Mar 19 2018
Encore Research

Feast your eyes on this stunning enchanted forest event theme we designed for this year’s Victoria Racing Club Young Member’s Ball. The night was a spectacular evening filled with performances including death-defying aerial-artists. Event Brief
Staging Connections has been lucky enough to work closely with Victoria Racing Club over the last consecutive five years. Every year we are asked to create a fresh new creative look for each event theme that wow’s and excited their guests. This year we were asked to turn the event venue, Crown Palladium ballroom, into a magical “Secret Kingdom” that continued to surprise and delight guests throughout the evening. On top of creating the overarching event theme, we had to design a themed pre-function area, as well as stunning table centrepieces and of course, the hero of the night, the ceiling installation. The Event Solution
Through our clients mood board we conceptualised alternative room looks and styles together to come up with a different and a cost effect design for the ceiling installation. The idea of placing a large tree with a drooping canopy over hanging the central stage and dance floor was a key element our client wished to explore. Playing on the peacock colour pallet, the installation was made up of over 600 pieces of coloured fabric drops, fresh falling foliage and scattered crystal beads to capture the glistering light. We created a majestic 360 degree 15m x 14m border of hanging foliage which traced the outside of the dance floor. To add more depth and dimension to the installation we produced a secondary central installation above the middle stage, where a dense 3m x 3m filled arena of cascading materials hung lower, allowing this overall design to look full and luscious. Hanging garden ceiling installation By placing this installation in the centre of the room, it instantly created the wow factor and exuded an ambient forest and enchanted kingdom atmosphere, particularly when guests where up and dancing underneath. To depict the feel of a forest, the centrepieces and table design was a key factor in assisting this theme to fruition. Alternating heights of alike floras and foliage stood 1.5m tall and 40cm high wooden centrepieces filled the room within. Dark black linen and chair covers acted as the backdrop for the centres, coloured table pin spot lights allowed the florals to pop. Candy buffet by Hey Suga!
The room was finished off with a brand new gorgeous navy blue drape line surrounding all four walls and with the use of gobos, were lit beautifully with silhouettes of moving branches upon entering. Large real-life potted trees were placed in-between tables, corners of the room and in the pre function area portraying the mystical forest guests were surrounded by. The over all style of the room would not be complete with out the use of technology. We where able to create this mysterious environment through the use of innovative lighting, and pioneering special lighting effects. Up to date technologies in audio visual, including sound, vision and lighting was the platform for this space to come alive. Performances by Applause Entertainment Placement of lighting within the ballroom was challenging and many plots were drawn up to ensure that highlights and shadows were cast in the right areas so the entertainment were clearly seen for all the audience to enjoy but the shadows cast from the trees and foliage created atmosphere for the theme. The gobos on the draping created a depth as if the forest extended into the night and the movement programmed by the lighting designer opened and closed the forest canopy beyond the ballroom. To start the proceedings a thunder and lightning storm erupted to silence the crowd and the trumpet call introduced the MC for the evening. Performances by Applause Entertainment Throughout the night acts entertained the crowd form a central stage and the sound system was placed in and around the foliage to disperse evenly on the audience. This dispersal was mapped out using software to find hotspots and flatspots and adjust accordingly. At any point through the ballroom the even quality of sound has to be maintained to give the MC and the acts the best possible coverage. Ian Howard, the Technical Director and lighting designer for the event, ensured the crew were on point and cued for each part of the evening. Being a dramatic event with heavy use of audio visual techniques his role was to ensure everything ran seamlessly from changes in room looks, to sound requirements and camera shots as well as managing lighting coordination with stage-hand movement on stage. The key to running a successful audio visual event is communication. To ensure a flawless and safe event all crew use talk-back radios and are clearly briefed prior to the event as well as participate in a full dress rehearsal to iron out any potential issues. … Read More

