Corporate Events Plus

Suddenly over the horizon an interesting project to work on at Gamescom which is the largest trade fair and highlight for interactive games. There are reported to be up to 350,000 people heading for the exhibition in Cologne between the 13th and 17th of August.

There are several booths to technically manage with video consoles, big relay video screens and audio systems – the projects are interesting, just wish I had some German language skills – the Spanish is coming along well and after a month in August on site in Germany I am sure I will have picked up afew key local phrases !

Until then it is nose to the grindstone with pre event management.

Hybrid Events are on the rise according to Meeting Professionals International. In a recent survey the report found that just over half of the organisations were using virtual or hybrid technologies for meetings and events.

Personally I do not think that this is a complete threat to face to face meetings but I also think it is an area that should be embraced. Only last month I was researching hybrid options for events and it appears this is a developing area of event production.

An interesting post on Linkedin by Martin Shepherdly from BeThere Global this month about the acceleration of social media & the use of online video.

On events I have seen clients use webcasting for delegates who could not attend the event in person.

I agree with Martin on the following points

”Clients should think about production values for both audiences”

”Give the web audience a voice – e.g. social media, questions, comments, polling”

Do something in the breaks…..use a dedicated ‘virtual host’ , consider an event ‘studio’ & use specific content for the remote audience.

I think the above is well worth considering – baring in mind the web audience is probably multitasking or easily distracted by their own office environment  particularly during the coffee and lunch breaks – additional content during these event down times could also be an opportunity to share additional information.

Chalk and Cheese

What a busy month and events that cover the spectrum of live event work.

Our month started in Barcelona with the conclusion of Technically Directing the delivery of 750sqm of double height exhibition booth including a grid truss roofing structure, offices with air conditioning, architectural lighting, hospitality and demonstration pods, audio visual support and telecommunications for Ivory.

During a staff briefing one of the intern students collapsed, I was called upon to give first aid being the registered first aid first point of contact on our Exhibition Stand. The revived young man was cared for until the Pavilion Doctor arrived on scene, it is important not to let anyone give the patient tablets or drugs without knowing the cause of the collapse – dehydration the culprit – a lack of water. Having taken the St Johns Ambulance First Aid course I felt confident to deal with the situation.

Onto Switzerland to the Genève Motor show for Invent Technically Directing the press launch of a new engine for the Q50 Eau Rouge Concept car. I love this type of work, huge images, great sound tracks, the hub hub of the press scrum.

Then onto Guildford to Produce a staff meeting for 850 for a Financial Services company, again, large screen projection and a voting system for information gathering and valuable feedback.

Working on leading events in the Technology and Automotive sectors is fantastic. To see what the industry is offering in terms of display technology, design and delivery is so valuable for staying current with ideas and being able to see just what works and sometimes what does not.

April – oddly a blank canvas – I wonder what is just round the corner?

Hola,

I am writing this in Spain from Mobile World Congress 2014

This is good work to be involved with, the Exhibition Stands here are incredible. Many have been building for several weeks to provide a befitting environment for blue chip companies to do serious business.

This is the second year we have been Technically Directing at this show at the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona.

My Spanish lessons are paying dividends with the local contractors and service providers, the more time I spend with my Spanish colleagues the more I am understanding the language and I am enjoying the learning.

We have Spanish and German teams working onsite to construct the booth. LED lighting is being used to create a bright environment. We are using 66 rigging points with motors to fly the roof of the Exhibition Booth, to watch a large structure float to the sky effortlessly still amazes me.

Is the economy improving at last, or are we just following work abroad where it seems work is buoyant?

Over the last 15 years it has always amazed me how in a new calendar year usually there is only one or two projects confirmed for the New Year before the diary begins to fill up with enquiries turning into confirmed projects.

This year it is different, 6 projects confirmed before January but the real interest in this confirmed work is that 5 out of the 6 projects are abroad in Barcelona, Berlin, Moscow, Paris and Geneva and in 3 different market sectors.

Announced by the Government last week was the lowest level of UK unemployment for 17 years, now all we need is the press to start to spin some of this positive news so it keeps the momentum going.

2014 could be a springboard for a return to good times of trading.

Working in London on an event where exposure to potential investors and funding opportunities for start-up business’ was of utmost importance I came across a tool for accessing social media with a multiple message to create what is known as a ‘Thunderclap’ Read More

This month I have been involved with Production Managing a multi nation Government Summit event in London. The Festival area was an exhibition that required bright but clearly defined areas for visitors and exhibitors.

Read More

Some good news arrived in the post this month, a certificate for passing the IOSH Managing Safely exam earlier in the year, I must get round to putting it up on the office wall.

This has been a full on month of pre event planning, organising multiple agency and end customers for an exhibition in London. It has been a bit like that program ‘one man and his dog’ only as a team we have been trying to steer the agency’s into our way of thinking with providing the right health and safety paperwork and plans so we know what to expect when they arrive to fill their allotted space.

It appears work is still being confirmed late, organised late and instructed late, the end client is at fault here. The trouble is the longer the delay on making a call on an event the more difficult it is for suppliers to arrange their own diaries and submit the required details to aid a smooth running project. I am not sure it has been any different in some circumstances but a return to some good old fashioned forward planning would be welcome.

An interesting month working on exhibitions in the UK and in Germany.

The 02 venue in London is a large venue and Production Managing the build of an exhibition stand in the cavernous space reminded me how chilly it can get when working in the exhibition halls, this meant extra jumpers for the build were packed for Frankfurt for the Press Launch of a new car for Infinity.

Once we were in show mode and all the stands had their lights on and the heating was regulated it was short sleeves as usual.

In The Congress Centre Messe Frankfurt we were using Read More