We humans have been fascinated with creating art that fools our eyes and transports us physically since the beginning of civilisation. From perspective tricks in murals to the fake windows on blank building walls of the trompe l’oeil tradition, we delight in deceiving our senses. Now, in the 21st century, 2D and 3D projection mapping are the latest tools of this grand tradition, and are available to you to transform your events in ways that are only limited by your imagination. Mapping it out So what does the term ‘projection mapping’ mean, and how does it differ from plain old ‘projection’? Well, we all know what a projection is an image, made of light, beamed onto a screen or surface. It could be a movie, a PowerPoint presentation, or any series of images that gets a point across. Its defining characteristic is that we are clearly aware of its edges, limitations and artificiality. It inhabits a defined space, and our brain sections it off; that’s the projection, and next to it, that’s the wall. Projection mapping has come to mean the use of two or more projectors to extend a continuous image across multiple surfaces, the classic example being four walls. If you are standing in a square white room and a projector shines a photo of the Swiss Alps onto one entire wall, your brain tells you that you’re looking at a projection of a photo. If multiple projectors work together to cover all four walls with a seamless 360 degree panoramic image of the Swiss Alps, your brain starts to think it’s gone skiing. We’re still not totally convinced, but we are enchanted. 2D or not 2D? Whether we’re talking about 2D or 3D projection mapping is dependent on what we’re actually projecting onto. 2D projection mapping assumes that all the surfaces to be covered are flat screens, walls, or floors. The complexity of 2D projection mapping is in lining up the edges of the beams from multiple projectors and coordinating the projected content so that the eye perceives it all as one big, unbroken image. This is known as Edge Blending. This takes some serious calculations and very precise physical controls. There are a variety of technologies on the market that help achieve these results. Some brands of projectors have software built-in that, when a physical link is set-up between units with the same capability, detects and manages the activity of all the projectors in the group, enabling them to work as one. Another solution is to use specialised computer software and hardware to control your projectors, which enables the use of whichever projection system is available. 3D projection mapping – no glasses required Event Profile: 3D Projection Mapping from Encore Event Technologies. 3D projection mapping has firmly entered the public consciousness through major public events such as Sydney’s Vivid Festival. The annual event sees the Sydney Opera House, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Customs House and other Sydney landmarks transformed by artists using powerful projectors and complex software. A ballerina dances across the Opera House, Customs House transforms into a 17th century French Palace, and abstract art animates the face of the Gallery. 3D projection mapping is another step up in complexity from 2D. While still drawing on multiple projectors and Edge Blending, it adds the seriously mind-bending task of mapping images onto actual three dimensional objects. In the case of Vivid, it’s a building exterior or architectural feature. Most interestingly, it can also be an object created for the sole purpose of being projected on. It’s this last option that is generating some impressive creative thinking in the events industry. The textbook example of how to use 3D projection mapping for great effect and value for money in a corporate event has come from the auto industry. At recent international car shows and product launches, manufacturers have made blank white foam shells in the shape of their models. Much cheaper and lighter than an actual car, they are easier to ship to the venue. Amazing content is then projected onto the shell that brings it to life as a car. But this car can change colours, finish and details. The projected content can also be video and animation that make the car look like it is driving at speed. Headlights light up, wheels spin and the windscreen reflects the environment flashing past. Light: portable, flexible and…..light There’s some pretty obvious advantages to using projection mapping to theme or brand your event. The first is ease of creation, transport and setup. Physical sets and props have to be designed, built, transported and made to work physically in the venue. If your theme was Ancient Greece, for example, you’d need to build and install quite a few fake stone columns to give your guests the impression they’re having dinner in The Parthenon. If you project an image, or better yet, video of the actual Parthenon across all four walls, you’ve done a much better job with a lot less hassle. If you’re running a roadshow that is staged in many different venues, the efficiencies become even greater. Not only have you saved on freight and labour costs, but the logistical challenges presented by different spaces are completely overcome. Venue specific problems such as low ceilings, small doors and bad lift access that can make bringing in sets a nightmare are all sidestepped by using projection mapping. Your brand, your way Despite all of the 3D projection wizardry, the real star of your show is your brand. Projection mapping offers a huge range of opportunities to have your message refreshed and emphasised throughout the event. Because all projected content is dynamic and can be changed subtly or dramatically at will, your branding is no longer relegated to static banners or a single instance on a screen. Your brand can be a brash animated statement on audience entrance, fade to a subtle underpinning during a keynote speech and become part of the room’s architecture in the post-show networking session. The ease of changing projected content also has a positive effect on event timing and management. If a space needs to be reset from lecture to cocktail mode, projected theming and branding doesn’t get in the way like a physical set, one button press and the reset is done. There’s also the ‘Wow’ factor; your audience leaves the