Although you may not have control over the actual content in the presentation (if you have external keynote speakers, or senior management-level speakers creating their own), you can certainly make sure the surface on which the content is displayed is creative and engaging, which will ultimately enhance your delegates’ experience.

There are many options for conference screen set-ups and stage designs: one of which incorporates a wide-screen within the event stage design. This format is a particular favourite of ours and the focus of this article.

Put simply, this is a huge screen – as you may have expected! – and is flexible to fit any venue (ceiling heights/internal architecture restrictions) and suit any conference stage design as they are more often than not custom-made to requirement. We have put wide-screens in the smallest of venues, in between venue columns which somehow add to the overall stage look as we intentionally include them as part of the design!

Using a wide-screen opens up a world of possibilities for you to display video, various presentation formats (keynote, PowerPoint etc.), live camera footage and event graphics as the screen can be ‘split-up’ into various elements all running together side-by-side. For instance, our graphics team can create the template background slide, complete with subtle animations based on the event branding (colours, logos, graphics etc.), onto which boxes will be programmed to show the key content (or ‘Picture in Picture’ boxes). These can be used for live camera close ups of the keynote speaker at the lectern, wide shots of panel members, PowerPoint/Keynote presentations and video.

As the screen is, literally, wide, the information isn’t crammed onto the surface making it illegible, rather it is displayed in a flowing way so the delegates’ eyes have a visual feast of information creating a fantastic impression and an engaging event.

Andy Arneil, Technical Producer said, “For us, wide-screens are the most powerful way for our clients to ensure key conference messages are displayed with maximum impact. For delegates to engage with the presentation content and the keynote speakers via live camera at the same time stimulates their minds and creates a very dynamic conference. Information is absorbed easily and clients’ find that the best delegate feedback is often from events with these such set-ups.”

Not only a must for conference production, we are using the wide-screen format more and more for awards ceremonies for maximum finalist exposure. Contact us today for details on how we can enhance your event: projects@visionevents.co.uk

We had hoped to support Sir Chris Hoy in the Velodrome, which is aptly named after him, during the Commonwealth Games next year in Glasgow, however, it was not to be. You wouldn’t expect anything else from this gentle giant as he bows out to let others experience the glory.

Saying at his press conference today; “Nothing would give me more pleasure than going to Glasgow, but I don’t want to be there for the numbers. Now it’s time for younger riders to experience what it is like to compete in front of a home crowd. I will be there to open it and soak up the experience.”

Throughout his career, the 37 year old has 11 world titles, six Olympic golds and the mantel of being the most successful Olympic cyclist in history. Not bad for a lad from Edinburgh!

Our role today was one of support, as we provided the PA system for the big announcement along with staging and a backdrop. visionevents were fortunate enough to help celebrate his achievements from London 2012 along with his fellow Olympians at the Gala Dinner which the Scottish Government held in Glasgow last year.

Finishing off, he commented; “It is a hard time – it is one moment at the end of your career when you say ‘enough is enough’. It’s a decision that I didn’t take lightly and I thought about it very hard. In sport at the highest level you are dealing in the smallest margins and you can tell when you are good but not good enough.”

His mammoth input into British Cycling will be missed, however, we wish him well with all his interests and his commitments to being an ambassador for many forthcoming events such as the Commonwealth Games and the Glasgow 2018 Youth Olympic Bid.

For audio-visual support for any press launch you may have, please contact us projects@visionevents.co.uk

One recent opportunity has been via AquAid, as through our contract in having water coolers, we have been donating monthly to The Africa Trust. In doing so, these donations have been used to build fresh drinking water wells in areas in Africa where it is needed most, like in schools and villages.

We are proud to announce that visionevents (Vision Events (UK) Ltd) will be installing an ‘Elephant Pump’ in Zimbabwe. This is a modified version of an age old Chinese rope pulley system and is built by the people of the area who are then taught how it works and how to repair it using local materials and parts. This is essential to ensure clean and safe water is part of their daily lives.

As a company, Africa is very close to our hearts as we have a number of team members who were brought up in South Africa (Debbie Wright, Logistics Manager; Karen Lonie, Event Administrator and Brandon Wheller, Event Production Technician), as well as our long suffering Operations Director, Ali Robertson, who was born and bred in Cameroon, West Africa!

