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Our Top Tech-Driven Networking Ideas For Your Next Corporate Event
Posted By Tallen | March 08, 2023
Corporate event networking is crucial to successful business relationships across many industries. And in today’s tech-driven world, event planners are increasingly turning to AV for innovative networking solutions. Luckily, their options are more robust than ever, especially with the right forethought and planning. Here are some of our favorite ways to leverage AV technology for creative networking at your next corporate event.
Structured vs. Organic Event Networking
What comes to mind when you hear the words “corporate event networking”? You could picture happy hour meet-ups or professionals casually mingling around the hors d’oeuvres table. Or you might imagine more structured round tables and breakout rooms. At its essence, networking is about empowering event attendees to create meaningful industry connections.
In our experience, networking can be divided into two main categories: structured and organic. During structured networking, certain groups or individuals are brought together by design. For example, having a breakout session that’s just for general managers or speed networking for young professionals. By contrast, organic networking creates opportunities for individuals or groups to move and connect more spontaneously. These “unstructured” networking opportunities still require plenty of coordination on the event planner’s end. These organic networking opportunities include things like happy hour or live music events.
Creative, Tech-Driven Networking Ideas for Your Next Event
Gamification and Contests
Networking doesn’t have to feel like a chore! Games and contests add an element of fun to corporate networking events. And technology helps bring those games and contests to life! For example, you can create a city-wide scavenger hunt and upload contest standings to a centrally-located digital leaderboard. Or set up a Jeopardy-style game that pits regional teams against each other for prizes (and glory). Using AV to announce and prominently display the results helps keep the spirit of competition alive!
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is an excellent option for both live and hybrid events. For example, you can set up a central studio and multiple breakout rooms throughout the venue. By broadcasting between the primary studio and the breakout rooms, audiences can participate in different types of networking—educational talks, dance competitions, and more—while staying connected to the main event through AV. This creative use of AV technology allows your attendees to see and hear each while participating in the activities they’re most interested in and comfortable with.
Streaming Attendee-Created Content
Handing creative control over to your attendees is one innovative way to create engagement on the conference, meeting, or trade show floor. For example, you can task individuals or small groups with recording interviews, skits, or other video content. Then, Tallen can edit that content and share it with the rest of the event. For example, we used attendee-created content at one event to stage a “Shark Tank” scenario. To participate, different teams presented their ideas to improve the company in small, recorded skits. This sort of content creates a fun environment and allows people to be more social and engaged with each other.
Incorporating Networking Into Your Corporate Events
Technology can expand the ways that we connect. But at the end of the day, networking is about creating human connections and getting to know one another. So if you’re looking for creative ways to incorporate networking into your next corporate event, here are a few considerations to help guide your decision-making process.
Who is your audience?
Your audience demographic will dictate the most appropriate networking avenues. For example, is your event connecting industry professionals in a B2B context? Are you encouraging connections between regional teams within your company? Or are you trying to connect industry professionals with a consumer audience?
How big is your audience?
The networking options for an audience of ten will look significantly different from an audience of 1,000. For smaller audiences, something as simple as assigned seating during a dinner meeting could open up networking opportunities. For larger audiences, you’ll need to consider event space constraints and more creative ways for like-minded attendees to connect.
Why is networking important to your audience?
This question gets to the heart of networking. Why is it important for your attendees to connect with one another in the context of your event? Are you just trying to support stronger personal bonds, or is there a greater purpose? Are your attendees interested in connecting with thought leaders and influencers in their industry? Or are you trying to connect product developers with potential investors?
Bringing Event Apps and AV Together
For years, event apps have been the easiest way to get people engaged and networking. And when you want to display information from the app in the meeting room, Tallen can help! The appropriate AV helps bring your app content to life in a larger format.
When selecting an event app platform, we recommend looking for something that can be programmed to fit your specific needs. For instance, many include games, interactivity, and challenges that can be customized. It’s also important to brand the app and create cohesion between app content and the design/feel of your live meeting.
