Elevating Hospitality AV at Crowne Plaza Mawson Lakes

Corporate Initiatives’ premium AV design elevates suburban hotel’s business offering

The Pelligra Group, in partnership with ONE7 and IHG Hotels & Resorts, has developed the Crowne Plaza Adelaide Mawson Lakes. It’s a savvy move. There’s nothing like it in the north of Adelaide and it’s strategically placed in among a cluster of heavy-hitter defence contractors. So we’re talking about a steady stream of white collar travellers who are after a super-comfortable hotel with options to unwind and connect. As one of the original business traveller hotel brands, this is the Crowne Plaza promise worldwide.

As a hotel that means business, Crowne Plaza Adelaide Mawson Lakes elevated its function and events offering. More than a blank canvas for an AV provider to respond to client requests, the hotel is almost entirely self sufficient – able to handle all but the most complex requirements in house with non-technical staff.

Showing Some Initiatives

Corporate Initiatives handled the AV design and integration. A significant part of the package was a comprehensive background music system.

“Music is critical,” emphasises General Manager, Faisal Sayed. “A good sound system is fundamental to shaping a positive guest experience. It creates an emotional connection, sets the tone, energy, and mood. It helps deliver our brand promise of an elevated experience. Commercially, it activates areas effectively, supports seamless conferencing, and reinforces the brand.”

A comprehensive JBL Professional audio package takes care of all the public spaces, including the Shoalhaven Ballroom. Gayan Dias, Strategic Relationships Manager at Corporate Initiatives, explains the decision. “We’re working with the IHG Group on standardising its audio visual offering, including the audio and BGM systems. JBL is a good fit. The catalogue is extensive – there are a host of options indoor and out – while the companion Crown amplifiers help us offer all the zoning sophistication we could possibly need.”

The public areas include the reception/lobby, bar, restaurant, balcony, atrium, elevators, toilets, and gymnasium. There are some 80+ loudspeakers in total.

Events Bridge Divide

The function and events offering is a cut above. Corporate Initiatives made a strong case for a properly divisible 442sqm ballroom and events space. GM, Faisal Sayed, took that proposal to the owners who saw the wisdom in investing in a next-level offering.

The Shoalhaven Ballroom can be divided into three standalone function spaces. As one space there are large dropdown motorised screens at each end with high-brightness Epson projectors. When divided, each space is properly equipped with an Aurora 165-inch LED display, JBL audio, ClickShare content collaboration, a lectern and more. The middle space also features hybrid meeting capabilities with a Sennheiser TCC2 ceiling microphone. It’s all integrated into the space.

Amy Davies, the hotel’s Director of Marketing & Sales, gets to sell the space:

“Most of the bookings’ tech requirements will be modest – a microphone, a lectern and a place to plug in a laptop – but again, they’re impressive spaces that don’t require AV staff or extra gear.”

Supporting the Experience

Crowne Plaza Adelaide Mawson Lakes is now over a year old and finding its groove. Sure, the business travellers are the lifeblood but there are more rich seams to be mined – sports groups, grey nomads, and plenty more. They all respond to the hotel’s deep desire to connect, providing touchpoints for guests to socialise. The technology is the facilitator. GM, Faisal Sayed, elaborates: “We wanted state-of-the-art tech that’s seamless and easy to use – no endless training sessions required. The integration means you can quickly explain it to a newbie. Technology supports the experience, it doesn’t dominate it.”

Article reproduced with permission from AV.Technology