x 5m holographic screen. The technique can also be used for events like product launches or trade shows where oversized holograms would be ideal so that it can create a larger-than-life effect of the product being promoted. Speak to the event design experts about a holographic experience Holograms open up a huge range of creative possibilities to amaze your event attendees. You can use it to bring your brand to life, entertain, enhance stage performances and bring remote presenters on stage in an amazing visual way. Advances in technology and manufacturing mean that holographics are not just for big budget events - they’re with the reach of nearly any event producer’s reach. Encore have adopted the most flexible, creative mode of holographic tech available in the event market; send us an online enquiry to find out more or talk to your Encore representative today about how to get your event into the Third Dimension! ... Read More

Face-to-face meetings can be the most effective way to get your point across, but the corporate world has to move with the times. Overcoming growing distance, cost and time issues, businesses now demand solutions for video conferencing. As a result, venues, speakers, event planners and employees must be prepared and confident to host these types of online meetings. More solutions enter the market each year. That’s a good thing. Contrary to opinion, a variety of solutions should not confuse, but rather provide a video conferencing solution that is tailored to the needs of the user and runs seamlessly. From basic free applications such as Skype to professional cloud-based video and audio conference platforms, like Encore Connect, event planners and businesses are spoilt for choice. Whether you're arranging an online meeting or remote presenters for your event, here are some helpful tips from video conferencing experts to ensure you’re maximising the technology. 1. Select a reliable video conferencing platform When it comes to technology, it’s best practice to choose a well known provider that is reliable, has a support team and a robust offering that can meet your needs. This is especially true with video conferencing platforms. When you use a trusted provider, you get the peace of mind and confidence your meeting or event is in the best hands and will run seamlessly. Encore offers a first-of-its-kind rehearsal feature with our video conferencing solution, Encore Connect, where a technician will on-board you and your presenters to ensure they’re comfortable presenting remotely and know how to use the platform. It’s this kind of concierge service you won’t get when using a free platform. 2. Choose a suitable venue room There are a few things to consider here which can all be resolved by doing a site visit or at least seeing images of the room prior to the event. Ensure the room has adequate lighting and seating for all parties to the meeting. Natural light has its advantages but can have its own set of issues. Be aware of areas of shade and any potential distractions that open windows bring, like passers-by or pigeons pacing up and down the windowsill. A general rule of thumb is consistency and uniformity. No dark spots in the room and no powerful bulbs which leave people seeing spots. What about microphones or the acoustics in the room? Can the presenter’s voice project? Is the room noisy? Does it suffer from thin-wall syndrome? All of these points can be addressed by a simple site visit or talk with your on-site events team. Encore proudly offers Encore Connect in all our venue partners – that’s over 100 world-class venue options around Asia Pacific for you to choose from. So you’re spoilt for choice. 3. Clear Audio There’s nothing more frustrating when video conferencing has poor audio quality. The aim is to have people hear you clearly, without crackling and dropouts. Look for good quality headsets and microphones which help reduce noise and disruptive echoes. When in doubt, run your set up by your audio visual provider to test. For multi-party conferences, mute your microphone when you’re not speaking to avoid adding any additional background noise. If you are hosting, make sure everyone is on the same page. Check your participants and lead the way. For a larger event, your audio visual partner will test the audio levels of the room and work with the presenters prior to ensure both the audio input and output are set for optimal quality. Wherever possible have a practice run. The best video and audio conferencing partners will do exactly that. 4. Test your set up to find the perfect angle Obscure camera angles might work for Tarantino, but in a meeting environment they can be very distracting. Webcams should be at eye level and if for some reason you need to move around the room, ensure it is steady as she goes. This is particularly important if you are using a mobile device for your video calls. To avoid unflattering or distracting angles, we recommend using self-view mode to test the angle of your camera prior to the video conference. 5. Time Zone Awareness One of the great benefits of video conferencing is the ability to overcome distance or time zone barriers. With this in mind, it is important to consider your attendees and/or remote presenters time zone when arranging it. But what about the delays you didn’t anticipate, such as plane delays and cancellations, a last minute commitment? Offering remote presenters the option to video conference in means your event will continue to run as planned. 