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With an intensive 6 month tender process, we are delighted to announce that Sound and Vision has secured a place in a number of lots on the new COI (Central Office of Information) Events, Exhibitions and Technical Services Framework.

This new place on the UK Government roster will allow us to submit proposals to technically produce and support many, many events all over the country and be involved in some exciting ventures. Commencing today, 1st December, this contract will run for four years.

Sound and Vision has also been on the Scottish Government’s creative roster list since the beginning of 2009 and we are thrilled to have extended our involvement throughout the UK.

The Sound and Vision team has been non stop this autumn. Travelling all over the country – from Cardiff to London to Birmingham and of course throughout Scotland, we have also ventured to Amsterdam, Dublin and Munich (just missing Oktoberfest…unfortunately!).

Our team are very much looking forward to a well earned rest at Christmas – although we don’t stop until then!

November in particular has been an outstanding success – being our busiest ever and smashing our November 2007 record! Quite an achievement during this fragile climate. A massive thank you goes to all our team for doing so well throughout this period and creating some truly inspiring set designs and event concepts. And of course our clients – existing and new – for bringing us into your teams to technically produce your fantastic events!

We go into 2010 with much enthusiasm and have a busy order book already…room for more events though so please do get in touch if you have any forthcoming events that we can help you with!

Check out our ‘case study’ section to see a selection of the new and exciting events we have been involved with this autumn!

Images can also been seen on our online photo gallery: www.soundandvisionevents.co.uk

With the need for more elaborate set designs that come within budget, Sound and Vision has risen to the challenge and our team – our fantastic project managers and graphics team – have produced some stunning sets…even our business development team have proved to have quite an eye for design!

Whatever your requirements for your event – whether high spec technical impact to a soft, theatrical design to small props that add an instant WOW factor to the more extravagant full backdrops, our team will design and produce these in-house where possible to keep costs to a minimum whilst giving you the maximum impact!

Check out our latest case studies and online gallery for initial inspiration!

Bucking the industry trend, Sound and Vision's Business Development Team has been very busy during the summer months. The company's order book is filling up to what promises to be an exciting autumn.

We have won several new accounts in London in a flurry of successful proposals and pitch presentations. These wins, as well as our loyal existing customers, will keep Sound and Vision busy well into 2010 with a range of very exciting events. Please check back for pictures and news of them as they happen!

We can also proudly say that Sound and Vision have won the work to produce the 2009 Scottish Thistle Awards, now for the 5th year running. It is going to be a spectacular evening, with fantastic entertainment, so make sure you book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

As a result of our summer of success, four new staff are joining the S&V team. It's evident that our policy of continuous investment in the best equipment is benefiting our clients and their events.

Contact Sound and Vision to learn how one of the UK's leading Event Production companies can enhance your event!

Watch the acts on our Party Video Page.

Our summer party was such a success last year that we decided to do it again – this time at the Hub in Edinburgh on 27 June 2009.  To give staff and guests the chance to let their imaginations run wild, we opted for a very broad fancy dress theme: ‘The Evolution of Events and Entertainment’. The end result was fantastic with costumes ranging from Cruella de Vil and one of her Dalmatian puppies to Einstein and Sandy from Grease.



The ‘best dressed’ title deservedly went to Cheryl Goff from NHS Scotland who came as Dame Edna Everage in a striking blue chiffon gown and trademark horn-rimmed spectacles.

More show spectacular than corporate event, the party kicked off with a show stopping performance from The Kennedy Cup Cakes, a retro dance troupe who take their inspiration from the 1940s and 50s.  Dressed as World War II pin-ups, the girls performed a fabulous dance routine to a medley of wartime hits including the iconic ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’.

Following hot on their heels was our headline act, Danny MacAskill, a stunt cyclist who racked up millions of hits earlier this year on YouTube for his death-defying moves around the streets of Edinburgh.  Danny’s appearance was a closely guarded secret and a complete surprise for our guests who were treated to a series of hair-raising tricks from the 23-year-old cycling sensation. 

Rounding up the show was talented beat boxer, Bigg Taj, and breakdance crew, Random Aspekts, with a double dose of highly charged Hip Hop music and street dance.  We then danced to the early hours with up and coming band, The Acutones and DJ Scott Buchanan, providing the music.  

Sincere thanks to everyone who made the evening possible and, in particular, to the Sound & Vision technical team who gave up their party time to work their magic with our lighting and Stealth LED video wall.  Watch this space for details of next year’s event!

Watch the video on our Party Video Page.

After a hugely successful year, Sound and Vision are again nominated at the prestigious 2009 Scottish Event Awards in the category of Best Technical Services Company.

This year there are several Sound and Vision produced events nominated in a variety of categories - good luck to all of our clients!

Please check out all the nominations at http://www.scottisheventawards.net/categories/.

The British Press Awards – the biggest event of its kind in the UK – took place at a glittering ceremony in London’s Grosvenor House, Park Lane on 31 March 2009.  Sound & Vision, one of the UK’s leading event production companies, produced the show, creating a contemporary stageset and stunning lighting design that made a big impression on all 700 guests. 

