TSEC Launches Virtual Event Studio

TSEC Launches Virtual Event Studio

TSEC Launches Virtual Event Production Studio

With the pandemic looming, the Special Event Company (TSEC) built a state-of-the-art digital studio that thrived as the industry reeled. The swift decision-making to transform the business led to expanded opportunities and record revenues.

Sometimes, the most significant challenges in business create the most excellent opportunities. In this case, finding the courage to change course is another challenge. The Special Event Company has been a trailblazing, woman-owned business since Sally Webb founded the company in 1987. Webb built the Raleigh-based operation into one of the most respected event producers in the U.S., handling high-profile projects for Duke University, Boy Scouts of America, NHL All-Star Weekend, Southern States/Japan Trade Conference, and creative conferences and workshops for technology giants YouTube and Twitch, to name a few.

Building A Virtual Event Studio

It Was Time To Step Into Virtual Event Production

There was no event TSEC wasn’t prepared to handle for decades, not even a worldwide pandemic. At his point, when Covid-19 shut live events down in 2021, Webb knew they needed to pivot quickly. It was clear that events were going virtual, so Webb and her team wasted little time making a decision that would transform their value proposition – and the company’s future. TSEC turned to digital technology to build a bespoke virtual event studio, providing the same turnkey service to produce live online events and content.

The plan required a 180-degree reboot of the business, including selling the office headquarters it had purchased and renovated in 2019. TSEC had always been fiscally disciplined, with cash reserves on hand. What it did not have was time. When space for the studio was found in Apex, N.C., Vice President Hunter Gray led a full-scale rebuild, including state-of-the-art recording equipment, streaming technology, sets and acoustics. Production techs and studio managers were hired. Within three months, TSEC was in the digital broadcast production business, and business was booming.

“It was a risk, but we decided to go for it, and the speed of our commitment was the key,” said Webb. “You need the courage to make the tough calls and handle the consequences – when you see the window, you jump through it and hope there’s a mattress on the other side.”

Raleigh North Carolina, Virtual Event Studio

Launching A Virtual Event Production Studio Requires A Clear Vision

Very few companies in the events industry had the resources, capabilities and vision to transition to virtual capabilities in this way. The pandemic decimated the live events industry. Many producers were forced to shut down or exit the market. Those who survived have much smaller staff, and corporate event teams that suffered layoffs have limited capacity, creating additional demand for TSEC. With the return of live events and new digital studio capacity, TSEC is hiring and on track to have the best year in its 35-year history.

Throughout 2021, TSEC produced various virtual events, such as the SEE Summit, a cancer research symposium exploring Safe, Early and Effective cancer detection. “Stream Raleigh,” a hybrid event for the global streaming platform Twitch, was a new type of event for a new professional tribe. Gaming and e-sports influencers gathered to share tips and best practices; all streamed online. TSEC is now part of that tribe in the Triangle’s gaming industry, where the concentration of technology and innovation includes the world headquarters of Epic Games and others.

In-House Digital Production Services

Adding in-house digital production enabled TSEC to survive the shutdown and offer added value to conferences like InSight 2022, a global financial services technology user conference. The studio also incentivizes promotional initiatives such as the “Studio for a Day” contest, introducing its production services to new companies and organizations. A perennial award-winner in the U.S. events industry, TSEC continues to execute global in-person, virtual and hybrid programs, providing turn-key event solutions and the strategic vision that has placed it in a category by itself.

Virtual Event Broadcast Studio

About The Special Event Company:

The Special Event Company (TSEC) has provided exceptional strategic and creative delivery of meetings and events since our formation in 1987. The company executes global programs seamlessly from our headquarters in Raleigh, N.C. We offer a turnkey service for strategy development, site selection, planning, logistics, A/V, virtual events and studio production, transport, collateral and graphic design. Our professional planners will effectively budget, design, source, contract, and execute award-winning programs that exceed clients’ goals and deliver excellent ROI. For more information, please visit http://www.specialeventco.com.