Clare is the Events Manager for Valiant Hire.  Her involvement with the events is that through Valiant Hire she styled the Mercedes-Benz VIP Lounge and she called me later to arrange an appointment to talk about the 3D software that they use.  Needless to say, I was very impressed - not just by the software but by the use of simulation to style rooms! Clare also photographs under the name Lucid Photography.

Valiant Hire is Australia's leader in event, office, residential and relocation furniture rental with showrooms in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.  Clare manages the Events division in Brisbane.

What is a typical day at Valiant Hire?

Goodness, where to begin!   Most of my day is made up of making and keeping appointments with clients who are interested in hearing more about Valiant and our fantastic range of event furniture and accessories for hire. I see corporate clients, event management companies and venues.  I also work with brides and individuals who are arranging their own events, who wish to create an area for elegant chill out lounges and coffee tables where guests can relax and mingle.

Outside of meetings, I am usually creating floor plan designs for clients on Valiant Hire’s 3D space planning software, whilst easy to use; the creation of the right design can be a little time consuming, particularly when you’re a perfectionist!

What is unique about the VH software?

Valiant hire commissioned a Brisbane software company to write a 3D space planning program that would be cutting edge in the events industry, but it also had to be easy to use.

HS: Here's a visual guide - these are screenshots provided by Clare...

We use it to create precise floor plans that will enable clients to clearly visualise how our furniture and accessories will look and fit within a chosen space or venue. We can either create the plan from given dimensions or import a pdf of the venue’s floor plan and size it to scaleThe software can include columns, windows and doors in the correct size and position; represent the type of flooring, be it wood, concrete or the colour of carpet and display the correct colour of walls.

Now the fun begins, we choose the actual items from Valiant’s range that are recommended for the event (not just a generic lounge) and place them in a suggested floor plan design, taking into consideration the style, purpose and theme of the event.The end result is our ability to email clients numerous screenshots of the floor plan design from varying angles so that they can clearly see the effect of our design and either make amendments or approve the plan so we can issue a quote for hire of the represented items. This has proven to be an invaluable service for clients and well worth the investment.

What was the most interesting room/event that you styled?

I would have to say the most challenging and rewarding was styling the entire first floor of David Jones Queens Plaza for their official launch party last year. The brief was to design a variety of ‘chill out zones’ around the room (for the 450 guests) that were individual, contemporary and fashionable but still warm and inviting.  Because it was such a large space, it was a challenge to keep all the zones interactive, so that guests could mingle amongst each other comfortably and not become segregated.  We certainly achieved the brief and the client was exceptionally happy, which of course is very rewarding.  It was also lovely to meet Megan Gale – the then ‘face of David Jones’ and Delta Goodrem, who performed that night.

 Would simulation play a bigger role in the future of events management?  Like simulate a potential situation at a major event..?

Absolutely, simulation software is currently being used to simulate potential situations in the mining, defence and other high risk sectors.  It would not be a stretch to envision a bigger role for simulation in the events industry, particularly when there are risk factors associated ie. Large scale events like Big Day Out, but budgets may be an issue.

HS: If you love the idea of simulation and the creative industries, a presenter talked about that in this The Future of (Serious) Gaming event write-up.

Thanks Valiant Hire!

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