01626 897688

Waggle Events Limited

Main navigation

news

LED screen for events – special offer for 2018

by

We have a great special offer for 2018 – book our LED screen for events in 2018 before the end of Feb and we’ll deliver to you free of charge if your venue is within 15 miles of Newton Abbot. If your event is being held further away than 15 miles, we’ll give you a 50% discount on the delivery charge.

Waggle Events provide audio visual equipment for events for charities, organisations and businesses. We can provide microphones, speakers, screens, staging and lights for indoor and outdoor events. Our event management team will be an essential part of your event team, making the most of the resources you already have to make your event a huge success. Our LED screen was a huge success in 2017, being used for the Dartmoor Classic, Commando Challenge and Devon Air Ambulance family day, Teignbridge Sports Bug events.

 

As we move into our second year, we have a new name – Waggle Events

by

As we come to the end of our first year of trading, we wanted to thank you for your business and support.  The first 12 months have been incredibly positive for us, expanding into new areas of the business, enjoying close working relationships with all our clients and making good friends along the way.  As we move into the new year we will be changing the company name to Waggle Events Ltd. The strength of our bee logo has led us to look at how best to tie this in more directly to our name. You may know the waggle dance is the way in which bees communicate direction to other bees and is a wonderful example of how the community works together to help each other. Since we also work with all our clients on communicating their message, this seemed a great fit. We are very excited about the evolution of our branding and the direction it will be taking us in, so we hope you will be joining us!

I would like to reassure you that this is the only change we are making. We already have a solid number of bookings in our event calendar so we are looking forward to working with you next year as we continue to grow. As you know, one of our key objectives is to work with clients to help them flourish – and to do that, we will be focussing on how to make your events as successful as possible.

Over the next few weeks, we will be changing the url of our website to www.waggleevents.org but you will notice that our social media platforms have already moved across to our new name. Naturally our email address will also change to the new url so please look out for that. Once we change domain names, you will need to change my contact details to the new address  [email protected]

Finally may I take this opportunity to wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas. See you in the new year!

Boardroom connectivity; plugging in laptops to screens

by

Keeping it Simple for Professional Results

There is no question that technology is astonishing and can make life so much simpler and increase productivity when it is applied correctly and you know how to use it. After all, I am writing this on a phone that directed me to the waiting room I am in, having avoided heavy traffic, played my music on the way and reminded me about the appointment in the first place.

There are times however when technology is used for technology’s sake. In the AV world , over complicated systems are often installed that on paper sound fantastic and give clients every option under the sun as long as they are an AV technician themselves! I often get calls about systems that work perfectly when installed but for whatever reason a piece of equipment is replaced which throws out the programming and leaves the operator with a limited system or a large bill for reprogramming.

Of course there are many applications where this level of installation is necessary. However very often, systems are made too complicated and leave the end user with a system they don’t fully understand, which in turn gives them added hassle and embarrassment when trying to load a client’s laptop wasting valuable time.

This is true of some work we carried out recently in a local company’s board room.  The original installation had used the buildings network to run a HDMI signal from a desk mounted input to a screen less than 7m away.  To achieve this there were several format changes, as well as routing through network switchers etc. In theory this should be fine but in reality, it simply wasn’t fit for purpose and left the client struggling every time it was needed and they didn’t even bother trying with Mac’s.

Our solution was to simplify everything. They had no need for the signal to go anywhere but the screen in the boardroom.  So we replaced the table mounted inputs, and ran a HDMI directly to input 1 on the screen.  They also often used the room for presentations in theatre style which in the past had required a trailing cable through the seats, so we put a new input at the front of the room in input 2.  Very simple and very effective. One – because it works first time every time;  and two – because it allows them to operate it as they would their tv at home which makes it far more intuitive.

We did ensure that cabling was 4k compatible for future development, but other than that we stuck to the principle of keeping it simple for a professional, easy to use result.

“We had an AV system in our Boardroom which was unreliable at best and looked unprofessional to clients when they came in with laptops/iPads etc that couldn’t connect.  Rob came in, quickly assessed and understood the situation and offered an affordable and robust solution.  Rob and his team were great, really prompt and professional when they came in to do the work and have done an excellent job.  It has absolutely revolutionised the facilities we are able to offer and everyone is commenting on the speed and reliability of the system.  I can highly recommend Rob and his team for any job, big or small and are thrilled with our new AV system.”