6. Remove Potential Distractions Distraction is the number one killer of concentration and engagement. Clear lines of sight without interference are essential for attendees and presenters. Similarly so are unwanted sounds – so remember to switch your phone to silent and in multi-party meetings ask attendees to do the same. Cameras pointed in the direction of anything that has the potential to distract will render it a focal point and eventually, if human nature serves me right, be more popular than a viral cat video. 7. Proper meeting etiquette for video conferencing Just like a meeting face-to-face, there is a certain way of hosting and presenting online. It’s called meeting etiquette. If you’re recording the meeting, it’s polite to let everyone know ahead of time you are recording and remind again when it commences. This will also help keep it professional and on-track with personal conversations saved until afterwards. Possibly the most important feature of any conference is the ability for everyone to hear and be heard. Ask everyone to introduce themselves at the beginning, and if on audio only, ask them to state their name before they speak so everyone knows who is talking. A popular tactic for ensuring the meeting stays on track and avoiding everyone from speaking over one another is for the host to hold comments or questions until the end. And again, avoid distractions by kindly reminding attendees or remote presenters to turn mobile phones to silent mode or switch them off. 8. Dress Appropriately Dressing appropriately is particularly important if you’re presenting online. With all eyes on you, you’ll want to avoid wearing an inappropriate or distracting outfit that will become more memorable than your presentation. Avoid clothing that may flare on camera such as tiny stripes, sequins or glittery clothing. Similarly, don’t wear loose tops or shirts that gape and it goes without saying, wear professional pants. We’ve heard all too often of instances where a presenter or meeting attendee stands up to get a drink of water only to reveal they’re still in their pyjamas! Sometimes the simple things are often overlooked. 9. Stay on track with a well structured agenda A well-structured agenda can be your best friend. Not only can it set a tone, but a well-written agenda prepares invitees for what's in store. Ensure you include the item “All other business” as the last point on the agenda, followed by a decent amount of time for Q and A. Keeping everyone on track with an appropriate and well-worded agenda greatly assists with maintaining conference timeframes and actionable points. 10. Rehearse, rehearse, and rehearse again This seems like a no-brainer but like any technology, testing and rehearsing will provide your best chance for success when presenting remotely or hosting a meeting via video conference. Take advantage of the exclusive rehearse feature offered by Encore Connect, which unlike free or basic platforms, gives you dedicated time with a technician to test your set up and ask any questions. Knowing your video conference is in expert hands means you can get on with the business of organising the event or meeting itself. Speak to the Video Conferencing Experts An increasing number of organisations and event planners are enjoying the benefits of video conferencing. Encore has developed our own solution to accommodate the rising demand for video conferencing in small meetings and large events for remote presenters. Encore Connect is powered by Zoom, one of the most well-known and trusted platforms in the market and you can find it across our entire venue network. If you are interested in finding out more about our video conferencing solutions get in touch by calling 1800 209 099 or sending an online enquiry and one of our friendly team members will get right back. ... Read More

Can you feel it? It’s the most magical time of the year! For event planners, filling a room with merriment and seasonal goodwill at Christmas is one of the best gifts you can give your guests. So how do you create a Christmas event to remember? Start with a theme. Recognisable and evoking emotion on the first glimpse, a Christmas event done well not only brings the beginning of the holiday season but a chance to relax, breathe in and celebrate the year past. With a little foresight, your event can be more than just another party. Santa is definitely coming to town with these 3 event styling trends for the 2019 Christmas season. Winter Wonderland Many of us will not have experienced the freshness and invigorating snowy Christmas. The cool and crisp shimmery brilliance of Mother Nature in one her finest moments. With the right lighting, sound vision and styling, your event can be transformed patrons another world they might never want to leave. Styling Nothing says winter wonderland like an Ice Sculpture If it's within the budget an Ice sculpture creates an exquisite talking piece. Let it snow. Scenic themed backdrops with glittering stars set the mood. Couple with white linens and gleaming silverware to create a magical aesthetic. Colour and Palate Silver, white and light blues for their icicle portrayal matched with glass and acrylic tabletop