lecture hall which has been subtly branded and lit throughout the conference. They return for dinner and enter a totally immersive fantasy world of your choosing. Content is Key The success of any projection mapping project relies on creating the right kind of content. It’s not just the size and quality of the digital images provided as source material, but the way they are used in service of the event’s goal. It takes practical experience in the use of projection mapping at events to know what kinds of content will work and what won’t when scaled across multiple projectors and blown up to the size of a building. Hint: your iPhone photos probably won’t look that good. The look and feel of an event needs to be sculpted with both artistic vision and technical know-how. Encore Event Technologies now employs specialist staff to help customers build projected content for events in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. Amazing results can be achieved when technical specialists work hand-in-hand with event organisers to deliver a brief. If your imagination is stimulated by the possibilities of beaming your own world around your audience, start by talking to an expert to determine exactly what they’ll need from you to make it happen. Imagination is your only limitation A blank canvas is a blessing and a curse. Projection mapping enables you to create almost any conceivable visual effect, whether it’s as simple as your logo in three dimensions rotating on a wall, or as complex as your audience being taken on a spaceship through the Milky Way. A coherent artistic vision, well executed, will always have the greatest impact. Consider what the overarching message your audience needs to take away from your event, and focus in on that. All visual material should subtly reinforce that point. As projection mapping is heavily reliant on computer technology, it’s a rapidly changing field. As more becomes technically possible, creative’s are constantly pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved. If you’re looking for inspiration, talk to your Encore Event Technologies contact to see some of our recent work. Watch, learn, and bring a bit of magic to your next event. Want to stay up to date with industry trends? Browse our range of downloadable Event Insights papers ... Read More

Each week we aim to demystify the world of audio visual equipment and event services lingo and reveal exactly what those techs are talking about. In this week’s Techie Tuesday we take a look at the event lighting effect the 'gobo' and the many different shapes, patterns and logo’s they can replicate. The possibilities are endless but first we look at the history of the gobo and what you need to know before creating a customised gobo. Audio Visual Discipline: Lighting for events Audio Visual Event Category: AV Effect AV Jargon: Gobo, Batman Signal What is a Gobo? A “Gobo” is a small stencilled circular disc, and used in lighting fixtures to create a projected image or pattern. The term Gobo is short for “Go Between Optics”, describing the location where it needs to be positioned in the light path of a lighting fixture. Whilst Gobo’s are not a new technology they are still being used on events the world over. In today’s event market they have taken on a more creative role as technology advances allow for more detailed and impressive shapes to be created. Gobo’s come in two main types; steel and glass. Steel gobos are very basic, generally have a short life span and are typically described as “black and white”. Glass gobo’s are more detailed, generally have a long life span and are typically described as “coloured”. There is an emerging third type of Gobo, which is designed specifically for LED fixtures, and is made from plastic. Gobo’s come in many different diameters, ranging from approx 20mm through to approx 150mm. The diameter of a gobo is dictated by the fixture, so it is very important to ensure you know what fixture the gobo needs to be used in prior to manufacture. If used in a static fixture, the projected image will be stationary, however if installed in an intelligent fixture the image can be moved anywhere around the event space. Source: Encore Event Technologies | Learning and Development What events are Gobo's used on? Events such as gala dinners, product launches, award ceremonies use gobo’s to support the event branding and to provide visual interest. A growing trend in weddings is to to use ornate glass Gobo’s featuring the bride and grooms name or initials which is presented as a keep sake from the event. What is needed for a customised Gobo? A few specific items are required for an effective gobo display: Profile Fixture: a profile light which is designed to take a gobo in its light path is required to focus and zoom the gobo. Gobo Holder: a specific accessory that holds the gobo in place is required for insertion into the profile light. Projection Surface: a dedicated surface such as a wall or drape upon which the gobo is projected upon is required. Why use a gobo? A gobo is an effective alternative to banners and signage on corporate events, providing something visually different for the audience to absorb. They can also be used to create patterns, imagery and shapes to support the event theme. Check out some images below of gobo’s of all shapes and sizes. Partner with the Event Lighting Experts Encore Event Technologies (formerly known as Staging Connections) has been designing unforgettable events for over 30 years. As the leading event technology and services company, we are the trusted name for designing and installing stunning lighting for corporate and specials events. Whether you're planning a conference, product launch, gala dinner or incentive event, when you partner with Encore you know you're getting the right ideas for your event from the best in the business. Encore proudly offers the largest range of event lighting and technology solutions for corporate events across the Asia Pacific - so get in touch with our team today to make your event the best it can be. Send an online enquiry or Call 1800 099 209 Related Blog Optimise your event communication with design and production ... Read More

