Venue/agency/supplier name: Housing 2021, Manchester Central Convention Complex
Client name: Housing 2021, Ocean Media Group
Event name: Housing 2021
Date of event: 7-9 September 2021
Number of delegates (live/online/hybrid): Over 6000 attendees, 350+ speakers and 350+ sponsors and exhibitors visited over the three days – making it the biggest meeting place for the whole housing sector in Great Britain.
Type: Conference, experience, activation (live/online/hybrid): Live exhibition with hybrid streaming
Introduction:
Housing 2021 was the fourth time Showcase worked on the award winning Chartered Institute of Housing’s annual conference and Europe’s leading housing festival. The live event took place in September 2021 at Manchester Central after 18 months of virtual discussions, debates and dialogue.
Objective:
The client asked Showcase to design and build various stages and theatres which involved creating design visuals and CADS as well as project management. They were also responsible for supporting the technical elements of the event such as managing the digital signage. They were also tasked with the live streaming for the hybrid element, which included preparing and managing the speakers.
Showcase was also briefed with supplying equipment for exhibition stands.
The client was also keen to have all stages being as sustainable as possible. This involved using recycled materials for the build and using existing furniture from Showcase’s own collection.
Solution:
Showcase worked with the client to create and build a number of stages and theatres including: Keynote, Masterclass, Best Practice, Future of Living, Knowledge Theatre, Insight Theatre, Fringe, Net-Zero and Digital Futures. For these they designed, produced and supplied: graphics, video screens, sound systems and furniture.
Regarding the live stream, Showcase’s experience and expertise in this specialist skill came into play. When it was time to stream the now ex-Secretary Of State For Housing Robert Jenrick from London, they needed to remain calm and draw on their technical skills, as unfortunately he was late and the team had only minutes to spare before he went live.
To make life easier for the delegates to order their stand furniture, Showcase created and built a pre-exhibition order form, with support, online. However thanks to Showcase’s experience in this type of event, they were able to assist delegates with last-minute orders when items had been forgotten.
In total Showcase worked on Housing 2021 with a team of 40 for three days build, the three days of the show itself and a six-hour de-rig.
Testimonial:
“We have a long-standing relationship with Housing 2021 organiser Ocean Media Group, so the event is always an important date in our calendar, even more so this year, thanks to our industry’s return to live events. Proud to announce that the event was deemed a huge success by our client, also very proud of our team, who after all the disruption and difficulties of the past 18 months, surpassed themselves in how they dealt with the new pressures that COVID brings to live events.”
