Creating Magic for a Meaningful Night: AV Production for the Kids in Care Awards at Courtyard Heathrow Hotel
When it comes to local government events that leave a lasting impression, the London Borough of Hounslow Kids in Care Awards is a shining example. Hosted at the elegant Courtyard Heathrow Hotel, this special evening was a celebration of resilience, hope, and the achievements of young people in care. It was our absolute privilege to provide the AV production, staging, lighting, and audio-visual expertise that helped bring this powerful event to life.
As AV specialists in delivering unforgettable awards shows and conferences across London, we know that the right technical setup is essential in creating both a sense of occasion and smooth-flowing production. Here's how we transformed the event space into a magical setting for some very special guests.
Impactful lighting and a very special catwalk
The Venue: Courtyard Heathrow Hotel – A Hidden Gem for Local Government Events
Located just minutes from one of the world’s busiest airports, the Courtyard Heathrow Hotel is more than a convenient location—it’s a stylish and adaptable space perfectly suited for local government events, corporate functions, and awards shows.
The hotel offers spacious conference rooms, excellent facilities, and most importantly, a supportive events team who were fantastic to collaborate with. For the London Borough of Hounslow, the venue provided a comfortable and accessible environment for attendees from across the borough.
Our role was to transform the venue’s neutral, professional interiors into something extraordinary - something worthy of the children being honoured. And that’s exactly what we set out to do with our bespoke audio-visual production.
A Special Event Deserves a Special Setting
From our very first briefing with the event organisers, it was clear this wasn’t just another awards show. The Kids in Care Awards is an emotionally resonant event, filled with stories of perseverance and triumph. The production needed to reflect the dignity and warmth of the evening while keeping a celebratory tone.
To achieve that, we combined atmospheric lighting with a custom-designed starlit catwalk, elegant staging, and seamless audio-visual coordination. Our team handled every element of the AV setup, ensuring presenters and performers were seen, heard, and celebrated in the best light - literally and figuratively.
Designing the Starlit Catwalk
One of the highlights of the evening was the starlit catwalk we constructed as the focal point of the stage. Running from the main platform into the audience space, the illuminated runway gave nominees their moment in the spotlight.
Each child walked down this glowing path to receive their award—a poignant, empowering design choice that turned the evening into a red-carpet experience. It wasn't just a visual centrepiece; it was a symbolic gesture of recognition, honour, and celebration.
The catwalk used our LED starlit panels, fully programmable to suit the tone of each segment. Coupled with dynamic lighting effects, it created a constantly shifting, visually rich experience that adapted seamlessly to speeches, performances, and award presentations.
Glimmering Lighting Backdrop and Stage Design
To enhance the theatricality of the evening, we installed a glimmering lighting backdrop behind the stage. Using shimmering drapery, uplighters, and colour washes, we sculpted a setting that felt both elegant and celebratory.
Our lighting design featured:
Intelligent moving head fixtures for dramatic sweeps and spotlighting
Soft warm washes for heartwarming segments
Fun effects during musical stings
The staging itself was designed for versatility. We incorporated tiered platforms, allowing for speeches, performances, and video presentations. The backdrop’s modular design meant it could be adjusted in real time, keeping the visuals fresh and engaging throughout the night.
Precision Audio for Every Moment
For any awards show or conference, great audio is non-negotiable. Our engineers provided a full sound system design tailored to the Courtyard Heathrow’s acoustic profile. Every word spoken - from heartwarming testimonials to emotional thank-yous - needed to be heard clearly by every guest in the room.
We deployed:
High-definition Meyer sound speakers for even room coverage
Wireless handheld and lapel microphones
A live audio technician to manage sound levels and cues
This precision setup ensured every guest, no matter their location in the room, felt connected to the ceremony. For special performances and video montages, the sound was mixed live to maintain atmosphere and clarity.
Seamless Integration of Screens and Video
Video content played a vital role in this event - montages, tribute videos, and recorded messages were all part of the evening’s agenda. Our team provided high-definition screens positioned strategically for maximum visibility.
Each screen was fed by our multi-source video switcher, allowing us to alternate between live camera feeds, pre-recorded content, and animated graphics without a hitch.
To create this setup, we used:
Dual 65-inch LED display screens
One central projector screen with rear projection
Live camera operators to capture audience and stage reactions
The integration of screens and video allowed the production to have a strong emotional arc, giving guests a rich, multimedia experience that moved seamlessly from one segment to the next.
Why AV Production Matters for Local Government Events
Often, local government events like these can be overlooked when it comes to production quality. But the truth is, when the AV is handled with care, it shows the audience - and in this case, children in care - that they matter.
Our philosophy is simple: every event, no matter the scale, deserves a polished, professional, and heartfelt presentation. Working with councils like the London Borough of Hounslow, we aim to elevate the experience, whether it’s a conference, award ceremony, or community celebration.
We bring the same level of creative design, technical expertise, and emotional intelligence to every project—because every story deserves to be told beautifully.
A Night to Remember
As the final award was handed out and the closing remarks echoed through the venue, the sense of pride and achievement was palpable. Families, carers, social workers, and council leaders all came together to support and uplift these extraordinary young people.
From our perspective, it was an evening full of warmth, inspiration, and gratitude—a reminder of why we do what we do.
Seeing the smiles on children’s faces as they walked the starlit catwalk, the joy as names were called, and the tears during heartfelt videos—all framed by the audio-visual environment we crafted—was the greatest reward of all.
Looking Ahead
At GE Production, we specialise in AV production for conferences, awards shows, and local government events across London and beyond. Whether it’s a Heathrow hotel venue like Courtyard or a civic centre closer to home, we bring a bespoke, detail-focused approach to every project.
If you’re planning a local authority event, charity gala, or community awards show, we’d love to help you elevate it with professional audio-visual, lighting, screens, and staging design.
Reach out to us today to talk about how we can help turn your vision into an experience your guests will never forget.
