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Encore has partnered with the Canberra Rex Hotel, expanding their network of big drivers in the event industry within the NGO and government sector in ACT. Encore’s existing knowledge of the local and public sector was a distinguishing factor in securing the win, in addition to offering the hotel an extended level of service by providing onsite audio-visual expertise. Raising the bar for what hoteliers can expect from their event planning teams in the region, as staffing onsite is not industry standard and was not viewed as necessary by their competitors during the pitch.  

The beautiful art deco-styled Canberra Rex Hotel and serviced apartments is perfectly situated in the CBD, just a short 15-minute walk to Corroboree Park and the Canberra Centre. The hotel features an in-house restaurant; the Rex Brasserie, cooked to order breakfasts, concierge services and specialises in wedding services. An offering that Encore will now be able to diversify with their service and end-to-end creative, production and technical solutions to meet the Canberra Rex Hotel’s day-to-day needs. Since the win, Encore has increased revenue, delivered seamless events, installed new equipment in venue and has taken on a greater responsibility in assisting the Canberra Rex Hotel to achieve their event goals, garnering incredible results. 

Encore have secured a partnership with Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley, part of the IHG Group to extend their services to clients wanting to offer delegates an out-of-town residential solution for conferences and meetings.

Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley was looking for an audio-visual event production partner who could provide complete end-to-end solutions to their event clients, no matter the size of the event or what the technical or creative ask may be. They wanted a company who provides five-star service each and every day. Encore answered that brief in spades and brings to the partnership a wealth of new event solutions that were previously unavailable.

Destination events have gained increasing popularity in recent years, with organisers looking beyond capital city CBD locations and traditional hotel walls and into less conventional venues like picturesque, rural, or historical locations. Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley offers many features that will attract clients looking for something different as well as an opportunity for attendees to switch off from their daily grind so that they can better focus on the content presented to them.

A destination event allows event planners to offer meeting, networking and experiences outside of the norm, such as networking in a local gallery, a scenic wine tour, team building at the near by 18-hole championship golf course, visits to heritage-listed sites, or a trip down the Hawkesbury River on the famous Paddle Wheeler.

Getting away from the standard convention center environment and into a more inspiring, beautiful, environment can foster more authentic conversations and relaxed interactions while guests sample the local flavors and take in the sights.

Encore has delivered events in many unconventional locations including a mine in Musselbrook, The Old Quarry in Alice Springs, St Hugo Winery, Cairns Armory and Artillery Museum and Tangalooma Island to name a few. The Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley presents another unique opportunity for clients wanting to get away from it all.

Katherine Pfahl, Director, Strategic Partnerships Encore APAC commented,

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with such a unique venue like Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley, and look forward to growing our partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts. Together, we’ll elevate the guest experience, through each interaction they have at an event at this beautiful location, by creating tailored solutions that fit the goals we glean from every customer.”

The Fijian Tourism Expo (FTE) took place in May 2023 with Encore providing all professional audio visual and technical solutions for Tourism Fiji to deliver an engaging event. The event took place at the Sheraton Grand Resort, with Encore installing their own 40 foot projection screen in the Ballroom to display event promotional videos – the largest screen in Fiji.

As the leading exposition of the tourism industry in Fiji, FTE, hosted by Tourism Fiji, showcased Fiji’s diverse tourism offering with attendees building relationships and partnerships for visitors and events in the region.

Scott Nodsle MD also commented,

“Encore has been creating professional events in the region since 2006 and we were delighted to be part of the showcase.”

Tim Keeling, Regional General Manager for Fiji, New Zealand and Queensland (Australia) commented,

“The Expo was an amazing spotlight on Fiji as a destination for events and travel, so our teams were focused on new ways to immerse and amaze delegates. Our technical, creative and production experts were able to utilise the latest projection technology to showcase engaging Fiji experiences on the BIG screen!”