Executing Annual General Meetings (AGMs) both big and small over the years Encore Event Technologies (formerly Staging Connections) has gained valuable insight into what it takes to organise the perfect event. Here we share our essential guidelines on how deliver a seamless AGM. As the event production company responsible for executing Annual General Meetings (AGMs) both big and small over the years, Encore Event Technologies (formerly Staging Connections) has gained valuable insight into what it takes to organise the perfect event. Here we share our essential guidelines on how deliver a seamless AGM. Location, Location, Location Face to face is best - Always arrange a site visit in person as the space can look very different online. It comes in threes - Visit up to three different venues and when you’ve engaged one, invite your event management organisation along. Get technical - Assess the technical capabilities of the venue at the site visit – audio, visual, internet connection for video streaming etc. Create a Floor Plan Visualise it - Sketch out a layout or seating plan with the chosen space in mind – this will help you visualise the AGM. Think differently - Think about your chosen space differently to any other event. For an AGM consider working with the venue in say a “landscape” mode – this can often help with maximising the space. Please be seated - Major corporations will require a large board table – typically this head table can span width ways up to 12 metres across depending upon how many board members and delegates are representing the company. The difference is in the little touches - Add drapes behind the stage as a backdrop to enable the board to be easily seen if on camera or when answering questions. Think Tech! Graphs, Stats and Charts - AGM’s will typically require projection and screens to display important charts, graphs and statistics for their business developments. The magic number - Have a minimum of two screens either side of the head table – and place them so they can be viewed by the attending audience and online if you are video streaming. Make the Unseen: Seen - Offer fold-back vision monitors for the head table so directors can follow what is occurring with the presentation without having to turn around 180 degrees. The Power of Auto-Cue – Use auto cue so that all of the essential details of the speeches are outlined beforehand to enable the chairman and directors to relax and engage the audience more effectively. Do you hear what I hear? - To ensure a crisp, clear sound, make sure you have the appropriate number of table and lapel microphones and take the time to test the front of house speaker system from various positions in the room. Light it up – Balance the lighting evenly across the head table using a solution such as Fresnel lighting. Get prepped – make sure you prepare or request a Run Sheet The AGM is not a standard event it could span a couple of hours or up to half a day with Q&A following the main presentations – a run sheet is crucial for everyone involved to know when, where and who is doing what. An AGM run sheet commonly consists of: Meeting called to order, announcements, apologies and previous meeting minutes Order of business Opening speeches (welcome address) Chairman’s address Presentation of accounts Questions and Answers on the accounts Motions, nominations, voting and elections Open discussion of general business – launch of next annual plan Make the most of the compulsory elements Most AGM’s now offer more than just an audio recording for their stakeholders. Video streaming live to the web allows a broader audience access to the AGM, be it your internal team or a range of current and potential shareholders who are unable to attend in person. Learn more about webcasting in our other blog post. Conferencing technology can open up the floor to questions and answers inside and outside of the main space giving a rare opportunity to access the key leaders in the business. The Devil is in the Detail To deliver a successful AGM start planning as early as possible, this can be up to a year in advance for some major corporations. Offer as much detail up front as possible to the event organiser. And Remember – The AGM is one of the most important events on the calendar and can be used to effectively communicate and engage key stakeholders in the business – make your organisations AGM more than just a financial wrap-up. Encore Event Technologies has extensive experience in planning successful AGM's. Have a look at our previous work and see what we could offer your business with a professional and effective Annual General Meeting. ... Read More

Crown Melbourne host an annual Christmas extravaganza as part of its festive calendar of events. In 2017 they welcomed 600 guests to the “Christmas on Broadway” Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch events. As the long-standing in-house audio visual and event services provider at Crown Melbourne, Encore Event Technologies (formerly Staging Connections) are tasked every year with producing these events, with the aim of making each year bigger and better than the last! Read on to find out how Encore transformed the Palladium at Crown into a Broadway Theatre in celebration of their annual Christmas event series. The theme for 2017 was “Christmas on Broadway” and Encore were asked to transform the Palladium at Crown into a Broadway Theatre. Emphasis was to be placed on supporting the chosen entertainment throughout the event. All visuals were to be based on a classic Broadway musical look and feel, with a seasonal festive touch. A complete event production solution Sharing a decade-long partnership with Crown Melbourne, the Encore team had a unique approach to this event – Crown selected Broadway-themed entertainment and the Encore team designed the event around the entertainment; including themed design, event production, lighting, audio visual, and multimedia elements. The technicalities of this event were distinctive, with an added challenge to execute each production for the lunch and dinner events one week apart. Encore created an incredible stage backdrop for the event using dual 20” screens with curved LED walls and a 14m LED wall in the middle, all controlled using Watchout software. The immersive arrivals space welcomed guests along a 20m red carpet flanked by 20 x 1K lights – creating a tunnel of flashing ‘paparazzi’– leading towards an American skyline media wall with