 

Sophie Brewer

Office Manager

AW Cockwards Partnership

Awards dinner audio visuals and Award winners

by

We were delighted to provide the Awards dinner audio visuals as well as sponsoring the Personal Achievement Award at the Teignbridge Community and Sports Awards 2017.

It was double joy for young Ethan Kirby as he picked up the title of Junior Sportsperson of the Year to sit proudly alongside his Personal Achievement award received earlier in the evening.

The Newton Abbot Athletic Club runner achieved a bronze medal at the world junior para athletics tournament this year and has aspirations to compete in the Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo 2020.

Richard and Ethan were among a number of sporting stars celebrating success at the glittering awards night staged at the Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish Warren, on Friday 1 December. The glittering awards ceremony recognises athletes, volunteers, sports teams, committee members, coaches and community champions who all go the extra mile to help keep Teignbridge active all year round.
The Teignbridge Sports and Community Awards 2017 saw prizes given across 12 different categories, representing the diversity of sporting talent and community spirit across the district. For the first time the People’s Champion was decided by an online vote leading up to and on the night of the awards, receiving over 4000 votes across all the nominees in contention.

Kitsons Solicitors was the headline sponsor for the fourth year running and many other well-known and established businesses sponsored categories. Other key partners were the Breeze FM, Mid-Devon Advertiser, Ripple Events, Pinnacle Photo Agency and radio and television presenter Ben Moseby.

We’re sponsoring an Award at Teignbridge Sports and Community Awards

by

We are delighted to be sponsoring the Personal Achievement Award this year, as well as running the audio visuals and producing the video content.
The stage is set for this year’s glittering Teignbridge Sports and Community Awards and for the first time you can vote on who will be crowned on the night as 2017 People’s Champion.

Returning to the Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish Warren on Friday 1 December, the awards celebrate local sporting success and community projects across the district, recognising athletes, volunteers, sports teams, committee members, coaches, and community champions that go the extra mile to keep Teignbridge active all year round.

In association with main sponsor Kitsons Solicitors and supported by media partners Breeze FM and Mid-Devon Advertiser, the awards see nominations across 12 categories. From those shortlisted in each category, you can vote for your choice as People’s Champion at www.teignbridge.gov.uk/sportscommunityawards, with the winner announced on the night. You can vote for your People’s Champion from 10am, Monday 27 November right up until the night of the awards ceremony.

Popular presenter Ben Moseby is making a welcome return to the event, which will be opened by the event’s headline sponsor and Managing Partner of Kitsons Solicitors, James Cross. There will also be a charity raffle in aid of the Council’s Chairman’s Charity, which this year has been chosen by Cllr Timothy Golder as the Devon Memory Café Consortium and a ‘Give me five’ donation campaign for the South West Youth Games Charity.

Event organisers are keen to wish all the nominees’ good luck in their categories and thank the sponsors involved with this year’s awards.

Sport, Health and Community Champion – sponsored by Teignbridge Leisure’s Sports Bug Project
• Carole-Anne Barr – Fit Steps Instructor/Dance/Champions
• Maria Shelton – Active Mums Ride Leader
• Teignmouth Thunderbirds – Netball Club

Personal Achievement Award – sponsored by Ripple Events
• Charley Ellis Belka
• Ethan Kirby
• Darren Maynard

Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by Active Devon
• Glynn Ballman
• Claire Twitchin

Coach or Manager of the Year – sponsored by Lamars Decorators Ltd
• Chantelle Cox – Teignbridge Titans Netball Club
• Matthew Hodgson – Dawlish United U16s Girls Football Club
• Angela Rimmer – Teignmouth Thunderbirds Netball Club

Community School of the Year – sponsored by Complete Estate Agents
• Bovey Tracey Primary School
• Rydon Primary School
• South Dartmoor Community College

Junior Sportsperson of the Year – sponsored by Seymour Horwell Volvo Specialists
• Ethan Kirby – Newton Abbot Athletics Club
• Sam Taylor – South Dartmoor Community College
• Jack Willis – Teignmouth Surf Life Saving Club

Senior Sportsperson of the Year – sponsored by Bayside Graphics
• Lauren Dolan – Mid Devon Cycling Club
• Elliot Fay – Angling
• Emily Green – Decoy BMX Race Club

Team of the Year – sponsored by Westcountry Services
• Buckland Athletic Ladies FC
• Haldon Tug of War Team
• South Dartmoor Under 15s Cricket Team

Charity or Business Contribution to Sport and/or Community – sponsored by Breeze FM
• Dartmoor Classic Sportive
• Firewatch Group
• Richard’s Wish
• Sherwoods Ltd

