Tag Archive: Great Hall

1. BLOG: THE IMPORTANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN VENUES

   29 May 2018 11:32 Leave a Comment

   Good technical infrastructure is key to the successful running of any event space. Unlike a lot of new buildings where infrastructure is installed prior to the building opening, Central Hall Westminster has had to constantly update the technology used within its spaces, having been built over a century ago.  Following our appointment as Production Service Partner, WL has overseen a complete AV installation in Central Hall Westminster, providing a technical infrastructure that allows clients to get the most out of the building’s historic spaces.

   Following our AV installation, the various spaces now contain:

    

    

   Great Hall

   Hanging points with LTM LoadGuard Motors that are hidden within the domed roof and controlled from the auditorium. This means equipment does not need to be carried to the ceiling in order to be rigged from the roof. Pre-fabricated lighting bars that join to the main grid allowing clients to have the option of a dynamic lighting package along with a full complement of stage and room lighting. State of the art projectors which can be used as an effective branding method or for use with client logos. There is also a custom-made floating 20ft screen which can be viewed perfectly from any angle. A PA system specially designed for the space which has a variety of options depending on the room’s capacity.

   Lecture Hall/Library

   A four speaker PA system permanently installed in each room with amps, mixing desk and a handheld mic. A 10ft perspex screen (in the Lecture Hall) that suspends from the ceiling, combined with a 5K projector for any conferences or branding that may be needed.

   George Thomas, Robert Perks, Donald English and William Sangster

   A Crestron based user system which controls all of the technical elements and means that no technician is required throughout an event; thus saving costs for the client. A drop down screen and state-of-the-art projector for video along with a lectern with mic and permanently-installed amplifier.

   Aldersgate

   The Aldersgate Room holds up to 250 people and its distinctive décor is made up of both modern and period features. WL installed 2x 80” screens located at the front of the room with 2x 55” located half way across the side; both allowing for maximum viewing. The room is Crestron video integrated and controlled via a HD Base-T. This room has four permanently installed speakers driven via a mixing desk located at the back of the room and linked in with a Rio 16 provides the room with much flexibility depending on the requirements of an event.

   Conclusion

   Jonjo Glynn WL’s Venue Services Director explains: “In recent years, clients have come to expect more from a venue so having state-of-the-art equipment installed in-house has gone from being a nice option to an absolute necessity. Establishing a solid infrastructure not only allows events within a venue’s spaces to achieve their potential but significantly reduces client costs as you are limiting the need to bring in additional services. Thankfully, Central Hall Westminster has this in place, meaning that any client who uses the venue can be completely confident that their event will achieve its potential”.

2. White Light Supplies Westminster Counterterrorism Conference

   12 December 2017 09:11 Comments Off on White Light Supplies Westminster Counterterrorism Conference

   The Westminster Counterterrorism Conference is a major international conference which examines international counterterrorism challenges along with offering opportunities for cooperation. This was the first time the Conference had taken place and was held at the prestigious Banqueting House, Whitehall. As a cross-palace approved supplier to Historic Royal Palaces, White Light was approached to provide the complete technical solutions.

   The Westminster Counterterrorism Conference took place on 23^rd November 2017 and was organised by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) which is the world’s oldest independent think tank on international defence and security. The conference explores the nature of terrorism today and how this may change in the future. It also contains panels with some of the leading practitioners and policy-makers from across the globe.

   The event was overseen by WL’s Conference Account Manager Shrenik Singhavi, who comments: “Our role was to provide all of the production support which ranged from audio to lighting to video to set to staging to backdrop. RUSI were aware that we are able to provide the complete package hence the reason they called on our services”.

   The event marked the first daytime conference to be held at Banqueting House for over five years. The high-profile speakers included Michael Chertoff, former Secretary of Homeland Security, USA, Sir John Scarlett, Vice-Chairman of RUSI and Gilles de Kerchove, European Union Counter-Terrorism Coordinator.

   Not only were there hundreds in attendance at the venue itself but the conference was being live streamed across the globe as well as covered by six international news channels. Shrenik adds: “With so many people watching, we had to ensure that the set up looked as visually impressive as possible. Not only did all of the appropriate signage and logos have to be on display but we needed to ensure even coverage in terms of lighting and sound in order to give the best experience possible”.

   The WL on-site team was led by WL’s Project Manager Phil Gladman. The crew arrived on site at 7am and had to set everything up in two hours within the Great Hall. Shrenik comments: “Whenever you’re working in a public space, time is always of the essence and you need to ensure that you’re able to turn up and get everything in place within a given period. This is why we conducted lots of pre-planning with the client so we were fully prepared on the day”.

   The Westminster Counterterrorism Conference marks one of many events that WL has supplied there this year. Others include the University of Cambridge Fundraiser which recently won Best Use of AV Technology at this year’s Event Technology Awards.

   Shrenik adds: “The Counterterrorism Conference was a huge success with the day running extremely smooth. As a company, we have years of experience coupled with the very latest technology and resources to ensure that we can constantly deliver on events and conferences of any scale and within any location”.

   Sabrina Downey, Projects and Events Director at RUSI, comments: “WL was extremely helpful from the initial planning stages all the way through to the entire conference, ensuring that everything went without a hitch. I look forward to working with them once again”.

   Photos courtesy of RUSI.