We’ve worked with Stuart Deans and the team at Platinum Events for over 20 years.
We call them AV-fcionados of tech at events! Not only are they on hand to help with client events, they bring us insight and innovation when we update our event spaces and event offerings. Stuart shares his insights:
We recognise that about 30% of our clients are looking to invest more in hybrid events
For some years we’ve helped clients put their events online, we’ve seen half in-person and half online; hybrid is a format that’s been around for a while now.
Hybrid brings down barriers, can draw a bigger audience reach, can help attract keynote speakers from a global pool and above all can have a big impact on sustainability as it eliminates the demands on travel from delegates in various regions and countries. Hybrid events give greater ‘event formatics’; how long has the online audience viewed, what topics gained most views and which speakers were the biggest hits.
The convenience of hybrid is also an important factor here. Being able to present from home or an offce is hugely convenient and it’s also pretty easy to set up with new technology and networks and the right equipment invested in. Equally, everyone is much more comfortable with hybrid technology now having used it so much more extensively during lockdown and since.
Corporates have always invested in their stage and sets and as they will often now also stream them they will continue to do so. A greater audience means there’s even more reason to ensure that branding and sponsors appear in the aperture of a computer screen and mobile device. These sponsorships also drive revenue or reinforce business relationships and are an important part of today’s events and event planning.
We recognise that about 30% of our clients are looking to invest more in hybrid events in the next two years which only proves the importance of this event format.
It’s also led us to advise Exclusive on how to future proof their event spaces. For example, at Pennyhill Park, where many of the meeting and event rooms have been refurbished in the last few months we’ve helped them to spec and install new tech for tomorrow’s meetings. We recognise that every event is different and of course there’s bespoke AV and tech, but for smaller events everything is not in situ and available at the switch of a button!
It seems there’s virtually no going back– is hybrid here to stay?
The acceptance and frequency of the term ‘hybrid’ has changed dramatically. And like so many areas of the workplace, it’s the how and why we do things that has adapted and brought about new terminology.
Q.
ESG is an absolute for clients and it means we must be able to demonstrate our impact way beyond solely sustainability. We need to highlight our impact on our people, the environment and our broader premise as a conscientious business.
Clients dictate the format of their events – be that in person, hybrid or virtual –and it’s up to Platinum Productions to highlight what we’re doing in terms of ESG. For example:
• with Exclusive we’ve invested in permanent onsite equipment which of course helps reduce delivery and transport.
• we’re also considering our wider supply chain. When we need to replace equipment we make conscientious decisions by sourcing equipment from like-minded partners; from the printers and inks we use to LED lights that are more energyeffcient, durable and have lower heat output. There’s a lot of new AV and tech that is more sustainable and we focus on investing in this.
• we’ve adopted the reuse, repair, refurbish, recycle mantra and when appropriate we donate any obsolete items to local schools, charities or institutions.
• we take our team’s welfare seriously too and when we require additional crew we will source from the local talent pool.
Working with Exclusive Collection means that all the power we require for an event comes from 100% renewable electricity. Just like Exclusive we recognise that every small action and initiative leads to a bigger, better outcome.
Q.With ESG on the corporate agenda, how are you adapting to and demonstrating sustainability?
Events are being used to bring people together to network and engage, and we look at what AV, tech and tools can be used to heighten collaborations.
Hybrid and virtual offers organisers an insurance against their events being cancelled. These formats can increase reach and attendance which can lead to bigger sponsorship opportunities. What we’re seeing is event content re-used in digitised and soundbite formats and used across various platforms. However, there is a shelf life to this content.
As in person events are being hosted to encourage interaction and engagement we’re seeing the drive for conversation and collaboration and a move towards less tech overcomplication. Face to face is getting increasingly analogue as we celebrate chatter, debate and engaging with each other. We’re even seeing flip charts back as people work together in teams and trust is rebuilt in person.
For clients who go hybrid or virtual, we are seeing real-time transcription services, online whiteboards, polls, quizzes and avatars as organisers try and replicate the power and presence of in person events.
That said nothing replicates the power of a real-time handshake and the trust that face to face interaction brings.
What’s next for events and event tech?
We’re aware that diversity, equity and inclusion, mental health and wellbeing and tech and AI are 2023 / 24’s hot topics for keynotes.
From our perspective - as a production companywhether the conference and event sector will see AI used for a keynote session remains to be seen. Will corporate CEO’s and keynotes have digital twins to speed up their internal and external communications?
It’s both an opportunity and big consideration for organisers and without doubt the start of a new conversation for the event sector!
Stuart Deans, Platinum Productions
01344 860574
stuart@platinumproductionsuk.com
www.platinumproductionsuk.com