Celebrating the best of Fleet Street journalism in print and online, the Awards were presented by Channel 4 News anchor, Jon Snow with Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat deputy leader, presenting the top award of Newspaper of the Year to The Times. 

The newspaper-themed set included two giant pages of newsprint complete with two 16 x 9 ft screens showing award categories, nominee graphics and live video.  This was enhanced with a central STEALTH screen comprising 80 LED panels which provided a vibrant backdrop for live camera and winner animations during the show.  A plasma lectern showing title animations completed the overall look. 
 
Escala, the gorgeous electric string quartet who caused a sensation in the final of ITV’s Britiain’s Got Talent, opened the show with a stylish, high-octane performance that quickly set pulses racing.  For added impact, Sony Music commissioned Sound & Vision to produce a stunning laser and lighting show which brilliantly complimented the tone and pace of the performance.   The fantastic lighting effects continued throughout the ceremony with dramatic colour changes to the set, lavish colour washes to the room, haze machines for a theatrical touch and pin-spot lighting to accentuate table centres. 

Sound & Vision provided a full audio-visual production package including event project management, screen graphics, animation content, stage lighting, set, sound and live camera. 

You can see a short video of the event on: www.savav.co.uk/video
We have also featured it on our online picture gallery: www.soundandvisionevents.co.uk

Come and see us at the Main Event 2009!
We would love you to visit us at our exhibition stand 508A at the Main Event Scotland - SECC, Glasgow on 12th March. Our fabulous black Stealth – www.savav.co.uk/stealth - will be on show with more of our latest technology so come and join us, even if just to seek our expert advice on your forthcoming events.

You can also be in for a chance to win a fantastic prize! We have joined forces with Prestonfield to offer a Champagne Dinner for 2 at Rhubarb Restaurant, Prestonfield - how can you refuse!

Success for Sound and Vision with the Scottish Government's new creative roster
Sound and Vision is delighted to announce that we have been appointed by the Scottish Government to provide event and audio-visual services within their 'Marketing Services Collaborative Framework'. The contract started at the beginning of this year and will run for at least 2 years.

Being one of 14 companies within the 'events category' and the only directly appointed audio-visual company on the list, Sound and Vision came a very close second in the overall weighted scoring process of the events roster, following a comprehensive process. We look forward to working with the Scottish Government, related bodies and fellow suppliers on their forthcoming events.

For proud and patriotic Scots, St Andrew’s Day is a celebrated occasion. The Balmoral Hotel allowed The Leith Agency and Sound & Vision to collaborate, on behalf of the Scottish Government, to creatively transform the appearance of the historic hotel with an innovative idea to form a Saltire on each of the four faces of its clock.


Our experienced technicians negotiated the winding staircase up to the illustrious period clock tower and skilfully displayed the Saltire for a week prior to St Andrew’s Day and the day itself. We internally projected coloured lights onto each impressive clock face to produce a Saltire, measuring 11 metres in circumference, creating the stunning effect that stood out across Edinburgh.

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Images of the clock face have already been captured by many photographers as well as news websites such as the BBC and the Evening News. These pictures will no doubt become iconic images of Edinburgh’s skyline and Scotland’s patriotism and we are very proud to have been directly involved!

Having scooped the prestigious title of ‘Best Technical production company’ at the recent Scottish Event Awards, we are thrilled to announce that we have been short listed in the ‘Supplier of the Year: Technical Company’ category at the forthcoming Eventia UK Awards 2008.

This is a magnificent achievement in the UK-wide arena and to reach the short listing stage is a huge triumph in itself. Yet again, this accomplishment reflects the fantastic Sound & Vision team; our dedication, professional performance and company ethos.

We find out the result at an award ceremony in London at the end of November – fingers crossed!

www.eventiaukawards.co.uk
www.eventia.org.uk

JK Rowling was recently awarded the prestigious Edinburgh Award at Prestonfield House. A panel of judges unanimously voted for JK Rowling as she has made an enormous contribution to the city of Edinburgh. As a result of her work, she has brought positive media attention to Edinburgh and has contributed to an increase in tourism among other integral elements to the growth of the city. Reflecting on her win, she commented: "It is an absolute honour to receive this award as Edinburgh is very much home for me and is the place where Harry evolved over seven books and many, many hours of writing in its cafes. So much has happened to me both professionally and personally since I moved here nearly 15 years ago, that to receive this recognition is particularly meaningful and special."

Sound and Vision were thrilled to support this event through providing AV event equipment for this fabulous occasion.

Sound & Vision have been awarded first prize at the recent Scottish Event Awards that were held on 4th September at the Glasgow Science Centre. Winning the category for ‘Best Technical Production Company’, our company was up against top competition making our win even more rewarding.

We are absolutely thrilled with this accolade and thank all our team for their enthusiastic, dedicated and enormous efforts that have enabled us to win this prestigious title.

