- Client - Hillsong Church London
- Event - Hillsong Conference
- Delegate numbers - 3,000
- Requirements
Hillsong Church is a Pentecostal Christian church headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Its annual conference grew up around the musical ministry of the church, with the primary aim of teaching and training Christian musicians. The UK branch, Hillsong Church London, was established in 2000.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary, Hillsong Church London, were looking for a venue where they could stage a unique combination of praise and instruction. As this was a first time event for the organisers, they needed to identify and build a relationship with a venue that had a track record in delivering spectacular large-scale events with stringent technical requirements.
A combination of unknowns, including attendance, also meant that Hillsong Church London needed a venue able to accommodate changes at the last minute.
Furthermore, Hillsong Church London needed the venue to be easily accessible and able to provide a range of dining options and accommodation for the European delegates.
- Event Solution
The event format was a combination of musical performances and keynote sessions, with the Church keen to balance a well-deserved reputation for informative and entertaining content with time for delegates to network and connect. Although no break-out sessions took place, the venue's extensive foyer space and on-site social venues provided ample space for further discussions and exchange between delegates.
The event mixed stage show spectacular with traditional conference dynamics. Dominated by a 140sq m stage, the hall featured tiered and flat seating for 3,225 worshippers. Pyrotechnic and lighting effects were supplied via 16 rigs hoisted above the hall and surrounding stage. Sound and lighting was controlled from an advanced technical area akin to those seen for mainstream pop performers.
Over the course of the three-day conference, visitors were treated to performances from nearly 50 artists. In addition to the performances and worship sessions, the conference programme included seven keynote sessions.
- Results
Andrew Dobner, Chief Operating Officer of Hillsong Church London enthused, "ExCeL London works for us for several reasons. Because of its versatility in terms of space, it enables us to grow each year and not having to think about changing venues, which helps create momentum behind the event."
- Floorplan
