Doors are finally starting to open as we crawl out of this global pandemic. Planning to safely meet again is our top priority. Protocols are in place and every effort is being made to ensure that when delegates, planners, attendees, volunteers and staff walk through our doors, they are met with the highest health and safety standards, so they can feel confident and comfortable attending in-person events.
Still, we know that there will be groups and attendees who either by choice or due to ongoing restrictions just aren’t able to travel or attend in-person. So providing opportunities and technology to enable virtual participation at events is of utmost importance to our clients at RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg.
Hybrid and virtual events gained huge momentum during these COVID times and the trend to offer this service continues. With Winnipeg’s inclusion in the Hybrid City Alliance, we’re ready and able to take it to the next level and offer upgrades and enhancements throughout our building.
Thanks to the support from Prairies Economic Development Canada (formerly Western Economic Diversification Canada) and its regional relief and recovery fund, RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg has been able to commit to investing in new technology infrastructure to support hybrid meeting models.
The Presentation Theatre, with its existing tiered classroom seating and movie-sized screen is set to receive technical upgrades. This will include two zoom cameras for live images of the presenter, a high-definition laser projector, a touch-panel controller on the front presenter lectern and a wireless presentation system.
Adjacent to the theatre is the Cecil Richards Boardroom, which will receive a major high-tech video conferencing addition to that space. A 75” monitor will be mounted at the front of the room with ceiling speakers and a low-profile ceiling microphone for audio calls and presentations. There will be an HD camera for recording participants and a table-mounted colour touch screen interface that will control the room functions.
Finally, our beautiful York Ballroom with its 24,000 sq. ft. pillar-less space is a favourite room for large plenaries. How exciting it will be when five permanent retractable presentation screens will be installed on our south and west walls, with two long throw projectors and two new movable floor-mounted cameras available for capturing live images.
Coupled with complimentary Wi-Fi and optimal internet bandwidth throughout our building, our centre is focused on keeping pace with technology and offering exceptional service for hybrid and virtual events now and in the future.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to hybrid and virtual events. These enhancements to our current infrastructure will make planning that much easier. With the assistance of our event and sales staff who have been trained and certified as digital event specialists, the in-person meeting experience will be an equally engaging experience for those attending from home or outside of our space.
