ENCORE EVENT TECHNOLOGIES PARTNERS WITH THE CHILDREN’S CANCER FOUNDATION TO PRESENT ‘WHERE EXCEPTIONAL OUTCOMES BLOOM’ FOR THE MILLION DOLLAR LUNCH 2019

This year’s The Million Dollar Lunch set new benchmarks for event design, raising over $2.1 million for The Children’s Cancer Foundation at Crown Melbourne. The fundraising event was a visual splendour with Encore’s in-house team transforming The Palladium under the playful theme In Full Bloom. The exclusive VIP guest list are veterans on the event circuit, so every year it’s crucial the team continue to raise the bar and deliver a new experience.

Encore delivered a fully immersive experience by treating every surface in the room with a mixed media approach, seamlessly blending large paper flowers with projection mapping, with scale and colour at its core.

Guests were welcomed into a beautiful but strategically simple pre-function area to ensure the full impact of the main room was achieved. The floor was covered with green carpet representing grass, succulents and foliage positioned around the room – all a subtle hint of what was to come. There was a 3x6m illuminated Event Backdrop as the media wall where guests were photographed on arrival.

When the guests entered The Palladium, they stopped in awe at the grand scale of the room elegantly decorated to reflect a garden. Their eyes were immediately drawn to the central stage with four 4.5m high daisy shaped LED screens, angled to tower over the guests.

Over 140 custom made paper flowers with a diameter of up to 2m, built on-site, were clustered around the screens in each corner of the room and around the centre stage.

Table projections were used to create dramatic impact and carry the floral theme with custom animations including blooming flowers, creeping vines, rippling water and fluttering butterflies to tie in with the giant paper flowers. This element was creatively used to enhance the auction, with each of the 11 auction items being projected and moving around the table so each guest could see what was on offer.

Projectors were a major visual element of the event, with 70 being used in total. Ten were used for the wall projections made up of two different loops, blooming flowers and cascading flowers displayed during meals.

With every corner of the room styled boldly guests were wowed by visual bursts of colour, unique design and the creative use of AV technology to bring the theme together.

Catrina Bennell, General Manager Encore Victoria, believes this event is a defining moment for Encore highlighting the capability to bring unique custom designs to every event.

“We were absolutely delighted to work on this inspiring event with such a beautiful cause at its core. The team delivered on a massive scale with big flowers, big effects, bold colour and big fun uniquely delivering the unexpected,” says Ms Bennell.

NEW VIDEO CONFERENCING PLATFORM THAT MAKES STAYING CONNECTED CONVENIENT, COST EFFECTIVE AND STRESS-FREE

Encore Event Technologies today launches Encore Connect, a professional video conferencing platform that makes staying connected for meetings and live events more convenient and cost effective.

Encore Connect enables meeting and event planners to link remote presenters or meeting attendees, no matter where they are around the world, instantly in HD quality.

This latest digital solution comes with a number of service enhancements to make the process seamless for clients, and further cements their position as leaders in event technology with a broad range of products and services.

The events industry is embracing technologies that allow greater access to the world’s best speakers by overcoming the barriers of geography, including time and cost. Using Encore’s new video conferencing service, international speakers and presenters can easily and seamlessly present, as though they were in the room.

Unlike other video conferencing solutions, with Encore Connect every conference or meeting, regardless of size, is fully supported by a technical assistant, providing peace of mind that everything will run faultlessly.

Encore has listened to market feedback which said, whilst many can see the potential benefits of using video conferencing for events and meetings, planners feel the risk of technical failures with lack of troubleshooting support outweighs the benefits.

The support provided by the Encore technician covers testing of audio and visuals prior to the commencement of the conference, setting up a meeting room early and allowing presenters to become familiar with the technology. The technician can assist at large conferences connecting a remote speakers, ensuring they appear perfectly on the big screen and audio levels are correct.

Andrew MacColl, Director of Innovation at Encore, says the advantage with Encore Connect, is there is a team member with the customer every step of the way.

“Meetings can be pressured environments and people just want to get on with their business. Even planners and MCs have enough to think about without having to work out the technical aspects, particularly if they don’t use it frequently or the remote speaker is having difficulties from their location.

“That’s why with our new service, clients can simply get on with their meeting while we deliver the best video conference experience every time.”

“Although video conferencing may not be new, we are doing it differently, our high level service is designed to ensure total satisfaction and seamless connections with every event delivered,” said MacColl.

Encore Connect is available in every venue where Encore is the in house AV supplier at over 90 locations offering unique technical support, HD video and audio features, as well as, screen sharing. The rehearsal feature aims to simplify video conferencing allowing one-on-one support to test the connection, audio and visuals.

For nearly a decade, Encore have had the pleasure of working with Tourism Accommodation Australia (VIC) to deliver their annual awards night. As with every year, the brief is to deliver a totally new and immersive experience, and this year’s theme gave Encore the permission to deliver just that. 

The TAA (VIC) Awards for Excellence recognises Victoria’s finest accommodation hotels and venue staff and celebrates dedication and achievement in the hospitality industry. Nearly 500 esteemed guests, nominees and representatives from Victoria’s finest accommodation hotels attended the awards night at Grand Hyatt Melbourne in late June. Driven by the night’s entertainment Encore were engaged to design an evening to emulate the experience of attending the theatre. 

Guests were treated with an array of beverages upon arrival. As they entered the room they were transported into a 1920’s theatre. Gold draping and all the elements of the front and “back of house” in a functioning theatre were strategically placed around the Savoy Ballroom by the Encore Design team. Key elements for the evening was the digital banner and the interactive stage set. The intention behind the digital banner was to create maximum impact on entry by incorporating 3 6mW x 1.2m H projection surfaces that emulated the exterior of the theatre with in-house multimedia loop that featured a ‘NOW SHOWING’ animated banner with the name of the event. Taking a fresh approach to a ‘theatre’ themed stage set, Encore chose to incorporate both the back and front of house of a theatre as a homage to those in the room. Looking not only at the glitz and glamour, but all the hard working people behind the scenes.

The ‘front of house’ half of the stage was beautifully draped in gold with a sparkling chandelier the “Stage” also housed surprise tab track reveal for opera singers, mid way through the event. Whilst the remaining ‘back of house’ section took on a darker, more industrial look dressed with truss, lighting bars, ropes and hessian bags to mimic the workings of backstage. The black pressed metal bar acted not only as a make up station for the actors, but the lectern itself.

A light haze filled the room with sophisticated lighting design and thoughtfully positioned pin spotting to accentuate the lush, green herbaceous edible centrepieces created by both Executive head chef Dane Clouston and Encore.

The creation of animated presentations for all award nominees and winners followed the theatre theme throughout the evening. Guests marvelled in the creative flair displayed by the Encore Multimedia team. 

All multimedia for the event was thematically considered and painstakingly developed to enhance the theatre experience and celebrate those in the room – both finalists and winners. Our multimedia team was responsible for the delivery of all on screen content for the evening.

• Walk in animated feature on the projection marquee
• 16:9 Animated Holding slide
• Sponsors loop
• Opening package featuring their hotels and nominated accommodation staff
• All finalists packages
• All winners packages

Working in conjunction with Grand Hyatt Melbourne’s leading chef, we seamlessly incorporated a level theatre glamour onto the tables, with our Smokey Mirror cubes giving sparkle amongst a table bursting with potted herbs, which set the scene for the fresh and local menu for the evening.

A refined menu of share plates was presented to the tables for both entree and mains, allowing for interaction between guests and conversation about how good the dining experience actually was!

After the formal proceedings had concluded and many a glass of chardonnay consumed, guests made their way back to the PFA where they were treated with a creative array of desserts. Post sweet sensations, anyone who was up for cutting some shapes, or to socialise and network, made their way to the Grand Hyatt Residence space where Encore provided some stylish event lighting to accompany the DJ who was playing all the latest hits!

All in all guests experienced a truly enjoyable and encompassing night of sleek production, food, wine and entertainment.

From the client,

“I want to extend a big thank you to Encore for all your help and dedication on our TAA (Vic) Awards.