adornments all add a wintery influence. Add artificial twisted twigs covered, painted or frosted accordingly. Rose gold adds a sense of luxe and matched with pinks and champagnes Sensory Enhancement A combination of warm lighting with accents of brightness, this winter Christmas scene will conjure child-like reaction. If you're thinking luxe with a shimmery edge, think Winter Wonderland. Don't forget the music. The icing on the cake are sounds reminiscent of ice skating, the jingle of sleigh bells in the distance and snowball filled days and the obligatory seasonal carol. Back to Nature Natural is the keyword with this warm and inviting theme. Styling Hessian, ropes and wooden baubles create a natural theme with a sense of immediate comfort. Throw in some authentic forest pieces and it'll be a magical woodland Christmas. Pair the woods with soft materials, red berries and aged metals such as copper to create that warm feeling of Christmas. Think Scandi with a touch of forest, or farmhouse with open fire backdrops. A real pine tree will add to the effect of a nature-themed Christmas. Colour and Palate Neutrals, beige and rope ornaments create warmth. Touches of red and green elements enhance a natural, wooded environment. Decorate with natural and rustic tree decorations with red berry and pine table centrepieces. It's all about re-creating a woodland look. Sensory Enhancement Give the impression of scampering woodland animals with sound effects or fit for purpose playlists. Candles scented with pine, or cinnamon will have guests ensconced in aromatic heaven. Apple cider aperitifs make a nice start as an ideal pre-dinner treat. Martini's and Mistletoe Cocktail events bring smiles to a lot of faces and a Christmas themed party gives people more reason to celebrate. Red velvets and shimmering metallics matched with golden baubles, you can create an event offering some serious decadence. Inspired by the grandeur of old, this theme is a warm-hearted nod to the traditional Christmas, with a touch of glamour thrown in. Cocktails for Christmas is always a winner. Styling Red velvet backdrops and shimmering metallic décor and table settings. Glimmering golden baubles and red berries to enhance seating areas. Colours and Palate Go for black, gold and red decorations for that luxurious feel. Think formal event colourings, and table settings. Artificial flowers can offer an inviting element where real arrangements are not a seasonal option. Sensory Enhancement The perfect cocktail, and chilled relaxation music. Playlists which are modern with elements of jazz or blues help with creating a mood. Create a sophisticated adult black-tie vibe, with a bit of cheeky thrown in, if you dare. With many of us heading to seasonal parties and corporate events what better way to wow your audience than with a themed Christmas celebration. It's easy to keep the Christmas spirit alive and well. Need help? We can assist with all styling expertise and audio-visual needs for your Christmas event. Contact us today. Let's make some memories. ... Read More

Designing transformative experiences using Virtual Reality at corporate events Virtual Reality (VR) is one of the most hyped technologies of the last decade. Global giants Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Facebook have all invested billions in building the hardware, creating software, and developing applications. Event professionals are jumping on the trend and realising the potential of VR in transforming their events. The short; VR in the event space is here to stay and its the ideal environment to utilise the technology’s potential. We’re seeing VR restaurants pop up, car manufacturers turning mundane road trips into action-packed theme-parks, sensorial VR tours of breweries and some confronting education on road safety thanks to VR experiences. VR totally takes over your guests’ senses. It is about completely commanding your audience’s attention. It offers unparalleled engagement and concentration when compared to a video or spoken presentation. If you’re seeking to entertain, connect and delight, it enables total freedom of imagination. There are several off-the-shelf VR experiences such as real-world simulations of climbing Everest, diving on the Great Barrier Reef and the like. If they fit with the theme of your gala dinner or topic of your conference, they’re a great ice-breaker and novelty to get your guests talking. This is as tangible as you get in a virtual world. Experiencing touch, excitement fear and curiosity. How can events benefit from using Virtual Reality While consumer adoption of VR for gaming and entertainment at home has been much slower than expected, savvy operators in the event space and enterprise have been the quickest to realise its potential. VR applications for Conferences and meetings Virtual reality can be an excellent vehicle for team building exercises and business activities aimed at strengthening goals and creating a strategic focus. A shared VR activity is a perfect icebreaker for attendees that haven’t met. There are many off-the-shelf VR puzzles and games that get people working in teams and are perfect for this. More businesses want to show their audience instead of just addressing them through words or endless PowerPoint slides. During a keynote address, instead of just talking about a subject, why