Category: Audio

How Virtual Events are Changing the Live Event Landscape

Commencement guidelines UPDATE

It’s no secret that the world has gone virtual. Everything from working, to distance learning, and even graduations are being held virtually. As you know, the Spring of 2020 made us all reevaluate how adaptable our businesses are. Since then, we have seen a steady increase of video streaming needs, so this is the perfect time to get you connected. Virtual and hybrid events are becoming the new normal and having the proper equipment and set up is crucial to keeping up with all of these changes. At in Depth Events we have heavily focused on cloud-based live streaming for years. We also have full video production services, video equipment rentals, and mobile/permanent studios. We understand the importance of high-quality video streaming and we would love to help get you set up.  

Byron P. Steele High School – 2020 Graduation

So who is video streaming for?

 

This is a great question with an easy answer, ANYONE! Everyone from small business owners, to musicians, and even yoga instructors can take their business online and still create a steady stream of revenue. This is also a perfect option for educators, virtual events, and concerts. We have also seen a major increase in the need to take commencement ceremonies virtual and even family gatherings. Whatever the reason may be, here are some ways to get started.   

What are the benefits to hybrid and virtual events? 

 

There are several benefits to taking your business or event online. Whether you are a small business owner or even a musician, you can easily monetize your live streams.  We have also found that educators and even fitness instructors are finding ways to teach online. This is a great option to reach a larger audience and potentially double your revenue. Think about it, if there is no in-person requirement you can open your business to the entire WORLD. This model is being successfully implemented in most industries. Currently there are several ways to to stream including, YouTube, Twitch, and even Facebook. There are several ways to monetize your live stream. You can raise money, sell e-tickets, and donation based, or use a membership platform.  

So how does this all work? 

 

There are several ways to get started. First you need high-quality equipment, then a platform to stream on, and also the ability to market your live stream. While there are many moving parts to cloud-based live streaming, our team at In Depth Events have several years of experience and would love to help you get your business or event online. Contact us today, we look forward to working with you! Feel free to reach out if you want to learn more.  For our latest post on distance learning and digital events- go here.

Samuel Clemens High School – 2020 Graduation

Allison L. Steele Enhanced Learning Center – Class of 2020 Graduation


A Tale of Two Political Parties

In Depth Events is a true bi-Partisan live events company!

Ask anyone that works in live events, and they’ll tell you – The event business is a hard way to make a living.  However, even in this challenging industry, there are levels of difficulty.  For example – providing a pool cover for a holiday event is relatively straightforward.  You set a date, bring in the equipment, set it up, and take it back down again.  Weather can always present a challenge, and yes, it’s hard work.  But nothing, and I mean NOTHING, can prepare you for providing gear for political events.

Political events are the most challenging types of events in our industry.  Most political events happen without warning – at most, you have 5 working days to prepare, and even that is a luxury.  Political events are rarely held in a typical event space – they are in factories and manufacturing facilities, in outdoor environments, private homes, and children's centers.  Security is tight.  Timelines are tight, and they’re made worse by mandatory security sweeps.    However, by far the most challenging thing about political events is that it has to be right, on time, every time, no excuses.

At In Depth Events, because of the unique experiences and characteristics that Matt and Robert possess, we are really good at political events.  In fact, we are one of a small handful of companies that do them with the level of consistency that is demanded by our clients.  To that end, he’s the Tale of Two Political Parties, and the four events we’ve done for them this past spring!

Event #1

Trump at the International Union of Operating Engineers in Crosby, Texas

President Trump came to the Crosby, Texas IUOE training and education center specifically to sign two Executive Orders designed to boost the oil and gas industry.  This historic visit was attended by several prominent Texas Republicans, as well as a host of working engineers from all corners of the United States.  However, it started with a single phone call, three days before the event.  When the call came in from Jarrad Scott, founder of PM1, (Production Management One is the most prominent political production company in the United States) Robert knew the clock was already ticking.  In 72 hours, In Depth Events staff, with Robert on site, was able to provide audio, lighting, press feed, backstage monitors, and generator rentals for an event that took place inside a non-climate controlled welder’s training facility.  Every single word of the President’s speech was heard, and the lighting served to make sure the press saw every interaction on the stage.  We worked directly with White House staff to make sure this event went off without a single hitch.

Event #2

 

Trump at Sempra Energy in Cameron Parish, Louisiana

Less than a month later, In Depth Events was on site in Louisiana at Cameron LNG getting ready for another Presidential appearance.  This political event was spearheaded by Streamline Event Agency, with Justin Zebell at the helm.  Cameron LNG is a brand new facility that provides LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) for export.  Matt was the lead on this site, bringing four trucks of equipment to the outdoor event space.  After three grueling days of setting up staging, press risers, seating risers, and photo risers in the Louisiana heat, the President arrived to discuss the number of jobs that the new facility would create in Louisiana.  This event was exceptionally well-attended and covered by the press, with news reports and sounds bites of the President’s speech going all over the world.

