As a vibrant centre for the international business community, offering fast access to T5, the hotel's 14 conference and meeting rooms warranted having superior media and communication facilities; all rooms have been specified and equipped with the latest technology, including Christie HD-compatible digital projection proAV, which has also equipped a 117-seat tiered theatre.
Three executive boardrooms - the 16-seat Imperial Boardroom, 22-seat Opera Boardroom and 16-capacity Zen Boardroom - are versatile and digitally equipped. The most advanced room, The Imperial, incorporates a Christie DS+305 SXGA+ 3300 lumen DLP digital projector, as part of an infrastructure that includes videoconferencing, while the remaining two rooms are serviced with Christie DS+300s - all recess-mounted on Audipack projector lifts.
All on-site technical servicing is handled by AVC Productions, and it was the Slough-based service company who contracted proAV for the design and fit out. The specification was put together by proAV's Alan Marshall and project manager, Andy Truswell.
"Reliability of AV translates directly to a conference hotel's revenue, making Christie an easy decision," said Truswell. "AVC Productions also have Christie projectors in their rental fleet and they were comfortable with this decision, as it's a well respected name."
Through the smaller 12 meeting rooms Christie DS+26s are used. "It was important we remained with the same projector brand throughout to give us continuity and a uniform specification, given the combination of brightness, size of screen and light levels. This was also an important factor for AVC."
proAV's project consultant, David Marshall added, "We have always enjoyed a good working relationship with Christie, particularly since Darren Banks joined the company. Of course the equipment needed to meet the specification but it's when equipment goes wrong that you see the true value in this kind of relationship."
proAV worked closely alongside Arora, owners of the hotel, Laing O'Rourke, the main building contractors, and EPR Group, the architects and designers. They also formed a close relationship with Viriato, who developed proAV's equipment enclosures into fully featured credenzas, along with the general desking and furnishing.
(Jim Evans)
