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Island life at One&Only Hayman Island

Lissa Thomson, Event Stylist at One&Only Hayman Island moved to the island four months ago to take up her role with AVPartners. She reflects on what makes island life so incredible.

“When I came to One&Only Hayman Island I had no expectations at all and it has been the most unbelievable experience.”

“Living remotely can be a challenge! You work with the same people, eat meals with the same people and socialise with the same people…There is no escaping when you have a bad day or just need some down time. But those same people are also there to share a drink with at the end of the day or vent to… It is a real community full of wonderful people and amazing surroundings.”

“When it is busy you also get so caught up in the madness that you forget to appreciate where we live! I have constructed a wedding arch in the water, watched turtles swim by while setting up ceremony chairs and have been blown away by the thousands of butterflies that have currently taken over the island.. it truly is amazing!”

Can you teach an old dog new tricks?

Rick Keane, Partner at One&Only Hayman Island with AVPartners, used to work on the island back in 2002. Rick reflects on the differences in AV then and now, and his experience of “teaching an old dog new tricks.”

“Back in 2002, the gear we used was a little different from today. Back then you had to do your maths, making sure that you didn’t have too much on the one circuit. Putting Par 56s out in the garden to highlight trees and waterfalls meant lots of cables too.”

“Now we use LEDs and rechargeable battery lights which are brilliant and can be controlled via wireless DMX. Charge them up overnight for a 5 hour dinner on the beach with no cables and no worries about finding a powerpoint.”

“I love the new advancements in lighting which mean less power usage and more control. Even I can program all the different colour schemes.”

“My junior tech is teaching me about the changes in screen projections such as the shift from 4:3 to 16:9. When I likened this to Beta vs VHS he looked confused and thought I’d had a stroke!”

Keynote vs. Prezi vs. Powerpoint – Which presentation software works best?

Face it. You may be a fascinating presenter, but you will still most likely need slides to support your presentation. Rich content such as images, videos and charts are now the rule.

Ensuring your slides are engaging and accessible are the big challenges. We have all watched the audience nod off at the first slide or cringed at amateur efforts such as tacky slide animations.

Worst of all is when the presentation won’t load and you suddenly forget everything you have ever known about the topic on which you are, reputedly, an expert. Death by slide is a real danger on either side of the podium.

Can you preserve yourself and your audience from the twin evils of tedium or technology malfunction? The answer, as with all things, is that it depends. Your choice of platform such as PowerPoint, Keynote or Prezi can make the difference.  Here’s how the three tools stack up.

PowerPoint

Powerpoint is the most commonly-used tool. It is reliable in the sense that PowerPoint is likely to work with any equipment you may be offered. However, Powerpoint hasn’t been updated in a long time. The standard slide templates can be painfully boring. Presenters need to put extra care into creating polished and professional-looking slides.

Keynote

Keynote is a Apple product, even older than PowerPoint. It is relatively easy to learn for PowerPoint users and has some advanced features that add flexibility. If the lecture room offers only a Windows machine with an older version of PowerPoint, you may then be faced with the daunting and uncertain task of converting the presentation to PowerPoint or exporting it to PDF. If you know you have a Mac available, however, it may be the best choice.

Prezi

In an alternative approach, Prezi is web-hosted and built on an infinite–canvas platform. It offers some interesting potential for collaboration and the exploration of how ideas relate in a non-linear format. Prezi is accessed via the internet and hence you must have an internet connection in your presentation space.

So, how can you make the most out of your presentation?  PowerPoint is not the only choice. The best solution is to work closely with your AV rep to get advice on which tool will work best in the space to give your presentation the dazzle it deserves.

How much definition do I actually need?

Standard Definition (SD), High Definition (HD), Full High Definition (FHD) and Ultra High definition (UHD) refer to the clarity or resolution of a moving image via a television, display device or monitor. Definition is measured as width x height in pixels.

When holding an event, definition is an important consideration to ensure a good quality viewer experience. But how much definition do you need? Let’s look at the options.

SD

Standard Definition refers to the image resolution of most older televisions and DVDs which are usually 720×576 or 720×480.

HD or FHD

High Definition refers to the image resolution of newer televisions, HDTV and Blu-Ray. There are three major formats of HD – 720p (1280×720), 1080i (1920×1080) and 1080p (1920×1080). 1080i and 1080p are often marketed as FHD to highlight the improved clarity over 720p.

UHD

Ultra high definition refers to the image resolution of the very latest higher definition screens and is usually 4K (3840×2160) and 8K (7680×4320).

So which should you choose? One consideration is the quality of the input which can limit your options. If, for example, you are transmitting SD video, using a FHD television or screen isn’t going to improve upon the clarity.

Other things to keep in mind include how many screens you’ll have at your event and how far away from the screens your audiences will be. Speak to your AV provider to get expert advice on what will work best for your event.

This article originally appeared at Business Events News.

Media release: AVPartners promotes Ben Davis to Technical Director at Crown Perth

Leading audiovisual service provider AVPartners has promoted Ben Davis to Technical Director at Crown Perth. He joins a highly skilled team, alongside fellow Technical Director Joe Reichle at the premium MICE destination.

The role will see Mr Davis and Mr Reichle jointly provide technical production for conferences and events at Crown Perth.

Mr Davis commenced his career in the audiovisual industry ten years ago. Commencing as an audiovisual technician with AVPartners at Crown Perth, he quickly progressed through the ranks.

The promotion follows Mr Davis being voted AV Technician of the Year in 2014 by his peers.

Commenting on the role, Mr Davis said, “I love having the opportunity to stage some of Australia’s best events at Crown Perth. Each day is challenging and exciting.”

