Every year, event professionals, venues, event agencies, and event service providers and suppliers make the pilgrimage to IMEX - the worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events. This year, we sent our Marketing Manager, Adele Symonds, to Las Vegas to get the inside scoop on what's hot in the world of events and what we can expect to hit our shores. Below Adele shares her insights and experience after attending this year's event over two action-packed days in October. Pictured: Attendees queuing to enter the show floor on Day 1 of IMEX 2016. -- IMEX 2016 was big, I mean really big. With over 3,250 exhibitors, 3,200 hosted buyers and 12,000 attendees you could forgive me for frequently getting lost. An event of this size could certainly use a mobile phone app that uses augmented reality to show me where I need to go – think Google Maps for IMEX. Pictured: Staging Connections; marketing manager, Adele Symonds, enjoying a virtual tour of Qualia Resort at IMEX 2016. IMEX claims to be the pulse of the meetings industry, and if the technology on show was anything to go by, our industry is set to embrace event technology like never before. Data will continue to be a critically important tool and future technologies will do more than just basic analysis. They will aggregate all the available data, enabling event organisers to understand where attendees went, what sessions they attended, what social media they used and other behaviour to give genuine return on investment reports and help improve future events. There were four event technology trends that stood out for me: 1. Wearable Technology for events Apple Watch, Google Glass, even virtual reality—they’re all going to become as common a sight at major events as your co-worker’s Fitbit. Smart badges and wristbands will soon replace the name badge and the exchange of printed business cards. Everyone’s wearing them already, so why not make them work for your event? These devices can serve not only to track attendee activity, but to market and promote your event as well, by sending messages and posting on social channels. 2. Beacons Beacon technology is one that I had predicted we’d see more of, but it has been slow to be adopted. Networking in particular can be greatly improved by using beacons to show users locations, stands and sessions in their area. Aimed at facilitating more meaningful connections, using beacons to connect people can create more memorable events. Particularly events as large as IMEX where connecting with the right people can be tricky. Beacons assist by recognising attendees in the venue, and letting them join ongoing conversations with other users at the same session or function, enabling a new level of interaction. Tapping into this engagement, organisers can also run in-app polls in real time and drive survey responses from those same users. Beacons can also be used for to benefit event organisers by tracking how people navigate their way through your event or exhibition. It provide amazing insights about how long on average people spent at exhibitor booths and can provide insight into how to improve your event's layout. Pictured: Over 3200 exhibitor on show at IMEX 2016. 3. Holograms I saw some really cool examples of hologram technology on the show floor, which will enable speakers who are unable to attend, the opportunity to connect with that audience. It will offer limitless opportunities for speaker sessions and entertainment. 4. Gamification Gamification was another key theme at IMEX. I attended a great session ‘Gamification is serious business’, by Charles Beris from Play with a Purpose. The session investigated how brands can blend psychology with technology to create fun, competitive experiences that drive engagement, loyalty and brand/message recall. IMEX America was incredibly interesting, exciting and, above all else, it was completely energising. It showed the strength of the global events industry, the creativity of event professionals, and gave an insight into what the future of events will look like. ... Read More