Encore’s Creative, Technical and Production teams paired with Hilton’s first-class food and beverage service to produce an immersive experience for their esteemed guests at the Hilton, Sydney. The showcase on April 20 touched on all the senses through Encore’s innovative creative strategy and cutting-edge event technology that left an indelible impression on esteemed guests. After the event one guest, Marjolein Chandler the manager of Global Accounts at HelmsBriscoe commented;

“What to expect when you get an invite for the “immerse your senses” experience by Encore and Hilton Sydney? The answer: An evening where technology, creativity and culinary experiences intertwine and most of all fun and creating memories.”

The event was designed to demonstrate creative and innovative ways of how successful event execution can leave an indelible impression on a guest long after they have left and was attended by event industry leaders, VIP clients, and mainstream media personnel.

The pre-function area featured a bold cocktail bar, surfaced with dramatic black acrylic. Behind the bar sat a custom-built screen that was framed by layers of additional smaller plasma screens that announced the theme for the night; ‘Creating Immersive Experiences by Stimulating the Senses’.  As guests entered the semi dark ballroom, they were met by a neon light cage construction with black acrylic for a dramatic mirrored subphase, flanked by additional moving lights pre-programmed to specifical curated music with altering colours to complement the neon cage. Haze added drama to the look, enhancing the 3D aesthetic of the cube. Encased in the cage was a stunning ballerina, in traditional swan-lake style costume moving to moody atmospheric music  as guests mingled around the modular cocktail bar.

Past the networking areas that featured futuristic battery-operated LED table centrepiece lights, the guests were drawn to the sound of the rainforest, futurist and atmospheric sounds coming from around another darkened corner. Here they were met with a touch kiosk screen where they were able to choose their own immersive experience from Roses; Desert; Rain Forrest and Aura. On selecting their experience on the screen 9 room-high LED columns sprung to life displaying the creative in super-bright, animated custom designs. Each creative featured accompanying curated immersive audio that subtle changed when guests would walk through their chosen experience. The latest, ingenious, immersive audio speakers were placed on top of each column, delivering targeted sound which moved with guests as they passed through.

Finally, guests entered the end destination of the hero room where the presentation was held. It featured a large LED Wall measuring a total of 66 sq. m delivering unparalleled event technical sophistication. Guests were welcomed by MC Melissa Hoyer who introduced the Hilton and Encore teams hosting the event. In this space Encore delivered the latest technical innovations, immersive audio, modular 3D LED constructions and more during the presentation.

One of the guests, Helen Batt-Rawden, the Publisher/Managing Director of Business and Tourism Publishing commented,“The visual impact of Encore’s technical solutions definitely brought the ‘wow’ factor to the showcase event”.

Encore’s Creative Director, Julz Partington took to the stage to speak to the creative strategy and process that led up to the event as well as their inspiration of stimulating the five senses; sight with amazing visual experiences with lighting effects programmed to the music, sound with immersive audio moving around the room, sensory from the touch screens and other tactile elements, taste and smell both creative by the food and beverages from Hilton’s skilled chefs and cocktail staff.

Guests were treated to a dramatic performance performed by violinist, Melissa Voyias who played a neon lit, electronic violin alongside classical and ultra-modern music. Following the performance, guests were welcomed by Hilton GM Hayden Hughes and Encore’s Managing Director APAC, Scott Nodsle who both remarked on the incredible work of their teams in delivering the industry leading event.

Hayden Hughes the General Manager of Hilton Sydney, commented;

“Partnering with Encore has allowed Hilton Sydney to enhance guest experience with unique and immersive technologies that bolster our team to streamline logistics, increase efficiency and provide the highest level of service for the property’s MICE offering. This demonstration of innovation and forward-thinking cements Hilton Sydney as one of the city’s finest venues to host and cater for the widest variety of events and meetings,”

Scott Nodsle was similarly delighted, remarking;

“The event was an amazing demonstration of what can be achieved when you combined a first-class venue such as Hilton, with Encore creative, technical and production teams, plus a LOT of inspiration”.

Encore Event Technologies has opened a brand new warehouse in Auckland building on our capabilities to deliver world-class events in New Zealand.

