Author: Tiffany Fuller

How to Nail a Hybrid or Virtual Halloween

It's time for Halloween (sort of)

It's time for Halloween (sort of). 

Halloween event

Any Halloween expert knows it's NEVER to early to start planning your Halloween bash. While October is months away, now is the BEST time to schedule any equipment rentals or event planning services you might need. We all know having the right audio and lighting can set the tone and add that spooky factor to your event. Whether you are planning a family party or even a haunted house- our experts are here to help!  

Lighting

Lighting is EVERYTHING when it comes to Halloween. Having black lights is a great way to change your event's mood, amplify the impact of your Halloween decorations, and add that extra element of fun to your party. It gets your guests excited, makes dancing a heck of a lot more fun, and you honestly can't go wrong with this lighting effect. We offer everything you need for the perfect lighting and effects! Black lights are not the only option for your event. We also have LED lighting fixtures, trussing and support structures, image projection, or full-on concert lighting if you need it.  

Audio

Want your guest to get the full effect of your decorations? Let's talk audio! Whether you have a killer band showing up or have sound effects that need a high-quality and realistic feel, we've got you covered. You don't just want your sound effects to be loud; you want them to be realistic and high-quality. Our equipment rentals and professional technicians can easily set up your event to feel like those ghost sounds are next to you. You don't want to cheap out on audio because it takes away from the mood you want to set at your Halloween event. If you are not sure what sound needs you might have, let our experts help you out! 

Keeping it small

If you are looking to hist a more intimate Halloween event, might we suggest turning your backyard into a spooky oasis? We have beautiful pool covers to give you extra room. We also specialize in unique staging rentals so your guests can dance the night away to monster mash. Small doesn't have to mean boring. Let our experts help you get the most out of your space with creative solutions that add that WOW factor to your event.  

Next level

Need something different? What about having horror movies streaming in your backyard or on stage at your event? If you want to take things up a notch, consider an LED video wall! LED video walls are light, high-quality, and the perfect addition to your event. Alongside audio and lighting, adding an LED video wall can amplify your event and elevate the mood of your guests. The best part is, our team will help you set up and stick around (in the background, of course) to make sure everything goes to plan. You don't have to worry about set up or technical difficulties when working with In Depth Events.  

 Virtual events 

Taking your event online? We have you covered with high-quality video streaming and the right technology to host your event from afar. Whether you want to host a hybrid event with both in-person and virtual elements or monetize a live stream or video concert- team up with In Depth Events. 

What's next 

Our team has over twenty-five years of experience in the events industry. We are professional, creative, and offer top of the line service. Let's schedule a no-cost consultation to discuss your event and how we can have your guests talking about it for years to come.  

 


Do I Need a Pool Cover for my Event?

Pool cover rental

Picture this; you are hosting a private black-tie event at your gorgeous home. The weather is beautiful, so you opt to move the gathering outside with all the pretty lights and decorations. Here's the problem, you want more space for dancing and guests, but you have this BIG pool right in the middle of your yard. So what do you do? 

 If you don't want to see your guests in speedos, you could check out our pool covers. Now, we know what your thinking. How is a pool cover going to help me add space to my backyard? These aren't just your average pool covers. These are beautiful, custom structures that add extra space safely and that WOW factor. 

But you are not limited to backyard pools. Our pool cover rentals can be used at trade shows, hotels, casinos, and just about anywhere there's a pool to cover. And the best part is, our pool covers are designed in-house so when we say custom, we really mean that.

What are my pool cover options?

 

We have tons of pool cover options for you to choose from;

We also have our in-house metal and woodshop, so we can customize any pool cover idea you might have. 

Are pool cover rentals expensive?

 

That all boils down to your budget and needs. If you want an instant quote, you can check out our instant pool rental quote tool. We designed this tool to give you an accurate quote, so you know what to expect. We also have custom options, so you have plenty of different types, sizes, and choices to choose from. As for price, it all depends on the size of your pool and the customized options you choose. 