Partner with Tallen for Impactful, Tech-Driven Networking
There are endless ways to use AV technology to elevate networking at events. As your full-service event production partner, we can apply state-of-the-art technology to create innovative networking experiences. Interested in leveraging AV and technology at your next event? Get in touch to learn more about how our team can bring your vision to life!

Creative Ways to Use An LED Video Wall at Your Next Event
Posted By Tallen | February 14, 2023
Whether you need a visually immersive and dynamic stage for your General Session or want your trade show booth to pop in the exhibit hall, LED walls are a versatile option for many events. Plus, as technology continues to improve, they’re a more practical option than ever before. So if you’re considering an LED video wall for your next event, here are some of our favorite ways to put them to work.
Creative uses for an LED video wall
If you’ve recently attended a conference, trade show, or other corporate event, you’ve likely seen LED walls in action. They’re becoming an increasingly integral part of the live event experience. The top creative uses for an LED video wall include:
Changeable and dynamic scenic
Add more ambiance to your event setting with an LED video wall. Whether they serve as a dynamic extension of your stage design or comprise the bulk of the design itself, LED walls can create a more immersive experience in venues that don’t easily facilitate projectors. Think of it as a canvas that content is painted on. However, unlike traditional stage design, this canvas allows for motion, graphics, and scene changes with just the touch of a button.
Information sharing
LED video walls are gaining importance in conference halls for one simple reason: they add immense value to presentations with pictures, illustrations, charts, videos, and other visual information sharing. Thanks to the massive advancements in LED display technology, LED light displays are lighter, more flexible, and provide sharper images. With their superb image quality, you can ensure your important information gets seen.
More interactive events
Want to add more engagement to your corporate event? Turn your video wall system into a tool for audience interaction! Many LED video walls can link to smartphones and tablets, making them an ideal way to display on-the-fly poll results, share audience insights, and moderate Q&A sessions.
You can even use touch walls to create floor-to-ceiling interactive displays, like a fashion company client used during a product launch. During the event, an artist drew customers’ faces behind the new sunglass series, then displayed them on a large video wall. This was a creative, engaging way for potential customers to “try on” the new product in a larger-than-life application.
Crystal clear demos
LED walls can give your attendees unmatched views of real-time demos, no matter where they are in the audience. So whether you’re demonstrating a new product, medical procedure, or anything in between, the right LED video wall setup gives every audience member a front seat to the action.
Is an LED wall right for your event?
While an LED video wall can add value to just about every event, there are a few things to consider before investing in this technology.
Adequate time for setup
LED technology has come a long way from the time-intensive, clunky setups of even a few years ago. Still, proper setup and testing require an adequate time window. This is especially true for custom installations and unique configurations. If your event is on a tight or abbreviated timeline, there might be better options than this one.
Creative content that leverages the LED wall
To maximize your investment in an LED video wall, developing creative content worth displaying is important! When conceptualizing your event creative, consider the unique benefits of an LED wall versus other types of displays like projectors or static scenic designs. If you’re unsure how to design creative elements for an LED display, Tallen’s full-service in-house creative team can help.
Venue configuration and audience distance
Years ago, you had to stand further away from video screens for things to look crisp. However, continuous improvements have made it possible to use LED walls in environments where attendees are much closer to the display. Keep in mind more cost-effective options for LED displays are available, but they may not have the same picture quality when viewed up close.
Quality of video processing equipment
The quality of the video processing equipment that goes along with your LED video wall will be dictated, in large part, by the type of content you need to display. For example, dynamic picture-in-picture (PIP) capabilities and layered content will require more robust video equipment to feed the LED wall.
Stay on the cutting edge of LED wall integration
Tallen has stayed at the forefront of LED wall design and implementation for corporate events throughout the globe. Years ago, we were responsible for what was—at the time—the largest-ever installation of flexible LED tiles to create a curved wall at a tradeshow. This installation at the Javits Center in NYC was a momentous milestone for us! As LED technology continues to improve, the possibilities keep expanding. So if you’re interested in using an LED video wall at your next event, get in touch with us! Not only can we work with you and the event venue to install something reliable, functional, and impactful. But we can also design the on-screen creative that sets your event a notch above the rest.