not immerse the audience? The presenter asks the crowd to put on the headsets and continues to address them as they explore a simulation of the content under discussion. The CEO of Intel, Brian Krzanich, kicked off the CES 2017 conference with an incredible VR experience cementing themselves as heavyweights in the area. Intel placed 260 VR units in chairs for all press attending the event where they embarked on an incredible journey starting with a wingsuit flight over Moab, Utah where they then landed on the desert floor. Shortly after, the flyers were shuttled to Vietnam to take in the sights of Ban Goic waterfall. After experiencing more spectacular scenery the VR tour ended with court side seats at an NCAA basketball game. Once they removed their virtual reality helmets, they found themselves sitting back in the audience at the event in Las Vegas. This example shows Krzanich and other industry leaders use virtual reality at events to completely change the way attendees experience exhibitions. VR technology has also enables connectivity for conference attendees spread interstate and internationally. It enables virtual attendance for those who can’t be there to experience the presenters and multimedia live while wearing headsets at home. VR lets people from around the world meet in the same place at the same time simply by putting on a headset. Meetings and breakouts can also be run using VR conferencing tools like Facebook Spaces. VR for Fairs, Exhbitions or Trade Shows Get visitors to your stand or display excited about engaging with your brand via a VR experience. Give them an exciting branded challenge or demonstration that gets their adrenaline pumping; it’s a great way to stand out and be remembered. One insurance provider used VR to promote its products in a rather unusual way. NRMA Insurance designed a car crash simulator to show how car safety features have improved over three decades. “Victims” put on a VR headset, climb behind the wheel of a showroom car, then (virtually) crash into a barrier at the same speed that actual crash tests are conducted. The user then goes through the same simulation, only behind the wheel of an older car with fewer safety features. Users have firsthand experience of being in a major car accident and walk away unscathed at the end, but left with a lasting impact. A large U.S. home improvement company, Lowe’s, helped customers bring to life their design vision with Holoroom. Customers can design their kitchen or bathroom and view it in VR using Oculus Rift in-stores, and take-home a free Google Cardboard viewer to enjoy their room design whenever and wherever they choose. This application of VR could be applied for various products and services to help generate sale and new leads at exhibitions and trade fairs. They say doing is far better for learning than just seeing or hearing. And when you can’t physically demonstrate the new product, service or solution VR is the next best thing. VR is an excellent training platform because it’s cost effective and the closest you’ll get to doing it in real life. Any simulations feel real to the user. Users can make a decision that feels impactful, but it can still be changed or reset entirely. This is particularly useful for the medical industry where a wrong action can result in death. VR provides an effective vehicle for learning new applications, technologies or sales training on new products such as a latest car model. The possibilities are endless. Since 2018, German logistics company Deutsche Bahn uses VR for immersivetraining experiences using an application called Engaging Virtual Reality. Recruiting Talent at a careers fair Like with any media, using the right technology to appeal to your target market will make your campaign more effective. It’s no secret that VR is more popular among younger users. 50% of users between the age groups of 20-29 and 30-39 are veryinterested in virtual reality, with only 6% expressing no interest at all. So when German railway company Deutsche Bahn wanted to recruit young talent they turned to VR experiences at a careers fair. Candidates could experience first-hand the lives of train conductors, electricians, and construction workers. The recruiting team found that exposing candidates to this experience resulted in higher-quality applications and candidates who were interested in the positions. “The idea is to give people a really good insight of the jobs at Deutsche Bahn. We want applicants to get a close look over the shoulder of an electrician or a train driver. That is something that makes the application process very tangible and very satisfying. We can show how fascinating jobs are in the real world,” says Kerstin Wagner, head of talentacquisition at Deutsche Bahn Mobility Logistics. VR for Charity Events Show your donors the actual impact of their contribution in a way they can almost touch and feel. Guide them through a ‘before and after’ experience that illustrates exactly what you can achieve together. A VR campaign does something many cause-driven organizations all over the world struggle to achieve. Virtual Reality can show donors exactly where their money is going and the outcome it achieves. Toms: Virtual Giving Trip. Toms, a popular shoe company, is well known for donating one pair of shoes to a child in need every time a customer buys their own