Virtual Event Studio Thrives Despite Industry Uncertainty

Back in March, we launched our Virtual Event Studio, providing a fully customisable virtual event studio and in-house design team.

The reason behind the move was to provide clients with a flexible and engaging alternative to live events, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and to ensure they were present as a business during an unprecedented time.

Since then, The Virtual Studio has proved to be a popular, safe and effective solution for many businesses who continue to drive forward their communication strategies and event programmes in order to connect them with the people that matter most.

Head of Events, Laura O’Bree said, “We all know that more than ever, event strategies need to be more flexible than face-to-face and more engaging than live streaming alone. That’s why we’ve created a secure and immersive space for clients alongside our creative design studio to provide the all-important creative content that’s vital for any online event.”

With the event industry under immense strain, this is one example of how an established company has had to adapt and pivot to a new way of working to support its clients through turbulent times. Pre-Covid, Corporate Events provided event production and live events experiences, as well as creative design, spanning almost 25 years. 

Our Managing Director, Andy Ashley said, “Virtual events are not new to us, we have always provided this service for clients. However, due to Covid-19, our industry has had to adapt in ways we never thought.

When designing the space, we knew safety, flexibility and cost were key, as well as the option to customise elements such as lighting, furniture and AV. For example, we can host a formal awards ceremony or a more relaxed presentation with more comfortable seating such as sofas and coffee tables for more informal Q&A or panel sessions.”

On 17th July, the Prime Minister announced that conferences and exhibitions would be permitted in England from 1st October, depending on data and that Local Authorities would have powers to close events if there was a danger to the public, noting that there would be pilot events ahead of the reopening.

However, on Friday 31st July, a day after some lockdown restrictions were re-introduced, the Prime Minister announced, “On 1 August we had hoped to reopen some of the ‘higher risk’ settings that had remained closed. Unfortunately, we are postponing those changes for at least a fortnight. That means that until 15 August, at the earliest, venues, bowling alleys, casinos, skating rinks and other close-contact settings must remain closed. Indoor performances may not resume, pilots of larger crowds in sports venues and conference centres will not take place and wedding receptions of up to 30 people will not be permitted.”

Hearing the news, our Managing Director, Andy Ashley commented, “We’re aware a number of pilot events taking place such as the behind-closed-doors cricket events recently hosted at Lancashire Cricket Club, which included welcoming international visitors in its bio-secure environment. But there is still much apprehension around live events as we are hearing from our clients. For now, we must continue to be adaptable, support our clients and overall hope that the Government gets behind the UK’s £70bn events industry.”