Strategies Conference 2017 deemed a roaring success

The highly anticipated annual Investment Strategies Conference was held to great success late August at Carriageworks, in Sydney. Portfolio Construction Forum, Australia’s specialist investment education provider, hosted over 700 investment advisers, researchers, analysts and portfolio managers from a wide variety of sectors over the two-day conference, reputed to be the investment conference of the year.

This year’s event program was jam-packed, featuring over 25 intensive, interactive breakout sessions from more than 35 local and international portfolio experts, debating their best ideas on effective emerging portfolio construction strategies, as well as a special cocktail function to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of the Portfolio Construction Forum.

The theme for 2017 was ‘It all adds up!’ – a play on the concept of investment strategies working together to contribute to better-quality investment portfolios, as well as the Forum’s 15 years of programs adding up to more competent investment practitioners. The Staging Connections team seized on the thought-provoking theme and integrated it throughout all audio visual, technical, design and styling aspects of the event.

The Portfolio Construction Forum’s team have worked alongside Staging Connections on the conference for over seven years as part of a plan to materially increase the impact of their major programs, and enjoyed creating the biggest production yet for 2017.

Staging Connections created a progressive evolving stage design, constructing a ‘burgeoning’ set to begin the forum, using hexagon panels and exposed scaffolding for an industrial effect. As the program on Day One unfolded, more panels were added to the design to construct the creative idea – an innovative expression of the theme.

Specialised moving head lighting fixtures added colour and texture to the hexagonal set walls, changing with each session to highlight each different presenter on stage. This also offered an innovative solution to assimilate corporate branding during the sessions.

Integrated in the stage design was 3:1 ratio, wide format, projection surface with blended Full HD Projectors managed by a Barco S3 seamless switching system. The complex vision system also included a 4 camera vision mix, synchronised content playback and audience interaction with live polling – an engaging and fun aspect of the Conference for all attendees.

The cocktail event space was fully designed by Staging Connections, featuring stunning laser light displays and custom styling pieces, linking the brand logo and conference theme. A 15-piece big band performed, making full use of the incredible acoustics and grand sense of space at the Carriageworks venue.

“This year’s conference was a stand-out – all of the feedback from delegates was so positive, with over 98% of delegates rating it as excellent or very good. A particular highlight was the interesting set design solutions employed in each of the event spaces, which were a playful interpretation of the theme. They materially added to the overall experience. The cocktail function was also stunning.” said Deirdre Keown, Director of the event.