pair. The charity found a new way to inspire its customers to give by taking them on a journey while wearing a VR headset. The Toms Virtual Giving Trip is narrated by Blake Mycoskie, the founder and Chief Shoe Giver of Toms, and one of his colleagues. As they describe the story of Toms’ founding, their VR experience takes viewers on a trip through Peru, where Blake and the shoe-giving team visit a school of children who are about to receive the shoes they need for the first time. VR for Sales Events and Launches From a virtual factory tour to product experience, VR can amp up a sales force and help them truly understand the product and your objectives. Beyond the event, a portable VR version of the content can be used to inspire their customers! Some companies aren’t limiting themselves to brining just products to their tradeshow, instead they’re using VR technology to bring the entire building with them. What better way to immerse customers into your brand. In 2016, Anheuser-Busch gave SXSW attendees a VR tour of their Budweiser St. Louisbrewery that involved seeing, hearing, and even smelling different parts of the facility. Users wore VR headsets and were led on a tour of different rooms to learn about the brew. When they toured near the hops that went into the beer, brewery employees held actual hops under the attendees’ noses. And of course, attendees got to taste the beer afterwards. Have you considered VR for your event Create an immersive experience that’s more engaging, interactive and persuasive than mere video. It’s more interesting and better at holding attention than simply presenting in the traditional form. VR is a perfect platform to take your audience deep into where you want their minds to be. The most important factors to consider in using VR at your event is what purpose does it serve, what story does it tell, and how are you going to obtain, customise, or create it? Avoid using VR purely as a gimmick. Instead, provide real value to attendees and stakeholders. The most important part of adopting any technology is the impact it will have on your strategic goals. Ask yourself what the goals of your event are first and then see how you can leverage VR to help get you there. Here’s some questions to think about when considering VR: Will utilising VR equipment help you attract and meet more contacts at your trade show booth? Do you want something to set you apart from other exhibitors? Would VR take your attendees to a location you are talking about, transport them into a building that is being proposed? Do you need to provide your audience with a more immersive way to experience your videos, photos, or games? Would your employees gain a deeper understanding of their training? Will VR show your donors how their investment can transform someone’s life. The goal is to make the experience more useful, impactful or memorable than what has been done previously, no matter what your event. The gear and the content VR can be experienced with something as simple as a cardboard holder for a smartphone paired with VR apps, or a high-tech immersive helmet and hand sensors wired up to a supercharged PC. The biggest emerging category of hardware in VR is stand-alone glasses, where the computer, vision, and sound are all contained in one battery powered lightweight device with wireless capability. A leading example of this is the Oculus Go, which is the model that Encore Event Technologies deploy on our events. Keep in mind the realities of the space required if you’re using VR for a competitive team challenge. If attendees are expected to swing, duck and dodge you’ll need to allocate enough room to avoid any ‘real-world’ injuries! Find out more about using VR in your events Many industries are now awash with great examples of VR and although it’s a little too soon to call it mainstream, it appears that we are reaching the tipping point. The technology is becoming cheaper and the number of companies producing these experiences is growing, which can only mean we will see it more not only at events but for a widening number of applications. Business investment will likely be a strong driver with demand to create virtual meetings in a time-poor world. There are already products coming to market that enable meeting attendees to dial into a boardroom and see, hear and interact with each other as if they were present. The question now is not if, but when and how you will be using VR in your events. At Encore we love finding ground-breaking event applications for new tools like VR. We’ve already produced experiences for many event types and purposes and are thrilled at the possibilities it presents. This is event planning on a new level. The ability to put your event ahead of the game offers memorable occasions not soon forgotten. Contact us to explore how we can take your next event to virtual new heights. ... Read More

