Sound Division gives AV Technical support to LDA-sponsored Camden Conference
The Sound Division Group’s Technical Events department recently supplied and engineered a complete AV specification – with a large dressed stage – at a morning conference for ‘Camden Working’, a flagship employment and training initiative, supported by the London Development Agency and held at London’s Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, NW3.
As the London 2012 Olympics edges ever closer and the physical regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley proceeds apace, much attention by participating London Boroughs such as Camden and Islington, is being focused on the employment, skills and volunteering opportunities that will give urgent training and jobs to enable London to be ‘fit to supply’ the Games. The Conference was organised to demonstrate the different types of strategic implementation, which is readily available.
The Sound Division Group installed a 0.3m raised staging platform - finished in smart white carpeting - to accommodate four guest speakers seated at the main table, together with a truss lectern at centre stage.
Public address was handled by a combination of EV Sx360 and Sx80, stand mounted loudspeakers, neatly positioned into the gentle arc of the conference area and specified for clear and reliable close and mid-range speech reproduction. Three types of microphones were provided, in the form of Shure MX412D goosenecks to service the seated guests at the table, and AKG C747 pencil microphones attached to the lectern plus two additional Shure ULX handheld radio sets for roving audience participation. Even sound level and clarity was achieved throughout by a Yamaha LS9 16 channel digital mixing desk.
To illuminate the full span of the stage area, a combination of Source 4 profiles and par 56 LED cans were used for effect and controlled by a Strand light desk.
The AV set was completed with the installation of a 12ft x 9ft screen , and a Panasonic PT LB60 3200 Ansi Lumen projector used in rear projection mode. A final finishing touch involved draping the entire width of the stage and projector screen surround with a pristine white backdrop.
The Conference welcoming speech was delivered by The Mayor of Camden, Councillor Nural Islam. Co-sponsor, the Islington Strategic Partnership also attended, alongside many key employment training, market recruitment, business and education organisations involved with offering the development of skills required in likely growth sectors such as sport and leisure, transport, hospitality and tourism as well as construction.
Main speakers included representatives from the Olympic Development Authority, LSC (Leading, Learning and Skills), London Councils, Relay London Jobs (GLE) and Creative Wit.
Sound Division Event Production Manager was Will Flowers who also engineered FOH sound, while Jay Johnstone took charge of the lighting and video.
Sound Division Managing Director, David Graham commented, “We were very pleased to be asked to provide technical support to the LDA / Camden Conference event, which highlighted their important work towards the London 2012 games. With the conference breakfast starting at 8.30am and access from 6.30am, it meant we had to organise a very fast and efficient build. Careful planning and execution by William meant we were set up and ready, ahead of a very tight schedule - which aided final preparations, to the delight of the client”.
October 2008