Broadway-themed playbills, search lights and a festoon-style Broadway sign. A second 15m red carpet directed arrivals past classic, floor-to-ceiling red drapery, adorned by 3m tall towers with bright moving headlights. Guests walked into the venue space to see the main stage lit up with the Christmas on Broadway logos projected via gobos. Strobes, lighting, haze, video content, confetti cannons, flutter buckets and Christmas carols all came together to enhance the theme. Guests walked into the Palladium at Crown to see the main stage lit up with the Christmas on Broadway logos projected via gobos. Strobes, lighting, haze, video content, confetti cannons, flutter buckets and Christmas carols all came together to enhance the theme. Entertainment was spaced throughout the event, and exciting giveaways and prizes were drawn. The entertainers were lit dramatically to create an exclusive rock concert feel, with camera crews shooting the live performance like a video clip; guests were up and dancing at their tables for hours! Catrina Bennell, General Manager Victoria, Encore Event Technologies, shared afterwards, “The Crown and Encore teams work fantastically together to deliver these world-class events. We received wonderful feedback from Crown and their guests, who were thrilled with the outcome.” Partner with the leading AV and events company to uncover your event's potential Successful events start with a conversation! If you're starting to plan your event or are looking to try something new, get in touch with our expert team before you lock down a venue and event concept so your event can benefit from our design ideas and production expertise. Encore specialise in the delivery of corporate events and will work with you every step of the way, so you have confidence your event will be the best it can be. Have an obligation-free chat with our team today by sending an online enquiry or by calling us at 1800 209 099. ... Read More

The Australian Hotels Associations (AHA) recently hosted 430 guests at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne, for its annual Tourism Accommodation Awards (TAA) night. The much-anticipated evening was again assigned to Encore Event Technologies (previously Staging Connections), who delivered all aspects of the event to meet the theme, ‘A Night in the East End’. The highly respected awards provide a platform for assessing and promoting industry excellence amongst hotels. The client requested a theatrical concept, asking that guests feel as though they were "off to the theatre on a Saturday night". As the in house event services provider at Grand Hyatt Melbourne, our Melbourne team brought to life a theatrical experience through a complete event staging solution including audio visual, lighting, stage design, multimedia and event production management. The hero of the event design was the custom ceiling installation and stage set which our team projected themed animated artworks onto throughout the glamorous awards night. Pictured: A musical themed gala awards night for the AHA (Vic) Tourism Accommodation Awards 2017. Guests were welcomed by roving entertainers dressed as famous musical characters, and nearby, a letter light installation of ‘#TAA’ presented a great social media photo opportunity, setting the tone for the evening. Inside the venue, a 30 metre red carpet led through the room to the stage, underneath a bespoke ceiling installation mimicking the entrance way of a grand theatre with festoon lights and a scrolling playbill. Pictured: Custom ceiling installation with rigged festoon lighting a scrolling playbill created using custom animation projections. For onstage, Encore designed five distinctive, eye-catching artworks of current East End theatre shows, set dramatically atop luxurious red velvet drapery, emulating the grandeur of a historic theatre. The ceiling installation also projected the awards categories throughout the ceremony, imitating a theatre playbill. The team designed the presentation itself as an automated show, with audio files built in for a seamless, professional production. Pictured: Table setting with matching themed Programs The main entertainment for the evening was a prominent theatre actor performing a medley of hit show tunes, which had guests singing and dancing for hours. The celebrations continued on to the after party, held at the Grand Hyatt’s exclusive Ruco Bar. -- See more recent event work Get in touch to start planning your event ... Read More

It was a sensory overload at Encore Event Technologies' (then Staging Connections) latest ‘Event Masterclass’, hosted by the South East Queensland events team at Hilton Brisbane. The exclusive Masterclass was attended by 150 event professionals and industry elite, and showcased the latest event trends, and new products and technologies designed to engage all five senses. WATCH VIDEO Studies have proven attendees have greater brand recall and a more memorable experience when all five senses are engaged. So, the theme behind the Masterclass was “Multi-Sensory Experiences”. The presentations demonstrated how powerful it is to engage all senses and the many different techniques and products that can be used to achieve this to make events more memorable and messages more effective. Covering all angles, the presentations were divided into three main sections: Next Gen Technology; Digital Engagement, and Styling and Design. Each section was jam-packed with new products and practical ideas for engaging the senses which event planners could walk away with and action tomorrow. Showcasing everything from the latest in projection mapping, motion graphics and set rendering software through to motion control, virtual reality, interactive presentations and cutting-edge digital engagement, the Masterclass gave attendees an invaluable insight into the latest trends and techniques. Whilst the Masterclass was rich in content, it was also rich in design. The Hilton Ballroom was divided in two, providing tailored settings for each half of the event. For the presentations, a unique stage set was created to deliver a sensational visual feast. A custom stage set was constructed using a combination of seven of our latest hex panels, flanked either side by two large screens. The end result was a beautifully interconnected projection canvas. Custom-designed