Your flexibility with last minute changes, and an ever changing event brief, all the video content – I know it was a lot to ask, and you really made the whole process so easy and flawless come the event night.

Thank you. We look forward to next year!”

Every year the Crows host a fundraising event in support of the Adelaide Crows Children’s Foundation. The event is one of the Club’s largest events of the year.

This year was a visual extravaganza with a croquet theme, a fun play-on-word on the Club’s name, the Adelaide Crows.  As the club’s official audio visual partner, Encore was thrilled to be delivering the event at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre for another year.

The brief was to design an elegant gala event with a croquet club, garden party theme for 1,000 guests. Here is what we delivered.

Crow-quet Garden Party theme for this yea’rs Adelaide Football Club Gala

The size and height of the venue made it possible to design and create an amazing ceiling installation which was created via two giant circular truss hung from the roof. An 8m circle of 50 Scenic Panels framed the installation and encased an inner 6m circle of beautiful foliage. Below this hung beautiful crystal balls which twinkled in the lights. The ceiling feature extended throughout the room with 600m of festoon lighting and 400m of bunting.

The stage comprised of three 16ft tall portrait style screens interspersed with 8 x 7m totem formation of up-lit Scenic Panels matching the ceiling installation and flanked by two giant screens at either side. The stage continued the croquet theme with white picket fencing, green grass carpeting and a lectern complete with croquet hammers and foliage.

Custom stage set designed using Scenic Panels and three, 16ft high screens.

The team delivered a complete event production solution, encompassing all audio, vision, lighting, staging, multimedia creation, styling and production management.

The event theme was brought to life as soon as guests arrived at the venue. An entrance feature and photo opportunity was created comprising light up letters spelling AFC. The area was encased with picket fencing and decorated with on-theme props including a grass carpet, croquet hammers and plants.

MC for the evening was Ryan Fitzgerald (Fitzy), players and past coaches accompanied him on stage and were supported by Nathan Casserly and Alex Ouwens from OC Real Estate as the Auctioneers. Entertainment for the night was provided by Brian Ruiz plus band.

MC for the evening was Ryan Fitzgerald (Fitzy).

Around the room were silent auction areas framed with additional festoon lighting and count-down screens.  A Toyota RAV 4 was the lucky door price for the evening and finalists were invited to come on stage for a croquet challenge, with the winner of the car generously donating the prize back to the charity.

The annual Crows Gala Auction is a hotly anticipated event for the Encore Adelaide team. The event gives us the opportunity to create truly immersive experiences and we love jumping through hoops to deliver something completely different each year and look forward to next year’s creative brief!

Client Testimonial

The Events team here at the Adelaide Football Club look forward to this Annual Event as much as Encore. We have an extremely strong working relationship with Encore which allows us to deliver events such as this. When we met with Encore the theme was decided and we discussed all elements of the event from styling, multimedia requirements and production.

With so many elements involved including a vehicle on stage, MC, a multitude of performers including a five piece band and two Auctioneers, it was smooth sailing from bump in to bump out. Encore handled last minutes run sheet changes during the event without a hitch.

The feedback from our guests and Executive has been overwhelming in relation to the entrance and the room. We believe this set the scene for the night and contributed to our overall result.

Seven waves of guests treated to an event spectacular in far North Queensland

Amway China returned to Australia for the sixth time with more than 6,000 guests for their annual 2019 Leadership Seminar, this time held in Cairns. Seven waves of guests attended the 4-day seminar and incentive program between 21 March – 15 April. Designed and organised by Encore Event Technologies, the business sessions and concluding Gala Program treated guests to a spectacular experience including a special blended reality sequence created using layered multimedia, holographics and choreographed robotics show with a live performer.

The ‘Rainforest to Reef’ themed Gala Program was a highlight for the destination incentive, allowing Encore to design four totally bespoke immersive experiences – Rainforest, Beach, Reef and River – using creative technical production. Each environment was themed using a gigantic 270-degree screen that wrapped around the inside of the venue, table-styling which incorporated lighting design, customised soundscapes and roaming performers. Within each of the four environments was a key performance sequence that brought it to life. 