We're only halfway through the year and the last thing on most people’s mind is Christmas. The many months that separate July and December give the illusion that booking a venue and planning a holiday event is not a pressing matter. You, however, are a savvy event planner, and you know that Christmas venues are already being booked up, and the time for planning a knock-out Christmas party is now. To help you get into the Christmas spirit and holiday party-planning mindset, Staging Connections in South East Queensland has released a selection of Christmas party styling themes so you can start planning a stress-free and beautifully enchanting holiday season event. This year, we’re offering party planners a collection of fresh ideas and some popular revamped classics. Whatever vibe you’re aiming for with your Christmas party, our Christmas themes can help you blow your party’s attendees away. Whether it be a sit down gala dinner, held in combination with your annual awards night or a poolside cocktail party, all of our Christmas party themes can be customized to meet the needs of your Christmas event’s budget, venue and brief. A Fairytale Christmas event theme Fairytales come to life in this beautiful celebration of Christmas. Christmas is a magical time of year surrounded by enchanting tales that warm the hearts of the young and old. This year, we’ll be recreating the magic of these tales in our revamped, “Fairytale Christmas” event styling concept. This theme is all about incorporating rich reds and textured fabrics, like velvet, into your styling and table centrepieces. Add traditional European, medieval-like decorations to your table style to create a luxurious and decadent atmosphere. Ensemble centrepieces of Victorian urns filled with glossy red apples, berries and roses. Bring warmth to the table by adding clusters of red ruby glass candle holders throughout the table. This Christmas styling concept works best on long king tables, which adds a regal atmosphere to the decadent affair. If you’re looking for an enchanting traditional event style for your office Christmas party then this is the perfect concept for you. Glittery Winter Wonderland event styling There is such childlike joy in the thought of snow and we so rarely get to experience its delights here in Southeast Queensland. Whether it be for a festive Christmas event or a stunning gala evening, we can create a magical frozen fantasy to transport your guests to a world of winter white and starry nights. Ethereal snowflakes drift around the room, across sheer chiffon draping in the ceiling and walls of black star-cloth, settling upon a landscape of pristine linens in the purest white. Austere, bare branched centrepieces drip with icy chandelier crystals that twinkle in the light creating a sparkling canopy at every table. With our Winter Wonderland Christmas party theme, your guests will be transported to a world of sparkling white reminiscent of the gleaming north complete with all the enchanting trappings of a white Christmas. Enhance this frosty winter theme with a custom printed Event Backdrop of a Winter Wonderland, or consider projecting snowflakes across your venue walls, or display wintery vistas across a set of digital banners or widescreens. With our range of audio visual technology and lighting systems, we are literally boundless with how we can make your event standout and truly memorable for your guests. Immerse your guests in our 12 Days of Christmas event theme Undeniably a favourite Christmas carol, we’ve brought the ’12 Days of Christmas’ to life as an immersive holiday event theme. With the application of the latest in digital technology, there are limitless ways to make a real impact at your Christmas party with this theme by turning your event into a live countdown to Christmas. Coordinated graphics can be projected onto screens to create a ‘room look’ that changes every half hour to the next day of Christmas, eventually coming to rest at the Twelfth day. This is a contemporary design concept that celebrates an elegant and romantic Christmas tradition. Festive table linens, in shades of Gold, Cardinal Red and Forest Green, create a luxurious atmosphere. 12 different centrepiece designs depicting the 12 days of Christmas coordinate beautifully with the colour palette. This Christmas, create a tonne of excitement at your Christmas party or holiday event with our 12 Days of Christmas party theme. Platinum Colour Pop Add a burst of colour to sophisticated and clean styling with our new Platinum Colour Pop concept. Along crisp white table clothes, silver sequin table runners add sparkle and a sense of luxury to this styled Christmas party look. Our beautiful silver Manzanita trees are decorated with silver baubles all with different finishes and textures, accented with bright pops of colour. Chair covers in silver grey are arranged with coordinating ‘feature chairs’ to match your accent baubles. This holiday theme comes with an entry feature or stage backdrop that includes our lovely and very versatile crystal curtains and spiral chandeliers. To complete your holiday party theme, you can include coloured lighting to match your accent colour in order to create a cohesive and impactful look for your Christmas event. Party in a tropical Calypso Christmas event theme A fun tropical style, the Calypso Christmas party theme is perfect for Queensland’s hot Christmas celebrations. Featuring a riot of bright colours in chair covers and chevron print table runners, you can utilize different elements of this holiday party theme to coordinate or clash to give your tables individual flair. Our pair of pineapple centrepieces in Pink, Lime, Yellow and Teal are the perfect centrepiece for a Queensland Christmas! For an authentic Aussie Christmas feel, you can add our beautiful floating LED orbs in and around a pool area if you have one available, or you can place them on your stage to add a lovely illuminated element to the décor of your holiday event. Christmas Party Styling Top Tips: Event Backdrop – An event backdrop adds a degree of versatility to your Christmas party. Using our range of Event backdrops is a great way to tie your Christmas party theme together while still highlighting your brand. You can use an event backdrop as a stage background, a media wall or as a photo wall. Event Feed - A sure fire way to plan a standout Christmas party is to engage your attendees with a live social media feed. Our Event Feed platform software will pull social media posts with your event’s dedicated hashtag and display them on a feed. When it comes to adding drama to your Christmas party, lighting is your best friend. We offer a range of sophisticated event lighting options to ensure your party shines bright. From branded or themed roving gobos, uplights along the venue walls, to moving pin-spot lighting to make your tables come alive. Change up your seating style – consider ditching the traditional banquet rounds for long king tables, or create a lounge zone at the back of the room, use a mixture of seating options for an eclectic look. In addition to our beautiful and highly customizable Christmas party themes, Staging Connections offer you more than 30 years of event planning experience. We have an event production team that can help you plan and seamlessly execute a Christmas party or holiday event that leaves attendees breathless with enchantment. If you would like to know more about our Christmas party themes, get in touch by calling 1800 209 099 or by sending an online enquiry. Why you should partner with Staging Connections for your office Christmas party The Staging Connections South East Queensland team have delivered countless Christmas parties and end of year office functions for over 30 years. We understand that when it comes to putting on a good show, you need creativity, innovative AV solutions and reliable equipment. Backed by Australia's largest range of event services, you can count on us to make your Christmas party a truly memorable one. We would also like to welcome the newest team member, Pat O'Hara, who is now heading up Event Design at Staging Connections' South East Queensland. Pat O’Hara is one of Australia’s premier event specialists, highly regarded for producing business events of distinction for clients such as Qantas, Emirates, Citrix & Oracle to name a few. He has cemented a reputation for exceptional attention to detail, showcraft, reliability and client service. Specialties and passions include Design, Production Management, & Show Direction. Whilst holding various roles over the years, his connection to Staging Connections goes back to the mid 1990’s. Now as Creative Services Manager, replacing Sean Sturges who has left the business for personal reasons, Pat and his talented team oversee the creative offerings and event design in the South East Queensland region. Sales Manager for South East Queensland, Susan Hamilton, is excited about what the future holds for Staging Connections' styling services with Pat at the helm. “We are thrilled to welcome Pat back to the Staging team! His expertise in production management and creative services, along with his passion for the industry, means he is the perfect fit for our business, and our customers will continue to receive the latest products and event services technology for their conferences and events. Watch this space ...” ... Read More