Sound & Vision were also acknowledged in the ‘Best Corporate Event’ category as we were the production company for the winning entry - ‘Kwik Fit Insurance Employee Awards’ through Maximillion. Congratulations to the team at Maximillion and Kwik Fit for their win on the evening – and indeed all our fellow industry members for a memorable evening. We look forward to next year!

Commenting on our major win, Sound and Vision’s Managing Director, Chris Montgomery said: “This award is a real delight and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Sound and Vision team”.

Arran, Jo and Iain at the awards

Some of the Sound and Vision team at the celebrating at the awards
(L-R) Richard, Iain, Arran, Mel, Ali, Emma and Jo.

Due to popular demand, this year saw the resurrection of our legendary Sound & Vision fancy dress party! Clients, staff and friends turned up in varied guises of their favourite ‘legend’ from Homer Simpson to Greek goddesses and Obi One Kenobi. Guests were entertained with a host of fabulous and mesmerising acts straight from this year's Edinburgh festival including Gamarjobat and Choi Sori. 

Sponsored by lastminute.com we had a variety of Street performers during the champagne drinks reception - some we even accosted in the street to come and perform! Showcasing our new STEALTH technology, the party was a huge success as guests danced into the small hours to the fantastic nine piece soul band - ‘Big Vern n’ the Shootahs’.

Gwen Langlands from Platinum One, who also brought her hen party to our event, won best dressed group. Best dressed lady went to Cheryl Goff of NHS Scotland and best dressed man to Simon Phillips of Tsuko. Ali Robertson won best dressed member of staff for coming dressed as Sir Trevor MacDonald and a full News at Ten stage set!

Our thanks go to our sponsors The Sheraton Grand Hotel and lastminute.com, along with Patrick Hayes our toast master, DM Audio and Komedia Entertainment Ltd.

“Thanks again for a superb evening, I have been to countless ‘dos’ at hotels over the years and your function was amongst the best I’ve attended” - Graham Pugh, Destination Manager Scotland at lastminute.com graham.pugh@lastminute.com

Click here to see some video from our party. 

Homecoming Scotland 2009, a nationwide events programme inspired by the 250th anniversary of poet Robert Burns, celebrated its launch at Edinburgh Castle recently. Unveiled by First Minister Alex Salmond, the festival begins on Burns Night, January 25, and ends on St Andrew’s Day on November 30. 

Sound & Vision, working in collaboration with EventScotland, produced a striking set together with LED lights for the official press launch.  We also produced branded USB memory sticks for press packs and provided sound for a Gala Reception in the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle.

Alex Salmond said at the launch that there are almost 100 million Scots across the world and he invited anyone with a link or affinity to Scotland to come home to take part in the celebrations.  Over 100 major cultural, sporting and historical events and activities are scheduled to take place including the world’s biggest clan gathering in Edinburgh in July.

Last year saw Sound and Vision head to mainland Europe with various clients. September we brushed up on our Italian and went to Italy’s Marche region to the very picturesque Santa Vittoria for a Diageo conference. Then in November, we hit the road again and Disneyland, Paris was our next European adventure for a Grant Thornton conference – we even had time to make friends with some of the locals!
See our photos at www.soundandvisionevents.co.uk.

Sound and Vision was delighted to work during The KKL (Scotland) charitable trust’s ‘evening with Goldie Hawn’ at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel recently. Especially our Operations Director, Ali Robertson – certainly put a smile on his face! The evening was a huge success for the charity as Goldie addressed nearly 600 guests. Sound and Vision provided the stage set including screens, projectors and PA system, all the lighting and filmed the event.

Having been at the forefront of technically producing many award ceremonies both in Scotland and UK-wide, we thought it was time we put ourselves forward for an award!



We are very proud and delighted to announce that we have been short listed for “Best Technical Production Company” in the Scottish Event Awards 2008. We will know the outcome in a glittering award ceremony in September at the Glasgow Science Centre. Well done to all the Sound and Vision team for getting short listed – a great effort.



Sound and Vision have also been noted in a couple of other entries as we were the technical production company for: Kwik Fit Insurance employee awards through Maximillion and the Scottish Thistle Awards through VisitScotland. Both these entries are short listed in the “Best corporate event” category.

www.scottisheventawards.net/categories

Sound and Vision have recently adopted the latest video filming technology for both; during event live video relay and while producing video footage for on-screen, webcasts or DVDs. Our four new Hi-Definition cameras ensure you get a crystal clear image, great contrast and colour reproduction.

As part of Sound and Vision's policy of continuous investment in new equipment we have recently invested in new stock worth over quarter of a million pounds. This includes more top of the range D&B PA equipment, LED lighting and Panasonic 3 DLP chip Hi-Definition projectors. Chris Montgomery, our managing director comments: "Because our business levels have grown dramatically, this additional equipment allows us to do a number of simultaneous large events, all using our very own, highly maintained, equipment."