AV & technology in the new NBC: what to expect

Although much of our technology was lost in the fire that occurred last September, it also presented us with a unique opportunity. We were able to reassess our technical offerings and evaluate what worked well and what didn’t. In the new setup, we are once again offering the latest in technology. This is reason enough to give you a preview of what you, as a client, can expect in the new NBC.

The largest projection decor in the Netherlands

Big, bigger, biggest! We wouldn’t be NBC if we didn’t create something you won’t find anywhere else. That’s why we are building the largest fixed projection decor in the Netherlands. With a width of over 45 meters, this decor allows you to make a real impact with your event. By projecting in optical 3D over such a large width, you immediately create a wow effect when your guests enter the room. We call this an immersive experience.

Where we previously used our Event Hall lengthwise, we will now project widthwise. This means that guests will be no more than 20 meters from the stage, creating an intimate setting. As a speaker, you can look the audience directly in the eyes, and as a guest, you will feel truly part of the presentation.

What’s particularly special—and particularly practical—is that the event hall, along with the 45-meter wide decor, can be split in two by a flexible and soundproof wall. This allows us to use the Event Hall for smaller meetings or breakout sessions.

Grand Hall: making impressive presentations accessible

While we are going all out with AV and technology in the new Event Hall, we are making the technology in the Grand Hall much more accessible for every type of event. Here, we are installing a large projection screen of 81 square meters on which we project in 4K. The size of this screen allows us to display PowerPoint presentations or videos optimally and in razor-sharp detail, even for guests at the back of the hall.

Unlike in the Event Hall, no background is projected here. The projection screen is flanked by two large walls equipped with LED lines, making the screen really stand out. We can set the LED lines to match the event’s colors or logo. In front of the projection screen, we are building a raised stage with organic shapes. Playful LED lines around the stage add more depth. Because the Grand Hall has a smaller projection surface and no custom backgrounds can be projected, the projection in this hall is more cost-efficient and suitable for any event.

The latest lighting and sound in the event halls

In addition to new projection capabilities, our event halls are being equipped with the latest lighting and sound technology. The Event Hall and the Grand Hall will have 140 and 120 LED PAR lights respectively, all of which can be lit in an RGB color of choice. This allows us to brand our halls in the client’s house style color with even greater flexibility. Additionally, the LED lights are equipped with a zoom function, enabling us to adjust the light beam to be wider or narrower, thus having more control over the visual atmosphere. Both event halls will also be equipped with multiple moving heads, which are moving show lights often used during evening events or openings of conferences and events.

Alongside the latest lighting, the Event Hall will be outfitted with a top-tier sound system. Four new KARA II line-array speakers and four sub-arrays will be installed. These speakers are widely used at concerts and are ideal not only for spoken audio but also for a powerful party atmosphere. In the Grand Hall, we will reuse the existing sound system, which has been refurbished.

By having the latest and most complete lighting and sound installations as standard, we will no longer need to rent additional equipment. This not only saves costs but also contributes positively to our ambition to become the most sustainable venue in the Netherlands.

Breakout rooms get a major upgrade

In the new NBC, we have 22 rooms available for breakout sessions or smaller events. In addition to a refreshed look and feel, all rooms will also receive a technical upgrade. Each room will be equipped with a trio-screen presentation setup. With these three screens, it is possible to display additional content on the left and right screens alongside the main presentation. This could include extra branding, the event logo, or even an expanded presentation. This ensures more impressive presentation capabilities even for smaller meetings.

Furthermore, all rooms will be equipped with LED strips around the screens or on the ceiling. These can, of course, be set to match the event’s colors. And last but not least, all rooms will be standardly outfitted with a dome camera, allowing for easy streaming or recording of the presentation or meeting.

More screens in the hospitality areas

The new entrances and hospitality areas will offer more branding opportunities. Around the ten pillars in the hospitality areas, each will be surrounded by four screens. These pillars will be ‘wrapped’ with screens. Not only can we display wayfinding information to the rooms, but we can also easily use the screens for branding with a client’s logo or message. This offers creative possibilities during exhibitions, for example: there will always be a beautiful screen above the stand, eliminating the need for printed banners!

The screens in the hospitality areas can also be used as an extra show element during a corporate party. The VJ can link the show to the screens, creating an immediate visual spectacle upon entry.

In the interest of circularity, not everything is being newly purchased, and we are reusing existing materials where possible. For example, our old room screens, which displayed the name and logo of the event, are being repurposed in the new rooms. Many of our directional screens, used for wayfinding, will also be reused.

 Improved IT facilities and central management

Not only is the ‘visible’ technology being upgraded, but the IT infrastructure and associated systems are also being enhanced. We will be using WiFi 6, the latest WiFi technology, allowing even more devices to be online simultaneously. This means more guests can connect to our WiFi network from a single access point without sacrificing connection speed.

Another exciting and highly desirable development is that all technology will soon be integrated into a control room with a building management system. From this central location, we can manage all lighting, audio, screens, and microphones. This means our room hosts will no longer need to be physically present in each room for technical adjustments, but can efficiently manage these remotely.

Please note that we are still in the development phase, and not all plans in this article are final. The exact implementation may differ slightly, but we expect that the above will all be realized. We look forward to elevating your event to a higher technical level starting in March 2024!