How do I know which options to choose?

 

Our team has been in the event and rental business for over 25 years. We are more than happy to hop on a no-cost call with you so that we can find the best pool cover for your budget and needs. Also, know that you get our pool cover professionals' experience when you purchase a pool cover rental from us. We cover everything from design and install, so you can focus on your event and not the rentals. Our team designs, measures, and installs your pool cover rental- so you don't have to worry about any of the technical stuff. We have years of experience and meet all safety requirements to ensure a safe and beautiful experience for you and your guests.

What else would I need for my event?

 

We have your event needs covered. Whether you need lighting to transform your backyard into an oasis, or audio for the band you hired- we have you covered. We have everything you need to host your BEST event like;

And if you are navigating hosting a virtual event, we can help with that too. As the times change and event needs change with it, we are fully equipped with the experience and rentals necessary for any occasion. So if you need a pool cover, but also chairs or a stage- we can handle that too. We are proud to offer everything you need to have a successful event with ease and professional-grade service. If you have any unique needs, we can help there too. We pride ourselves on bringing your vision to life whether that's a backyard oasis or a custom trade show event.

Final thoughts

 

We know you want a safe and flawless event, so hiring professionals is the way to go. We have decades of experience in the event industry and work hard to ensure your event is perfection. If you have any questions, we are here to help. 

 


The “New” Financial Future of Outdoor Event Production

At In Depth Events, we’ve been watching industry trends to see how event promoters and attendees address social distancing and healthy behavior. Typically, the fall season sees lots of municipal events and community gatherings in Texas, but this year, the scene is evolving. The truth is, outdoor event production is changing, so it’s essential to stay ahead of the trends. As we have watched this year unfold, we have kept a close eye on things, here are some recent trends we have seen in live events that we wanted to share with you.

 

Social distancing at live events

 

One of the most significant event trends in a post-COVID world is the resurgence of the drive-in movie. For years, these theaters have been on the decline except for very specific locations. This year, however, business is booming. The combination of the outdoor theater and car access has redefined what “going out” means.  

 

Screenshot of thewalmartdrivein.com

Piggybacking on this change has been the promotion of drive-in movies in temporary locations and venues. We’ve seen municipalities and collegiate clients interested in these types of events as well. As always, the questions that come up are movie licensing and FM transmission. Another common question is the use of a projector/screen or an LED Video wall. (Tip – if you expect to do the event in the early evening or during the day at all, you have to use LED panels, as projection won’t work in daylight).

 Wal-mart is also doing a limited number of drive-in movies – in Wal-mart parking lots! The shopping giant is taking 160 of their locations and giving away free tickets to movies shown on large screens. The movie lineup is pretty amazing, as well. While this is a blatant grab for customer loyalty and retention, it’s an interesting plan given our current situation – and it’s been wildly successful. Almost all showings are already fully reserved. You can find out more at https://thewalmartdrivein.com/

 

Live music and tailgating – financial strategies

 

In our new world, the standard ways of making money in live events have changed. Concert promoters, music venues, and churches are all struggling to understand these new ways of making money in events. Many times, these unproven methods make long-term investors and promoters skeptical. Here’s a breakdown of some of these unique events and how they work in a post-COVID world. 

Social Distancing in Ireland. This promotions team is selling their concert attendance with a new twist. The old way of making money on ticket sales was simple: one person – one ticket. The price of the ticket could be scaled based on GA or a specific seat in the venue. This recent concert in Ireland has turned heads worldwide by selling event spaces instead of selling individual tickets. Concert attendees purchase a 10’x10’ space with a maximum of 4 attendees. Depending on how close to the stage space is, it’s delineated by the bike rack, or built on system scaffolding, so everyone gets a great view. Additionally, F&B sales are handled by an app – you order your food or drinks with your booth number, and a runner brings it to you.

