Markets – Solotech

Lighting Up the Stars at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards

Rosalie Fitzmorris — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 19:51:02 +0000

Lighting Up the Stars at the
2023 MTV Video Music Awards

Solotech + DX7 Design + ACME Pixel Line IP = Simply Spectacular!

Solotech’s long history of collaboration with the manufacturers and designers who produce and use the most innovative technology continues with ACME lighting, the ACME PIXEL LINE IP strip light and DX7 Design. The innovative lighting fixtures tapped by the creative team at the 2023 MTV VMAs have gained popularity in the entertainment tech space and are part of a growing trend toward LED-based solutions due to their energy efficiency, flexibility, and vibrant color output.

Designed with a focus on durability and versatility, and built to withstand various environmental conditions, the IP rating certifies the degree of protection against dust and moisture, making these lights suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

DX7 Design’s Lighting Designer Tom Sutherland affirmed their capabilities and noted, “The ACME Pixel Lines brought an incredibly dynamic element to the VMA’s this year. Having them so closely integrated with the set, they acted as both lighting fixtures and video screen extensions, giving us a new creative tool to bring to the table. Not only were they incredibly bright, but their unique feature set and number of pixels allowed us to create some really exciting programming and effects. Because of all of these features, in addition to their IP rating, they’ve quickly become one of our new favorites, and we already have plans to use them again in future projects.”

One of the standout features of ACME Pixel Line IP lights is their ability to create dynamic visual effects. These lights consist of multiple individual LED pixels arranged in a linear configuration. Each pixel can emit a different color, allowing for the creation of intricate patterns, animations, and color-changing effects. This level of control enables lighting designers to craft visually stunning displays, enhancing the overall atmosphere.

Additionally, the intelligent control system allows users to program complex lighting sequences and synchronize them with music or event elements. This level of automation and customization provides creative freedom, enabling designers to captivate with visual experiences.

“Supplying the VMAs with 200+ Pixel Lines gave designer Tom Sutherland and DX7 Design a great visual addition to the lighting rig. The consensus of the team surpasses what we expected from the long relationship between Solotech and ACME.” He added, “The Pixel Line IP has also proven to be an excellent addition to our LED IP rated lighting inventory, with multiple units currently out on shows and many more set to be used on future designs.”

Highlighting the positive feedback from both crew and operations,

— Dave Evans, Solotech’s Director of Lighting

2023 MTV Video Music Awards:

Tom Sutherland – Lighting Designer

Hunter Selby – Senior Associate Designer

Jasmine Lesane – Associate Designer

James Coldicott – Lighting Director 1

Jay Koch – Lighting Director 2

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Matchbox Twenty

Life is beautiful

GDLuz Festival

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Deployment in atypical environments

Rosalie Fitzmorris — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 15:48:28 +0000

deployment in
atypical
environments

When nature meets high-end technology

With the rise in popularity of immersive experiences and events, innovation is becoming increasingly important in the development of new projects.

This is precisely what the Atelier Occhio and Le Massif de Charlevoix teams have achieved with Le Vol de l’Oiseau mécanique, the world’s first nighttime mountainside carousel. The nearly 6-kilometer circular route allows participants to cross different scenes and enjoy an audiovisual, sensory, and emotional experience riding Le Massif‘s chairlift.

A project of this magnitude required its share of cutting-edge equipment to honour the designers’ astonishing vision. That’s where the Solotech team comes in.

Solotech's dual expertise serving unique projects

Considering the unique nature of the project and its location, the dual expertise of Solotech’s teams in live production and systems integration was very appealing for the deployment of a project like Le Vol de l’Oiseau mécanique.

“The idea was to combine the two fields of activity to obtain a project that didn’t require a full technical team for each performance,” said Éric Gallant, Project Manager at Solotech, who began working on the project in April 2023. “In the end, only two technicians were on site for each performance to ensure everything ran smoothly and to quickly complete any necessary adjustments.”

Between September 2022 and May 2023, the Solotech team collaborated closely with the designers to carry out extensive research and development. The right equipment and protection were identified to enhance the creative work of Atelier Occhio, made up of Stéphane Mongeau, Yves Aucoin, Martin Labrecque, and Olivier Kemeid, with the collaboration of Jacques Boucher.

“We had to make the equipment live for over five months on the mountain with as little maintenance as possible, without impacting the high stability of the systems. For the most part, the equipment is not designed to withstand hostile weather conditions, so we had to be imaginative to protect all the equipment adequately.”

— Denys Deslauriers, Account Manager for Solotech

Working in the mountains: a challenge worthy of our team

Our technicians have extensive experience deploying technically complex immersive projects and know how to overcome obstacles for an exceptional experience. In this situation, the main challenge was the mountain itself.

“In terms of a complex environment where you have to move equipment around, a mountain is pretty hard to beat,” laughs Éric Gallant, who has seen his fair share of special projects in the entertainment industry over the years.

With alpine skiing activities monopolizing Le Massif de Charlevoix during the winter months, the window of opportunity for on-site testing was rather limited. Solotech technicians were able to travel to the mountain to conduct tests and determine the best equipment to use for one week in September 2022. Afterward, Éric Gallant and his team used topographical maps to analyze and plan the deployment as efficiently as possible. It was only a week before the installation started that they could return to Le Massif to tour the route and familiarize themselves with the atypical environment. With the help of Production Manager Robert Lemoine and his team, the mountain installation was completed in five weeks.

While most AV deployments take place in relatively controlled environments, using adapted equipment (heavy trucks for transporting equipment, forklifts, hoists, etc.), it was not the case for this project. At Le Massif, the steepness of the terrain forced the team to transport equipment in smaller quantities in pick-up trucks, all-terrain vehicles, and an unusual vehicle that came in handy: the snow groomer!

“Transportation was the lifeblood of the business over there,” says Éric Gallant. “The snow groomer saved us days of assembly. Without this machine, we might not have been able to install all the equipment on time without having to add a lot of technicians.”

Working with the utmost respect for the environment

Deployment in a natural environment requires a high level of respect for the environment and its wildlife. On-site, the technicians worked among birds and wild animals of all kinds.

“I never thought I’d have to hold a health and safety meeting that started with ‘If you see a bear, here’s what to do!” laughs our project manager.

The technicians were able to admire the animals’ daily life while keeping a safe distance.

A stimulating challenge met with flying colours

Deploying cutting-edge technology in an atypical environment requires extra preparation and forces our team of experts to be at the top of their game.

“We had a great team,” concludes Éric Gallant. “Everyone was thrilled to be working outdoors; it was good for them, even if we had to climb slopes of 26-30 degrees for half a kilometer to install equipment. I could count on technicians who were happy to be there, who had fun, and who almost saw it as a nature retreat! It’s rare to still be at the installation stage and have people already talking to you about dismantling because they want to be there!”

With the first season of Le Vol de l’Oiseau mécanique now complete, the Solotech team’s attention is already focused on possible improvements to make everything more optimal in Year 2.

Le Vol de l’Oiseau mécanique will return to Le Massif de Charlevoix in the summer of 2024.

Photo Credit: Guillaume Genereux, Crew Chief, Production, Solotech

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The Digital Immersion Gallery at TELUS Spark Science Centre

Maison du Kamouraska 360° Projection Dome

ASTROLab – Mont-Mégantic National Park

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Spotlight on our work in the shadow

Rosalie Fitzmorris — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 13:41:35 +0000

OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS:
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR WORK IN THE SHADOW

When attending a festival, you see lights and screens, hear your favorite artists' music,
and have a spectacular experience.

What you don’t see is the hundreds of people involved in many ways and the thousands of hours spent planning, prepping, and delivering the event you enjoy. Nothing is left to chance, and every detail is considered to ensure a seamless performance from the first note to the final ovation.

Solotech takes you behind the scenes of event preparation.

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A marathon begins

When it comes to large-scale events, the Solotech team is busy long before tickets even go on sale.

At the turn of the new year, our team is already planning the festival season, and each customer comes with a unique reality. That’s why Solotech adapts its approach to each event, positioning itself as a collaborator and proactively putting its expertise at its customers’ service to find solutions at every production stage.

Some may rely on technical staff or external consultants. In contrast, others rely on our technical experts to identify the best equipment to meet their needs and the requirements for effective deployment on-site, including schedules, personnel, and machinery for preparation, delivery, load-in, and load-out.

As the months go by, programming is confirmed, bands and artists are announced, and the work becomes more and more concrete. Communication between the Solotech and event teams is increasing to share as much information as possible and prepare everything that can be anticipated. The teams of the various confirmed artists can also be added to the discussion, as it’s not uncommon for Solotech to supply the audiovisual equipment for the festival stages and the additional gear required by the artists.

For Caroline Martel, Vice President, Services, Operations, and Transformation, “Communication is key at every level, both internally at Solotech and with customers. The bigger the event and the more players involved, the greater the risk of encountering problems. It’s important to keep people informed and make them understand the importance and priority of each task.”

All this can quickly become a significant headache. That’s why project managers with a good sense of initiative and a strong ability to anticipate play such an essential role in coordinating and successfully delivering events.

“They think several moves ahead and anticipate questions before they’re even asked.
A project manager is a bit like an orchestra conductor.”

— Dave Briere, Director of Production Employees in Canada

A quick turnover in the warehouse

With Solotech serving over 280 festivals and 6,000 events annually, the impressive rental fleet of over 353,000 pieces of equipment of all kinds is used to its full potential wherever Solotech operates. In some exceptional cases, the annual utilization rate is close to 75% for the most sought-after gear. In other words, this equipment is deployed on-site more than 250 days a year! Therefore, the preparation times between events are often short.

Every step is carefully planned. Sometimes in a few days or even hours, our warehouse teams will conduct quality control inspections and tests, handle the maintenance and repairs, and prepare everything for the next deployment. With tight deadlines, it is not uncommon for the operations team to get creative.

For example, on occasion, smaller trucks, known as “ambulances,” may be sent to load-out sites to quickly recover certain priority equipment pieces, such as consoles, to redeploy them without delay to other events.

When everything is ready at the warehouse, it’s time to ship the gear on-site for the event. Once again, everything is carefully thought out down to the last detail. “There’s no point in having the lights if you haven’t got the rig because you won’t be able to hang anything. There’s a whole sequence to follow,” explains Caroline Martel.

And everyone involved must understand this sequence.

“How we load the trucks impacts the assembly work at the other end, and vice versa. The way field employees return the equipment to us influences our work in receiving, quality control, and preparation for the next event,” adds Stany Blanchette, Shop Manager in Montreal.

To ensure optimal operation in this critical project delivery period, we even go as far as to include external stakeholders, such as transportation companies.

With this in mind, Julie Jones, Transportation Coordinator for the Live Productions Division, has instituted an efficient practice at the Nashville warehouse: a tour of Solotech’s facilities for transporters.

“When they come to the warehouse, they get a better understanding of what we do, and we avoid problems along the way. Ever since I’ve been organizing these tours, things have gone much better.” – Julie Jones, Transportation Coordinator, Live Productions Division, Nashville

The show must go on

It’s a famous saying in the entertainment industry. Still, it’s also a genuine principle our team is particularly proud of. No matter the conditions or pitfalls, the event must start on time.

“We make it happen here,” says Adam Boyle, Operations Director, Live Productions Division, in Toronto. “There is no way we are letting anything fail.”

“Our teams at Solotech see success as the only option.
They have the great quality of adapting to all types of situations to deliver on time, no matter what.“

— Dave Briere

This mentality of striving for excellence, no matter the conditions, is no stranger to the team’s vast experience. You can surprise them, but you won’t disrupt them. Caroline Martel praises the expertise and professionalism of her team, who have “done it all and seen it all. There is always someone who’s dealt with this problem before. Our network and expertise are solid.”

“Operations are an ingredient to our success,” says Adam Boyle. “It’s a sum of all parts that makes Solotech successful: our ability to execute, our ability to get the right equipment, and on top of that, our team. We have a strong team of people who care.”

It's showtime!

Everything is ready, the doors open, the crowd arrives, and the show starts.

You won’t see our team members on stage, and they won’t be applauded, but rest assured that they all feel great satisfaction and pride in having helped deliver the event.

“To deliver the shows impeccably, without mistakes, for me, that’s the most gratifying thing. When you’ve worked on a show and see the crowd going crazy, it’s beautiful. Your whole body goes Wow!”

— Stany Blanchette, Shop Manager, Montreal

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Life is beautiful

Montreal International Jazz Festival

Osheaga Festival

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Four Trends In Command And Control Centers

Mona-Dominique Regnier — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 14:47:32 +0000

FOUR TRENDS IN COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTERS

By Jonathan Henri – AV expert and Global Market Leader – Transportation and Critical Applications, working at Solotech since 2017.

Command and control centers are undergoing a period of significant technological changes.

When we think of control rooms, we think of systems from the past, when we could only dream of today’s technological advancements. For the past 20 years, control rooms have been composed of imposing equipment, massive consoles, buttons, dials, rear-projection cubes, etc.

Today, in the digital age, all these functions can be found on simple, scalable interfaces that are just as secure and reliable.

Here’s an overview of some technological trends in command and control centers.

THE HUMAN FACTOR AT THE HEART OF THE REFLECTION

There is a growing desire to put the operator at the center of the equation.

The user experience must remain simple and comfortable for the operator. Fortunately, recent technological advances make adapting the system to the operator’s needs possible rather than vice versa.

We only have to think of centralized control center management software and security information management platform (PSIM), which connect the various independent systems of an operational center under a single modular interface to facilitate control and avoid the multiplication of separate workstations, software, and tools.

Solotech’s role is to support control centers in upgrading their technology. By fully understanding their needs, our team of experts can recommend the best technological solution adapted to each customer’s reality and ensure integration, configuration, and even staff training.

Solotech is also involved in the operator’s physical comfort, offering ergonomic workstations and furniture, including height-adjustable desks and TUV-certified Eye Comfort low blue light displays.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CYBERSECURITY

In an increasingly digital world, cybersecurity is becoming as important as physical security, which is already a significant issue for this customer base.

Most operation rooms, control rooms, or emergency operations centers served by Solotech are public services (hydroelectricity, nuclear power, traffic control, water treatment, etc.). Therefore, implementing and using secure networks are critical to ensure that no equipment, software, or information has been compromised.

Solotech can implement robust, reliable, and secure systems made up of redundant networks, equipment-dedicated, and completely isolated from corporate or operational networks, thus creating a virtual sealed security barrier.

THE CONTRIBUTION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The rise in artificial intelligence and the democratization of GPT-style tools have rapidly spread to command and control rooms, where we can see the arrival of practices such as machine learning, human-machine interface (HMI), AI automation, and Industrial IoT (Internet of Things).

Most of the information used to make decisions in operations centers now comes from artificial intelligence.

THE ARRIVAL OF VIRTUAL REALITY

Virtual reality in command and control centers? It’s happening right now!

Imagine that a critical situation arises, requiring a high degree of concentration, the acquisition of more precise information, or the display of sensitive information.

The operator can step back and put on a virtual reality headset displaying his workstation. He can then discreetly consult all the sensitive information he needs to carry out his task.

Solotech can deploy these virtual reality solutions in control rooms today thanks to its collaboration with Headwall VR.

ABOUT JONATHAN HENRI

Jonathan Henri is an AV expert and Global Market Leader –
Transportation and Critical Applications, working at Solotech since 2017.

As part of InfoComm 2023 in Orlando, FL, he will participate
in the first meeting dedicated to command and control centers. Over 80 industry
professionals already confirmed their presence.

Get to know Jonathan Henri
Contact him
Find him on LinkedIn

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The Weeknd – After Hours Til Dawn Tour

Luke Bryan at Resorts World Las Vegas

BST Hyde Park

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Weekends with Adele

Rosalie Fitzmorris — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 19:26:05 +0000

Working with Solotech makes your event spectacular on-stage and behind the scenes

Expertise, service, and communication: key ingredients for remaining at the forefront of live concert video

For Solotech’s Director of Special Projects, Ian ‘Woody’ Woodall mixing those ingredients perfectly is integral to achieving balance and harmony; his watchwords for aiding in the creation one of a kind video experiences for artists and audiences.

Woodall explains that cutting-edge technology is an important consideration. Still, relationships are perhaps even more critical in designing video systems that meet clients’ needs, citing Solotech’s work on Adele’s Weekends with Adele, Las Vegas residency.

