Arnold Schwarzenegger

The client brief

For nearly 40 years, scholars, students and Churchill enthusiasts have gathered at the International Churchill Conference in the UK or North America.

The Society wanted to return to an in-person event without leaving its growing online audience behind. The programme included live debates, remote speakers and pre-recorded contributions, all of which needed to feel part of the same conference.

WaveFX managed the production from the early planning stages through to the final live session.

Client quotation

“Nothing was too much trouble and everything was completed on time and brilliantly executed. The feedback from those in the room and online was outstanding.” Andy Smith, Executive Director, International Churchill Society UK

Audience size, locations and platform

More than 250 delegates attended the conference in London, with thousands more joining online from 62 countries.

The programme was streamed through a private, branded event platform. Remote viewers could watch the live sessions, submit questions and access recorded content after the conference.

Remote speakers joined through managed video links, including Arnold Schwarzenegger connecting from the United States.

Production setup

WaveFX supplied the cameras, sound, lighting, streaming equipment and production crew for both days.

The multi-camera production combined speakers inside the ballroom with remote guests, presentation slides, branded graphics and pre-recorded films. A dedicated vision-mixing team managed everything viewers saw online, while the venue production supported the delegates and speakers in the room.

Months of preparation also went into recording interviews, editing films and checking remote connections before the conference began.

Production challenges and how we addressed them

The main challenge was creating one shared event for two very different audiences.

Inside the venue, delegates needed clear sound, presentation support and natural interaction with remote guests. Online viewers needed close camera shots, direct presentation feeds and a programme that remained engaging throughout both days.

Remote speakers completed technical rehearsals in advance, allowing the team to check their sound, video and connections. Pre-recorded contributions were prepared as part of the running order so they could be introduced naturally alongside the live discussions.

The Arnold Schwarzenegger interview required close coordination between the London production team and his remote connection in the United States. The feed was monitored throughout and combined live with Dan Snow’s cameras and the event graphics.

Measurable outcome

The two-day hybrid conference brought together more than 250 London delegates and thousands of remote viewers across 62 countries.

Live debates, international speakers and pre-recorded contributions were delivered as one continuous programme. Viewers could participate remotely, while the Society gained recordings that continued to serve its international membership after the event.

The format gave the conference the atmosphere of an in-person gathering while keeping the global reach developed through its virtual events.

Planning a hybrid conference?

WaveFX produces hybrid conferences with live audiences, remote presenters and viewers around the world. Unsure how or where to stream too?  Please do get in touch and we’d be happy to talk through all the options for your latest hybrid event production (however crazy).