Star Events’ technology and inspiration was on the menu at a lunch for major promoters, production suppliers and principal venues in Shanghai, China recently.
Hosted by Shanghai Mercedes-Benz Arena, China’s second busiest music venue, the event focused on the launch of the ‘China PROM’ (Production Rigging Operations Manual) and the arena’s new house reduction solution, designed and installed by Star Events China, which was demonstrated to the lunch guests.
Conceived by Star Events China, with input from engineers, local and international experts, rigging publications and the arena architect, PROM is the first rigging safety manual of its type in China.
Built in 2010 for Shanghai World Expo, the Mercedes-Benz Arena has an extensive gallery level serving its sports commitments, which include NBA and NFL games. A roller blind mechanism, designed to screen the section off and provide for a more intimate event experience downstairs, put 100 tons in the roof and fell far short of the requirements.
Star Events’ semi-automated house reduction system is quite literally a game changer. Officially handed over after the demonstration, it can deploy nearly 5,000sq m of Acre Jean AFR drapes in minutes without any Work at Height in the 34m high venue.
Jo Xie, Operations Director for Star Events China, commented: “The system is operated by the house technical crew. It’s reliable, demountable and weighs less than 10 tons rather than 100 tons, so leaves much more rigging capacity in the roof.”