The opening ‘Rainforest‘ environment concluded with a spectacular thunder and lightning performance by the edgy Million Volt Man – one of the most extreme live performances that involves stunts using a high-voltage Tesla coil. 

This then transitioned beautifully into the second environment ‘Beach‘ which included an artistic Fabric Ballet performance featuring 18 DMX controlled fans with beautifully choreographed dancing and costuming designed by the talented Katie Kermond. The third sequence ‘Reef‘ featured an entertaining game simulation of an underwater treasure hunt made possible using a range of AV techniques, collectively referred to as blended reality. The journey saw a live performer participate in the underwater adventure using layered multimedia with a holographic mesh screen, LEDs, and choreographed robotics show. 

A major highlight of the Gala was the performance in the ‘River‘ sequence – the final environment for the evening’s journey. The ‘Fish Medley’ act included a singing and dancing animated multimedia fish on computer controlled Robotic LED screens that moved with the music. Custom designed tropical reef inspired centrepieces decorated each table, each individually lit with both intelligent pin-spotting and wireless DMX battery powered lighting for every table. 

In addition, at the completion of the four performance segments, delegates were treated to an amazing high energy performance by The Voice China star Uni Yeh performing with a live band and a team of local dancers. Encore also supplied delegates with fun, luminous head dresses so they could feel part of the theming for the event.

“The guests were blown away by the 270-degree multimedia projection, holographic projection and synchronized robotics. The creative event design was matched with cutting-edge use of technology to create an amazing experience for guests,” said Encore’s Show Producer, Andrew MacColl.

Amway chose to enhance the attendee experience by selecting a new and unusual venue for the event and the newly constructed wing of the Australian Artillery and Armoury Museum (AAAM) was perfect for both the Gala Dinner and Business Sessions. The venue is the largest military vehicle museum on the southern hemisphere. The delegates were treated to a specially created Tank Show in the parklands behind the museum featuring some of the best of these rare and historical vehicles, including dramatic gun blasts and explosions created with pyrotechnics.

However, this unique venue presented major challenges as an event venue; it came without rated rigging points, three-phase power, guest Wi-Fi facilities nor air-conditioning.

“Working in such a unique venue had its challenges, but also many benefits in that it allowed our team the opportunity to maximise their creativity to bring to life a blank canvas. Special Event Director, John Schryver designed a truly unique and immersive experience which will undoubtedly be remembered long after the event. The team bought his design to life and delivered the series of events flawlessly,” said Mr MacColl.

Tony Chamberlain, Managing Director, Encore, said it was an honour to work with Amway China again especially in such an iconic and unique Australian location.

“The team have been engaged in meticulous planning for months after winning the bid to manage this event. On-site we managed 20 days of install and rehearsals. Then the team delivered both Business Sessions and the Gala Dinner for each of the seven waves.

“Our goal was to create an event that showcased the beauty of Far North Queensland while also demonstrating what is possible for a creative business event. Our talented team achieved all this and more, in a challenging venue. This event will go down in Encore history as one of the best,” said Mr Chamberlain.

Encore Event Technologies (Encore) served up an incredible holographic-like experience for some of Australia’s leading event industry professionals, at the “Love and Desire” themed Top Secret 2019 Dinner on Friday 22 March.

Hosted by the National Convention Centre Canberra (NCCC), as part of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), this dinner was part of a 3-day program run by the Canberra Convention Bureau (CCB).

The program consists of a series of individualised experiences for an exclusive group of national meeting planners. Showcasing business event product and services, the program allows Canberra’s events community to demonstrate the calibre of events in our nation’s capital.

The hero of the night was Encore’s expert use of a holographic mesh screen, highlighting the venue as a premium event space and showcasing the technology available when holding an event at the NCCC in conjunction with Encore.

Using the holographic mesh screen, Encore created animated content such as a hot air balloon that appear as though it was floating through the air.

Known for their innovation, Encore really broke the mould for the Top Secret 2019 Dinner bringing Stephen Wood, General Manager of the National Convention Centre Canberra into the room through a hologram. Guests were able to watch Mr Wood standing onstage, interviewing himself as if there were actually two of him.

