“AV STAGE and FRIED GLASS EVENT PRODUCTION COMPANY recently collaborated once again on a fantastic corporate event in the Kruger Park. International software company Sophos, embarked on an incentive trip to SA through travel company Mercury 80. After spending a few nights in Cape Town, 220 guests flew into Skukuza, and spend a few days unwinding at the various luxurious lodges in the area including Mala Mala, and Londolozi.
On the last evening of their trip, they were ushered into vehicles and told they were going on their final game drive. They were driven to an area, just outside Shaws gate where Haywards Tented Safaris had set up a luxury 5 star tent, along a river bank, with all tech supplied by AV Stage and all entertainment supplied and managed by FRIED GLASS.
To add to the element of surprise, the evening was in two parts. Drinks on arrival, along with drummers, Sangoma readings and traditional african face painting. Part two was heralded with the sound of a Kudu horn. The back of the tent dropped to reveal a boma area with seating for all guests, who all enjoyed a range of traditional african style entertainment and cuisine.
A magical experience in the heart of the African bush, was a perfectly fitting end to Sophos’s incentive trip. It all worked seamlessly and the guests went home with wonderful memories and will certainly be great ambassadors for SA Tourism.” Alan Glass – Fried Glass Events
Julian Cohen, owner of Avstage adds “When overseas visitors come here on conference they usually spend days stuck in a hotel or conference room, totally unaware that they are in Africa.
I’m always excited when we get the opportunity to show people the bush, and when we get to set up outdoor events. Of course, there are all the usual technical considerations – for example we need to provide power for all of our equipment. The generator must be silent, otherwise what’s the point of being in the bush? Its dark in the bush at night so we need to light pathways, kitchens, stage, tables and provide light for the entertainment.
Often the guests are unaware that there is entertainment provided. We need to hide our tracks away so they aren’t spotted in the bush or anywhere close the the “venue”. Our planning must be perfect. There is nowhere close to find a replacement bulb or faulty cable and our crew are used to setting up in an air-conditioned conference room. In the bush they need to be aware of protection from the sun, make provision for rain and keep an eye out for animals too!
A site inspection is critical. Setting up a stage in a dried up river bed is a challenge as it tends to sink. We need to be aware of sound levels. In the bush the sound travels for kilometers and can affect guests in adjacent lodges. Timing is even more important in the bush. Travelling in large trucks, even relatively short distances, can take much longer due to unpaved roads and obstacles like overhanging branches.
We have many years experience setting up shows in the bush. The extra effort makes it a really worthwhile African experience for overseas or local guests.”
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