Top 5 Things To Consider When Choosing Your Virtual Event Software
Posted By Tallen | February 01, 2023
Recently, virtual events have exploded in popularity. Not only do they provide unprecedented accessibility by making it easier than ever to gather attendees for webinars, conferences, career expos, and more. They also lead to greater reach, more engaged audiences, and the ability to provide more value to attendees.
Alongside virtual events’ growing popularity, we’ve seen many new virtual event softwares hitting the market. However, with so much variability between platforms, event organizers might find it difficult to choose the best platform for their event. This guide will provide you with the top questions to consider when selecting the best virtual event software for your event.
What’s the size of your virtual audience?
Like live event planning, virtual audience size dictates many other choices you’ll make. While many platforms claim to be perfect for “events of any size,” we recommend confirming a chosen platform’s capabilities, especially if you need something that can accommodate large-scale broadcasts. By keeping your specific audience size in mind, you can find a platform that fits your needs rather than adapting your event to fit the platform.
How much production control do you need?
Zoom meetings have become so routine these days that we hardly even think of them as “virtual events.” Still, your basic Zoom meeting is a great benchmark when considering how much production control you need over your virtual event.
For example, Zoom’s native production capabilities are limited—attendees can change their backgrounds, event organizers can share screens and audio, and the chat function offers a simple way for audience members to engage with each other and moderators. On the other end of the production spectrum, we can create fully custom and immersive virtual environments, which can enhance or completely transform many off-the-shelf virtual platforms. Depending on your event goals, plenty of platforms offer different degrees of production control.
You can also consider whether you need built-in production tools or have the ability to use external hardware and studios to achieve your desired look and feel. For some events, simpler is better, especially if you plan to handle production in-house.
What happens after your event?
The days, weeks, and months leading up to your event are full of planning and strategy. But have you considered what comes next? The beauty of virtual events is that they aren’t constrained to one time or place. Instead, attendees from around the world and in different time zones can engage with your event at their own convenience. Of course, you’ll want virtual event software that supports your post-event needs to take full advantage of this fact.
For example, do you need an on-demand feature so attendees can access your event recording after the live stream? Do you need powerful post-event analytics to track who participated, as is the case for events offering CE credits and certifications? These post-event considerations will narrow the scope of your search for the best virtual event platform.
How much interactivity do you need?
Virtual event software runs the gamut when it comes to interactivity. So, how do you want attendees to be able to interact with presenters and each other? Are you looking for an immersive experience where attendees can feel like they’re in the conference hall or on the trade show floor?
A few ways to promote attendee interaction include:
- Gamifying the virtual event experience
- Enabling 1-on-1 chats and networking opportunities
- Supporting side meetings and breakout sessions
- Asking for audience responses and enabling push notifications
- And more!
Consider whether audience interactivity is a top priority for your event. For example, the interaction requirements for a company-wide town hall likely differ significantly from an ongoing Webinar series.
Does the virtual event platform meet your organization’s security requirements?
None of the bells and whistles matter if a virtual event platform can’t meet your organization’s security requirements. With so many options becoming available in such a short time frame, vetting security capabilities remains a significant challenge for many. Luckily, Tallen has provided expert insights into running secure virtual events for over a decade. We’ll never recommend a platform or software if it puts your or your client’s sensitive information at risk.
Which is the best virtual event software? The one that works for you!
At Tallen, we focus on reliability and usability when recommending virtual event software. The best platforms have a strong backbone and built-in redundancies so that if something does go wrong, the impact on your event is minimal. Unfortunately, while numerous new platforms offer flashy VR and trendy avatars, many have yet to be thoroughly vetted. As a result, after extensive testing, many have failed to live up to Tallen’s high standards for reliability.
Let Tallen recommend a virtual event platform that works for you
When organizing a virtual event, you have enough on your plate without comparing and contrasting hundreds of available software options. Tallen’s expert team has over ten years of experience creating impactful virtual events. We can integrate with the platform of your choice or make recommendations based on your event’s size, scope, and goals. From Zoom and WebEx meetings to specialized platforms, we meet you where you’re at and create solutions that work for you!
Get in touch to learn more about our virtual event capabilities, and let’s create impactful events together!

3 Event Considerations Unique to Hybrid Event Production
Posted By Tallen | January 18, 2023
Technology has forever altered the way we think about events. These days, global experts can deliver the keynote at your event without the expense and inconvenience of international travel. Virtual audiences can log on at their convenience, and the constraints of physical venues no longer limit event size. And with the return of in-person conferences and tradeshows, many event organizers have embraced hybrid event production as the best of both worlds.
By combining elements of in-person and virtual events, hybrid events expand your event’s reach and impact, making it possible to connect with global audiences like never before. But hybrid event production also has a unique set of considerations and challenges. So what are the keys to running a successful hybrid event?
Top Considerations for Hybrid Event Production
If you’re like most event organizers, you’re already invested in the idea of going hybrid. But planning your first hybrid event can feel like twice as much work. Not only do you need to create an immersive, engaging experience for your in-person attendees, but you must also check the right boxes to ensure your virtual audiences don’t feel like an afterthought.
Tallen’s Virtual Meetings Department has added value to hybrid events of all shapes and sizes for over a decade. During that time, we’ve learned that key considerations when planning a hybrid event boil down to audience engagement, timing, and your overall production goals.
#1: Audience Engagement
For in-person attendees, your event is likely a sensory-rich experience. From the moment they enter the venue, they can see, hear, and interact with your event and each other. Being able to physically attend an event also reduces distractions and makes it easier to keep audiences engaged.
With virtual attendees, things aren’t always so straightforward. Your event might be competing with the neighbor’s barking dog, arguing kids, and a running mental to-do list a mile long. Raise your hand if you’re guilty of event multi-tasking: trying to fold the laundry or do the dishes while half-heartedly paying attention to a Zoom meeting.
Keeping a virtual audience’s attention requires strategic planning and expert hybrid event production. At Tallen, our goal is to make hybrid events feel seamless so that virtual and live audiences have a cohesive experience. Thanks to over a decade of experience, we’re ahead of the curve in creating innovative engagement opportunities for both live and virtual audiences.
#2: Production Value
Virtual and hybrid audiences in 2020 may have forgiven awkward transitions and tech glitches. But two years later, these same attendees expect a lot more from event organizers. That means higher-quality streaming, crystal-clear audio, and well-rehearsed transitions. For example, while grainy web cameras sufficed just a few years ago, hybrid audiences now expect virtual events to be streamed at full 1080p or even up to 4K video.
Furthermore, technology like green screen, XR studios, and professional graphic design can increase the look and feel of hybrid events for remote attendees. Instead of streaming content that looks and feels like a routine Zoom meeting or webinar, Tallen can raise the bar with immersive and interactive environments.
See some examples of our past hybrid environments.
#3: Hybrid Event Production Goals
In our experience, many event organizers do things backward regarding hybrid events. They’ll start with available technology and work backward to see what type of experience is possible. At Tallen, we prefer to keep your hybrid event production goals and ideal outcomes front and center. Then, once we know what you’d like to achieve, we can design a custom AV solution that makes it happen.
During the pre-planning stage of your event, we’ll work collaboratively with you to define your production goals. These considerations might include the following:
- Virtual attendees—Do you need to facilitate live and virtual audiences, live and virtual speakers, or both?
- Interactivity—Will virtual audiences interact in real-time or access recorded materials after the event?
- Virtual platform—Have you already committed to a virtual platform or need recommendations?
By defining what a successful event looks like, we can design seamless experiences that hit the mark.
A Trusted Team of Hybrid Event Production Experts
The Tallen team has over a decade of experience navigating the challenges and opportunities that hybrid event production presents. Whether we coordinate a live broadcast across multiple time zones, design an immersive virtual trade show experience, or innovate ways to engage live and remote audiences seamlessly, we take a proactive approach to create impactful hybrid events. Get in touch with our team to learn more about how we can bring your next hybrid event to life through professional hybrid event production.

Innovative Event Stage Design That Breaks The Mold
Posted By Tallen | January 11, 2023
Your event stage isn’t just your presenters’ platform; it’s the vibrant focal point that brings your event to life! That’s why great events deserve world-class stage design. Through innovative event stage design, Tallen’s team helps create lasting impressions and impactful events. Here are some of the top benefits of custom stage design, considerations for doing it effectively, and our favorite examples of concepts that break the mold.
Benefits of Custom Event Stage Design
Custom stage design elevates events in many ways. First, custom staging lets you draw on the strengths and unique character of your venue and event location. Integrate local cultural icons or draw inspiration from the region’s geography. For example, your stage can evoke the sandy beaches of Miami, the rustic Southwest desert, or the misty forests of the Pacific Northwest. These elements help attendees from both near and far feel more grounded in your event space.
Second, custom staging can create a more cohesive event. Incorporating branded elements into your stage design subtly keeps the focus on your central message. Creative branding literally sets the stage for your event.
Finally, a custom event stage design sets your event’s tone. For example, you might want an intimate forum with a chic backdrop and cozy seating. Or an expansive stage with dramatic lighting and multiple focal points. Regardless of your event’s specific needs, custom staging allows you to be intentional about your staging decisions.
Considerations for Effective Event Stage Design
As your event partners, Tallen’s experienced team considers every element of your event’s staging, working with you to find innovative solutions that bring your event to life. Considerations include:
Rigging And Event Safety
Rigging is one of the most critical considerations when designing custom event stages. It can also be highly dependent on your event’s venue. For example, ceiling height and load-bearing limitations can impact sound, lighting, and special effects equipment options. We leave no stone unturned and ensure that, first and foremost, your event’s stage design and rigging setup are safe for presenters and attendees alike.
Stage Location And Orientation
While the front of the room might seem like the most logical stage placement, it’s not always the most advantageous. An alternate location or orientation could be better depending on the venue’s layout, the number of attendees, seating design, and event format. Other important considerations for stage location include stage accessibility, backstage requirements, and ensuring every seat in the audience has a clear view.
Presenter Setup Needs
The size and layout of your stage will also vary depending on your presenters’ needs. For example, are you hosting a multi-person forum that needs cozy seating for an intimate discussion? Or will you have one presenter who needs to engage an entire audience? Understanding what your speaker or performers need affects stage size and other event staging considerations.
Creative Design
Creative design includes everything from custom backdrops and panels to technology like LED screens, lighting, and special effects. There’s also the fact that hybrid events come with their own unique set of staging design challenges. Creating an immersive experience for both live and virtual audiences requires considering your event from every angle and perspective—creatively and technically.
Creative Custom Stage Design Concepts
Are you looking for some inspiration for your next event? These are some of our favorite stage design ideas for impactful events.
Multi-Dimensional Sets
Unique shapes, overlapping elements, and dynamic lighting add depth and texture to event stages. In smaller venues especially, strategic multi-dimensional staging can create the illusion of more space, making your event seem bigger and bolder!
Branded Stage Elements
There’s nothing wrong with proudly displaying your logo on a centerstage screen. But the Tallen team likes to take things a step further for branded stage elements. For example, when a major pharmaceutical company came to us for custom staging design, they wanted their product launch to leave a lasting impression. So Tallen got to work designing a custom stage built in the shape of the new medication’s logo.
Creative Backdrops
How you “dress up” your stage matters! Backdrops go a long way toward reinforcing your event’s theme or setting the mood for your presenters. And with more high-tech options available than ever, there’s no need to settle for lackluster backdrops. From rustic, textured backdrops with an eco-friendly feel to high-tech floor-to-ceiling displays, Tallen’s team has seen (and built) it all!
Partner With Tallen For Innovative Event Stage Design
As a full-service event production company, our in-house team has the experience and skill to create impactful events. From custom stage design and AV to seating design and immersive environments, we work with our clients to create impact together. Plus, Tallen uses advanced “render to reality” technology, so you can visualize exactly how your stage will look on event day. Get in touch to learn more about how we bring thousands of events to life each month.

The Essential AV Equipment Checklist for Hybrid Meetings
Posted By Tallen | December 26, 2022
Hybrid meetings are on the rise, largely because they provide unprecedented levels of convenience, accessibility, and synergy across virtual and live audiences. But a glitch-free hybrid meeting requires high-quality AV equipment and the know-how to put it to work. Here at Tallen, we talked to a few of our expert technicians to get their input on the essential AV equipment checklist you need to run a successful hybrid meeting.
Essential AV Equipment Checklist
Of course, the answer to “What’s essential?” will change based on the nature of your hybrid meeting. For example, the platform you use will dictate, in large part, the AV equipment required to power it effectively. Still, a few pieces of gear are crucial to your hybrid meeting’s success.
Computer & Internet
It might seem obvious, but this was the number one response from our team of technicians. Because hybrid meetings must facilitate both a live and virtual audience, a dedicated event computer and strong internet connection are absolutely non-negotiable.
Your computer serves as the foundation for the virtual aspect of your meeting. Using something more portable, like a smartphone or tablet, might be tempting. But these smaller devices have limitations in size and power, making them insufficient to host a high-tech hybrid event. Instead, opt for a high-powered laptop computer with ample storage space.
Next, you’ll need to consider your event’s internet capabilities. Currently, internet is one of the most significant technology-related expenses an event can incur, especially since we’ve seen a significant increase from venues post-COVID. And that excludes wireless connectivity for attendees. In general, we recommend 5 mbps of dedicated bandwidth for receiving a stream, such as a remote presenter. We suggest 10 mbps of dedicated service for streaming video out of your meeting.
Flexible Switcher with Stream Deck
Video switchers allow you to stream audio and video from multiple sources within your hybrid meeting room. In addition, they can save multiple graphic backgrounds, picture-in-picture (PIP), and SuperSource. These elements alone can elevate your hybrid meeting from basic Zoom to TV-level production.
One of our team’s most popular switchers is the ATEM Mini Extreme ISO. This switcher has a compact design and robust capabilities, allowing for professional multi-camera production of up to 8 HDMI channels. Plus, ATEM Mini models feature a built-in hardware streaming engine, which works with any streaming software.
Pairing a flexible switcher with a stream deck allows for instant, powerful, and seamless switches. The result is a clean, professional hybrid experience.
High-Quality Camera & Microphones
One challenge of hybrid meetings is ensuring that the live and virtual audiences have a cohesive experience. The virtual audience should feel like they’re in the room, which is impossible if they’re staring at grainy, pixelated video or listening to low-quality sound. The right AV equipment should make your virtual audience feel like they’re sitting in the front row.
A camera with an option to stream out the video feed via USB or HDMI is a must. You’ll need a professional grade camera to stream high-quality video.
But high-quality cameras and microphones alone aren’t enough. It’s also essential to have the appropriate amount of each. For example, some events incorporate a dedicated microphone for participants, at least one camera that faces the live audience, and one or more cameras dedicated to the stage and meeting presenters.
An Experienced Team
The key to a successful hybrid event isn’t the AV equipment at all. Instead, success hinges on having a skilled technical team and adequate support staff. This is where Tallen truly shines. Every team member has experience with many different scenarios and the ability to deliver every time.
We think our technical team says it best:
The success of a hybrid meeting often comes down to our ability to create a sense of connection between live and virtual rooms. This is where great technicians simply can’t be replaced. We must be firing on all cylinders. As with live AV production, our ultimate goal is to become invisible, and achieving this requires perfection. The right equipment gives us a fighting chance at that lofty goal, but at the end of the day, it’s on the team to deliver.
Let Tallen Handle the AV Equipment Checklist For Your Next Hybrid Meeting
With the right AV equipment and an experienced team to run it, hybrid events elevate both the in-person and virtual experience. Every month, the Tallen team is on-site or behind the scenes of thousands of meetings worldwide. Let us take the guesswork out of your next hybrid event with the essential AV equipment and a dedicated technical team. Contact us today to learn more about how Tallen can power your next hybrid event.
Just have to start this out with a shout out to Andres Jaramillo for this past weekend. As usual he was amazing. Everything looked incredible and the event went off without a hitch. The totems worked out amazingly.