Distance, varying time zones and the cost of accommodating travellers has led event managers and meeting planners to rethink how they bring people together. If a business is to stay connected, forging new paths is essential for retaining and maximising relationships without the need for a traditional face-to-face. It can be done. Video conferencing offers a solution. It’s the next best thing to being there, without the stress or expense. For events large or small, we've got you connected. Venues are recognising the need to accommodate this rising demand in video conferencing and as such all of Encore’s venue partners now have the capability to offer dedicated video conferencing platforms both for meetings and large events such as conferences. What is Video Conferencing? Video conferencing is the technology that allows you to hold online meetings with several participants who are located in different places while seeing and talking to them in real-time. It is different from simple video calling, which is normally one-to-one video communication. It can also be used for remote presenters at events to present to the audience from another location. What does it mean for you? If you’re are an EA or the one in charge of meeting arrangements, we’ve got news for you and it’s all good. Meetings can now be pre-planned over months or be instant and on-demand. For the large event organisers, this means you can overcome travel expenses or unexpected delays for your presenters by using video conferencing for them to present via. Here are our top reasons to embrace the business-minded benefits of video conferencing. Benefits of Video Conferencing for Events We’re busier than ever and more spread apart, but the need to stay connected has never been stronger. With more keynote speakers doing the international circuit event planners need a solution to overcome conflicting schedules and travel costs incurred with getting them to your conference or corporate event. The best video conferencing solutions strive for and deliver that sense of connectivity, conveniently and support you to ensure a professional, stress-free connection. Encore Connect can beam in your presenter in full screen from any location at a fraction of the cost it takes to bring them in from interstate or from all over the world. Your panel of experts need not even leave their desks for a truly collaborative experience. Use a professional service to take travel problems away. The unforeseen doesn’t have to ruin your event. The reality is people miss planes, get delayed both interstate and overseas. The expense can be a huge burden. Having to accommodate people in hotels, reschedule flights and make further travel arrangements need not be a concern any longer. What makes presenters the most nervous? The great unknown. Unfamiliar platforms or high-tech equipment can have people distracted from their purpose. Remove the anxiety with a video conferencing partner that understands you need your presenter to be focused and the audience to see and hear them perfectly. Take advantage of Encore’s exclusive first-of-its-kind rehearsal and on-boarding service with one of our expert technicians. This means you or your remote presenter can ensure you’re set up correctly, solve any vision or audio problems and confidently use the platform. You can’t ask for more peace of mind than that. Benefits of Video Conferencing for Small Meetings Today’s work environments have undergone some of the most progressive thinking since the invention of the humble office chair. With global companies offering workers varied locations and working arrangements, the need to communicate effectively and instantly no matter what the geographical location is essential. Smaller meetings can also benefit from video conferencing. No longer is it necessary for a business to go to the expense of bringing people in for a one-off conference, meeting or a one-day workshop. Diary conflicts? No problem. EAs and event planners don’t need to spend hours finding a future date that suits all parties which can often push important decision-making meetings out by weeks. Now all parties can run the meeting online from wherever they are, exactly as they would have done face-to-face. Small meetings aren’t exempt from the same complications of organising large ones. You may still need to overcome travel expenses, or deal with unexpected delays. You may need to organise the meeting instantly for those important decisions… all of which can be facilitated seamlessly with video conferencing. The convenience and quality of live video conferencing technology for small meetings means workplaces can be more productive and move faster. With Encore Connect, you and your colleagues can share ideas while seeing each other in HD quality. And with nearly 100 locations across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, finding a venue with Encore Connect is easy. Why Choose Encore Connect It’s no longer a matter of if you will use video conferencing software, but when. With the help of an experienced conferencing company, presenters are beamed in from any location, in real-time and fully versed in the technology they are using Thankfully businesses are not alone with conferencing venues recognising the demand to accommodate changing needs. Encore’s venue partners have the capability and the know-how to offer dedicated video conferencing service for any event. An all-in solution with no sacrifices. Sound good? Contact Encore Event Technologies for the best video conferencing service for your business. Our venue partners have the capability and on-site Encore team to offer a dedicated video conferencing service. Large or small, interstate or international, we've got you connected. Send an online enquiry or speak to us right away on 1800 209 099. ... Read More