We hope through various activities such as supporting The Africa Trust and projects like The Elephant Pump, we can bring opportunity and hope to people by helping to break the cycle of poverty.

We fully support this initiative and are incredibly proud to be involved and have our company name on one of these much needed pumps. We will update our visionews with more photos once the pump is in place and in full working order!

For further details, please visit www.aquaidwatercoolers.co.uk who along with their sister company, Perfect Printer Cartridges, together have donated to date over £6 million to charity www.perfectprintercartridges.co.uk.

For further details on visionevents’ CSR policy or other policies, please get in touch with us: projects@visionevents.co.uk

Full details:
Reporting to: visionevents Operations Manager
Hours of Work: – basic 40 hour week, Monday to Friday

To provide effective, accurate and timely processing of hire enquiries, quotations and orders for clients. To continually market the company to current and new clients. Provide support to the rest of the Team as the need arises ensuring business office hours are covered.

Main duties
- Provide Reception cover and answer the telephone, directing calls were necessary.
- Manage Boardroom dairies and ensure they are kept clean and tidy
- Process all hires regardless of origin and enter all information onto the in-house system
- Prepare and issue quotations
- Follow up all enquiries/quotes on a daily basis
- Check availability and book equipment for hires
- Source equipment, when required and process purchase orders
- Update and print delivery notes
- Check hire paperwork on completion of jobs
- Maintain Office stationery and supplies
- Continually market the Company by liaising with clients
- Ensure the client database and hire system is updated as necessary
- Action, and resolve, any issues that arise during the hire process
- Complete all filing in relation to the role eg hire enquiries, cancellations etc

Personal Specification
- Strong communication skills; able to liaise at all levels
- Knowledge of the Events Industry
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
- Have the ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team
- Be able to work under pressure, plan and prioritise your workload in order to meet deadlines.

Salary: up to £18,000 plus overtime.

30 days holiday
Pension Scheme
Private Healthcare Plan

Full details:
Reporting to: visionevents‘ Manchester Project Manager
Hours of Work: Basic 45 hour week, shift pattern

To deliver, rig, operate and de-rig audio-visual equipment for clients in a timely and professional manner. To deliver a high quality service, provide logistic and technical support to clients within the Conference and Events Industry.

Main duties
-Look out, test and load audio visual i.e. audio, data, video + lighting equipment, into to vehicles
-Transport and deliver equipment into job location
-Rig, operate and de-rig equipment for all events, ensuring the job location is left clean + tidy
-Carry out basic equipment and cable maintenance to ensure all equipment is functioning properly
-Assist with the inspection and cleaning of equipment to ensure it is maintained in safe working order
-When required, meet with clients to discuss their forthcoming requirements and give technical advice

Requirements to carry out job
-Multi-disciplined in technical equipment i.e. 3 phase power, rigging, audio, data, video and lighting
-Good working knowledge of Event Production and Presentations within the Conference & Events Industry
-Full UK driving licence

Salary: up to £18,000 plus overtime calculated at time and a half or double time if between 23:00hrs and 07:00hrs.

Uniform provided
30 days holiday
Pension Scheme
Private Healthcare Plan

Many companies also will want to take advantage of all these events in Scotland, perhaps even setting up local satellite offices during these periods, however, we are very keen to show that although we are a UK-wide company, we were born and bred in Scotland and have that all important local knowledge.

Not only that, our HQ is in Edinburgh and, with a long established Glasgow branch headed by Malky Todd, we can respond very quickly to a multitude of requirements – however short notice! We have the infrastructure in place to be able to hit the ground running when the events come to town. With our vast stock of equipment and our very talented and highly experienced team, we are one of Scotland’s most solid event service providers.

As part of our policy to constantly invest in our team and huge stock of event equipment, we have invested a total of over £2 million in this area during the past 5 years. This covers new Plasma screens, Stealth LED display walls, high definition cameras to name a few, as well as the less glamorous cables, show control machines and increased warehouse space. We have further plans for investment during 2013 to ensure all our clients benefit from us having the very best and up to date equipment.

Producing in the region of 3,000 events a year (ranging from very small to international in scale), we know what it takes to put on an event, what production skills are required and most importantly, what audio visual requirements are best suited to the chosen venues and audience size.

We are excited about the forthcoming years for Scotland and have already supported many key events and projects including; Homecoming 2014 launch, the bid for Glasgow 2018 Youth Olympics, the Tartan launch, promotional events for the Queen’s Baton Relay as well as projects during the 2012 Olympics including audio visual support at Scotland House and the celebrations for the Olympian Parade on their return to Glasgow.

Malky Todd, Project Manager and head of visionevents Glasgow branch says;

‘This is a very exciting time for Scotland and we are looking forward to being able to assist with many projects as a local event production and audio visual supplier. Our team have the infrastructure in place and the experience to be able to deliver events which are being watched by the world. We are proud of our roots as a Scottish born company and although we are now UK-wide, it is local knowledge and experience which will be key to these events.’

If you have any requirement during this period – be it a gala dinner, sports presentation or press launch, get in touch with our team today at projects@visionevents.co.uk or glasgow@visionevents.co.uk

The events include battle re-enactments, Findhorn Bay Arts Festival, a festival to celebrate the life of John Muir, the 50th anniversary of the Forth Road Bridge and high profile events to herald the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games coming to Scotland.

visionevents were at the head of a highly competitive tendering process to produce the launch event for Homecoming Scotland 2014. This coincides with other events which visionevents have been chosen to produce for the Ryder Cup, Commonwealth Games and other VisitScotland/Event Scotland initiatives.

The visionevents team were responsible for creating the backdrop for the launch event as well as providing all Audio Visual equipment and production support during the live event. Operations
Director, Ali Robertson said:

‘visionevents are delighted to produce such a high profile event. The stage set looked fantastic in the ballroom and was the perfect platform for the First Minister. When the eyes of the nations press are on your event, it’s important to make sure each aspect of the event production is perfect. As we own and maintain all our own equipment in-house, it gives you piece of mind that each and every event will be perfect.’

The Homecoming 2014 launch comes of the back of visionevents producing the Scotland Prepares conference which was the first event at the new Emirates Area and continues visionevents’ reputation as the industry leading event production company in Scotland.

visionevents are already planning for 2014, which promises to be one of our most exciting years yet. Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister said:

‘We are already preparing to stage two of the largest sporting events on the planet during 2014 and with the packed programme of events being announced today – and many more in the pipeline – there really couldn’t be a better time to plan a trip to Scotland.

This announcement is a testament to the strength of the events industry in Scotland and the UK as a whole. As visionevents have offices throughout the UK, also with a recent expansion into Bristol, there could not be a better time to have visionevents organise your next event.

If you are planning a conference, or any event, make sure you get in touch with us at projects@visionevents.co.uk

We are delighted to announce that Lewis Stocks has joined our Event Production team as an Event Producer. Lewis comes from an events/conference background, and after having spent a year working down under, he is back and ready to get started on a new visionevents project.

Lewis joining the team signals the launch of visionevents Bristol. That’s right, our second piece of news is that visionevents is expanding into Bristol. It was an obvious choice for us to further strengthen their presence in the Southern belt after opening our London office back in 2009. Our Operations Director Ali Robertson said:

‘We are doing more conference production than ever before and with some of our major long term clients being based in the Southern belt, it made sense for us to expand into what is an already exciting city for business and events.’

When we started to look for people to join the team and take on the task of launching our Bristol office, Lewis stood out as the perfect candidate. He already had great contacts in the area with some of our key clients from his previous roles in the industry.

Chris Montgomery, Managing Director, said this was important when picking the right candidate to start our Bristol office: ‘Lewis came highly recommended from our clients in the area who already knew him. That’s really important so he can hit the ground running, contribute to projects we have in the area and get the office off to a flying start.’

It’s an exciting time for visionevents, so make sure you keep your eyes posted to visionews for more information about our Bristol office, and if you would like to contact Lewis about any events in the area, feel free to get in touch: bristol@visionevents.co.uk or 07789 648 117.