Tag Archive: Westminster Abbey

1. White Light Supplies Mills & Reeve Banquet at Westminster Abbey

   25 June 2018 11:21 Leave a Comment

   Mills & Reeve is part of SCG Legal – a global network of independent law firms in 82 countries, of which Mills & Reeve are the only English member. Every year, SCG Legal organise the Midyear Meeting; a two day conference followed by a finale dinner which is held in a different member’s country. This is a once in a generation opportunity and, for 2018, it was London’s turn. The finale dinner took place at London’s Westminster Abbey and, as an approved supplier to the venue, White Light was approached to provide the technical support.

   The event was organised by Mills & Reeve’s Business Development Advisor Christine Joyce, who comments: “The purpose of the dinner is to celebrate the close of the yearly Midyear Meeting. There were 160 important guests attending the banquet and we wanted to impress these by incorporating a traditional ‘English style’. A couple of years ago, the final banquet was held in the Vatican in Rome with private tours of the Sistine Chapel. We wanted Westminster Abbey to be just as, if not more, special”.

   For Christine and the Mills & Reeve team, Westminster Abbey was their first choice location when hosting in the capital. She comments: “We didn’t actually know you could hold a corporate event at Westminster Abbey until we enquired. When we discovered the venue was available, we jumped at the chance – the history and instant recognition of a place such as this is something that was too good to miss. Knowing WL’s reputation for supplying events in some of London’s most historic venues, we immediately approached them to supply the dinner. We spent months planning and coordinating the event with WL’s Project Managers Emily Woolnough and Phil Gladman, fully confident that we had picked the best experts and professionals to work with”.

   Phil comments: “Our role was to supply audio and lighting support across the evening to ensure the guests had the most engaging experience possible. Our on-site crew were also there to support the entire eventand assist Christine and her team with any queries they had”.

   The invited guests arrived in the Chapter House for a drinks reception. They then went into the Abbey itself for a tour, during which time WL had to transform the Cloister space for the main dinner and alter the lighting spec of the room. WL also had to create panelling in order to discretely hide away the catering and AV crew who were manning the event.

   Phil comments: “With an event like this, it’s what you don’t see that’s just as important as what’s on show. The brief was to celebrate the magnificent surroundings of Westminster Abbey and ensure that these were the main focus – something which we did. We also supplied the PA system for the after dinner speeches”.

   Christine comments: “We were absolutely delighted with the success of this year’s finale dinner – something which WL were integral in helping to deliver. Their delivery of the project was seamless and played a major part in what was an exquisite finale. My sincere thanks goes to Emily, Phil and the entire team”.

   Photos courtesy of Amy O’Boyle.

2. White Light Provides Technical Solutions for PiXL Main Conference at Central Hall Westminster

   25 January 2018 15:00 Comments Off on White Light Provides Technical Solutions for PiXL Main Conference at Central Hall Westminster

   White Light recently delivered the complete technical solutions for the PiXL (Partners in Excellence) Main Conference, held at Central Hall Westminster on 18^th January.  The Conference marks another instance in which WL has worked with PiXL, with the technical solution experts frequently collaborating with the education organisation to deliver unforgettable events.

   WL’s initial brief from education experts PiXL was to make their events more ‘theatrical’. In response,  the company injected a totally fresh look and approach, focusing on its ethos that technology should complement a room rather than dominate it. WL worked closely with PiXL’s Operations Team to refine and develop the offering as their requirements for each event developed. Within the venue, WL has recently implemented a streaming solution that allows content to be sent from Central Hall Westminster’s Great Hall to various rooms around the venue, allowing PiXL’s events to be as interactive as possible.

   PiXL is a not-for-profit partnership of over 1,700 secondary schools and aims to share the best practice to raise standards and give students a better future and brighter hope. WL is the in-house supplier for technical equipment and AV support at Central Hall Westminster, one of five venues it currently provides in-house services for. PiXL has been a client of Central Hall Westminster for the last five years, delivering around 25 different events a year. The venue, in its prime location opposite Westminster Abbey, offers PiXL not only the large capacity of the stunning Great Hall, but also the versatility of the numerous break out rooms on offer.

   James Thurlow, Venue Technical Manager for WL, comments: “PiXL made good use of all the built-in technology available to them at the venue for the Main Conference. This included the large format projection, relay screens, and filming facilities in the Great Hall as well as laptops in all 13 break out rooms which have all been prepared with the client’s content. Support wise, we offered a full complement of AV technicians to run the main show, including backstage audio technicians to mic up presenters.

   He adds: “We also had a few floating technicians to assist clients in the breakout rooms. In addition to this, we always have a dedicated Project Manager on each event and this remains constant for all of the PiXL conferences throughout the year. Our aim is to provide a turnkey, effortless operation that is consistent for PiXL every time they come into the venue”.

   Moving into 2018, WL will look to expand its portfolio of managed venues, providing clients with the latest technology in event and conference production, complemented by the support of a dedicated production team.

   Photos courtesy of PiXL.