“Last summer, Adele was doing two nights at Hyde Park for British Summertime, her first live shows in some time. We worked really hard with Adele and her team to ensure it went well. What we do out in the field is our ‘shop window,’ so it was a natural progression for us to get involved as early as possible for the Vegas shows.”

Achieving excellence begins with honest conversations

Ensuring an artist’s vision is captured perfectly and supported by the video infrastructure and design.

From early conversations through the demo and design process, Woody worked closely with Adele’s production team, design firm Stufish Entertainment Architects, Creative Director Matt Askem, Treatment Studio, and others to provide the ideal infrastructure to realize their overall vision.

That did include very new technology, notably a large number of Disguise GX3 servers, the first ones on the market globally. However, determining what technology to deploy wasn’t based on what was the biggest, brightest, or closest to hand but on those early conversations. “The whole industry is relationships and people,” Woody notes. “Speaking with everyone involved, saying, ‘I understand the picture, I understand the technical requirements, but what are you trying to achieve, to create? That’s very important.”

In doing so, Solotech demonstrated its dedication to keeping up to date with the latest technology available and willingness to be an early adopter and work closely with manufacturers to iron out the nuances that accompany new products but to ensure every element of the system supported the intent of the artist and designer.

“If you can get a feeling of what someone wants to achieve, that helps the design, even down to what cameras you use – some cameras are a bit more sympathetic, some are highly detailed. We’re trying to understand the flavour of what they’re trying to achieve, all the pieces that make the show the sum of the parts. We’re very conscious that our packaging, our equipment, our people, our approach reflects the company.”

— Ian ‘Woody’ Woodall, Director of Special Projects, Solotech

Technical roadblocks – then and now

With so many possibilities available due to ongoing, rapid innovations in video technology, the challenges in achieving a balance between the look and feel of a show and harmony between the technology and performance have changed over time.

“A technical roadblock twenty years ago might have been that you couldn’t technically achieve someone’s idea. Whereas in today’s world, you have to strip out the ‘noise’ and choose technology that has value for the production,” Woody says. In doing so, it’s vital to have honest conversations with everybody involved and be selective in choosing the right tools for the job.

“At Solotech, we’re really good at winnowing out the technological ‘noise’ and focusing on products and manufacturers that add value and benefit the projects we do. Obviously, with Adele, it is a technical show, but it needed to remain authentic. I describe it as the visual version of listening to vinyl as opposed to listening to Spotify.”

Scaling authenticity

For Weekends With Adele at the Colosseum in Caesars Palace, the mandate was to maintain an intimate atmosphere for what is very much a large-scale show, achieving balance and harmony between the performance, the setting, and the technology inhabiting it and ensuring the focus remains on the artist even though the video elements in play dwarf them.

That’s no small feat, given the scope and size of the system deployed at Caesar’s. With 180-degrees of projection surfaces stretching virtually across the entire width of the space, you’d expect the audience to focus on the system immediately. But the show’s tone is set beautifully off the top, with just Adele and a pianist performing the first few songs framed by what appears to be an A-shaped virtual proscenium.

In short, the sense of authenticity increases because the audience is so focused on just the piano and Adele initially so that when the scope of the video surfaces are revealed as the show builds, it feels natural, an organic extension of the performance – a sense of the artist inviting you deeper into their world, rather than a distraction. While the show ramps up dramatically, ultimately becoming a breathtaking spectacle, it remains intimate and authentic.

“When Adele first enters the stage, everybody feels like she’s singing to them individually. Then the backing singers join her at the piano. It’s not until several songs in that you start to see the scope. The video surface is in front of you the whole time, but when you walk in, you see it as part of the venue.”

— Ian ‘Woody’ Woodall, Director of Special Projects, Solotech

Establishing trust to push the envelope

Pacing and technical considerations aside, trust is the main ingredient to creating a uniquely compelling concert experience. “When an artist walks out on stage, they put their image, their reputation, in the hands of the people putting that show together,” Woody says. As an equipment provider, he adds, “whilst Solotech is not officially involved in the creative process, we’re working together. We want to understand the creative process to help the system and everything else work together as one.”

At the core, establishing trust depends on human resources, expertise, and service, emphasizing transparent communication within the company and between partners, and the willingness to adapt swiftly and increase your agility as a company. That requires investing as much in technology as in people whose dedication to ensuring every client has access to Solotech’s wide range of resources and full attention is unshakeable.

“In terms of the number of shows, other companies definitely do more. It’s not a numbers game for Solotech. We’re very conscious about not going ‘one gig too far.’ That’s important. If you’re not looking at a project from a resource standpoint – the right people, the right equipment, the right relationship, and every other aspect – if you’re thinking, ‘I’m going to do the show because it’s a big artist, then you’re doing it for the wrong reasons.”

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The Weeknd – After Hours Til Dawn Tour

Luke Bryan at Resorts World Las Vegas

BST Hyde Park

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5 Benefits of Hosting Corporate Events

Rosalie Fitzmorris — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 18:58:44 +0000

5 Benefits of Hosting Corporate Events

Corporate events such as seminars, conferences, trade shows, charities, product launches, holiday parties, and networking events help you engage and communicate with your clients, employees, and investors, and are a fabulous way to show appreciation.

Did you know that almost nine out of ten CEOs believe that events will increase
their marketing reach and help them generate more sales?

Did you know that almost nine out of ten CEOs believe that events will increase their marketing reach and help them generate more sales?

A corporate event has many benefits and is a great vehicle to:

1. Show gratitude

2. Improve company culture

3. Be a thought leader

4. Educate your staff and clients

5. Strengthen team cohesion

With Solotech’s live production expertise, your event will have more impact than your competition. Our team of audiovisual experts will ensure your company event, whether it’s hybrid, in-person or online, is unforgettable and simply spectacular.

