19
Knowledge and Culture’.
The hybrid event element kicked
off with a welcome talk from the
RSA’s head of commercial
development, Charlotte Sumners,
about the history of the RSA and the
building along with an overview of
The RSA’s current areas of work.
Profits from events held at the venue
fund these current programmes
including, ‘Future of Work’,
‘Regenerative Futures/Sustainability’
and ‘Fair Education’. CH&CO’s
certified nutritionist, Amanda Ursell,
joined virtually from Italy, to talk
about ‘What You Eat Can Optimise
Your Immune System’ and gave a
useful insight on how to combat
screen fatigue.
Ten members of the Hire Space
team who were unable to join in
person dialled in remotely for the
venue tour and afternoon session.
An average score of 8.1 was given for
overall event enjoyment with one
guest commenting: “this felt totally
worth it as the experience was
mostly great for those attending
remotely. Multi shot camera angles
and view of the room made me feel
like I was actually part of the event
and engaged throughout.”
All production and audio-visual
aspects of the day were managed by
Pete Bradbury and his team at
Radiance Production. Bradbury said:
“Hybrid events like this are key to
reopening the meeting and events
industry and giving our audiences
confidence. I think we will see more
of them going forward, they are much
more inclusive for those unable to
attend it person and with the right
planning, discussion and
collaboration from the venue, client
and production company they can be
really memorable”.
The day was wrapped up with a
private cinema experience in the
venue’s screening room, Durham
Street Auditorium, which was built on
the last remaining stretch of 18th
Century cobbled Victorian roadway.
Guests had the chance to sensibly
socialise sitting two meters apart
while enjoying a movie of their
choice.
Key learnings from the day
included satisfaction about the
event’s safety. People were
impressed with the safety measures,
but it was noted it can’t be
underestimated how important it is
to over-communicate as some
people will push the rules.
As for content delivery and
technology, online attendees enjoyed
the experience and felt included,
which makes it a worthwhile
investment, but organisers think
carefully about the more interactive
content features and be sure to
communicate the agenda in advance
to anyone not attending in person.
Bento boxes were well received as
a catering option, and perception is
Above: RSA House
Below: The Hire Space
team
Cover Story
important where food is concerned.
Benjamin Edmonds, head of
promotions at Hire Space said:
“Seeing all the measures from our
white paper come into fruition and
work so effectively was brilliant.
Working with Laura and the team
couldn’t have been easier. They have
all worked so hard to put a full range
of measures in place which has also
seen them become accredited as a
Safer Venue, and it was evident in
our polling of the team after the
event that everyone appreciated the
measures and felt safe.”
General manager of RSA House,
Rupert Outram, added that the day
was constructive. He said: “The day
reassured me that the energy and
quality of communication created by
face to face meetings is
unachievable in a purely screen
based meeting, but by being able to
offer this style of hybrid event
solution if gives businesses (our
customers) the option to include
those who are unable to attend
physically or in cases where
companies would like to include a
large audiences (beyond room
capacity) for part or all of the event.”
RSA House gained both the Hire
Space ‘Safer Events’ and
VisitEngland’s ‘Good to Go’
accreditations. The venue is open to
host meetings and weddings for up
to 30 guests and all other events
from 1 October.
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