Lifetime Achievement Award – sponsored by Langstone Cliff Hotel
• Ray Moore – Rotarian and Community Volunteer
• Iain Palmer – Teignmouth Beach Surf Life Saving Club
• Richard Parker – Retired teacher and volunteer

Young Persons Services to Sport and/or Community – sponsored by Dartmoor School Sports Partnership
• Paul Corbiere – Lodge Indoor Skatepark CIO
• Rob Gale – South Dartmoor Community College
• Megan Lowe – South Dartmoor Community College

PR and Media in Sports and/or Community Award – sponsored by Mid-Devon Advertiser
• Georgina Davie – Haldon Tug of War
• Graydon Widdicombe – Teignbridge Trotters

Cllr Jeremy Christophers, Teignbridge District Council’s Leader said:
“These awards are always a highlight of the Teignbridge calendar, as we come together to celebrate sporting achievement and community champions. It is fantastic to recognise such passion and enthusiasm, which I hope will encourage and inspire other people to get active and support their community. Thank you to all the sponsors involved who play a crucial part in the events success and good luck to everyone on the night.”

James Cross, Managing Partner of Kitsons Solicitors said:
“We are really looking forward to this year’s event, the evening is always inspiring and I am sure this year will be another one to remember. Many of our staff at Kitsons are keen sports people and therefore we like to take the sporting ethos of preparation, commitment and dedication and put those sporting qualities into the way we work. We would like to wish the best of luck to all of this year’s nominees and thank Teignbridge Council for doing this award evening so well.”

5 Top Tips: How to choose your AV provider and work with them

by

how to choose AV provider

5 TOP TIPS:

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR AV PROVIDER AND MAKE THE MOST OF THEM

You want your event to be a great success - and so do we. Here are our 5 Tip Tips on choosing a provider and making the most of their Audio Visual expertise.

Top Tip 1: Be clear on what you need

Before speaking to an AV company, be sure you are clear on what you need the end result to be. You don’t need to know the specific products or even the technical terminology but knowing how many microphones might be needed, the size of the audience or style of presentations will give your supplier a far better understanding of the event itself and will prevent over pricing. I have listed a few points below that which are good to understand before asking for quotes.
● Will there be presentations? If so, will you need the AV supplier to run them?
● Would you like your speakers to use Lapel / tie clip microphones? If so, what is the maximum number of speakers in each session?
● Will you need a roving microphone for Q&A sessions?
● Are you looking for a stage set?
● Are you looking for any of the event to be recorded?

Top Tip 2: Does your venue have in-house equipment and is it suitable?

In-house equipment can save you money as it often comes as part of the delegate rate. Be sure to ask the venue for details of what is included and ask them to demonstrate any in house projection and sound systems. You may not need to do this in the larger convention centres but in a venue like a hotel, we would strongly recommend it.
It is also a good idea to check what support the venue have on site should there be any problems on the day. An AV team working with you should be quite happy to fit around and integrate with the in-house systems and this could save you money.

Top Tip 3. Make sure your AV Supplier is working for, or better still, WITH you

Technical ability and quality of service are things you will get a feel for when you speak to suppliers. The industry is however full of ‘kit junkies’ - technicians who simply want to use the biggest and best which may not be the right equipment for your event and will result in unnecessary costs. Don’t be afraid to ask what equipment and staff are for if it is not immediately clear and be prepared to ask if it is definitely essential to have. A company that truly wants to work with you and be part of your team will be happy to discuss this as well as providing you with options and advice.

Top Tip 4. Consider Access Times

It takes time to set up and test the equipment and as a rule, the larger the venue the more equipment will be needed and hence the time needed to set it all up extends. When booking your venue, ensure time is available before the event and after for set up and breaking down and when speaking to the AV supplier ensure they know what time is available as this may impact their pricing. Again, a company working with you will find ways to make the timing work and will be happy to advise on the times needed.

Top Tip 5: Mains Power

This is particularly important when looking at outdoor events. All AV needs power and by ensuring that your company knows what power is available onsite and where it is coming from, they can ensure the equipment and distribution they use is suitable or they can advise you on generators should more power be needed.
It is also a good idea to discuss other elements of the event that may require power such as the catering, organisers office or emergency lighting for example. A company that is working with you should be able to help with this and give advice on the best way to ensure all the needs are covered.

To find out how Ripple Events can work with you to get the most out of your events, please contact Rob Watson on [email protected] or call 01626 8976880