Long Summer Lunch 2025

104

Guests

3 m

Emerald and portal installations

10

Years of LSL

20

Years of AV1

AV1's 10th Long Summer Lunch

AV1’s 10th annual Long Summer Lunch (LSL) at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA Australia) was more than a celebration—it was a statement of innovation, progress, and the future of event production.

With the theme ‘Emerald Reflections’, the event marked 20 years of AV1’s success, debuting cutting-edge audiovisual upgrades in Foundation Hall while honouring past achievements and looking ahead to the next two decades.

Attendees
AV1’s clients and supporters
Event
AV1’s Long Summer Lunch 2025
Theme: Emerald Reflections
Date
24 January 2025
Venue
Foundation Hall, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

A Showcase of AV Innovation

This year’s LSL was the first to be held at Foundation Hall, a space that underwent a comprehensive AV transformation in collaboration with AV1, MCA Australia, and The Big Group. Guests experienced firsthand the newly installed technology, designed to elevate event production:

Flexible Projection Screens – Three drop-down screens adaptable to various room layouts.
L-Acoustics Audio System – Premium speakers, subwoofers, and amplifiers ensuring crystal-clear sound distribution.
Dynamic Lighting – Over 60 moving headlights, LED fixtures, and pin spots for immersive effects.
Digital Backbone – A Luminex digital infrastructure allowing seamless integration of audio, vision, and lighting.
Installed Truss System – Strategically placed trusses providing flexible, secure rigging.

These upgrades solidify Foundation Hall as a state-of-the-art event space, offering versatile and cost-effective solutions for corporate events, conferences, and live performances.

Nigel Mintern, Managing Director of AV1, reflected on the impact of these advancements:

“We’re incredibly proud to unveil the upgraded AV capabilities in Foundation Hall. This investment reflects our commitment to raising the bar in event production and ensuring our clients have access to cutting-edge tools for their most important moments.”

A Multi-Sensory Experience

From the moment guests arrived, they were immersed in the Emerald Reflections theme.

Signature cocktails, including the ‘Emerald Elixir’ (a vibrant mix of gin, absinthe, lime, basil, and chartreuse), set the tone for the afternoon.
The menu, designed by The Big Group, featured a garden-inspired entrée and emerald-themed desserts, adding a culinary layer to the event’s visual storytelling.
Aerial vocalist Ms Bird opened the event with Defying Gravity from Wicked, followed by Goldfinger and Get This Party Started, demonstrating the capabilities of the new AV setup.
The Players Jazz Quartet, courtesy of SMA Productions, provided a smooth soundtrack for the afternoon, complementing the immersive lighting design.

Milestones & Announcements

The Long Summer Lunch also served as an opportunity to reflect on AV1’s achievements over the past year:

Industry Recognition: AV1 won the 2024 MEA National Audio-Visual Supplier Award, was a national finalist for the ABEA Supplier of the Year Award, and received commendations for Future Leader and Product/Service of the Year.
Sustainability Commitment: AV1 successfully recertified as a B Corp, reinforcing its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
New Partnerships: AV1 was appointed as a preferred supplier for the ISPT Collider event space on Pitt Street.
Global Expansion: Nigel Mintern announced a recent trip to China, where AV1 sourced a groundbreaking new AV product set to launch in the coming months.

Collaborative Success

Long Summer Lunch was made possible through the collective efforts of outstanding event partners:

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia – Venue host
D PLUS D Events – Styling partner
SMA Productions – Entertainment partner
The Big Group – Catering partner
Sprintr – Check-in and event registration partner
Oneill Photographics – Photography partner
All Things All Creatures – Content and video production partner

Looking Ahead

As AV1 embarks on its next 20 years, the Long Summer Lunch was a fitting way to celebrate its evolution while reaffirming its commitment to innovation and excellence in event production.

Nigel Mintern concluded:

“2025 is already shaping up to be a landmark year for AV1. Last week, I visited a trusted supplier of AV equipment in China, and we have an exciting new product coming to our shores in just a few months that promises to be a game-changer for client productions. Watch this space!”

With a legacy of excellence and a clear vision for the future, AV1 continues to lead the way in crafting extraordinary event experiences.

The lunch was amazing and the networking opportunities were incredibly valuable. Thank you and the AV1 team.
Brenden

It really is a fabulous, fun event. Was great to chat with AV1 staff and past staff. Super group of people. Felt like a very special event from the beginning to the very end.
Rebeccca

What an amazing event that was! I truly enjoyed the whole experience.
Luigi