The launch event invited teams from around the business to experience the new office with dedicated space designed for collaboration with clients. The location will enable clients to discuss their event ideas with our teams and develop a creative, technical and production solution.

In addition, spaces have been created to accommodate Encore’s growing New Zealand based teams to demonstrate and learn about the latest event industry technologies and production innovations. It will also house a training and development space for teams to learn and demonstrate the latest technical innovations from the events industry.

Tim Keeling, Regional General Manager commented,

“The new office and warehouse give our teams and clients the opportunity to develop their ideas. It’s ideal for our teams to demonstrate how we can bring clients’ ideas to life with the latest technical and creative solutions.

We’re also really excited to have a dedicated space for our technicians to learn how to utilise event technologies, whether this be the latest product launches or technological investments by Encore, or existing equipment and how to use it in new or innovative ways”.

Encore recently launched the APAC Women of Encore group with an inaugural event dedicated to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion by focusing on gender equity, stereotypes and issues faced by females in the workplace.

The event featured several incredible Encore employees who identify as female, with keynote speaker and former staff member Elizabeth Talbot who is now a Clinical Psychologist, recounting her experience of gendered language and behaviour at work where her technical input was disregarded, and she was replaced by a more junior male peer for his input. Plus a highly engaging ‘in-conversation’ interview with Jane Lyons, General Manager, Hyatt Regency and Encore’s Katherine Pfahl, Director of Strategic Partnerships. During their in-conversation session they discussed the importance of females going for opportunities that push them outside of their comfort zone. This is a gendered attitude that has historically set women back as statistically men will go for jobs when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, whereas women will apply only if they meet 100% of the criteria. Women are typically underrepresented in leadership positions in the workforce, with only 30% of key management and 17.1% of CEO roles being held by women.

The voices of Encore ranged from Sales team members to AV Technicians all of whom had amazing stories and reasons for loving working in the rewarding, yet challenging events industry that is predominately dominated by men. For example, gender biases around women being more interested in the creative than technical side of events. A recent AV Women and Girls study debunked this assumption to be completely unfounded, with the majority of women saying that they actually preferred the technical side.

Encore’s progress in breaking down barriers and facilitating female team members careers was outlined by Managing Director, Scott Nodsle who shared statistics from Encore data showing that during the increased focus of female hires from 12% to 29% over the past 10 years business profits have exponentially increased. Making for further evidence that a more collaborative and diverse workforce is not only beneficial but advantageous for a business to play to the strengths of all genders. While there is a long way to go until we reach an equitable workforce, Encore has certainly been making strides this week to raise awareness for meaningful change to take place.

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Encore has just been announced as a State Finalist in the Victoria 2021-2022 MEA Awards for Special Event of the Year! The nominated event was engaged by BOI Media and Entertainment in collaboration with ICICI Prudential Life, to create the prestigious gala dinner for the ICICI Prudential Life 20th Starclub Incentive Conference.

The MEA’s National Awards program is the most prestigious and highly regarded event industry awards program in Australia. The Award categories in this year’s program encompass the entire breadth of the events sector and have been designed to encourage and recognise exceptional achievements, creativity and outcomes for events held within Australia over a 24-month period. The Victoria state awards night will be held in the first two weeks of May, where the winners will be announced ahead of their advancement to the National Finals. The National winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner on Thursday 8 June 2023 at The Star Gold Coast.

Regardless of the outcome, Encore is thrilled that our involvement in the success of the ICICI Prudential Life event has been recognised in industry, and we are proud that we could produce a magnificent result for the client and stakeholders.

Encore has again been recognised in the 2023 Spice News Hot 100 in the category of:

Best venue or studio for virtual/hybrid events for Encore Studio for Virtual and Hybrid Events.

Every year the team at Spice News search the nation to find the top 100 suppliers and services in the events industry – as voted by the public. Their hard work saves you the time and headache of finding the top five businesses in each category.