Recent Posts

How to Make Money by Webcasting your Event

Mar 19 2018
Encore Research
Our General Manager of Digital, Tim Chapman, shares his two cents on why we should be webcasting our events and how it can actually generate you a profitable outcome. Making money from webcasting is not a new concept, the real challenge is producing content that people are willing to pay for. Asking people to pay for a low quality video with little or no interactivity simply does not work. Over the past year Staging Connections has taken a new approach to monetisation in the webcasting market by offering consultative sessions with our clients. We start by addressing the key outcomes required from the webcast which are most commonly an extra source of event revenue, catering to a wider paid audience and a cost efficient way to provide an engaging archival representation of the event. If the event attracts a fee to attend then a natural progression would be to charge for viewers to watch the webcast. The key is replicating the event in broadcast quality vision with a high level of audience interactivity to rival being there in person. The plan starts with the monetisation options and which will work best dependant on the event. Options include a pay wall using PayPal for attendee viewing, webcast sponsor(s) to offset the cost of the webcast equipment in return for static and video advertising, in webcast purchase of products or services and affiliate marketing opportunities. A rising trend is the use of paid webcasts for CPE (Continuing Professional Education) as many professionals must acquire a set number of points per year to maintain their qualification. The Staging Connections webcast platform differs to others on the market and makes the monetisation task much simpler. We start with a blank canvas and expertly design a HTML play page that incorporates all manners of monetisation opportunities. It starts with a branded registration page offering seamless integration to the pay wall feature. You are then transported to the play page where advertising loops in the video and slide windows surrounded by attractive branding with active links to sponsors showcasing their products or services that can be purchased directly. The page has a social media feed running and a chat room to keep everyone entertained during breaks with the chance just for the webcast viewers to win a prize in one of the pop up polls towards the end of the day. As the webcast draws to a close the viewer is redirected to information regarding the clients next event. The viewer leans back in their chair at the end of the day having downloaded the conference notes, met some new people on the web chat who have now become contacts on LinkedIn and generally been impressed with how good the camera quality and slide integration were all making the investment as a viewer very worthwhile. Written by Tim Chapman, General Manager - Digital, Staging Connections. Tim has an extensive background in combining technology into the event space. He is passionate about being at the forefront of digital trends and utilises this knowledge to build product offerings for the Staging Connections Group of Companies. Tim has developed a new webcasting platform recognised as one of Australia’s most advanced in functionality and continues to develop solutions using leading edge technology custom designed for the events industry. Want to know more about webcasting? Download our latest Event Insights white paper on Making Money from Webcasting Related Articles Launching Hobart 39 - webcasting The Benefits of Event Webcasting Take your event from stage to screen ... Read More

Meeting the needs of the next generation of event planners

Mar 19 2018
Encore Research
Generation Y and Millennials have more decision making power than ever before and it’s not just the generation that’s changing; it’s the way they consume technology that’s prompting the events industry to change. It's time to get up to speed. You might think they’re asking too much, that they have ‘big’ ideas or maybe you just get annoyed that they don’t answer their landlines, but don’t underestimate what they’re capable of. It’s time to get in touch with the next generation of event buyers. Generation Y and Millennials have more decision making power than ever before and it’s not just the generation that’s changing; it’s the way they consume technology that’s prompting the events industry to change. The opportunity is here. Adapt or die. The next generation are demanding, they do have ‘big’ ideas and they don’t like taking your sales calls. Get to know them, their priorities and their love for all things tech, and you’ll be way ahead of the rest. In the first ever Australia Asia Pacific survey conducted by the International Association of Conference Centres (IACC), Generation Y and Millennials, those aged 18 to 32, placed more importance on the technology capabilities of a venue than any other generation. Why? Because technology isn’t an add-on for them. It’s not even a ‘part’ of their life, it is them, it is their life. There’s an opportunity here for venues and event suppliers. When the future of meetings and events lies in the successful communication and collaboration of buyer and seller, all parties must understand the needs and wants of the other. For venues, attracting event buyers lies in communicating their unique technical facilities and strength of their team. For event suppliers, attracting buyers lies in the technology they offer and success of past events delivered. We’re in house at 70 venues across Australia and New Zealand, and as the only supplier to hold this accolade, we feel privileged to be able to offer innovative technical solutions; through the people with the know-how and the boundary-pushing products and services that we’ve tailored to each of our venues. Our technology includes the latest webcasting and live streaming technology, Event Feed – our real-time social media platform to boost event engagement, Event Poll which allows live voting, contests and question submission at events like conference and of course event apps. Plus we have the latest and greatest multimedia 3D mapping programs which project onto any 3D surface, offering phenomenal impact and uber-widescreen technologies to truly transform events. We’re seeing that generation Y event buyers are more interested in these technologies. Priorities of the decision maker have changed. Baby Boomers and Generation X had top priorities like quality, dedicated service teams and a superior food and beverage offering. Generation Y and Millennials are placing greater importance on location, technology and experiential learning aspects like team building. Each of these priorities open the door for venues and suppliers to be more innovative. Together, we’re set to see more and more creative and high-tech events, what better way to get that immensely satisfying wow-factor for you audience?! We’ve invested in all sorts of engaging solutions, ones that integrate technology into the heart of events. Engagement for us is not just a buzzword, it’s a critical event component that can allow you to transform attendees into a community of brand ambassadors. With society in general placing greater importance on digital communications and technologies, it’s no surprise that it’s a key desire for Generation Y and Millennial event buyers. This generation has grown up with limitless information literally at their fingertips, wherever they are, whenever they need it. Google, Facebook, Snapchat are all instant technologies that give the user exactly what they want. This generation is not waiting for the best sales call, they’re actively searching for thumb-stopping digital content, and they’re integrating it into their events at the speed of light! Recognising the pace at which technology changes, we’ve got a dedicated team whose sole purpose is the discovery of the latest technology from across the globe. It’s these technologies that can transform events and make them stand out from the crowd. We’re onto it. This article was written by Tim Morgan, General Manager of Venues for Staging Connections. Want to know more about event trends? Download our range of free White Papers today. ... Read More

Looking back at this year's Spring Racing Carnival launch event

Mar 19 2018
Encore Research
Whenever there’s a big, high profile and technically demanding event you can bet on one thing - Staging Connections is behind it. One of the biggest events on the Australian sporting calendar is the launch of the Spring Racing Carnival, which coincides with the Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards. This year the two-fold event was hosted at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and was attended by the racing industry’s elite. Staging Connections were engaged by Racing Victoria, a valued client for over 10 years, to deliver the event from brief to execution including all audio, vision, lighting, stage set and styling. As the event was to be broadcast the following evening on Channel 78 and streamed via Racing.com, it was imperative the event environment was technically flawless and tailored for this purpose. The Launch of the Spring Racing Carnival is a media event that highlights the start of the Carnival and the upcoming feature races – Caulfield Cup, The Cox Plate, The Melbourne Cup, The Oaks and Stakes Day along with the regional cups. This year the Launch took place on the MCG arena with racing legends being the feature – horses, jockeys and trainers paraded in front of the assembled guests and a huge contingent of media. Renowned Australian sports broadcaster, Hamish McLachlan, MC’d the Launch parade and interviewed the racing legends. After the official launch concluded in the MCG Arena, guests were moved from the Grandstand into the Members Dining Room for the presentations for the 2015 BMW Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards. The Staging Connections styling and design teams collaborated with the AV technicians to create an elegant room look that supported the presentation purpose. The awards stage was centred at the front of the room, and housed an impressive 3 x 6m Event Backdrop (pictured above), flanked with large 16:9 screens that projected the award ceremony to the 200 guests. The Event Backdrop was custom designed by Racing Victoria with a collage of images that reflected the invitation to the event and the marketing campaign for the 2015 Carnival. Across the room we installed 2 projector screens and a high-quality audio system to compliment the many fixed televisions to ensure all guests had perfect line of sight of the presentations and could clearly hear the announcements. Guests were sat round banquet style with sophisticated centrepieces comprised of a large martini glass with mirror balls that were up lit using an internal light box. The end result was a first-class launch event, fitting for the prestigious occasion. What did the client say? Nicole Coughlan, Racing Victoria Marketing Manager An amazing team effort pulling off last night's SRC launch and AROY awards. Thank you so much for your time and effort. Everyone contributed to something that was very special and you should be very proud of what was achieved. Bernard Saundry, Racing Victoria CEO We are very lucky to have a team that has passion, creativity and commitment to deliver an outstanding event for Australian Racing. A big thank you - no better way to launch the spring racing carnival - the greatest show on turf. View more recent work Contact us to discuss your event Back to our Blog ... Read More