multimedia content, visually representing the five senses theme and designed by Encore’s in-house motion graphics designer, was projected seamlessly across all 9 surfaces. Sound was a key component of the Masterclass to ensure the sense of hearing was tantalised. All audio was delivered with impact via the custom designed sound system we recently installed the Hilton. Giving attendees a first-hand experience at our new products, the team opted for our new Catch Box microphone and Event Poll to spice up the Q&A session, in lieu of the traditional handheld microphones. Decorative Scenic Panels, up-lit with new battery-powered LED lights, were installed as a unique textural room divider separating the main presentation area from the styled networking zone. Following the presentations, attendees were invited to stay and talk to the Encore team in the networking zone. The styling and design team presented a beautiful Tuscan-style vineyard, using a cellar door design illuminated 3D Event Backdrop, complete with wine barrel cocktail tables lit with lanterns and draped in ivy. The extra long central table was beautifully themed with Italian linen, log-based candelabras, twisted willow, lanterns, and real grapes. More faux grapes and foliage cascaded down from a vine suspended above the table to ensure the theme was all-encompassing. As a final touch, Hilton Brisbane served a delicious selection of canapés, charcuterie and cheese boards to tantalise the sense of taste. The attendees not only walked away with some great ideas and techniques, but some also walked away winners, with lucky door prizes kindly provided by local suppliers and partners of Staging Connections. Tim Chapman, General Manager, Digital - Encore was excited to showcase the latest technologies and digital innovations in event production. “The Masterclass showcased everything that is hot and new from Encore and our parent company Freeman. It is a great way to engage with top event professionals and demonstrate how these products and technologies, like gesture control and the latest examples of projection mapping could be integrated into their future events. Everyone loved our new Scenic Panels product too. “The team are always on the lookout for the latest and most innovative products and technologies globally, and this annual event enables us to share our findings and insights and provide our clients with the knowledge and tools to deliver world-class events,” said Mr Chapman. Chris Partridge, General Manager, Hilton Brisbane, commented on the success of the event and the opportunity to work with the exclusive guest list. “Working with Encore is always easy; the team are seasoned professionals who know how to deliver above and beyond expectation. Being able to showcase our newly renovated function rooms to an exclusive group of event organisers was a great opportunity,” said Mr Partridge. The Masterclass enabled Encore to give back to the events industry by sharing their insights and knowledge into current and future trends and showcase one of their valued venue partners, Hilton Brisbane. Built on the success of our Backstage Event, Event Masterclass is aimed at more senior event professionals and is designed to go deeper into the technology and more sophisticated trends hitting the market. With another highly successful Event Masterclass all wrapped up, we’ll be looking to take it on the road to other major Encore locations. See more recent event work Get more event ideas and insights from our Event Blog ... Read More

As event planners, marketers and brand champions, we understand content is King. But the trick to really engaging your audience is how the content is presented – as they say it’s not what you say but how you say it that counts. When everyone is sticking to the tried and true approach of death by PowerPoint, how does your presentation stand out? Integrating new technology into your presentation can seem daunting, expensive, and risky. However, brands and presenters who push the boundaries to create new experiences are those which deliver more memorable messages and positive experiences, and ultimately give your attendees a reason to keep coming back. Here’s our top 7 ways brands are using the latest event technology to guarantee cut-through when presenting their content. Reveal content with Gesture Control Technology Imagine being able to control and interact with your content simply using gestures. Gesture Control and Motion Sensor technology are the latest innovations to hit the event technology circuit – and it’s got us very excited. Gesture control works by pre-mapping your movements with motion tracking technology to sync your movements with the presentation content. This event technology provide endless possibilities for live interaction, entertainment and education by letting the presenter orchestrate projections, animations, video and sound. Stunning 'Reveals' Using Gesture Control Tasked with delivering a new, never-seen-before experience, Encore Event Technologies recently used gesture control and motion sensor technology in a conference for a major paint company. The company President demonstrated the success of a project by waving a paint brush over the ‘before’ photos to reveal the ‘after’ photos. The theatrics of pretending to paint the buildings to reveal the new artworks in real-time conveyed the message with dramatic effect. It’s easy to imagine the potential for engagement and cut-through when comparing this to simply clicking ‘Next Slide’ in PowerPoint. Interactive technology for presentations bursting with many types of content When you have a lot of content in a multitude of formats, a standard PowerPoint presentation won’t suffice. More and more brands are turning to interactive presentations where all of your content can be stored and accessed seamlessly within the one presentation. The latest innovations in interactive presentation software, like Inteli-Touch, mean everything from 3D product demonstrations, embedded videos, websites, registration forms and more can be housed in one convenient place. This allows presenters to take audiences on a visual journey and communicate an amazing experience like never before. Integrating interactive technology into your presentation is an efficient way to increase engagement, interest and deliver a more