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Company events help:

Show gratitude

Giving awards to key performers in your team and even some of your clients can make an impression that lasts for years.

Improve company culture

Corporate events are a great way of highlighting your company’s core values and culture. Employees want to work for companies where they feel engaged and empowered.

Be a thought leader

Clients prefer working with experts because they have a proven track record of success and forward-thinking. Corporate events can elevate your company to the status of thought leader.

Employee and client education

Corporate events can educate your employees on topics and materials specific to your company and even present new features to your clients.

Strengthen team cohesion

Team building company events are a wonderful way to bring your team closer and bridge the gap between leadership and employees.

At Solotech, we have the resources and equipment necessary to translate your vision into reality. Corporate events help improve company culture, strengthen teams, promote creativity, and show gratitude. Knowing these key benefits, we make it our priority to create spectacular events that will set you apart from your competitors.

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PLANNING YOUR EVENT TODAY

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C2 Montréal

Orchestre Métropolitain

Le Bal des Grands romantiques – 25th edition

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Solotech adds the “wow” effect to your business events

Rosalie Fitzmorris — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 19:13:06 +0000

SOLOTECH ADDS THE “WOW” EFFECT
TO YOUR BUSINESS EVENTS

Who says you can’t communicate clearly while also dazzling the crowd?

Business events held by companies, governments,
or associations can sometimes miss the mark.

This is where Solotech steps in. Widely recognized in the entertainment world, count on us to be your partner of choice for all your business events. Why?
Because entertainment is our business, we have the resources and equipment necessary to add a spectacular touch to your gatherings, without ever neglecting the key messages to be conveyed.

“We leverage our position of choice with global icons to raise the bar even higher. Our clients expect nothing less from us. When you hire Solotech, the result is always spectacular. It’s always ‘wow’,” says Marc Stevenson, Sales Representative at Solotech.

Business events held by companies, governments, or associations can sometimes miss the mark.

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“The Solotech team has always created and delivered a “never been done before” experience for my clients, who insist on pushing the limits with each and every one of their conferences. We bring the messaging and creative themes to our Solotech team, and the resulting proposed AV strategy that we are presented with is not only innovative and inspiring, the collaborative team effort in creating lifetime experiences for our attendees is what keeps us coming back year after year. Solotech just makes us look great!”

— Kari Lynn Larsen, President and CEO, Dragonfly Meeting Solutions

Delivering a spectacular customer experience

Whether you want to impress your customers at a new product launch, leave everyone speechless at your annual conference, or show your appreciation to employees or guests at an awards show, one thing is essential: the experience! And Solotech is a master at creating memorable experiences that make a lasting impression.

“No detail is left to chance: how people enter and exit the room, in what order, etc. The process needs to be as smooth as possible and all the details perfect. Our main objective is delivering a memorable customer experience that participants will remember for a long time,” says Marc Stevenson.

So, why deprive yourself of our expertise during your business events?

Delivering a spectacular customer experience

So, why deprive yourself of our expertise during your business events?

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PLANNING YOUR EVENT TODAY

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C2 Montréal

Orchestre Métropolitain

Le Bal des Grands romantiques – 25th edition

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Discover 2023’s Trending Workstyles

Rosalie Fitzmorris — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 13:54:54 +0000

Discover 2023’s Trending Workstyles

In collaboration with

Returning to the Office

As companies and people are eager to get back to normality at work, new health, safety, and productivity challenges appeared and need to be addressed to make everyone comfortable and efficient in their new reality.

According to a survey in which Envoy asked a thousand Americans working full or part-time jobs, 73% of the respondents showed worries about their return to the office, and half of them would even consider leaving their job if safety was not made a top priority by their employer.

Top Concerns About the On-Site Workspace

Not knowing if someone sick comes into the office

Too many people in the workspace at once

Lack of proper ventilation

Top Concerns About the Hybrid Work Environment

Not knowing if someone sick comes into the onsite workspace

Not seeing friends and teammates as often

Missing out on birthdays, activities, and other events

The Hybrid Workspace

Organizations are therefore implementing hybrid workplaces, where employees can work remotely or on-site. This flexibility allows team members to choose their work environment based on their schedules, projects, and needs of the day.

According to the same Envoy survey, most workers (94%) would like to be in the office at least once a week. The hybrid work environment can maximize productivity by allowing employees to choose what fits their reality best.

Fully Remote Workspace

The experiment of regularly working from home showed unexpected and tangible benefits.

Many organizations realized that this new working flexibility concretely increased productivity. One Gartner study revealed that giving employees the flexibility to choose when and where to work boosted top performers by 19 points to 55%, meaning that a majority of companies’ top performers are now remote-working employees.

A – 60% increase in volume of job searches using the “Remote” filter since March.

B – 4x the number of jobs that offer since March.

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Keep Your Teams Connected - No Matter Where You Work

According to a report from Gartner, a leading technology and research consulting company, hybrid work is the future.

31% of all workers worldwide are now remote.

The U.S. accounts for 53% remote workers of the U.S workfirce.

Social and collaboration tools will continue to be a ‘‘must have’’.

The World Of Work Has Changed

Supporting a hybrid office environment with both in-office and remote workers will be critical to the success of organizations around the world as they return to the office.

At Zoom, we’re committed to helping businesses get the most out of their workspaces, no matter where their work happens.

See What’s Possible With Hybrid-Work Friendly Tools

Being ready for remote and hybrid working arrangements means having tools that support your teams, making collaboration seamless across home offices and shared conference rooms.

See how these tools can be put to use across work environments.

