Retail Excellence Awards 2025
AV PRODUCTION BY FASTLANE AUDIO VISUAL
The Retail Excellence Awards were hosted at the elegant Lyrath Estate Hotel. The awards brought together industry leaders, retailers, suppliers, and stakeholders from across the country. Fastlane Audio Visual was proud to deliver the complete audiovisual production for this high-profile awards, creating an engaging and visually impactful experience.
Pre-Event Planning & Collaboration
Fastlane Audio Visual has worked with Retail Excellence for several years, developing a strong working partnership built on trust, reliability, and a shared commitment to deliver an exceptional awards. This long-standing relationship allowed us to collaborate closely with the client. We also enjoy an excellent relationship with the team at Lyrath Estate; our familiarity with the venue infrastructure helps ensure smooth event delivery. Working alongside both the client and venue team, we designed a bespoke stage layout tailored to the awards format and audience experience.
During the planning phase, our team produced detailed floor plans and visualisations of the event space, allowing the client to understand the stage design, screen layouts, and lighting concepts. This collaborative approach ensured complete confidence in the final production design and enabled a seamless transition from planning to execution.
Audio Production
We deployed a large PA system designed to provide even coverage throughout the ballroom, ensuring every speech, award announcement, and musical performance could be heard with clarity.
The stage audio setup included:
- Lectern microphone and headset microphone for the event MC.
- Dedicated awards music playback and cue management
- Audio feeds supplied to the event camera team for content capture
- Full audio provision for the live band throughout the evening
Our audio team carefully managed transitions between speeches, awards presentations, video content, and live entertainment to maintain a seamless guest experience.
Visual Production
A striking LED video wall formed the centrepiece of the stage design. The visual setup featured:
- 10m x 3m LED video wall as the main stage backdrop
- Four 1m x 3m LED pillar displays integrated into the stage design
- Two 3.5m x 2m LED side screens to maximise visibility throughout the venue
The system was controlled via a professional visual switcher, allowing seamless transitions between award graphics, sponsor content and video playback throughout the evening.
Lighting Design
The lighting included:
- Lighting wash to illuminate the stage and presenters.
- Moving head wash fixtures to fill the room with dynamic colour effects.
- Moving head spotlights for dramatic aerial and stage effects.
- Uplighting throughout the venue to create a vibrant and immersive environment.
- Robe ProMotion fixtures projecting Retail Excellence branding and event graphics onto the ballroom walls.
To maximise the impact of the moving lighting effects, haze was utilised to add depth and enhance beam visibility.
To celebrate the award winners, confetti cannons were incorporated to add excitement during major award presentations.
Stage Design
The stage was designed to create a premium awards environment while maximising visibility throughout the ballroom.
Production elements included:
- 10m x 2m stage platform at 600mm height.
- Custom black carpet finish.
- LED strip lighting integrated along the front of the stage.
- 40 metres of black velour drape creating an elegant backdrop.
- Custom truss structure supporting the lighting and speaker kit.
The result was a contemporary and impactful stage design that provided the perfect setting for the evening’s awards presentations.
Pre-Conference & Arrival Experience
Within the lobby and pre-conference areas, we installed:
- Uplighters illuminated the lobby in brand colours to enhance the arrival space
- An illuminated walkway leading guests towards the event
- Totem screens positioned on either side of the entrance, displaying event branding and sponsor content
- 86″ displays showcasing table plans and guest information
These elements created a welcoming and professional arrival experience while reinforcing event branding from the moment guests entered the venue.
The Result
The Retail Excellence Awards 2025 was a highly successful celebration that delivered a premium experience for guests, sponsors, and award winners alike.
Through detailed planning, close collaboration with Retail Excellence and Lyrath Estate, and the integration of high-impact audio, lighting, video, and staging solutions, Fastlane Audio Visual transformed the venue into a dynamic awards environment worthy of one of Ireland’s leading industry events.
The combination of large-format LED displays, immersive lighting, seamless technical delivery, and carefully considered guest journey elements ensured a memorable evening that reflected the prestige of the Retail Excellence brand and provided a fitting platform to celebrate excellence across Ireland’s retail sector.