No ordinary car launch for Haval Auto

Mar 19 2018
Encore Research
Staging Connections recently produced the launch event for the newest Chinese auto company to enter the Australian market at the Carousel Albert Park in Melbourne. The launch event saw Haval Auto introduce three new models, the H2, H8 and H9. Haval’s brief was to impress its dealers with a new way of presenting the cars. The standard launches for the auto industry have been car under cloth reveals, with run music and pretty girls to pull the cloth from the car. Haval wanted to break this mould and show the world that this was no ordinary car launch. Because each of the three models launched had very individual personalities there was a great opportunity to produce a different atmosphere and theme for each reveal to give each car a chance to shine. Haval wanted to open up the room to allow the audience to be part of the theme and experience each car’s personality. As well as the car launch, there was also a unique ribbon cutting ceremony by company VIPs to introduce the Haval brand to Australia. To achieve the three individual themes, the Carousel was split into three areas: Welcome and elegance – delivering a classic feel, with red up-lit walls, the Haval logo projected and a stylish chandelier, with styling elements in-keeping with traditional Chinese influence. Guests were photographed alongside a huge media wall and encouraged to sign their name on it and encourage engagement. A dramatic performance of Chinese dancing drummers then commenced. Presentations by the Haval CEO and team and ribbon cutting ceremony followed, to reveal the new H8 driven by three Bachelorettes (2 pictured above) from the latest season of Bachelorette Australia. Champagne and oysters were then served while guests viewed the new car. Outback Australia – providing an adventure feel and rugged looking visuals. As the music stopped the soundtrack of adventure grew as a curtain pulled back to reveal he H9 car. The car was spot-lit by floor to ceiling LED walls with a backdrop of mudflats, mountainous peaks, snow clad glaciers and sand dunes. This reveal included food and drink changes an outback feel with roasted meats, salads, beer and wine. During these reveals, the other side of the room is still dark and covered... Funky urban jungle – An electrical noise sparks the attention of the crowd. Pixpads blast light through the drape and urban beats starts and the curtain is pulled back revealing a plasma wall showing graffiti multimedia. LED lit furniture is placed around two H2 cars with a Gin and Whiskey bar theme. On either side are city scapes and modern art as a backdrop to the cars. To further engage with guests Event Feed was used so that they could display their tweets, photos and social media posts on large screens throughout the event. (Pictured above next to female performer). Guests, car dealers and media were enthralled by proceedings. A truly new-age car launch was born, raising the bar for all local car launches. View more recent work Contact us to discuss your event Back to our Blog ... Read More

It's all Glitz and Glamour for Hairhouse Warehouse Conference

Mar 19 2018
Encore Research
Staging Connections were delighted to work with Hairhouse Warehouse in delivering their annual conference for another year at RACV Royal Pines Resort. The conference ran over 4 days, comprising seminars on the latest hair products and trends as well as workshops and of course, various social networking functions in the evening. Staging Connections were on-hand to support the entire conference with all stops being pulled for grand finale - a 'Glitz & Glamour' themed gala dinner held at the Royal Pines Ballroom. Client: Hairhouse Warehouse Event: Hairhouse Warehouse Gala Dinner Venue: RACV Royal Pines Resort - Ballroom Date: 10/09/2015 Pax: 300 Event Brief Staging Connections were asked by leading PCO Baldwin Consulting to design a glorious gala evening, representative of the style, glamour and beauty brand, Hairhouse Warehouse. The evening was the grand finale of a 5 day national conference for franchisees, and their last opportunity to network and experience industry information and trends. Mandatory to the success of the elegant theme were distinctive key elements, including: Glitz and glamour Impressive centrepieces and feature pieces A show-stopping main feature Not just a gala, the evening was to consist of a gourmet dinner, formalities including an awards presentation, and a high-fashion runway show. Audio Visual & Event Production Solution For the second year running, the gala dinner was held at the Royal Pines Resort in their large ballroom – a venue the Staging Connections team were already familiar with, having successfully delivered the event the year before. After receiving the brief, the Staging Connections South East Queensland team quickly realised that intelligent lighting, flawless AV and production management was required to underpin the extravagant styling and design. Leading up to the final gala dinner, Staging Connections were also tasked with delivering creative concepts for the mid-week social events – including a relaxed market style dinner out on the golf course and a crazy 90’s inspired night held on the tennis courts. With the styling for the social events setting the benchmark, our stylists pulled out all stops to make the final gala dinner a spectacular evening that stayed true to the glamour of the Hairhouse Warehouse brand. Pairing dark table linens with sleek black lycra chair covers and inky soft furnishings created an decadent room canvas. LED lighting cast an alluring and elegant backdrop to the crystal beaded accessories which made the darkened room “pop”. In a move designed to embrace and celebrate opulence, one metre tall asymmetrical spiral crystal bead centrepieces decorated the tables under a spectacular seven metre crystal beaded chandelier, suspended from the ceiling. The room look oozed glitz and glamour. With the styling covered, the production crew made the grand ballroom functional to accommodate the formalities, the fashion show and the key brand messages to be communicated to the audience. An audio visual structure comprising of cameras, data projection and screens enabled everything to be seen and heard by the 300-strong crowd, and staging structures including a custom catwalk were brought to life with haze, moving lights and dual projection screens with elite IMAG technology. Style and substance worked harmoniously to ensure every moment of the guest experience was practical and functional without detracting from the ultra-luxe surrounds. Even from the pre-dinner drinks in the foyer guests were wowed by the LED flood lights that changed colours and lit up the large glass walls and chrome wire dividing the foyer and main ballroom. The fashion parade used clever lighting throughout the proceedings as a subtle cue to direct and unite the evening’s program. The large ceiling chandelier slowly changed colour with the tempo of the room and intelligent lighting drew the crowd’s focus to the catwalk for a truly glamorous and unique array of fashion. Smart use of world-class lighting equipment and techniques and strong theming produced the glitz and glamour that the client requested, without the expense usually associated with luxury. The end result was a stylish, seamless gala dinner delivered on brief, on brand and on budget. Related Articles LED yo-yo ceiling installation wow's at this year's The Million Dollar Lunch 6 Conference trends you need to know Event Styling Trends for 2015 For more styling ideas visit Event Styling and Theming or view examples of our Recent Work. ... Read More