Amway is a world-leading company in beauty, lifestyle and homecare. Every year, they reward their top distributors with immersive events around the world. This year Amway Taiwan chose Sydney as their destination and flew over 1150 guests for week of learning, networking and of course celebrating. They came to us with a proposal – they wanted a big, extravagant event. Exactly the sort of job that excites us. Whilst these big event briefs are exciting to work on, they’re also laden with logistical challenges to overcome. As an experienced AV company, we wanted to share some tips for delivering large, high profile events of this kind, in the hope it will aid event planners facing similar challenges. Watch the video See below our top tips for delivering an Australiana-themed event for 1000+ VIPs. 1. Choose an iconic Australian location Amway Taiwan chose Sydney for a specific reason – they wanted to surprise and delight their guests with a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience and where better than Sydney. For an event of such size and spectacle, we needed the right venue. It needed to be large enough to accommodate the guests with enough access points for crew and audio visual installations but also offer an exclusive feeling, fitting for such a prestigious event. That’s why the client loved the Cutaway at The Barangaroo Reserve Headland Park. Located on the shores of Sydney’s harbour, the Cutaway is one of Sydney’s most anticipated venues, only opening in August last year. Flanked entirely on one side with a sheer, 18-metre high sandstone wall, this unique layout rendered the venue the perfect candidate for projection mapping. Our multimedia team created content that captivated the audience, branded the space, and supported the live performances. 2. Entertain the crowd with a host of recognisable Australian acts and performances. From the moment guests arrived, they were met with performers – stilt walkers dressed as iconic Australian buildings, bouncing kangaroos and caricatures of Aussie lifesavers, plus Australian animal petting areas. Guests were then surprised by five flag-bearing water skis passing the cove, and watched a spectacular aerial acrobatics show by Strange Fruit. Soul Mystique also mesmerised crowds with their innovative dance and magical costume transformation routine. As the entertainment continued through the night, guests were witness to a 40-strong cast from Decendance and the NSW Aboriginal Dance Company, a custom choreographed aerial show and an incredible performance by New Zealand (which is close to Australia!) opera singer Hayley Westenra. 3. Use projection mapping to turn a large venue into a themed experience Projection mapping is a clever way to turn an inanimate backdrop into a dynamic visual journey. The magnificent sandstone wall lining the Cutaway made the perfect, albeit rugged, canvas for us to project onto. Our in-house design team produced a stunning multimedia sequence showcasing iconic Australian buildings, animals and landscapes. We projection mapped this onto the rock wall, turning it into a talking point of the night. It is a clever way to keep guests entertained, theme a relatively bare venue and provide a beautiful backdrop for the on-stage performances and presentations. 4. Use simple, yet clever table styling that captures the Aussie spirit While the dazzling performances were crucial, we couldn’t forget that our guests would be sitting down to gala dinner. Our event stylists were tasked with the challenge of creating stunning centrepieces and tablescapes, and then replicating it for the 100+ tables. No mere feat. Each table featured incredible native Australian floral table arrangements with tiny LED lights that made them glow, casting a warm light around the venue. In true extravagant style, we even had custom-made embroidered Amway napkins and rings designed for this special occasion. 5. Surprise and delight with big, extravagant acts When you need to keep over 1000 guests entertained over a long period of time, you’ll want to consider using big, flashy acts interspersed throughout the event. They’re fantastic for getting the crowd excited, which is great for a fresh injection of energy. They’re also handy at creating a diversion, for when you need to draw your guests’ attention away so your events team can bump-in or out any changes to the event. For our Australiana themed event, our Event Directors covered all bases – flashy cars, water acts and a mesmerising fireworks display. Amway Taiwan asked for a grand entrance for their awards winners. We used seven vintage 1969 Mustang convertibles to give the Amway winners’ procession a red carpet arrival, driving them right onto the stage. During the day, we hosted all the guests on the water’s edge, entertaining them with a water-skiing stunt show. After such an action-packed day, we needed to end the night with a bang. We organised a magnificent fireworks display over Sydney’s harbour, with the entire show running 5 minutes longer than Sydney’s coveted New Year’s Eve fireworks! Staged from two barges on the water, and six positions around Nawi Cove, the shards of coloured lights lit up the harbour, casting a beautiful glow over the venue and a dazzling end to the event. 6. Partner with an experienced Audio Visual company With big, extravagant events come higher stakes. As all of your most important stakeholders are in the room and with so many individual elements, you’ll need an experienced AV and event company you can rely on. Staging Connections has been the name behind some of the largest and most technically demanding live events to hit Australian soil. Having been in the events business for over 30 years, our experienced team of technicians and event directors understand what it takes to deliver to this scale and profile. We only use brands we trust; we take a tailored approach to every brief using everything from the latest in AV, lighting and staging through to event styling and engaging digital media; and we work with you every step of the way so there’s no surprises. If you’re interesting in finding out what Staging Connections can do for your event, get in touch with us today by calling 1800 209 099 or by completing our event quote form. See all the action of Amway Taiwan 2016 Amway Taiwan Incentive Event 2016 from Staging Connections on Vimeo. Business Events Sydney on the Chinese Incentive Market from Staging Connections on Vimeo. ... Read More

