4 New State-of-the-Art Production Studios to Consider for Your Next Hybrid Event

October 7, 2021

If the human species is good at one thing, it’s adapting. So too is the trade show and events industry, which was forced to “pivot” during the worst of the pandemic by moving into a more innovative, forward-thinking mindset via the leveraging of virtual event technology. What has resulted is a digital events revolution and a growing hybrid evolution that is likely to be a mainstay in the events world for the foreseeable future.  

To meet the needs of events serving both in-person and virtual audiences, hybrid event production studios are popping up in cities and at convention centers across the U.S. and U.K. Here are four new state-of-the-art facilities to keep on your radar:

Worre Studios (Las Vegas)

Worre

Built at a breakneck speed of just over two months before opening in December 2020 in Southwest Las Vegas, Worre Studios is a multi-million-dollar, 25,000-square-foot interactive studio capable of hosting up to 250,000 digital attendees and 300 in-person attendees.  

Boasting two 5G networks, a stage-in-the-round footprint and surrounded by a 360-degree 1.9mm 4k LED interactive screen system, the studio offers broadcast-quality audio and video equipment, presenters and hosts to accommodate a wide range of virtual and hybrid events. Venue setups can be customized depending on the needs of each event.

Whether an event is hybrid or purely digital, event hosts can visually expand the audience field to talk directly to attendees, see and hear their reactions and have constant interaction, while the studio’s translation platform can translate to attendees and back to the host in multiple languages, allowing global participants to have the same live event experience.  

“What was created here was very purpose-built for those who need not only a hybrid solution but also a virtual, fully participatory environment,” explained Worre Studios President Larry Smith. “What we thought would be a temporary answer during the pandemic ended up being the perfect solution to reshape what’s possible for live and virtual events, making them even better than imagined. The capabilities of the studio break the boundaries of what’s possible.” 

CANVAS Studio at Monterey Conference Center (Monterey, Calif.) 

CANVAS Studio

Set to open the week of Oct. 18, the Monterey Conference Center (MCC) and Montreal-based Immersive Design Studios are putting the finishing touches on the 10,000-square-foot CANVAS Studio. Able to accommodate 125 in-person attendees via theater-style seating and 30,000 virtual guests, the space was created to be an immersive, interactive and engaging environment for both in-person and virtual attendees and speakers.

Located on the second floor of the MCC inside the Steinbeck Ballroom, the circular studio is equipped with 360-degree wraparound screens and Immersive’s CANVAS software platform, which enables two-way interactivity that allows speakers to see thousands of remote attendees up on the screens simultaneously, as well as zoom in on any individual for spontaneous and personal interactions. 

According to Doug Phillips, MCC general manager, the new studio will enable business leaders, performers and others to safely and cost-effectively reach their audiences without compromising on the quality and communal energy of an in-person meeting or event. 

“We’re thrilled to be opening this innovative and high-end studio space to enable our clients to expand their reach and augment their revenue streams,” Phillips said. “This past year we have creatively developed solutions to better serve the industry in a post-COVID world, and we believe that offering a blend of hybrid and virtual events well into the future is an excellent way to ensure that meeting planners have flexible and cost-effective options for whatever circumstances may arise.”  

ACT Hybrid Production Studio (Chicago)

ACT

Chicago’s McCormick Place isn’t just the largest convention center in North America, it’s also home to the 4,249-seat Arie Crown Theatre, which found itself sitting unused due to the pandemic. But instead of allowing the venue to stay empty, McCormick formed a “pandemic partnership” with Freeman in the summer of 2020 to repurpose the space and create the Arie Crown Theater (ACT) Hybrid Production Studio for digital and hybrid meetings and events. 

Boasting all the latest high-tech bells and whistles, the new studio comes equipped with  a 400-square-foot 4K LED video wall, top-tier set design and the ability to capture content using virtual environments and augmented reality while connecting with audiences worldwide via live streaming. A team of experienced professionals from both McCormick and Freeman is also available to help support event organizers in the production process.

Rather than using projections with a green screen, the ACT studio uses the LED wall as its backdrop, which can show images or slides during the livestreaming of a presentation, as well as cut to video, according to David Kennedy, assistant general manager of McCormick Place. 

“The people in the audience can see the people/presenter, as well as the content behind, so it’s the best of both worlds,” Kennedy explained. “Many items can be pre-recorded, edited and sent out, which provides another option for non-live or non-hybrid events. That allows you to add other speakers that may be in different locations around the country if they want to participate yet have timing conflicts. We have received nothing but positive feedback for our capabilities.”

Studio at Manchester Central (Manchester, U.K.)

Manchester Central

Earlier this year, Manchester Central, one of the U.K.’s largest event venues, opened its Studio at Manchester Central, a purpose-built, broadcast-quality production studio that enables content to be pre-recorded or live streamed from a professional TV broadcasting environment. 

Situated alongside the venue’s plug-and-play “Live from the Auditorium” hybrid event offering located within its 800-seat auditorium, the studio features a fully integrated technology set with customizable LED backdrops, lighting and full audiovisual equipment capable of producing high-quality content. 

According to Shaun Hinds, CEO at Manchester Central, the venue is fully prepared for the growing demand for hybrid facilities and is ready and able to successfully host safe events of all shapes, sizes and formats. 

“The future of large-scale events is about providing a range of options—from virtual and hybrid platforms through to the very best facilities where people can meet—that can be tailored to the specific requirements of every event,” Hinds said. “We fully expect digital and real-life activities to co-exist and complement each other to make events accessible for everyone, as well as restore in-person confidence.”

 

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact