D&G Hangar 42 event a flying success

Client: Domestic & General

Solution: People Manager Townhall

Location: Hangar 42, Lutterworth

The Brief

On Event Production Co. has worked with Domestic & General for several years and we were delighted to partner with them once again in delivering the insurance giant’s People Manager Townhall.

Following the successful Townhall’s in Epsom and Twickenham, D&G were keen to hold the 2019 Townhall in the midlands near to their Nottingham and Bedworth offices. We provided our practical advice during the venue sourcing process with D&G eventually deciding on Hangar 42 in Lutterworth. Hangar 42 is a gigantic 30,000 square-foot airplane hangar with ample space to create something really special.

The event was aimed at team leaders within D&G, delivering an interactive and engaging experience to update employees on business performance and the year ahead.

The full-day and night event included a main conference, catering areas which included an outdoor “street-food” market for lunch, several themed and interactive breakout sessions with the whole day concluding in a glitzy awards ceremony in the evening, hosted by TV presenter Claudia Winkleman.

We provided full design and production for the event, working closely with the client on their creative and content, ensuring we created the right experience to engage with the audience.

The challenges we faced

Hangar 42 is an incredibly vast and open space, perfect for letting creativity run wild, to completely transform an area.

We were tasked with dividing up the space into several individual environments, each providing a unique experience in which delegates could engage.

Gone are the days of endless PowerPoint and whilst there was a need for a business update presentation, a greater focus was required on the smaller, interactive sessions. We worked closely with D&G to shape the flow of the event and look at ways to bring their creative ideas to life.

With such a dynamic agenda we needed to keep changing areas that weren’t being used whilst others were, to ensure the event was as energetic for the delegates as possible – keeping us on our toes as well!

This included switching up props, scenery and production in different areas, plus moving street-food vans from the outdoor areas to create space for the evening entertainment.

Delegates enjoyed an outdoor drinks reception after the conference close whilst we turned around the main plenary space into an entertainment stage with live band. Additional lighting was installed for the added “wow factor” during the awards and live music.

What we did

Step One

Working on a ‘festival’ style theme, we initially divided the hangar up into separate areas; ticket collection, an outdoor zone (indoors) with a central bandstand, a festival main stage – where the conference took place, and areas for further breakout sessions.

Step Two

We then styled the individual breakout areas. The first one being a giant inflatable cube where a “Back to the Future” style session was run, the second a huge Tee-pee where a wellbeing session hosted by Dame Kelly Holmes took place and a central bandstand area with grass and picket fencing where a number of other activities took place throughout the day.

Step Three

We then worked with the content providers in each session to tailor the environment design and production to engage with their audience depending on the activity for each session.

Step Four

Working with the rider provided for the band, we designed an impressive rig for the evening entertainment that would transform the space and provide another level of “wow factor” to the audience.

What our clients say about working with us

 

“From initial discussions to final set-up, your creativity, expertise, professionalism, kindness and general helpfulness was inspiring. Words cannot describe how much we loved the event and working with the team at On. If we could do it all again, we would in a heartbeat”

Dan Janes

Employee relations

“Thank you for all your hard work and support with our events. They were a smash hit with the ExCo, HR team and our audience – flawless execution as per usual!“

Alexandra Pierce

Group Head of Organisational Development and Culture

Award-Winning Financial Services Provider

“Outstanding service and delivery. The team here have appreciated your entire teams’ professionalism throughout the project, your commitment to safety and the complete way in which you carried out the project.
Many thanks.”

Chris Barrow

Toyota

“ISFM was a great success – thank you and your team for always being professional and always being able to navigate the difficulties that arise.”

Jess

Head of B2B

Cirkle PR

“Once again an amazing job. I am certain that no other team of people could have made this project happen. The commitment, enthusiasm, attention to detail and team spirit make you a truly stand-out business…We’re looking forward to the next one”

Louiza Vicary

Head of Events

Global Connections

Yet again On did an incredible job with what was a logistically challenging project. The determination and “whatever it takes” attitude makes On our absolute Go-To-Production-Guys…..Stand out professionals

Siobhan Ryan

Senior Producer

“You came up with ideas, listened to what we wanted and brought this all to life to create an event that will never be forgotten.”

Paul Godfrey

Head of Operations

“On’s experience shows through in the service they provide, making it easy for our team to focus on the rest of the event. This exhibition was our main event of the year; On 100% delivered across the board making show that we will never be forgotten.”

Rachel Wyatt

Managing Director

Olaplex

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