AVPartners Crown Perth Partner, Matthew Taylor said, “Ben is a fantastic addition to our Technical Direction team. His creativity, drive and skill make him a huge asset.”

AVPartners was awarded the Crown Perth contract in 2014.

About AVPartners

AVPartners is a leading provider of tailored and integrated event audiovisual services including technical production, audio, visual, lighting, event design and event styling.

AVPartners creates integrated event experiences through combining state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, unrivalled expertise and a highly-tailored approach.

www.avpartners.com

 

Media release: AVPartners appoints Jarum Rolfe as Partner at RACV Royal Pines Resort

AVPartners has appointed Jarum Rolfe as Managing Partner at RACV Royal Pines Resort. The leading audiovisual services provider was awarded the contract at the luxury Gold Coast venue earlier this year.

Mr Rolfe has worked in the audiovisual industry in Queensland for over a decade. His career has included stints as Managing Partner at Sofitel Gold Coast and Hamilton Island. His passion for audiovisual was sparked back in high school during his time in the school’s band and it remains as strong as ever.

Commenting on the role, Mr Rolfe said, “RACV Royal Pines Resort is the next big thing for events on the coast of Queensland. I’m excited by the opportunity to help deliver some truly extraordinary events and provide a one-of-a-kind service at the resort.”

About AVPartners

AVPartners is a leading provider of tailored and integrated event audiovisual services including technical production, audio, visual, lighting, event design and event styling.

AVPartners creates integrated event experiences through combining state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, unrivalled expertise and a highly-tailored approach

www.avpartners.com

 

How to take your event to the next level with a set piece

Looking to create a real ‘wow moment’ at your next event? Incorporating a unique set piece can make a real difference.

A set piece is a backdrop added to a stage for a production or event. It can vary from a simple branded backdrop right through to sophisticated projection mapping. The only limit is your imagination.

Set pieces help make conferences and events truly memorable. People are unlikely to remember one conference from the next if they all feature the same plain black drapes and two screens. However, they will remember a conference if it looks and feels genuinely different from those they have attended before.

A set piece can also help with a quick room turn around depending on the venue. For example, a band can be pre-set behind a set piece. Set pieces allow for a visual transformation sure to impress event delegates and make for easier and more impactful transitions between event elements.

Speak to your event staging and AV provider for advice on how to maximise set pieces for your event.

This article originally appeared at Business Events News.

AVPartners launches cutting-edge events app

AVPartners has launched an innovative events app set to revolutionise the Australian conferencing landscape.

The AVPartners event app combines social media tools, gamification, surveys, and live polls with up-to-date, user-friendly event information; ensuring events are accessible and relevant for the modern event delegate.

Delegates can post updates, tag their location, like posts, comment on each other’s posts and send private messages all from within the app. The app also integrates with Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter and the event’s hashtag is automatically added to outbound tweets.

Designed as an interactive conference guide, the AVPartners app allows delegates to access up-to-date event documentation such as programs and flyers, videos, maps and local weather as well as speaker, attendee and exhibitor information.

Founding Partner Gary Hackett said “At AVPartners our focus is on enhancing event experiences.”

“An event app was a logical next step as it combines what we do best – the smart use of technology, responsive customer service and ingenuity.”

The app transfers crucial event information traditionally delivered as hard copy documentation or through in-person announcements online. Event organisers can easily update event information at any time without the hassle and cost of printing. They can also send targeted push notifications to attendees giving event organisers a direct line to delegates.

Delegates can leave reviews on sessions, speakers, venues and exhibitors; making it easy for delegates to have their say and conference organisers to collect feedback.

Event sponsors can also gain further visibility with delegates through branded content and advertising within the app.

The app includes an analytics function which allows event organisers to comprehensively report on active users, attendee interactions in the app and reviews.

The AVPartners app accommodates all smart phones and is accessible across iOS, Android and HTML5.

Marcos Morales as Partner at the Swissotel Sydney – AVPartners

Marcos Morales has been appointed as the audiovisual venue partner at Swissotel Sydney. The role will see him manage technical production, audio, visual, lighting, event design and event styling at the venue.

Marcos has extensive experience in the hotel services industry delivering audiovisual services. Mr Morales worked for the Audiovisual Services Corporation in the USA and Canada for 9 years. Starting out as a technician, he progressed to the role of Assistant Director of Audiovisual Services and Technical Training Manager.

Most recently Mr Morales led the technical team at the Four Seasons Sydney for over a year.

Marcos said “I look forward to exploring creative solutions and providing fresh new ideas in audiovisual services to Swissotel Sydney.”

Ryan Angus

Ryan loves the excitement of the events industry and thrives on creating lasting impressions for both clients and their guests. One memorable show that will be hard to beat was the unveiling of Qatar Airlines recently at Crown Perth. Ryan had to ‘follow spot’ Jessica Mauboy and Stan Walker as they entertained the crowd but just being part of the show was a thrilling experience!

Whilst Ryan is occasionally seconded to various venues around Perth, his home away from home is The Esplanade Hotel Fremantle – by Rydges. He thoroughly enjoys the Fremantle vibe, best known for its ‘Cappuccino Strip’, fabulous cafes and markets and has made many friends along the way. Ryan’s role at the hotel is Operations Co-ordinator and whilst this is a busy position, he wouldn’t want it any other way.

Growing up in the southern suburbs of Perth, Ryan was always gathering his friends together and spending time at the park or playing video games. Following high school, he studied at Perth’s Central Tafe and graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Screen (Post Production). Now many years later, he enjoys making short comedy videos for families and friends or just taking his camera out and capturing good times.

Ryan is soaking in all he has learnt during his time at AVPartners and is looking forward to creating many more exciting events over the coming years.