Have you ever walked into an event expecting to be “wowed” and left wanting more? Chances are the majority of us have experienced (or planned) an event that lacks flair and depends solely on the features of the venue.

The good news is that any ballroom can be transformed quickly and easily. The even better news is that there are solutions that can be implemented without breaking the budget. Themes, set pieces and minor lighting upgrades can be designed using a client’s branding, images and colors to enhance the depth, dimension and ambiance of the meeting, as well as create brand recognition. With some creative thinking, you can transform your set design from boring to exciting with minimal investment

Up-Lighting

Simple and effective. LED lights can be dialed in to almost any branding scheme (no grayscale or brown) to create depth and dimension against almost any surface. While flat surfaces (drape, walls, fabric) benefit the most from up-lighting, unique venue features, truss and the items mentioned below can also incorporate up-lighting to great effect. This is also an inexpensive upgrade that will dramatically improve the look of any video recording.

Intelligent / Ambient Lighting

Much like the awards shows you see on TV, lights moving around the room in sync with music can create a celebratory environment. Intelligent and ambient lighting can reflect the mood of the event and increase the excitement level with your attendees. These lights can also be programmed for specific movements, and incorporate patterns and images to make the room and your branding feel more immersive.

Gobos

Gobos are a custom lighting display that projects an image onto a surface. Company logos, branding images or text can be created to enhance brand recognition. Gobos can be created in black & white, or full color. Black & white gobos are an excellent option for thrifty branding upgrades.

Furniture

Creating a “talk-show” or “fireside chat” scene on-stage can completely change the dynamic of a session and help engage your attendees.  Leather chairs, coffee and cocktail tables, and white leather couches are all great options to enhance the stage design and elevate the attendee experience by making them feel like they are part of the conversation.

Upgraded Podiums

Much of the meetings’ focus is placed on the presenter, so why not have the podium be something a little more exciting? Clear Lucite helps a presenter be closer to the audience. Acrylic white or ScyTower podiums allow for a surface to be lit with LEDs, or you can use an LCD podium to digitally display custom logos and messages.

Lightboxes

One of the newer trends in set design are Lightboxes, which are custom illuminated graphics hung on a thin aluminum frame and can be used in a number of ways to enhance your set design and branding scheme of the meeting. These can be placed center stage, or used in multiples offset to either side of the stage to highlight a specific product, achievement, anniversary, or graphic of your choice.

Decorative Truss Towers

Plain truss onstage may serve a purpose of supporting other set elements, but it can look industrial. By dressing the truss with white spandex “socks” and lighting them with LED lights from inside, you can create colorful displays out of a regular support beam. If industrial fits the theme of your meeting, plain truss with up-lights can also achieve a special effect.

Modular / Fabric Stage Sets

Pre-designed and modular stage sets allow for easy setup and dramatic effect to improve the overall look of a stage. They can be used in conjunction with the event theme and help create stage depth and dimension. Acrylic panels, modular cubes, “monolith” displays and non-linear “sharkfins” or “leaves” are just a few of the elements that can be lit in any color, or be used as a display surface. Stretched spandex between truss is also a tried and true alternative, and is very budget-friendly.

For examples of all of the options listed above, check out the IMS Scenic Design Portal which allows you to search for custom designs based on the size of your meeting.

Article written by Jonathan Little, IMS National Account Manager 

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