Nursing Standard Nurse Awards 2012

Comtec were delighted to be chosen to produce this year’s Nursing Standard Nurse Awards that took place on the 22nd March at the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane.

We were awarded the event back in December 2011 and work began in January. Our in-house technical team carefully crafted a bespoke set while our creative media team brought the awards to life via a variety of creative mediums.

Utilising the awards artwork our team formed vivid animations to run throughout the event providing stimulation and branding continuity. From the action packed introductory opening sequence to the animated category idents the media held the attention of the audience and provided a great platform for the sponsors.

The event day kicked off with an early start for the on-site crew and the build went without a glitch. Guests were welcomed to a vibrantly lit reception area that continued into the Grand Ballroom for the awards ceremony. Guests were wowed by the set, stage and lighting and were enraptured by the presentation, applauding when they saw themselves on the big screen for the live closing edit sequence! Angela Rippon hosted the awards delivering a flawless and engaging performance for all of the guests.

The night was a great success finishing with drinks at the bar until carriages arrived at 00.30.

If you would like to see further photographs from the evening please go to our Portfolio / Photo Gallery link. If you attended the Nursing Standard Nurse Awards 2012 we would love to hear from you. Or if you have any comments or questions regarding this article, please do get in touch.

By Alice Marshall
Project Manager

M&IT Awards 2012

We began brainstorming ideas for this year’s event last June so let’s start at the beginning…

Last June we invited the event organiser from CAT Publications along to one of our events at the Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane to take a look at our innovative 3 screen technology which we were hoping to utilise for their 2012 event.

The evening was a success and as a result we created a proposal based upon a Greek theme to keep in line with their event being ‘in the year of the Olympics.’

After a successful pitch presentation, we were given the chance to once again work with CAT Publications; this time, we had to impress over 750 industry insiders at the Meetings and Incentive Travel Industry Awards 2012. This event, held at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge rewards industry bodies in such categories as Best UK Hotel, Best Event Provider and Best UK Unusual Venue and showcases the best of the best.

Our challenge was to ensure that this year’s event surpassed the previous awards whilst highlighting the 25th anniversary of CAT Publications and keeping the audience captivated.

In keeping with the Greek theme the backdrop was a bespoke build made of 4 columns with an amazing height of 24ft! Each column was individually made by our in-house set designers and finished with a stone effect to fit perfectly with our cloud backdrop and bespoke screens.

The screen surrounds were produced in a stone finish as opposed to felt to ensure that the set was seamless in its presentation. Every inch of the set was thought out and thorough assessments took place in the lead up to ensure that the best materials were utilised.

The stage too was a bespoke build which the team pieced together back at our warehouses in advance to ensure that all proportions were accurate and that overall the set and stage were flawless.

The event itself had a lead up of one day where we were able to set up the set and rig all of the AV including the media equipment. Thus allowing our team to ensure that on the event day, any last minute changes were feasible for our client.

A full run through on the screens took place as multiple deliveries from sponsors arrived bringing ice sculptors, reception furniture etc. By 5pm the venue was ready and we were awaiting the reception at 6pm.

All in position the event kicked off at 7pm and ran straight through until 01:00 when we commenced the de-rig. We were tucked up in bed by 05:00 – all happy in the notion that the evening was a great success and well worth the months of preparation.

If you attended the M & IT Awards we would love to hear from you. Or if you have any comments or questions regarding this article, please do get in touch.

By Rebecca Creamer

A day at The International Confex Conference

Rebecca and Alice from Project Management left the office for the day to explore the International Confex Conference held at the ExCel London. They decided Wednesday would be the most productive day to visit as the main focus for that day was awards: this is one of their specialties.

After an early start and many changes through the transport network the pair arrived brimming with excitement at Confex in time for the first seminar given by Caroline Jackson: More than just a one Night Stand, she quotes: “These days it is about having 365 days of engagement with your audience.” This was a favorite for Alice, commenting: “Such a flamboyant speaker, full of knowledge in the industry, a very inspirational figure…. She has given me a great insight into how award ceremonies are developing and the significance of making it more than a one night affair.”

The morning continued with a further two seminars headed by Richard Dodgson; Measuring ROI in Awards Sponsorship and the last given by a team from UBM: How to be Creative with Limited Budgets who quoted: “De-construct the event and take a step back...get the basics in place and then be creative.” Again the ladies discovered a diverse magnitude of ideas to create and produce awards ceremonies in the 21st Century.

Next they went to hear from an inspirational speaker, Katrina Hollekim, Pro freeskier and BASE Jumper: Dare to Dream. A remarkable lady, who has overcome against all odds a life changing accident, returning back to the slopes only a year ago. Rebecca commented: “I found Katrina to be an inspiration to me, reminding me of the opportunities life has to offer…. It is only yourself that sets the boundaries of what you can achieve.”

Being keen to visit the stands the girls forgot about lunch and went off to venture into the marketing world of events. After an afternoon of networking, sampling and many photographs the pair left London with an abundance of ideas and enthusiasm, (not that they need any more of the latter!).


Please view the wonderful photographs from their day at Confex through our Portfolio / Photo Gallery link.