Favourite Event Trends for 2016

Mar 19 2018
Encore Research
It's been a huge year for Event Professionals in 2015. We've seen the industry totally revolutionised thanks to advancements and new entrants into the event technology arena. Our friends at Event Manager Blog recently released their '10 Event Trends for 2016' guide, which will help prepare you for the year to come. We've highlighted the top ... Read More

Impactful event styling with king tables and tablescapes

Mar 19 2018
Encore Research
Event planners and stylists are always looking for the next best thing to make their event an unforgettable experience. This month it's all about styling with king tables and creating stunning tablescapes. These aren't new concepts however as with many other event trends that start out at weddings and VIP styled events, they're emerging onto the corporate event circuit. And our stylists are welcoming this trend! Switching banquet rounds for long king tables We're bringing a touch of grandeur to gala dinners and corporate events with the elegant king tables. Long king table layouts are the latest look for stylish and impactful dinner events. For a fresh, yet elegant look that creates dynamic and stylish set ups, king tables and their long lines give depth to any space and elongate the room. The long, linear space provided by king tables means impact can be created through dramatic repetition. This is achieved through rows of chairs perfectly aligned as they frame the tables and is heightened when using styled chairs with interesting shapes, such as Tiffany or Ghost chairs, adding to the overall style or theme. Get creative with your king table arrangement The design of king tables allows you to get creative with your seating arrangement. Create a truly dynamic dining experience with beautiful visual appeal by using long tables throughout. Using the venue’s space as your guide, set rectangular tables back-to-back to extend the entire length of the room, turn the tables to create a unique U-shape, or place elongated king’s tables in dramatic, parallel rows. If you have the space, a winding snake-like arrangement with king tables is a great way to use the space, giving the room look a contemporary feel and your guests great visual angles. No matter the configuration, each guest will experience the royal treatment. Turn your centrepieces into imaginative tablescapes Now that you have created a dramatic event environment with rows of elongated king tables, it is time to decorate the table tops with stunning styling elements. Tablescape is a term used to describe the table top and includes the centerpiece, linens, dishes, flatware, glassware and any other decor. Tablescapes can set the mood and can be themed to the event or meeting. When deciding what style you're going for, make sure to inspect the venue, paying attention to colours as you do not want your tablescape colour palette to clash with the carpet or any other venue features! For a real statement look, repeat the same styling piece down the centre of the table, for example, tall candelabras in uniform rows, or use alternating pieces of varying heights for added variety and interest. Once you've selected your feature piece of your tablescape, fill the base of the look with smaller, finer details such as bud vases with single blooms, or flickering tea lights for ambient glow. Even sculptural ornaments and decor can play a part in building a story with themed events, for example: stylised horses, birdcages, flowers and foliage weaved throughout for a Spring Carnival look. Smaller details can be clustered in pairs or trios, or in single, even repetition for a more structured look. For that final touch of something special and to further elongate the look, anchor the piece with a selection of mirror bases or fabric table runners. These provide textures that can either blend or contrast with your feature pieces depending on your style, be it shiny mirror bases in square or hexagonal shapes for a sleek, contemporary look, or a softer hessian or organza runner for a bespoke daytime function. Combining king tables and stunning tablescapes There are a few options for laying out king tables depending on your needs and numbers. Layouts can be striking with multiple rows for large events, or just as dramatic with a single long table with a grand centrepiece for a more boutique event. Keep in mind that to seat guests at both sides of the table including a decorative tablescape, tables need to be wide, preferably at 1200mm. This willl allow enought space so guests can enjoy their meal and sit comfortably. You'll also have to consider the height of the king tables and chairs. This will be important when designing your tablescape as you don't want to obstruct the view of your guests. So if you want to create a statement that is visually striking and is a refreshing change to the well used round tables we are all used to, opt for King tables with a bespoke tablescape making your event a memorable one. Related Articles New seating style for event planners Styling ideas to transport your guests How to create an enchanting secret kingdom event theme ... Read More