About our studios:

During the shut-downs caused by Covid, Encore responded to our clients’ need to still share knowledge, meet and engage by building highly tailored studios for virtual and hybrid events. The studios were located a head office and venues around the country and enabled the following events to continue, including:

  • Long term client Jeans for Genes to continue their annual fund-raiser.
  • Using Encore’s Studio and innovative Immersive XR Stage, Connect Macquarie Park & North Ryde were able to deliver a virtual event to share the results of the past years’ initiatives as well as future plans to approximately 300 stakeholders and businesses in the area.
  • Our studio enabled The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) to pivot their Australian Distilled Spirits Awards (ADSA) Presentation to a virtual event. The team created an amazing virtual ‘speakeasy’ themed stage set, designed by their talented virtual and hybrid design team.
  • Encore delivered the annual United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees World Refugee Day gala, but this year’s event was different. It was delivered as a fully virtual event with 700 guests in attendance from their homes and was the first time the event has ever been delivered virtually.

Leading event production company, Encore Event Technologies, have today announced a new agreement with W Sydney, appointing Encore as the hotel’s event production partner. The agreement incorporates innovative event services including the latest hybrid solutions to elevate the client experience. With a reputation as a leader in event production, and creative and industry leading technical solutions, the Encore team will strategically focus on W Sydney’s clients and customer service needs.

Encore’s winning pitch to W Sydney was delivered during NSW’s second COVID related lock-down. The hotel’s original creative concept for an in-person presentation was reimagined and redesigned for a virtual tour deforce. Using Encore’s innovative audience engagement platform of Chime Live in combination with an Immersive XR Stage the bid team presented from within a virtual rendition of a W Sydney event space that was still in reality under construction at Darling Harbour.

W Sydney’s Director of Sales & Marketing, Roxanne Markovina, said of the partnership, “The Encore team showcased a creative approach during the bid presentation process, demonstrating an understanding of the unique requirements of W Sydney and the direction of the hotel and W brand in delivering exceptional experiences to our guests and clients.

We are thrilled to be working with the Encore team ahead of W Sydney’s opening in October 2023, as they bring their industry leading array of technical solutions and award-winning creative and production services to our client’s events.”

Encore Managing Director, Scott Nodsle, shared, “This is a fantastic time for Encore. It’s not every day a hotel like W Sydney enters the market, so we are thrilled to announce this partnership. As the global event technology partner for Marriott International, our synergies align perfectly to both the brand and what customers expect; consistent, world-class service with the most flexible, innovative solutions.”

W Sydney will be a flagship opening for the W brand in Australia when it opens later this year, and they want a partner that is as unique and diverse as they are, a powerhouse of event production setting them up to shine; and that’s what we do at Encore. We deliver the best of best.”

Encore Australia recently received Silver level recognition for their EcoVadis Sustainability Rating which covers important areas such as diversity, equity and inclusion, protection of labour, human rights and the environment, ethics and sustainable procurement. EcoVadis assesses and rates the sustainability performance of 100,000 companies from 175 countries. Encore scored well above the industry average for the event industry and many other industries in all the above areas in the Australia region.

As a global leader in event technology and production services for in-person, hybrid and virtual events, Encore is committed to innovating and transforming the industry. An important part of this commitment is to champion the tackling of environmental, social and governance concerns that are relevant to its industry.

Encore APAC Managing Director, Scott Nodsle, commented,

“We consider our environmental, social and ethical responsibility to be an essential factor in our daily business. Our goal is to deliver sustainable practices within our partner hotels and our wider production business. The award confirms us as a sustainable partner for leading hotels and event locations.”

About EcoVadis

EcoVadis is an independent sustainability rating agency that determines its sustainability ratings based on international standards such as the principles of the UN Global Compact, the conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

About Encore

Encore delivers award winning event experiences. As the world’s leading event production company, Encore’s team of expert producers, creatives and thought leaders deliver real results through strategy and creativity, innovative technology, digital solutions, and hybrid, virtual and face-to-face event concepts. Encore is the trusted partner for event planners, corporations and agencies, leading hotels and more than 2,100 venues worldwide. Headquartered in Sydney for the APAC region, Encore operates in more than 20 countries across Australia, Asia, North America, Europe and the Middle East.