The use of holographic mesh screens is usually only seen at big budget events such as Eurovision and the Grammys, or on television. However, Encore were able to demonstrate to event managers how this technology is possible at their events with the right team and the right venue.

Mr Wood commented, “We love working with Encore, they always manage to outdo themselves with their innovation and creativity, and this event was no exception.”

The theme for the 3 day familiarisation was “Love and Desire”, based on the current exhibition on display at the National Gallery of Australia.

On each table were large 2D Scenic Panels on custom frames, designed to look like garden lattices in the shape of hearts as a nod to pre-Raphaelite theme of the “Love and Desire” exhibition.

Directly above the tables were 20 LED Kinetic Lights, programmed to move with the music and change colour throughout the night, creating a truly spectacular lighting display.

Also taking inspiration from the “Love and Desire” theme was the night’s entertainment. During the event, two actors from the Shakespeare by the Lake performance rose up after being hidden as guests and began to perform some of the Bard’s most famous sonnets.

Continuing the surprises, instead of using one main screen, Encore set up four 60in televisions across one truss structure on the main stage. They displayed the animated logos of Encore, NCCC, CCB and IHG in front of scrolling panoramic shots of Canberra spread across the 4 screens as a single wide screen image, showcasing the beauty of the city.

“This was a truly sophisticated and memorable event. The National Convention Centre Canberra and guests were delighted with the outcome, and we can’t thank Encore enough,” said Mr Wood.  

VIP guests from China celebrated the Lunar New Year in style at Crown Melbourne on Friday 22 February. Encore created an atmosphere of opulence and splendour with their stunning table projection, multimedia, audio visual services and styling.

The highlight of the evening was the spectacular custom table projections that greeted guests as they entered the River Room and found their seats. The content projected onto each individual table was the perfect blend of Chinese tradition, opulence and technical innovation.

On each table, cranes flew around the circular table, fish swam between glasses and flowers grew from plates as the different animated looks circled each table and even individual plates. On top of the Lazy Susan, the menu for the night was projected in both English and Chinese, rotating, so all guests could read it.

Then as food arrived, Encore masked the projection on the Lazy Susan and plates, so the colour didn’t affect the look of the food while the areas surrounding each continued with projected with animation.

As well as the projection mapping, Encore created a beautiful light show adding excitement to the entertainment while enabling the projection show to shine.

Encore’s beautiful styling enhanced the theme. Red was chosen as the main colour as it symbolises luck, happiness and joy in Chinese culture. The team used varying shades of red in the lighting, stage set and table projections, while also laying red carpet to cover the entire floor and hanging red swagged drapes to create a seamless look.

Two large screens framed either side of the stage with a sign displaying a custom designed Year of the Pig insignia in the middle of the stage.

Also outlining the stage was an intricate stage set that was Laser cut to look like lattice in a traditional Chinese garden interwoven with cherry blossom branches.

During the night, guests were entertained by a high energy violinist, lion dancer, and magician. Each entertainment act had their own animated table projection to complement their performance – a sparkling display of glitter for the violinist, a small animated dragon for the lion dancer and the magician’s logo for his performance.

Watch Video
https://player.vimeo.com/video/333017113

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Held on Thursday 19 February, the Grand Hyatt Melbourne Living Grand Dinner brought the four elements to life in a unique sensory experience. Combining audio visual theatrics, custom lighting and creative styling, Encore Event Technologies (Encore), delivered a unique culinary and visual journey with multi-sensory stimulation.https://player.vimeo.com/video/329005042

48 VIPs were led down a dark tunnel into a dimly lit room, surrounded by black drapes with ambient music playing in the background. The room was sparse, with minimal styling and theming building intrigue as to what was to follow.

Once guests were seated, the journey began, completely immersing them in the sounds and visuals, complimenting the menu course by course.

The entree took guests underwater with sounds of the ocean filling the room and swimming fish flawlessly projection mapped onto the tables and drapes. Then when the sorbet was served, it was accompanied by images and sounds of ice breaking and shattering throughout the room.