New event solutions unveiled at Event Masterclass - watch video

Mar 19 2018
Encore Research
Staging Connections unveiled their newest product offerings at an exclusive function for 100 top event professionals and major clients, at the Hilton Sydney. The inaugural Event Masterclass – an evolution of Staging Connections’ popular Backstage events – provided an in-depth demonstration of the latest products, services and event trends. Unveiled for the first time was the newest addition to the Staging Connections digital portfolio – an interactive touch-screen presentation platform due to go to market in 2016. Lucy Kratz, Sales Manager for NSW and ACT said it was exciting to show clients new technologies that will propel their events to the next level. “Whilst Inteli-Touch is yet to officially be released to market, it was exciting to see where event technology is heading and show our clients some of what they can expect to see from Staging Connections in 2016 and beyond. “Our team scour the globe for the most impressive, boundary-pushing technologies, and touch screen displays are just one of the many new solutions we will be adding to our product suite this year,” said Ms Kratz. Set within the Hilton Sydney Ballroom the team showcased the latest screen products available in Australia including a gigantic 27m x 5m curved screen, six modular digital banners (pictured below), and a suspended Event Backdrop. Paul Hutton, Vice President Operations, Hilton Worldwide was impressed with the technologies on display. “From the moment we entered the ballroom the effect of the curved screen was overwhelming, it provided the perfect backdrop for the Event Masterclass, and combined with all screens in the room really brought our event to life,” said Mr Hutton. The Event Masterclass demonstrated the latest capabilities of Staging Connections popular event technology, Event Poll and Event Feed, and the latest in webcasting, 3D projection mapping, multimedia and motion graphics, digital screens and projection. The team’s latest work was presented including examples of stage design using state-of-the-art projection mapping for wide and curved screens as well as 3D objects. One of the most talked about products of the evening was the Event Backdrop which featured two custom printed canvases, one suspended above the other, to create a 3D entrance to a wine cellar (pictured below). The Event Masterclass coincided with the Hilton Food and Beverage Masterclass – an internal competition for Hilton worldwide to showcase and reward their talent. It gave Staging Connections an opportunity to use their latest products in a real, world-class event environment. Staging Connections Sydney Events Team Our Sydney team is proudly led by Nicole Russell and comprises some of the most talented design and styling professionals in the industry, offering event excellence across 18 key venues. If you're looking to host your next corporate event in Sydney, than we're the experienced events team you can rely on. We proudly offer Australia's largest range of event services across audio, lighting, staging, vision and extending to styling, multimedia and digital event solutions like webcasting, live polling and event social media. Get in touch with us today or call 1800 209 099 to speak with one of our event experts. ... Read More