informative and streamlined presentation. How a residential company could use interactive software for their sales conference Inteli-Touch allows the presenters to provide a sophisticated, seamless and content-rich presentation with the touch of a button. For example, a residential building company could utilise Inteli-Touch, our interactive presentation software, to great effect for a conference. The technology enables several presenters, each with a variety of content formats to deliver a combined presentation with everything accessible from one presentation to deliver a seamless experience. Everything from playing the company showreel, displaying animated graphics and stats, through to exploring 3D drawings of new home designs and clickable imagery to showing sales figures. It even allows presenters to embed websites into the presentation to show to the franchisees. Touch Screen Technology Touch Screen technology isn’t new – in fact it’s been around since the 1970s. We’ve found one of the biggest deterrents for integrating technology into events is the risk of people not knowing how to use it. The beauty of using Touch Screen technology to present your content is you can bet the majority, if not all, of your attendees will know how to interact with it considering 44% of the world’s population use it on a daily basis – does that noisy little device in your pocket ring any bells?! Touch screen content provides an exciting alternative to PowerPoint slides displayed on a projector screen. Touch screens help us operate any device faster, let you display multiple content types, requires no skill or previous experience to use and let the attendee navigate to find which information they want to know. Touch Screens used to promote local tourism The 2017 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is an opportune time to promote local tourism. Encore Event Technologies worked with local tourism bodies by positioning several Touch Kiosks - large touch screens similar to the way-finding devices found in shopping centres - around the race finishing area and invited spectators to interact with and learn from the content shared. Participants accessed a variety of fun and informative content such as: Information about the race Live boat progress tracker Village map Information on local tourist attractions Quizzes about boats and local tourism Option to capture a Hobart race branded selfie and email to yourself Links to sponsors It was a simple, yet highly engaging approach to present the content far beyond anything a printed brochure could do. In addition to presenting content – touch screen technology lets you embed websites or forms to capture information about your attendees. At the world’s largest liquefied natural gas conference – exhibitors used Touch Kiosk to secure bookings for next year. They displayed the conference layout on screen and allowed attendees to book and registered their details for next year. Aside from the bookings, the data captured provided valuable information about their attendees to bolster business and marketing operations. Virtual Reality is the future of presentations Since its invention back in 1994, virtual reality technology is getting more sophisticated and accessible by the day with the pace of demand to match. Virtual reality is the future – this technology creates an entirely life-like digital experience that is immersive and provides an opportunity for unique interaction and gamification on a new level of engagement. If you are looking for an exciting way to inform and entertain your attendees at a conference, exhibition, gala or seminar - a VR experience can do just that. So how are brands using virtual reality technology to present their content? Brands are using VR to help consumers interact with products virtually, visit travel destinations or environments they’ve never been to, and experience concerts or sporting events first-hand, all whilst never leaving your event. The exciting thing is, we’ve only just scratched the surface of VR’s potential with new applications and improvements entering the market every day. If your brand wants to be perceived as an innovative leader - this is the technology for you. Present your content on any object or surface with projection mapping Projection technology now lets you present your content beyond regular 16:9 screens, onto any object or surface - even water. The object or space to project upon can be virtually anything - from complex industrial landscapes, such as buildings, to smaller indoor objects, walls and stages. The applications for projection mapping vary from immersive product launches using 3D projection mapping, to creating personalised table settings for VIP gala dinners using 2D projection, to underwater scenes and wildlife – the stage became a moving part of the presentation. Projection mapping can even be used to digitally style or transform your stage look to match the presentation content. A large real estate company used projection mapping to bring their stage set to life for their annual conference. When presenting on various locations and cities, we projected both animated and static content onto the stage designs to reflect iconic imagery associated with the location they were talking about. From buzzing skylines, to tennis balls, underwater scenes and wildlife – the stage became a moving part of the presentation. Dom Perignon uses Projection Mapping for personalised table settings Project mapping is a great way to propel your gala dinner or function to the next level – your table can be your projection canvas. For a Dom Perignon VIP event we streamed custom video animations right in front of guests’ eyes to deliver a brand message in a beautiful and mesmerising way. Then to make the experience unique to each guest, we projected their name where physical name cards would have once sat. We’ve even included business logos for the VIP guests, which was great for breaking the ice at networking events! There’s so much you can do with a table; the only limit is your imagination. Shape your presentation You don’t have to reinvent the wheel to develop new ways of presenting content – just realign it. Projection mapping technology has made it possible to project onto any surface, object or shape. This allows brands to get creative with their set