Broadcast from any place, any time…

How is it possible to guarantee a broadcast from any location without doing a proper site visit first? Obviously, it isn’t, right? Wrong…

We are excited to announce a significant enhancement to our service offerings at our London-based rental company. Our commitment to providing exceptional live broadcast, webcast, and technical services across the UK has always been our priority. Today, we are proud to introduce new capabilities that allow us to operate in even the most remote locations without the need for a site visit or existing power and internet infrastructure.

We have recently added Instagrid portable batteries to our rental stock. These enable us to run our systems and broadcast technology using battery power.

With our new battery-powered solutions, we can now deliver uninterrupted, high-quality broadcasts and webcasts from virtually any location. Our Instagrid units provide reliable, portable power, while Peplink devices ensure robust connectivity.

This advancement means that whether you are hosting an event in a remote countryside or a corporate function in an off-grid location, we can support your needs seamlessly.

We are enthusiastic about these new capabilities and look forward to bringing our services to even more unique and challenging environments. For more information or to inquire about our services, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Present Communications achieves certification to ISO 20121:2012 Sustainable Event Management

Present have achieved certification to ISO 20121:2012 Sustainable Event Management in relation to its work as a supplier to the events industry, supplying technology and support to the live events, experiential and broadcast sectors.

ISO20121:2012 provides a recognised framework for sustainable event management. Present has prioritized sustainability since its inception almost 20 years ago as an early adopter and supplier of (what is now called) virtual and hybrid event technology.

Present MD Kieron Garlic says “Achieving this certification is testament to the hard work of the team and our continuing focus on sustainability. It also underscores the direction we are taking the business. Remote production and broader connectivity services facilitate the wider reach and impact of the events we work on and the content we produce. I am immensely proud of the team’s efforts and what they’ve accomplished which will ensure moving forward we are not only delivering impactful and valuable services but also delivering them in the most sustainable way”.

Managing Director UK & Ireland at BSI, Matt Page comments “Congratulations to Present for achieving certification to the sustainable events management standard. This certification demonstrates Present’s dedication to both sustainability and purpose from the supplier side of sustainable event delivery. Following a rigorous audit, Present proved vital action had been taken to meet the requirements of the Sustainable Events Management System Standard and consider key environmental, social, and economic impacts. BSI is proud to provide support in this area and will continue to work alongside industry and society to accelerate the adoption of sustainable measures.”

Present have provided audio visual and event technology support for almost 20 years, originally supporting hotels and conference centres with audio visual equipment and event technicians.

From 2008, we have provided video conferencing services for corporate events and on-site webcasting support to streaming platforms (streaming from a laptop wasn’t possible in those days!)

As a video specialist to other audio visual and production companies, online video became core to what we do.

Covid took the business fully virtual for a short while. Our MCR / studio was used for hundreds of live broadcasts over the lockdown period.

Present now provides a comprehensive range of video, streaming, filming, podcast, post production and connectivity services to the events, experiential and broadcast industries.

How do I make my event more accessible?

It’s not only right and fair to make your event inclusive and accessible, but it also increases the value! Quite simply, more people can take part.

Accessibility tools
💚 Induction loops (in-room)
💚Bluetooth for hearing aids
💚BSL / ASL
💚Captions

It seems obvious to say, but the best option is all of the above. That way, people in the audience can chose and even change throughout the day (reducing fatigue). Captions for example are now so popular that 80% of Netflix shows include them. So should we have them on all our events?

And did you know our captioners are often working from home, so there is less travel and environmental impact, as well as a smaller space requirement.

Exploring the World of Microphones

In the realm of audio technology, microphones play a pivotal role in capturing, transmitting, and amplifying sound. It’s a huge and diverse field, with nuanced differences and very specific applications. So let’s go over what we use, and why we use it.

Lapel microphones, also known as lavalier microphones, are designed to be clipped onto clothing, making them inconspicuous and perfect for situations where visibility and mobility matters. Typically an Omnidirectional Condenser, they are sensitive, detailed and consistent. Perfect for presentations and interviews, our Sennheiser Wireless Lapel mics are a permanent feature in our productions.

Handheld microphones are perhaps the most recognizable type of microphone. Their ergonomic and familiar design allows speakers, presenters, and performers to have control over their audio as they move around the stage or set. Typically a Hyper-Cardioid Dynamic microphone, they provide a very focused and powerful sound, minimising bleed from the environment and providing a clear signal on the busiest of stages. Our Sennheiser Handheld microphones are also wireless, providing maximum mobility and comfort; meaning they’re also an extremely popular and useful tool.

Lectern microphones are designed for use on podiums or lecterns, offering a convenient solution for speakers addressing an audience. These microphones are engineered to minimize feedback and capture the speaker’s voice clearly, even when they’re positioned a bit further away from the microphone. They provide a stable and consistent solution for talks and conferences with multiple speakers addressing the audience in turn, and keeping the speaker physically free from any microphones can benefit their presentation.

Finally, Boundary microphones, or “boundary mics,” use the principle of phase cancellation to capture sound waves reflected off surfaces, resulting in a natural and ambient audio capture. These microphones are often placed on large surfaces like conference tables or theatre stages, making them ideal for recording meetings, conferences and theatrical performances. They’re a useful tool due to the ease of use and minimal technical footprint, making them a great choice for more simple setups where a wide area needs to be covered effectively.

The world of microphones is diverse and adaptable, catering to a wide range of commercial applications. Whether you’re capturing the ambiance of a conference, recording a podcast, addressing a large audience, or amplifying a musical performance, there’s a microphone type that’s perfectly suited for the task.

Lets talk about connectivity…

What do you do if you internet isn’t great and you need to stream. Perhaps the wifi is slow, or you’re in a rural area. We can connect multiple internet connection together using a process called ‘bonding’.

We use a device that connects multiple internet connections together from a company call Peplink. It allows us to provide stronger, more resilient internet on site for streaming, in the homes of remote contributors and even in remote location. We can connect 3G, 4G, KASAT and starlink, fibre and wifi. Talk to us if you want to know more.

If you want to know more about how we use this technology, or how to get better internet in hard to reach places, drop us a line – kieron@presentcommunications.com

Building out a content pipeline…

With larger events now fully back in the calendar but smaller meetings and training replaced by virtual ones, consistent engagement throughout the year is more important than ever. Much of this is done online and content creation is now a key engagement activity, where networking and workshops used to be.

Many organisations’ major events calendar has been reduced to a single ‘big day’. Make sure you take full advantage of all your potential content and increase the longevity of your event by capturing as much as possible.

You have your ideal audience, speakers and experts in one place. This is the perfect opportunity to capture as much content as possible, an opportunity not to be missed. We build simple, cost-effective studios in events, exhibitions, seminars, congresses, just like yours.

Create a space for presenters to POP in, delegates to POP by.