How to capture the spirit of Australia with table styling

Mar 19 2018
Encore Research
It's all hands on deck when you're delivering one of the biggest events in the Australian corporate events calendar. On Sunday 27 March, the Staging Connections NSW team delighted 1,150 Amway Taiwan VIPs with a breathtaking, Australian-themed gala dinner as the pinnacle event of the 5 day major Asian incentive. The incentive gave Staging Connections the opportunity to showcase our ability to deliver technically demanding live events encompassing the breadth of our event services. With so many seats at the table, it was crucial the table styling also left a lasting impression and did justice to our beautiful country. Creating Australiana-themed centrepieces and table styling for 1, 150 guests The brief was big, an Australiana-themed spectacular for the people of Amway Taiwan. Staging Connections accepted the challenge to create an incentive event to outshine and out-sparkle any other we’d ever seen. Naturally, how everything looked was going to be an essential part of it. Therefore our talented Event Stylist, Felicity Webb, had a big role to play in getting it right. “I was responsible for finding the perfect look for centrepieces, table décor and linen,” Felicity says. “It was about conceptualising and realising the client’s specific brief, and finding the right solution that would result in an appropriate and beautiful execution.” Aside from all the incredible acts and dazzling performances – the gala dinner was a crucial element of the whole event. It was more important than ever that the styling was carried out across every element of the evening, so the Amway guests continued to be immersed in the spirit of the theme at every opportunity. That’s exactly why the event styling and centrepieces had to integrate perfectly with the Australiana-theme as well as be a feature, all on their own. “Each table had unique Australian-themed centrepieces with textural native flowers. The miniature bud lights in the flower displays twinkled and there was an LED light in the center of the arrangement, which also made the flowers glow. We even had a nod to Easter, with a few little eggs and bunnies making an appearance too.” Not only was the theme reflected throughout the event styling, but as with any corporate event, the Amway brand had to feature strongly too. The styling team designed custom-embroidered napkins with Amway branding as well as engraved napkin rings, some of which were produced overseas, requiring even more attention to timing. Another element of the event styling brief was to create a special section for Amway's VIP guests. Positioned directly at the foot of the stage and over the red carpet, the VIPs were treated to an oppulent table setting. "The brief was to create a luxurious table that made the VIP section stand-out from the rest. We draped the tables in gold sequin cloth and covered the chairs in pleated gold satin. In keeping in theme, we used the same wreath base for the main guest centerpieces but added more styling elements such as clusters of pillar candles which created a stunning warm glow reflecting off the sequins. Each VIP guest also received their own individual chocolate gifts, comprising a gold Lindt bunny and basket of Easter eggs," says Felicity. Felicity's tips for creating a winning table style and centrepiece design Every event planner knows in order to run a successful event preparation is key. For stylists, with so many objects and materials to coordinate, preparation is paramount. It's about ensuring you have everything you need, looking the way you intend so every guest has the same experience right down to the finest detail. Those small details, whether they’re LED lights or the right shade or texture on the tablecloths, are what our style teams thrive on. Order more than you need. If you have wriggle room in your budget it's always best practice to over order so you have plenty of back-ups just in case. This applies to table runners, chair covers, napkins, centrepiece elements and more. For large events, repetition in styling is what creates a beautiful event landscape so you'll want to avoid having anything missing or looking out of place. Treat all of your elements separately. Calculate the time and people needed to create all of the individual pieces. Give vendors notice and be sure to over-estimate time to give yourself as much leeway as possible. Know who your styling for. Consider styling implications for working with different cultures as the aesthetics and customs are likely to be different than that of your own. The reward of delivering an event of this scale An event like this certainly takes hard work – and when the centrepieces and table décor takes 32 staff (and counting) to create, it’s clear Event Stylist like Felicity had her work cut out for her. But as anyone in events will tell you, there’s nothing quite like seeing it all come together on the night – and that’s exactly what happened for Amway. “It was so satisfying seeing everything come to life on the night knowing we’d really pleased the client." says Felicity. Tony Chamberlain, Managing Director, Staging Connections commented on the impact that this type of major incentive has on Australia’s reputation for hosting spectacular business events. “Asian incentives look to Australia to offer their guests experiences that they cannot have anywhere else in the world and this market is experiencing major growth, contributing massive economic benefit to our country, based on our international reputation for excellence. “We have delivered a range of international events, from the G20 in Brisbane, to the Rotary International Convention, Joymain Incentive and the IUCN World Parks Congress in Sydney, and now the Amway Taiwan Leadership Seminar. Our teams have excelled in delivering superior results for these clients, putting their events in the spotlight on the global stage and delivering lasting memories for attendees, which have all contributed to Australia’s strong reputation for delivering world class events,” said Mr Chamberlain. Partner with Staging Connections for your next incentive Staging Connections has been the name behind some of the biggest international incentives for over 30 years. We're the preferred event services provider for corporate events due to our proven-track record for first-class events as well as our unrivaled breadth of event services and in-house venue partnerships. Speak to a Staging Connections representative today to start planning your next corporate event by calling 1800 209 099 or sending an enquiry. ... Read More