10 Special Effects to Make Your Event Stand Out
Are you looking for ways to make your event more interesting?
Due to the many different events that take place at the same time, it’s important to incorporate elements that will help your event stand out. But choosing just what special features to include is not always straightforward. As a first step, you will want to ensure that your location is just right– a particularly beautiful or unusual setting can go a long way toward making your event stand out. In our blog article “50 event locations in NRW that you should definitely visit!” you are guaranteed to find a suitable location for your next event. We also have dedicated guide per cities: Event Venues in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund and Essen.
But the right location alone is often not enough to make your event stand out from the crowd. It’s what your event brings to its setting. Here, you should think about what options you have to surprise your participants, to offer them a new experience, or how you can amaze them. At PIRATEx, we often call these elements “Wow moments”– those unforgettable things that help your event stand out.
Special effects are just what you need to achieve this goal and make your event special. Special effects allow you to stay in the memory of your audience longer and create a unique environment for your participants. With so many different options out there, event organizers have a considerable choice. In this blog article, we have put together 11 of our favorite special effects to inspire you for your next event.
1- Animal Holograms from Circus Roncalli
Animal holograms, used by Circus Roncalli, enrich every event by bringing a creative and playful element without sacrificing animal welfare. Animals have a way of fascinating and bringing people together. Holograms are special decorative and interactive elements for events of all kinds and are straightforward to implement and provide novelty for attendees.
2- POP-UP MUSEUM
Pop up Museums are a fascinating trend, showcasing an installation of futuristic, abstract or real illustrations to transform your setting into a parallel universe. This effect takes viewers on a journey. It enables the viewer to perceive a wide variety of environments in a short time and can be used especially for events with several topics or event days. A selection of colors and tones can also influence the mood of the viewers, or coordinate with your event theme.
3- WATER SCREENS
We love this effect of laser shows because this lighting effect allows you to wow the audience with something they may not have experienced before. As part of this effect, you can use multiple branding opportunities with light and sound, to create visuals your attendees won’t soon forget!
4- INTERACTIVE SHOWROOM
An interactive showroom is particularly suitable for larger events with several focal points. Due to the automation and the possibility that the activation of the projections can be started by the guests themselves, these “phygital” experiences guide viewers independently through a concept. The participants are activated, and the interaction reduces the distance to the topics presented.
5- FIREWORKS
This one might sound straightforward, but there’s nothing like fireworks to captivate an audience, and to focus your attendees. Fireworks are one of the most popular special effects at events. Fireworks are best used at the conclusion of an event or used to highlight specific agenda items, such as a special guest or product. With fireworks, you offer your audience a moment that they can experience together. This encourages exchange or offers a great start to a conversation.
6- LED WALL
A story can be told by using an LED wall. The opportunities with this technology are truly endless and up to your imagination. Due to the scalability to larger areas, many people are reached at once, and you can use it as a nice eye-catcher for your event.
7- BUBBLE MACHINE
The integration of a bubble machine is particularly useful as a small distraction in large event settings. It creates whimsy, lightens the mood and brings people together. It can serve as an icebreaker, slowing people down, and also lightening the tone. Each of your participants will likely certainly associate soap bubbles with a nice memory. Be it a memory from childhood, from a wedding or a nice party. Soap bubbles are guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of your attendees and create a positive effect on the atmosphere and mood on site.
8- BALLOON DROP
What could be more playful than a balloon drop? A balloon drop is when numerous balloons are dropped onto the audience at a certain point in the agenda. These are particularly well-placed as a highlight at events that are focused on a special moment, such as award ceremonies or fundraisers. Balloons are comparatively inexpensive and easy to obtain, providing a low cost way to make a big impact. If choosing this option, be sure to use environmentally friendly materials and be sure to clean up any debris when your event has concluded.
9- LASER LIGHTING
Lasers are one of the most popular special effects at events. But there are lots of creative uses for them besides simply representing a focal point on a stage. They can act as a visual barrier, or to divide rooms into different parts. Lasers can also be used to guide people around a large venue or function space. Laser lights truly captivate your attendees, creating an immediate attraction, and steering their attention to different focal points in your event.
10- LIGHT TUNNELS
If you think laser light is captivating, take things to the next level with a tunnel of light. Your participants will be captivated from the start. Make a poignant impact by placing them at your entrance, to create an unforgettable first impression. Since the tunnel can be used when entering and exiting the event site, this effect offers a rounded picture and ensures that the positive atmosphere created at the beginning can be reinforced at the end.
CLOSING
There are lots of special ways to incorporate visual effects like these to make an incredible impression on your attendees. Special effects can make a big influence on the emotions of your participants and make your event one to remember. For smaller, one-off events, low-cost alternatives such as balloon drops are more worthwhile, whereas larger, recurring events can gain a lot of added value from more expensive alternatives such as holograms, interactive showrooms or light shows.
If you’re looking for more special effects ideas and inspiration for your next event, check out our Pinterest board below or visit our profile.
Written by:
Hannah Berkemeier
PIRATEx Project Manager