The main course was themed fire and smoke. Diners were blindfolded before the sounds of burning wood and fire floated through the air. The Encore team then projection mapped fire onto the table while mains were served. Along with the sizzling of food on the grill, the room was filled with low fog slowly rising from the floor as the guests took off their blindfolds.

The final course was an ode to Willy Wonka with the room lighting up with the colours of liquorice Allsorts, a chocolate river flowing down the tables and the infamous theme song of the Oompah Loompas playing.  

For this night to be a success, the timing of the projection and audio had to be perfect.

Grand Hyatt Melbourne General Manger, Ilan Weill was thrilled with the work Encore produced.

“We of course appreciated your innovation and hard work to meet the deadlines and listen to us. However, the special thank you I would like to convey is for your partnership and amazing spirit working and having fun with us on what was a last-minute idea and turned out to be a fully produced wow type of night. Your patience, great attitude, talent and how you joined forces with us on the night was felt by everyone involved and we really appreciated working together as one team,” said Mr Weill.

“We are delighted to call you our partners – Thank you again!”

Encore Event Technologies (Encore) treated guests at the SKYCITY NYE Party 2018 to a showstopping, Las Vegas-themed audio visual spectacular at SKYCITY Convention Centre, Auckland.

The talented team at Encore were entrusted with the event, designed to enthral the most valuable of VIP’s on the biggest party night of the year – and they didn’t disappoint! Capturing the unique and glamorous atmosphere of a Las Vegas show, guests were transported to one of the world’s most famous districts with a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement.

Encore created the stunning aesthetic with bold and colourful lighting choices, innovative stage styling and carefully crafted audio to support the entertainment that immersed the audience in the Las Vegas theme.

The hero of the night was Encore’s lighting solutions. With over 100 LX Fixtures around the room and moving LX fixtures attached to truss droppers and totems on the stage, Encore turned the back wall into a lighting backdrop.  

To keep guests entertained, the stage was framed on either side by two 20ft screens and two 16ft screens, all displaying multimedia content created by Encore. This custom content was projected onto the screens using four 7K laser projectors and a Barco S3.

Guests danced the night away with back-to-back entertainment such as illusionists, dancers, singers and an 8-piece band. During these acts, the lighting became part of the show, working seamlessly into the performances on stage.

SKYCITY were once again thrilled with Encore’s work and the creativity and efficiency they demonstrated in producing an unforgettable night. Encore have been creating mesmerising events at SKYCITY for 15 years, managing to outdo themselves each time. 

Encore Event Technologies partnered with Crown Melbourne to deliver an immersive New Year’s Eve celebration inspired by American TV comedy series, The Love Boat.

Keen to turn the theme into a unique experience for guests, Encore was responsible for the audio visual production, lighting and styling elements for this fun, themed celebration to ‘Set sail for 2019’.

The New Year‘s event boasted an impressive customised stage, built by Encore, of a giant cruise ship with chaser lighting portholes. A large 3D ‘HMAS Crown’ was projected onto with Edison bulbs, while custom built waves created movement and enhanced the nautical theme.

Upon arrival guests prepared to embark while surrounded by 1960’s seafaring themed signage and accessories. As guests entered the Palladium, a striking 47 metre ceiling installation made of bunting created the entrance onto the ‘HMAS Crown’.  

The hero on the main stage was an impressive 18 metre LED screen, coupled with two 9 metre screens on either side. 6 additional screens were strategically placed around the room that used multimedia for a dramatic effect.

Beautifully styled centrepieces made of sparkling anchors, sailor hats and leis decorated each table, plus custom-made wave gobos lights continued the oceanic motif and reflected in the sequin shimmering linen.

Encore used beam lighting to create a nautical search light effect from the stage, and multi-prism gobos in a ripple design projected onto the drapes to transport guests below the sea.

An aquatic dance troop kicked off the festivities, with the Captain welcoming all guests onboard. The entertainment continued with dazzling aerial performers, band and DJ performances throughout the night.

An animated countdown commenced before midnight then 12 confetti cannons blasted into the air to celebrate the New Year while guests cheered.

The event was a great success and showcased Encore’s ability to provide a truly memorable evening.