In April of 2016, Perth played host to the world’s largest global liquefied national gas conference, LNG18. Held over four days at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in Western Australia, the conference saw over 6,000 LNG industry professionals register to attend the conference and exhibition. Amongst those in attendance were CEOs from Chevron, Shell and Woodside and even attracted Australian Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and other Heads of State. Watch Video Staging Connections were proud to be appointed as the official audio visual provider for the conference, delivering all audio, vision, set design and staging, lighting and multimedia content for all events over the 4 days. This included the main Opening and Closing Plenary Sessions, the daily plenary sessions in the main theatre and accompanying breakout rooms as well as AV for several ancillary keynote events that ran alongside. Contemporary set design using the latest in projection mapping A hero feature of the conference was the spectacular stage set designed by Staging Connections’ team of in-house designers and technicians. Inspired by a contemporary, industrial look and isometric shapes, the hexagonal shaped set spanned the entire length of the main theatre stage, standing 7.5m high by 20m wide. A scaled-back version was also created was the breakout room, standing 3.5m high by 15m wide. The hexagonal shapes created a perfect canvas for projection mapping stunning scenery of Australia’s landscape and integrating vision of current and future LNG projects. This was projection mapped onto the hexagonal shapes and surrounding stage screens using 12K Panasonics in the breakout theatres and 18K Christies in the main plenary theatre. Watchout software was used to manage the vision playback whilst a Spyder was used as the vision switch control. The stage set was designed with this in mind and the combination of the shapes, scenic content and on-stage performances made way for a very impactful stage experience. LNG18 also gave Staging Connections the opportunity to showcase our multimedia production expertise, having produced all on-screen content for the plenary and breakout sessions as well as captivating videos for the opening and closing ceremonies and sponsor loops. Inteli-Touch - bridging the gap for exhibitors Making it’s debut at the conference was Staging Connections latest digital offering – Inteli-Touch. Inteli-Touch is our answer to “what comes next after PowerPoint and Keynote?” - an interactive touch-screen presentation software that unlocks many opportunities for a seamless presentation experience. Inteli-Touch was utilised by Exhibitions & Trade Fairs (ETF) who delivered the huge scale exhibition at the event. ETF needed a solution that enabled them to display floor plans with the added capability of securing bookings for the 27th World Gas Conference in Washington. It was important that their stand stood out from the other grand scale exhibitions and our touch screen technology, Inteli-Touch enabled them to do just that. The interactive technology enabled visitors to filter floor plans based on their needs, for example stand size and view the available positions in detail. They could then either send an enquiry, or book directly from the ETF exhibition stand. Rodney Cox, Event Director at ETF, says, "[Inteli-Touch] was really beneficial to be able to show prospective exhibitors of the next LNG exhibition including the available stand positions in real time. The technology also enabled exhibitors to secure a booking immediately, right from the stand. We loved the interactivity of the Inteli-Touch system. Exhibitors were clearly impressed by the state of the art touch screen. So I’m sure it positioned us at the forefront of technology.” Delivering LNG18 from Staging Connections on Vimeo. Partner with Staging Connections for your next conference Staging Connections has been the name behind some of the biggest national and international conferences 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

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

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

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

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

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