Manchester Central is preparing to install a self-contained production studio at the leading conference and events venue.

Set to be the first of its kind in the heart of the city centre, Studio at Manchester Central will offer TV broadcast-quality production facilities to help businesses professionally communicate to and engage their audiences virtually, or as an enhanced hybrid component to a live event. Delivered with Sterling Event Group, Studio will feature a fully integrated set with customisable LED backdrops, lighting, full audio and vision equipment and an expert crew to create professional and engaging output.

The venue’s unrivalled internet connectivity – the result of a stand-alone fibre network that ensures no interruption of service and guaranteed speeds of 10,000Mbps – means that content can be live-streamed to thousands or recorded and edited for future distribution.

Housed within the Cobden Rooms and accessible via its own dedicated entrance, Studio can be used entirely standalone, or integrated into a live event footprint. Green room and dressing room space is provided for presenters, as well as a full catering and hospitality offer; all managed in accordance with COVID-Secure guidelines.

 Hair and make-up support can be pre-booked, along with TV presenter coaching delivered by Manchester Actor’s Platform (the education arm of 53two) for anyone looking to hone their presenter skills.

Shaun Hinds, Chief Executive at Manchester Central said: “We’re incredibly excited to launch Studio at Manchester Central. Following the launch of our ‘Live from the Auditorium’ hybrid solution last year, we believe that there will be a place for professional, virtual content creation and production as we move towards the new era of events.

 The Government’s roadmap to recovery set out earlier this week is a real positive step forward and we can’t wait to be ‘back in the room’ again. We have an opportunity now to take what we’ve learned from the world of virtual communications over the past year and apply it to the live event format, as well as wider business engagement strategies.

 When done well, we’ve seen how technologies can grow reach and brand exposure exponentially and by integrating this component into event and engagement programmes, we can create immersive and curated content for audiences, wherever they are. Studio is the perfect platform from which to do that.”

Richard Bowden, Managing Director at Sterling Event Group adds: “We anticipate that virtual events will become a permanent feature in the calendars of many organisations, and we are delighted to be working with the team at Manchester Central to bring a high-specification facility to the heart of the city. Studio will be fully equipped to deliver live and pre-recorded virtual content as a standalone event, or to extend the reach and add a digital element to a live event when restrictions permit.”

For more information about Studio at Manchester Central and to pre-book, visit www.manchestercentral.co.uk/Studio or contact the team on Studio@manchestercentral.co.uk

Manchester based Sterling Event Group have launched their new Sterling Studio website to showcase their range of solutions for the organisers of virtual events.

In the temporary absence of live events, Manchester based audio-visual production company Sterling Event Group have continued to invest in virtual technologies and have launched a new website dedicated to its virtual event services.

Launching originally in March 2020, Sterling Studio has now been expanded to include a multitude of studio spaces and virtual event services. Proving a popular choice for the organisers of virtual events, the 5 physical studio spaces, along with 3 purpose-built fully remote Virtual Control Centres (whereby events can be managed 100% remotely) are currently in high-demand.

“We’re excited for the year ahead and whilst we hope to see the start of the return of live events in the near future, there will still be a place for virtual events. We are frequently assisting our clients with global communications, in recent months we have live streamed to audiences in 78 countries. For certain types of events there is a huge advantage in virtual, from an efficiency and environmental perspective, that’s why we believe virtual events are here to stay and will feature in the programme of events for many organisations. Furthermore, adding a virtual aspect to a live event could be used to significantly extend the reach.” Richard Bowden, Founder and MD of Sterling Event Group.

Sterling Studios have also expanded from their Manchester Airport HQ and are now operating Hybrid Studios at a number of popular venues within the Greater Manchester area, each with a unique offering.

Further info on the Studios and other services to enhance virtual events, can be found on our new dedicated site – www.sterlingstudio.co.uk or click here.