Event #3

Biden at a private residence in Highland Park, Texas

In June, we got a call from the other side of the aisle – Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden was coming to Dallas.  His first stop was a campaign finance appearance at a private home in Highland Park, Texas.   Private homes are always tricky because they simply aren’t set up for live events.  For this private home, load in was through a rear alley and then hand carried through the back yard.  Robert spearheaded this event and carried most of the gear himself!  Luckily, production requirements we not difficult, with a small podium and stage, as well as an audio system with a wireless microphone.  The event went exceptionally well, with everyone in attendance able to hear Mr. Biden’s message.

Event #4

Biden at SPARK Children’s Center in Dallas, TX

From the private event that Robert was handling, Mr. Biden hopped in his SUV and drove over to his second stop in Dallas – a speaking engagement at the non-profit children's center called SPARK! At Southside on Lamar.  This event required a lot more production gear and some special backdrop treatment!  Matt brought In Depth Events skills in force with HMI lighting panels, a multizone audio system, and staging for the press.  The event looked great, to the point that the CNN cameraman told Matt it was “the best lighting he’d ever had at a political event”. The venue was particularly happy with the way our crews respected their art and children's installations through the venue.

As I said before – political events are by far the most challenging events we handle as event professionals.  From Presidents to Presidential contenders, National, State, and even non-profit rallies, our co-founders Matt and Robert have been there and we have you covered.  Let us show you how our founders and crew work together with your planning staff to provide the best in event management and event technology.  Contact us today for a quote!


A Tale of Two Theme Parties

How two very different events had a very successful theme party – courtesy of In Depth Events!

The Spring of 2019 had some amazing clients for In Depth Events.  As a live event production company, our focus is bringing audio, lighting, staging, and power together to make memorable, fun events that people talk about for years to come.

Women With Promise - Disco Ball

American Campus - Lubbock, Texas

Our first theme event in 2019 was with Cindy Latch and Women With Promise.  This charitable organization is made up of successful women in the North Texas area.  The Women with Promise annual fundraiser is designed to empower women to build a future filled with promise and success.  This year, the committee chose a Disco theme, and the fundraiser was held at the Omni Hotel in downtown Dallas.  In Depth Events was chosen as the vendor to handle the audio, lighting and staging needs in the main ballroom and in the pre-function area.

Matt and Robert started with our ever-popular LED Dance Floor, and added modern lighting effects with a throwback Disco ball.  The audio system was a solid performer throughout the night, with both a DJ and a celebrity impersonator.  The event was so successful that we had several hotel guests that had been invited to other, unrelated events in the hotel come to crash our party.  A great evening with a great client – for a great cause!

From black tie to poolside – our next theme event was a collegiate outdoor black light party in Lubbock, Texas!  American Campus is a company that provides off-campus apartments for college students at several major campuses across Texas and other parts of the United States.  One of the many bonuses in living on an American Campus property is the parties that management throws for the residents.  In April of 2019, In Depth Events was selected as the production and talent management vendor to throw a massive pool party at the Raiders Pass property in Lubbock, with students attending Texas Tech.

To make sure the party was a major success, Robert set them up with a thumping audio system, black lights, and used his talent management skills to book one of the best turntablist DJ’s in the State.  Matt took his expertise onsite to provide special effects for the party, including dry ice effects, UV effects, and CO2 cannons.  This outdoor poolside event was a favorite with the student residents in Lubbock, and with the management at American Campus.  This theme party can be a success at your outdoor venue as well – just call our experts for a quote!


Image of Event Activation at the Essence Festival

The Perfect Event Activation for the Essence Festival!

At In Depth Events, we work with marketing firms all over the world to help promote their clients brands.  Our clients range from sports marketing firms to guerrilla marketing firms – and everything in between!  Our marketing firm clients promote cutting edge products and we are here to make the technical production side of their event activation work flawlessly.

Professional Marketing Event Activation at the Essence Festival

For the last two years, the founders of In Depth Events worked with one of the most respected  marketing companies in the world on a very specific live activation.  The Marketing Arm needed a an event production partner to create an event activation at the Essence Festival.  This annual event in New Orleans was started to support Essence magazine and is “The Party with a Purpose” for African-American women from all over the United States.

The end client in this event space used our signature LED Dance Floor as a centerpiece to the activation.  Paired with the eye-catching floor is a custom built DJ booth with LED lighting on the front and sides as well.  This dynamic look blends perfectly with the other set pieces in the event activation and provides a virtual magnet to get people into the booth and boogie down on the LED Dance Floor – all while getting eyes and impressions on the client logo and branding!

Custom LED Lighted DMX Controllable DJ Booth Image

Custom LED Lighted DMX Controllable DJ Booth

The Essence Festival is certainly not our largest activation.  However, it offers a highlight to one of our fun, niche products that included some custom work as well.  This activation remains one of our favorites because of the great companies we get to work with, the fun atmosphere of the activation and the seamless way that all the elements come together to promote the client brand.

Are you interested in finding out how In Depth Events can help your clients brand?  Ask Us a Question today and let us know how we can bring your activation ideas to life!