design. A lot of leading brands are making cut-through by incorporating shapes into their set design – from impressive curved screens reaching up to 30m wide, custom designs representing iconic landmarks, to interesting configurations using rectangular digital banners. Hexagonal panels are the newest shape trending in the event world. It’s a simple yet highly effective solution for presenting content in a new way. The size and shape of the panels, lets you project your content onto individual panels, or project your content across several or all your connected hexagons. Hex Panels used at MCG launch event To announce Encore Event Technologies partnership with the Melbourne Cricket Ground, we hosted a special showcase to highlight the venue’s capabilities under this new relationship. As we wanted to present several pieces of content simultaneously, we created our set design using a combination of hex panels and standard 16:9 screens. This allowed us to projection map content from our Event Poll and Event Feed platforms onto specific hex panels, with the main presentation content displayed on the standard 16:9 screens. The effect was an immersive and highly engaging environment that continuously presented attendees with new and interesting content. Get more from your audience participation One of the most important elements of a presentation is the Q&A session. They’re not only important for driving audience participation; they’re a vital source of information about your attendees. Event planners can gain insight as to what attendees actually want to know, valuable improvement feedback, and they provide the perfect forum for speakers to interact with guests and build rapport. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider how you’ll maximise your Q&A session to drive participation and transfer information with attendees. Brands who are tapping into innovative ways to spice up Q&A sessions are reaping the benefits. How Event Poll facilitated 75 questions for Masterclass Q&A Encore Event Technologies delivered a Masterclass for event professionals and the Q&A session was an absolute highlight! With over 150 attendees we knew the old-fashioned roving microphone wouldn’t suffice. Instead, we opted to use Event Poll - an online event polling platform which lets audiences ask and respond to questions in real-time with answers displayed on screen. We received 75 questions from attendees; far too many to respond to in a single session. Rather than let attendees leave disappointed, Event Poll let us capture their questions to respond to in our follow-up presentation emailed to all attendees. It gave us great insight into the products and services that interested them and gave them information about the items that most interested them. Sometimes embracing our inner child is all it takes to create a new, engaging experience. You might have started to notice soft cubes being thrown around during Q&A sessions. This is the latest craze sweeping through corporate events and we’re all for it. Everyone loves a compelling, accessible way to participate - encouraging engagement and the sharing of ideas, whilst elevating the mood and excitement of the whole room. Inspire your audience to speak out and they will continue to be inspired long after the event is over. SpeakUp is a technical innovation designed to inject energy into Q&A sessions, breaking down barriers and inspiring audiences to get involved in a lively and fun discussion. It’s a soft, cube-shaped wireless microphone you can throw to audiences and them to one another. It might sound gimmicky but the audio quality is astounding. The cordless microphone is muted when the cube is thrown to avoid any feedback or noise, and turns on again when held upright and still. Find out new ways and technologies to make a memorable presentation at your event High-performing presentations using these technologies allow the audience to fully engage and interact with the content, creating a dynamic and memorable experience to increase impact, education and recall of information. Try incorporating any of these technologies to take your presentation to the next level and ensure its remembered way after the event. With over 30 years in the industry, Encore Event Technologies is a leading event services company, renowned for delivering world-class corporate events. Discover new ideas and technologies for getting ultimate cut-through when presenting at your next event by sending an online enquiry or by calling 1800 209 099 - successful events all start with a conversation. ... Read More

One of the most coveted charity events on the Perth events calendar is the annual Men In Black Ball hosted by Momentum Forum Events. For the third consecutive year, Encore Event Technologies were proud to support the prestigious black tie event which raises awareness and funds in support of men’s mental health and the fight against depression through the Momentum For Australia charity. Hosted on Saturday 3rd June at Pan Pacific Perth, the event attracted 400 Perthanalities, socialites, sports men and women, and business owners who arrived in their finest attire to support this worthy cause. MC’d by sports presenter and AFL star, Adrian Barich, this glamorous event included a 3-course gourmet dinner, live band and entertainment, award presentations, testimonial speaker, and charity raffle and auction. In celebration of the event’s 10th anniversary, the Encore Perth team were tasked with delivering a ‘Diamond’ themed gala dinner. As the in-house event services provider at Pan Pacific Perth, the brief was answered with a complete event staging solution including all audio, vision, lighting, staging, styling, multimedia and digital engagement. Watch the video To give the Diamond theme a really sophisticated look, the stylists designed an elegant black and silver colour palette, with minimal styling elements. The hero of the night was the stunning stage backdrop created using Encore’ new 3D Scenic Panels in the centre flanked either side with large screens for the live camera feed of the presenters. We opted for Scenic Panels in the 3D Harlequin design as the jagged edges mimicked a Diamond appearance. The Diamond look was further enhanced by lighting the Panels in an iridescent colour scheme. Throughout the evening, the Scenic Panel backdrop