Accomplish More With Zoom’s Reliable Meeting Solution

• Unified Communication and Video Collaboration
• Network Management
• IT Security

The World Of Work Has Changed

Supporting a hybrid office environment with both in-office and remote workers will be critical to the success of organizations around the world as they return to the office.

At Zoom, we’re committed to helping businesses get the most out of their workspaces, no matter where their work happens.

See What’s Possible With Hybrid-Work Friendly Tools

Being ready for remote and hybrid working arrangements means having tools that support your teams, making collaboration seamless across home offices and shared conference rooms.

See how these tools can be put to use across work environments.

Accomplish More With Zoom’s Reliable Meeting Solution

• Unified Communication and Video Collaboration
• Network Management
• IT Security

Create Hyper-Customized Solutions For Any Corporate Space With Solotech :

Collaboration Spaces

Multifunctional Spaces

Conference Spaces

Your Workspace Setup Delivered To You in Easy Steps :

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Delve into AVL industry best practices

Citation: Gartner, Inc. (2021). Forecast Analysis: Remote and Hybrid Workers, Worldwide. www.gartner.com/en/documents/40021/0/forecast-analysis-remote-and-hybrid-workers-worldwide https://explore.zoom.us/docs/en-us/hybrid-workforce.

Worship Technology Strategies for Spaces Old and New

Mona-Dominique Regnier — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Worship Technology Strategies for Spaces Old and New

DELVE INTO INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES

The term House of Worship (HoW) is a broad term that often covers many different types of architecture: it could be a 700-year-old cathedral, a traditional church, or a purpose-built modern auditorium. Yet, each environment has its own set of challenges that need to be identified and considered.

Understanding what the client wants to ultimately achieve is the most important thing, and this translates into how we can then provide a service to them that offers a cost-effective solution that meets their requirements in the long term and delivers the best experience for their congregation.

Before any in-depth planning or design, I would try and ascertain what the space is predominately going to be used for. Sometimes, the solution required isn’t what is initially asked for. Often small changes in how they approach their services can dramatically improve the quality of delivery. For example, switching from stage wedges to IEMs and removing excess stage noise in highly reverberant spaces can often lead to huge improvements to the quality of sound possible in the space, at times even more so than updating the console or the PA system. Finding the limiting factor in the current setup and fixing it builds client trust and allows the Church to get the most out of its system in the long term.

Prioritise the project

Quite often, a client will approach us with a brief containing many different elements, which can make it difficult to identify the main system requirements. In this instance, we would work with them to identify the priorities and the key investments required to achieve the ultimate goal.

My personal advice: it’s better to wait for what you want and make several investments over time in high quality products, rather than squeezing lots of different elements into a budget for a lower quality offering. This phased approach to upgrades and new builds will provide greater long-term satisfaction and return on investment, ultimately delivering a better, more future-proof system.

Live music within worship has always played its part in congregational worship, and it continues to be an integral part of the modern Church. Large Churches often have high levels of production value and complex requirements.

An example of this would be the work we’ve carried out for Hillsong Church UK, which requires multiple systems that can be set up and operated by their team of volunteers across all their UK locations. These systems needed to be scalable to allow them to be used as part of the AV solution for some of their larger events, which historically have been held in venues such as Wembley Arena, the O2 Arena, and various West End theatres.

There’s no doubt that Solotech’s experience and knowledge of the live and touring industry have helped us to realize the production values needed to deliver all types of HoW events.

The diverse nature of HoW requires a team with varied skillsets. From Cathedrals to small Church halls, from the O2 Arena to large outdoor festivals and everything in between, we have a highly talented and experienced team of experts that we can draw from. This breadth of knowledge and expertise across Solotech is what gives us our credibility.

Networked systems and the future of HoW

We are seeing more and more how technology can be utilized to solve specific problems within the HoW sector. A common problem is the multi-purpose nature of their buildings, which can be used throughout the week by various groups and people, each with their own requirements. In this instance, a networked system such as the QSC audio, video, and control platform, Q-SYS can be used to help manage the building-wide AV system, simplifying what can be a time-consuming and challenging job. With the use of timed snapshots, Q-SYS can recall specific system configurations at specific times. This allows us to reset a whole building back to a known Sunday state, for example, with no additional human interaction. This saves time and improves the consistency of services and events throughout the week.

Systems such as these can be customized specifically for the client and help in providing a solution to the problem of the multi-purpose nature of a cathedral or Church that might require services across various rooms and spaces, including breakout and meeting rooms and coffee shops.

A perfect example of how this technology can be implemented effectively is the York Minster project that we completed.

This was a complex brief, which included audio for spoken word and music easy to use and flexible enough to serve across the Minster’s many spaces for a variety of uses. d&b audiotechnik column speakers were installed throughout the Minster, with the entire system running through a QSC Q-SYS platform. The ease of use of the system means that both technical and non-technical staff can operate it via touch screen interfaces, selecting the various zones throughout the Minster.

Any faults or issues, such as a blown speaker or faulty amp, are detected via the Q-SYS system and reported directly back to us so that we can access the Q-SYS Core and identify and rectify the problem immediately, or with an engineer being sent to the site.

York Minster now benefits from a cutting-edge system that is sympathetic to the building, easy to operate, and delivers superb audio clarity at all times.

Training to stay on top

To get the most out of any new system the client must be trained to master every element. At Solotech, we recommend and provide training and guidance throughout the entire project. There are also excellent manufacturer online training videos, which are a great resource for upskilling volunteer teams.

Our relationships with our HoW clients are a testament to our skills in providing service, advice, and support in this sector as they continue to invest in cutting-edge technology to bring their message of worship to a congregation.