 In this model, ticket sales are still an income generator, as well as F&B and parking. The promoter does say that they couldn’t have done it without significant sponsorship – however, this new style of dedicated space is a pretty exciting idea, and we feel that some elements of it will probably last beyond COVID.

 Automobile tailgating – Texas Style. Nobody tailgates like Texans – and our hometown of McKinney, Texas, has a new idea that has been successful during the late summer. These concerts are selling a 20’x20’ event space, where part of the space is the parking for your car! It’s a great idea that merges the convenience of a drive-in movie with the excitement of a live show.  

 The most obvious problem from a financial standpoint is the loss of F&B, as most people will bring food and drinks in with them in their car. Additionally, ticket prices seem to be a little low at $45 per car in advance and $55 on-site. All parking is GA, first come, first served. It’s another idea that is interesting, but would be almost impossible without significant sponsorship.

 

The future of live events – 2021 and beyond

 

While there is no question that live events are an all-time low right now, the flip side is that there will be live events again. In a recent discussion with one of my friends, he mentioned that stagehand and technician labor rates were their highest event in 2019.  

 The question that everyone is asking themselves (and each other) is “when will things be normal again”? Some people want to use a date – I keep hearing November 5 mentioned a lot. Some people say that after a vaccine is developed and available. The real answer is that events will never again be the same as they were pre-COVID. Maybe, they will be better.

 


How can I take my Non-Profit Auction Online?

Helping our clients pre-produce video for their non-profits

When running a non-profit, you typically have fundraisers or auctions to raise funds for your cause. Now with new closures and restrictions in place, that task is a whole lot harder. So the real question is, can you still raise money for your non-profit by hosting a virtual non-profit event or a virtual auction? The good news is you absolutely can successfully raise money, without hosting an in-person event. While there are challenges to moving towards a virtual model, it can and will be successful if you do it the right way. 

What types of virtual events work for a non-profit? 

 

There are a few models you can use when hosting a virtual event or fundraiser. You can have a pre-recorded video that is edited and host the video as if it were live. Pre-recorded videos give you the freedom to monitor comments, donations, and bids (for auctions).  

You also have the option to host a fundraiser live. Live-streaming requires more technical support and creativity. Are you live streaming from multiple places? Are you having guest speakers from all over the country? You can host a live-streamed event from various locations, but this requires more planning and equipment. The benefits of live-streaming is creating a more personal experience, but you do run the risk of technical difficulties or hang-ups in the streaming functionality. 

Your third option is to launch a video marketing campaign. A video campaign gives you the ability to raise awareness for your cause and have multiple revenue streams like email sign-ups and online donations. You can also set up a donation page linked to your videos. This is a more comfortable option if you don't want a virtual event. However, this option also requires some marketing know-how and the right production services for success. 

Which virtual option should I choose?

 

This decision is based wholly on what makes the most sense for your non-profit and your budget. No matter which option you choose, you will need video production services, some equipment, and technical support. Our team of experienced professionals has been helping all types of businesses, and non-profits get started with virtual events. Regardless of the option you choose, we can help you with; 

Do I need equipment and production services? 

 

Yes! Even though things are moving to a virtual model, you still want to offer a high-quality experience. You want to appear professional and put together. There is no room for technical difficulties or low-quality backgrounds. It would also help if you had quality video streaming and maybe even a stage set up. If you are trying to raise money, you still need to put in the same effort you would for an in-person event.

What are the benefits to a virtual auction or fundraiser? 

 

Think about it this way; you don't have to spend money on food or seating. You can focus your budget on raising awareness, promoting your fundraiser, and hiring qualified experts to make sure things go smoothly. You can reach more people, increase your digital marketing efforts, and have more control over the outcomes. 

Virtual events can seem a little scary at first, but with the right team in place, you can easily exceed your fundraising goals. 

So what's next for my virtual event?

 

You might have some questions or concerns, and our team is here to help you out. We can help you find the best event model for your non-profit and support your fundraising goals on your budget.