Event technology at InnStyle: what is possible in InnSpiratie

You’re imagining what your event should look like, but you don’t yet have a clear picture of the technical possibilities or any limitations. You have an idea in mind, but you’re not sure whether it’s realistic, or what will and won’t fit within your budget. Sound familiar? Then this article is for you.

At InnStyle, we work with First Impression, an event technology specialist with 29 years of experience. Daan Driessen is responsible for our plenary space Innspiratie, one of the three spaces equipped with premium technology, and knows the venue and its facilities inside out. In this article, he explains what’s possible in Innspiratie, how this varies by event type and roughly how much you should budget if you want to use any of the technical extras.

After reading this, you’ll know exactly what’s possible in Innspiratie (Locatie 1.0), which options suit your event and what a good next step would be to put those ideas into practice.

What makes Innspiratie so versatile?

The event technology in Innspiratie is configured so flexibly that the space is suitable for almost any kind of event, according to Daan. “Innspiratie has a very neutral look, so you can do all sorts of things with it. You can host an awards ceremony, but also a fantastic evening party, or create a very corporate setting.” The same space, with the same standard technology, but with three completely different atmospheres.

This also sets Innspiratie apart from the other two plenary spaces fitted out by First Impression. For example, Water in Locatie 2.0 feels professional and bright thanks to its windows, while the plant wall in Aarde creates a slightly more playful and warmer atmosphere. As Daan puts it: “Aarde is perfect for evening parties and launches, while Water is ideal for corporate gatherings. Innspiratie offers both.”

The foundation of this versatility is the permanent technical installation: a large stage, an LED screen with side panels, and a lighting rig that can create either a sleek, professional feel or a playful or festive setting. Those side panels can display content independently of the main screen, and all help to hold the audience’s attention.

What’s possible for each type of event?

Every event calls for a different approach. Daan walks us through the five most common event types and shows how Innspiratie adapts to each one.

Event 1: conference

At a conference, the focus is mainly on the informal part in the Foyer, alongside the plenary programme on stage. Daan recommends Exposcreens as an extra in the hospitality area: steel frames with a 55-inch portrait screen. “I always think it looks great when you use them to show the day’s programme, product photos or videos that set the mood.” Another option is a large touchscreen table, for displaying a new website or product catalogue, for example. Both give attendees something to do and discover beyond the stage programme.

Event 2: product launch

A product launch often involves a touchscreen table alongside the physical product, just as a conference does. What gives a product launch extra impact is the full celebration package: streamers, fireworks (sparklers) and a mist effect called Low Fog, combined with a pre-programmed mini light show. This gives the unveiling a clear climax.

Event 3: awards ceremony

According to Daan, an awards ceremony is where Innspiratie can really come into its own. The strongest example he gives is a recent awards show for an e-commerce company. What began as a typical corporate day with speakers became a completely different experience at the end: “With every award presented, not only the large LED screen but also the side panels changed. There were 18 different designs in all. That’s not something you normally see very often.” Each presentation also featured fireworks or streamers, so guests were surprised time and again. “That gave the end of the day a really lovely boost.”

Event 4: car launch

At a car launch, it’s all about the surprise of the unveiling itself. First Impression has a drop curtain available for this: a large curtain suspended from a roof or truss that drops at the touch of a button, revealing the car behind it. This works both in Innspiratie and in the Foyer.

Event 5: team building

Team building is less about a big stage programme and more about atmosphere and interaction. Think of an energiser with dynamic content on the side panels, or a more interactive seating arrangement. Daan mentions the 360-degree layout used in previous programmes: “I think it suits clients who want to do more than simply deliver information from a fixed position. It creates a living-room feel: everyone sits around one another, the speaker is seen from all sides and keeps moving so they can make eye contact with everyone.” This layout is not standard, but First Impression is happy to explore it if it suits the programme.

Mysolution - 360-degree layout

Which technical extras are often overlooked (and roughly how much do they cost)?

Alongside the room’s built-in technology, there are several smaller technical extras that Daan says are still rarely used, even though they are relatively easy to incorporate.

Extra 1: the pre-programmed mini light show

Normally, you need a lighting technician to make the lights move to the music and change colour, which is a considerable expense for a full day. First Impression has therefore developed an alternative: a pre-programmed light show lasting five to ten seconds, which the audio or video technician already on site can trigger with a click, also known as the ‘lighting preset’. Daan explains: “It adds an extra touch when a speaker comes on stage.” For a standard mini light show, First Impression charges for three hours of technical work, adding €232,50 to your total bill. The show can be triggered repeatedly throughout the event, with the only limitation being that it remains the same all day and cannot be changed during the event.

Extra 2: a mysterious mist

For a more mysterious effect, ‘low fog’ can also be used: a smoke machine that produces thick, white smoke that stays on the stage rather than rising straight away. Daan previously used this effect at a corporate event where speakers walked through the mist onto the stage. He sees particular potential for announcements: “It creates mystery and suspense, so it would be perfect for awards ceremonies. I wouldn’t recommend it for a strictly business setting.” Depending on how the low fog is used, First Impression provides a bespoke quote.

Extra 3: the drop curtain

The drop curtain is not just suitable for car launches. Daan also sees opportunities for a playful opening to a programme: a curtain that drops to reveal the presenter or director, opening the day. That wow factor immediately gets guests excited about the event. This is also a bespoke solution, so the price depends on the exact set-up.

Extra 4: the LED welcome arch at the entrance

If you want to look beyond Innspiratie, you can also add something at the building’s entrance. Think of an LED arch that welcomes visitors and thanks guests for coming afterwards. Technology can also add atmosphere to the outdoor areas, for example with floor spotlights along the path in your brand colours. Daan recommends six floor spotlights for a package price of €275, which is often enough to light a path. The LED arch itself is bespoke and priced on request.

Why choose Innspiratie at InnStyle?

The combination of the space and the dedicated technical partner means that, as an organiser, you have very little to arrange yourself in Innspiratie. Daan finds that clients see this as a major benefit: “They arrive and everything is already set up. They don’t have to worry and can get straight into the technical run-through.” Presentations, content and the desired effects have already been loaded and tested, so the day itself gets off to a stress-free start.

Daan also emphasises that he prefers to start with the client’s wishes rather than list options himself. “I always ask what the event manager has in mind first. Of course, I respond with tailored advice, but I won’t suggest something that really doesn’t suit the event. Those wishes and objectives help me put together a better proposal.” That makes a venue visit the most valuable step in the process, because ultimately, you can judge technical effects much better in person than over the phone. “My advice is really: come and visit InnStyle.”

Discover what the event technology in Innspiratie can do for your event

If you take one thing away from this article, let it be this: the event technology in Innspiratie is already versatile enough for a conference, an awards ceremony or an evening party, and smaller effects such as the mini light show and the mist can easily give your programme an extra touch, without you having to set aside a whole new budget with four zeros straight away.

That is exactly what many event managers can find challenging when they are still exploring their options: so much is possible that it can be difficult to judge what really suits your event. By discussing that feeling early in the process with your contact at InnStyle and First Impression, you leave room in your budget for the things that make a difference, rather than discovering afterwards what else you could have done.

Want to see what Innspiratie can do for your specific event? Come along for a venue visit, so you can experience first-hand how lighting, sound and the right extras transform the space. Already have a specific event in mind? Send an enquiry to InnStyle, and we will put you in touch with Daan and the First Impression team as early as possible.