Rich Harris is a Senior Project Development Manager for the Solotech UK Group Systems Integration Team, specializing in live events and installations within the House of Worship sector.

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Must-have conferencing technology for the hybrid work model

Rosalie Fitzmorris — Mon, 30 May 2022 19:16:50 +0000

Must-have conferencing technology for the hybrid work model

“Can you see me?” “Can you hear me?” “Is there a construction crew drilling nearby?” “You’re frozen.” “You should call IT.” “I’m sorry, but we’ve run out of time.”

If these phrases sound familiar, there’s a good chance your company has joined the ranks of the new hybrid workplace reality.

What was once considered a temporary response to the ongoing pandemic, the hybrid work model looks like it’s here to stay. For most, this work-from-home and sometimes work-at-the-office lifestyle satisfies a yearning for balance and freedom. The question is, how can IT and facility managers ensure that remote workers and office workers feel like they’re all working under the same roof?

If you are an IT professional, IT Manager, CEO, Procurement Manager, or Estate Manager, you don’t want to miss this boat.

The highs of the hybrid work model

73% of employees want remote work options to remain in place¹.

In our whitepaper entitled ‘Can you hear me now? Key conferencing technology to help IT and facility managers embrace hybrid work mode’, we outline the needs and benefits of a carefully conceived hybrid work plan.

The magic begins when you provide all users with the same and most up-to-date conferencing technology. This contributes to increased employee engagement, overall productivity and consistent and predictable work experience. As a bonus, an investment in AV technology can ensure its efficiency and long-term lifespan. And last but not least, your IT department can shift their time and effort away from endless AV troubleshooting.

If you lose your video, you can still carry a conversation. If you lose your audio, the meeting is over.

Idan Razon, Director, Collaboration Solutions and IT, Solotech

DELVE INTO INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES

Sound makes the world go-‘round

When it comes to videoconferencing technology, the Solotech advantage is certainly in the sound. Founded on audio expertise in live events, companies around the world now count on Solotech for impeccable sound, video and hardware/software technology solutions.

Sound is pivotal to the videoconferencing experience in the hybrid work model. The right audio processor and omnidirectional microphone can change everything. But this is only the beginning.

Did you know that the right acoustic treatment can reduce distractions by 51%²?

A tech team that understands your reality

66% of business leaders are considering redesigning office space for hybrid work³.

Our whitepaper will walk you through the pain points of the hybrid workplace model and share solutions aimed at company leaders who want to future-proof their audiovisual systems. Discover the benefits of best-in-class videoconferencing technology for both your employees and your bottom line.

Find out how to optimize video feeds, choose the right software, and the importance of hardware and after-sales support. The insights and tips you’ll read are steps towards making sure you never hear the phrase again “Can you hear me now?”

^1-3 Eldeman Data x Intelligence Survey sponsored by Microsoft, (2021) www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/hybrid-work
² David M. Sykes PhD., (2009) Productivity: How Acoustics Affect Workers’ Performance In Offices & Open Areas

Download our white paper here!

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Canada’s 2022 Festival Season: A Symbol of Renewal

Mona-Dominique Regnier — Mon, 30 May 2022 14:35:15 +0000

Canada’s 2022 Festival Season: A Symbol of Renewal

After two years of changing, postponing, and even canceling festivals, this new 2022 season will be held under the sign of renewal, and it could be a legitimate turning point for the industry. After being sidelined for the last two years, our Live Productions team is ready to meet the high demand and pumped to get the machine rolling again.

“It’s great news: there will be many opportunities for Solotech,” said Jerome Dussault, Sales Director, Quebec, Live Productions Division. “We are getting back to a classic formula, very experiential. Events and festivals want to impress.”

A new, more efficient approach

This forced break allowed Solotech to rethink its working methods. Now, the company’s experts focus even more on customer support.

“We now have an upstream customer approach,” explains Nicolas Labbé, Senior Technical Specialist at Solotech. “This method involves both the event designers and Solotech representatives. It allows everyone to prepare better and thus simplify the process.”

“Everybody wins when we can work in prevention rather than in reaction,” adds Jerome Dussault. “You can make better decisions when you have time.” This approach allows everyone to get more creative.

"Solotech is a company that knows how to adapt to the different situations during the events, thanks to its specialist team. We are very proud to count them among our partners."

Chantal Boivin, General Manager, Hakim Productions

DELVE INTO INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES

Classic formula with expanded possibilities

Things getting back to normal is excellent news for everyone. However, Solotech has no intention to deny its virtual technologies expertise acquired over the past years.

“It will evolve, change from what we have known, but virtual technologies are here to stay,” assured Alexandre Miasnikof, Head of Virtual Events at Solotech.

As much among event organizers and festivalgoers, we feel a strong desire to return to a classic formula focused on the on-site user experience. The available technological services include multimedia content production for promotional purposes, VIP packages, and live or delayed broadcasts of the event, thus breaking down physical and geographical barriers.

“The festivalgoer is there to live the experience,” continues Alexandre Miasnikof. “Technology allows us to reach a clientele who would not attend the event on-site. We can meet the demand for online broadcasts, for example, of an event in Montreal for people in Vancouver.”

Solotech’s Media and Entertainment Technology team also anticipates a growing demand for the addition of extended reality technologies to special events and festivals. Thus, Solotech is working hard to position itself to lead the parade, support its customers, and meet their technological needs.

"The dedication, the adaptability, and the reflex of their employees to always do better fit into our philosophy of creating a memorable, professional, and unique experience for our festivalgoers."