was turned into a stunning 3D canvas for multimedia content projection to support the speeches, awards, entertainment and silent auction. This included a video of diamonds falling on the Panels as well as a constant “twinkle” surrounding the Men In Black logo which we designed in-house. With all of Perth’s glitterati in attendance it was an evening made for sensational selfies. Encore helped encourage sharing the social conversation via Event Feed, a social media platform designed for capturing an event’s social conversation. Throughout the evening, all Instagram uploads, tweets with the hashtag #MenInBlackBall2017 and posts to the Momentum’s Facebook page were displayed live on screens around the room for all to see. Incorporating Event Feed into your event requires minimal input, but the output can be priceless. The evening’s entertainment kicked-off with a high-energy performance from Are You Ok? ambassador Barry Conrad. Guests were also treated to a live performance by the popular Perth band, Proof, who played in their full 10-piece ensemble – a rare occurrence for events hosted within venues. For the first time in the event’s history, the recipient of the Momentum Most Inspiring Man of the Year 2017 award also performed for the 350 guests. Leon Ruri, founder of Haka For Life, performed a spectacular haka alongside 30 others on the ballroom dance floor. Haka For Life became a viral sensation after their awe-inspiring haka performance during the Anzac Day Service in April this year. Encore’ Technical Director for the event highlighted the innovative stage look delivered using the new Scenic Panels as the backdrop. “For the Men in Black Ball we utilised 6 Pro Shop ROX Strips directly underneath the panels laying each one out one next to the other leaving no gaps in between. The intricate 3D shapes of the panels allowed light to bounce off all the various angles, giving the backdrop an interesting dynamic of both shadow and light effect.” The GrandMA Wing Command was a key piece of equipment for the event, enabling the technicians control over the light, colour, brightness and other theatrical effects used on the Scenic Panels. It was crucial the lighting effects didn’t wash out or interfere with he clarity of the content projection. Momentum Forum founder, Barbara McNaught, says “sadly depression is prevalent throughout the community and awareness must continue to be raised,” “Men don’t talk, boys don’t cry. The stigma attached to this topic needs to be removed. I believe that since the inception of the Men in Black Ball in 2008, more men know that they are not alone and are more open about the topic”. With another highly successful gala all wrapped up, the Encore Perth team are already putting their heads together for next year’s creative brief! Watch the Men In Black Ball 2017 official video! -- See more recent event work Get in touch to start planning your event ... Read More

Each year event organisers start the search of explore new ways of making your events more engaging, more exciting and with a greater ROI than ever before. But with so many ‘must-have’ products and technologies available, where do you start? To help you navigate through the noise, here are five essentials for delivering events that leave a lasting impression in 2017. 1. Personalise your event It’s the little things. Personal touches are vital to making the client, or guests really feel like they are special. This could be a small token or gift, unique decorations or customised event multimedia. Our in-house events team at ivy Sydney recently produced a unique setting for the Dom Pérignon Sydney Lumiére dinner with personalised gobos to project the guest’s names onto the table. 2. Shine a light and make it bright Lighting is key to establishing the right mood and wow factor in a venue, creating ambience and directing emotion. Be creative and make your event memorable; think about projecting light onto other surfaces such as tables and walls, or consider creating a canvas from a 3D object. 3. Bring the virtual to life with event technology Make your event unforgettable by using ground-breaking projection techniques. From 2D and 3D projection mapping to the latest in motion tracking technology, Encore Event Technologies' range of event solutions push boundaries and expectations, making the unreal real, and bringing your vision to life to truly captivate your audiences. 4. Don't forget the fifth sense Touchable technology creates a connection. First made available in smartphones, the trend for ultra-responsive surfaces has accelerated and can now be incorporated into events. Encore offer services that allow for interaction during your exhibition or event, with Touch Kiosk technology. Use touch screens for challenges or quizzes, encouraging your guests to participate and get actively involved in your event. If you don’t have touchscreen technology, don’t despair. Textured decorative panels can easily be installed to dress your venue’s walls and create stunning features. 5. All events are social events The one thing you want from your event is talkability. Use appropriate social media channels to boost the impact of your event; use Twitter for live commentary, Facebook and Instagram for eye-catching photos and ask guests to share their photos with hashtags. Use of social media should be seamless yet visible using integration technology like Event Feed, capturing your audience’s tweets, posts and photos to be displayed on screens for all to see. Clever social media integration can allow your audience to generate their own content and steer the positive viral tone of the event. A perfect example was a recent TEDx event, where organisers created an app that placed the word ‘Perfect’ over attendee’s photos shared on social media – newsfeeds exploded as attendees friends and family wanted to know what the ‘Perfect’ photos were about. Partner with leaders in event technology Make this year your best event year yet by following simple principles and incorporating smart technology that surprises, delights and engages your audience. At Encore Event Technologies we may have an expert team with a passion for creating unforgettable events, but with the right techniques and tips, so can you. Get in touch with us today to see how we can make your event go from good to great! ... Read More