Pascal Lafrenière, General Manager, Festival Western de St-Tite

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Event planning: a world of new possibilities

Rosalie Fitzmorris — Sun, 29 May 2022 21:24:54 +0000

EVENT PLANNING: A WORLD OF NEW POSSIBILITIES

FOUR FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING YOUR EVENT

UP THE ANTE…TO WOW

We live in a fast-paced attention economy and engaging your audience to maintain focus is crucial. How will you communicate your message in a persuasive way — before, during and after the event? How will technology be used to contribute to a unified and compelling message?

NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK

While an eye-popping light show and top-tier entertainment are bound to impress, the unique value of an in-person event, especially a business-centric function, is the networking opportunities it offers. Thus, how can you best use technology to boost attendance and bring more people into the conversation?

GET IT IN WRITING

Draw up clear agreements regarding technological content. Questions about the content are bound to arise. Who owns the rights to the audio and video content created for the event? How will that content be used? What permissions are outlined? Ensure that all speakers, presenters and suppliers are on the same page with your company— and have signed the appropriate waivers.

GO PRO

This cannot be stressed enough. Ask yourself what your vision for the event is. Taking into consideration the limitations of your budget, then work with established AV professionals to guide you within those parameters and optimize location, setting and ambiance to boost audience engagement.

GET IT IN WRITING

GO PRO

DELVE INTO INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES

BORING IS OUT

In an era where “the bigger the better” rules, expectations about event experiences have escalated accordingly. Event planning is a booming industry of spectacle and community — and ordinary just won’t do anymore. That’s where we come in. Our expertise provides the “wow” factor.

Engagement is the key word — and the key to a memorable event. That’s what all industry pros aim for.

That’s always been our stated goal.

HYBRID AND VIRTUAL

Audiences now have familiarity with virtual gatherings. The possibilities of event planning have become endless. An event can be held in Montreal featuring a speaker remotely based in Australia!

Event organizers can have big names “pop in” for an hour or partake in a multi-speaker panel. Events such as these could also be as interactive and immersive as required as Solotech’s state-of-the-art equipment and specialists make every configuration possible.

POST-EVENT CONTENT OPPORTUNITIES

Event professionals are increasingly interested in capturing content and making it available for future re-broadcasts. TED Talks are the perfect example of packaging an event experience and making it available to anyone unable to attend. But industry pros need to proceed with caution and ask some important questions including who owns the rights to that content.

INTERACTIONS AT THE FOREFRONT

Regardless of how spectacular a digital event may be, nothing can replace the impact of one-on-one interaction. There’s nothing like being in the same room together. More companies are recognizing this fact and placing greater emphasis on the participant experience. Solotech’s customized solutions, in all cases, will ensure that audience engagement is the number one priority.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CORPORATE EVENTS >

CONTACT OUR EXPERTS TO START
PLANNING YOUR EVENT TODAY

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Markets – Solotech

Lighting Up the Stars at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards

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Deployment in atypical environments

deployment inatypicalenvironments

When nature meets high-end technology

Solotech's dual expertise serving unique projects

Working in the mountains: a challenge worthy of our team

Working with the utmost respect for the environment

A stimulating challenge met with flying colours

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OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS:SPOTLIGHT ON OUR WORK IN THE SHADOW

When attending a festival, you see lights and screens, hear your favorite artists' music,and have a spectacular experience.

A marathon begins

A quick turnover in the warehouse

The show must go on

It's showtime!

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Four Trends In Command And Control Centers

FOUR TRENDS IN COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTERS

THE HUMAN FACTOR AT THE HEART OF THE REFLECTION

THE IMPORTANCE OF CYBERSECURITY

THE CONTRIBUTION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

THE ARRIVAL OF VIRTUAL REALITY

ABOUT JONATHAN HENRI

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Weekends with Adele

Working with Solotech makes your event spectacular on-stage and behind the scenes

Expertise, service, and communication: key ingredients for remaining at the forefront of live concert video

Achieving excellence begins with honest conversations

Technical roadblocks – then and now

Scaling authenticity

Establishing trust to push the envelope

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5 Benefits of Hosting Corporate Events

5 Benefits of Hosting Corporate Events

Company events help:

Show gratitude

Improve company culture

Be a thought leader

Employee and client education

Strengthen team cohesion

CONTACT OUR EXPERTS TO STARTPLANNING YOUR EVENT TODAY

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Solotech adds the “wow” effect to your business events

SOLOTECH ADDS THE “WOW” EFFECTTO YOUR BUSINESS EVENTS

Business events held by companies, governments,or associations can sometimes miss the mark.

Business events held by companies, governments, or associations can sometimes miss the mark.

Delivering a spectacular customer experience

Delivering a spectacular customer experience

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Discover 2023’s Trending Workstyles

Returning to the Office

The Hybrid Workspace

Fully Remote Workspace

Keep Your Teams Connected - No Matter Where You Work

The World Of Work Has Changed

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Create Hyper-Customized Solutions For Any Corporate Space With Solotech :

Lighting Up the Stars at the
2023 MTV Video Music Awards

deployment in
atypical
environments

OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS:
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR WORK IN THE SHADOW

When attending a festival, you see lights and screens, hear your favorite artists' music,
and have a spectacular experience.

CONTACT OUR EXPERTS TO START
PLANNING YOUR EVENT TODAY

SOLOTECH ADDS THE “WOW” EFFECT
TO YOUR BUSINESS EVENTS

Business events held by companies, governments,
or associations can sometimes miss the mark.

CONTACT OUR EXPERTS TO START
PLANNING YOUR EVENT TODAY

Prioritise the project

CONTACT OUR EXPERTS TO START
PLANNING YOUR EVENT TODAY