Want to impress event participants the moment they walk through the door? If you want to make a strong first impression, focus on how you design your event spaces.
Maximize event impact and visual appeal with enhanced scenic solutions
May 22, 2025
Think about it. How many times have you walked into a room and felt a vibe? Environments prime us for what we’re about to experience. They influence how we feel. They affect what we remember. And most of that impact comes from visual cues.
That’s why scenic solutions are a powerful way to intentionally shape the initial experience.
Now let’s put this idea to use with these pro tips.
Set yourself up for success
The simplest way to maximize visual impact is to design with the result in mind.
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- Ask yourself what you want your guests to feel when they walk into the event.
- Identify objects and resources that will reinforce that feeling. For example, cozy chairs and warm lighting for a relaxed fireside chat or portable LED walls for an immersive product showcase.
- Align what you want participants to see, feel and do with the scenic clues. For example, if you want to foster collaboration, consider low tables with communal seating in a clean, inspiring space.
Scenic solutions for specific event scenarios
We asked our team of Encore experts and this is what they recommend you use for the four most common event scenarios.
1. Create a luxurious gala
Event scenario: When you want to wow, you dress to impress. Similarly, if you want participants to feel pampered, you need to dress up the space.
How do you get a room to exude sophistication? Decor drapery.
Why it works: Decor drapery is a timeless solution that adds charm and a feeling of old Hollywood glamour to any space with an elevated visual appeal that takes light beautifully. That’s why it’s a planner favorite for galas, award ceremonies and social events. What you should know: Add depth and visual allure with sheer or textured fabrics. Simply select the color options that reinforce your theme or branding for a unified look in an elevated event setting.
“Decor drapery is an easy way to add more interest to your space. Some of the fabrics have a sheer nature to them, so they take light well and give an event atmosphere more dimension and elegance,” says Encore Product Manager Tom Drozd.
2. Fuel excitement at a multi-day conference
Event scenario: You’re orchestrating a high-energy, four-day conference in a modern convention center. You want fresh, eye-catching visuals that amplify speakers’ messages and leave a lasting impression.
How do you ensure your environment sparks engagement? Create a unique stage backdrop with sTILEr panels, which can be combined in endless variations and repurposed in multiple spaces during your event.
Why it works: sTILEr panels are incredibly versatile. They deliver a cohesive, tech-savvy aesthetic that resonates in every environment, from majestic grand ballrooms to intimate breakout rooms and relaxed dining areas. Best of all, they reinforce the event’s pulse without dominating the space. To draw the audience’s attention in the general session, create a unique stage backdrop with rows of sTILEr panels, joined to create a large backdrop with scenic columns to add dimension and depth to a set. In smaller rooms, diamond-shaped arrangements or subtle cascades featuring key event visuals, branding or logos help maintain a consistent look and feel.
What you should know: These panels are ideal for adding variety to multi-day events. “They’re like a creative puzzle, easily tweaked on the fly,” says Drozd. As the days of your conference unfold, your Encore support team can quickly adjust a few panels without disrupting the event.
“sTILEr panels are the chameleons of the stage. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination,” Drozd adds.
3. Seamlessly transition from keynote to breakouts
Event scenario: You’re orchestrating a there’s a twist — after the general session concludes, the ballroom must swiftly be divided into language-specific breakout zones for focused discussions.
How do you create a flexible, functional event environment without losing the wow-factor? With softwalls — these flexible panels are as practical as they are eye-popping.
Why it works: Softwalls provide an engaging visual backdrop and make ideal room dividers for distraction-free conversations.
What you should know: After enhancing your keynote, Encore experts can quickly reposition softwalls to create breakout zones, ensuring a seamless transition between sessions. Want to provide personalization to help improve event Return on Experience (ROE) aspects like audience satisfaction? Customize the panels’ fabric with targeted visual content, tailored for various groups.
PRO INSIGHT:
Personalized breakout areas see a 15 percent increase in attendee satisfaction compared to generic event spaces.
4. Transform a corporate gathering into an immersive experience
Event scenario: You’re planning how to transform a corporate general session into an immersive experience for executives, key stakeholders and employees. You want the experience to blow your audience’s ideas about corporate gatherings out of the water and inspire memorable interactions.
Want a scenic setup that evokes emotion and makes a lasting influence on participants without breaking your budget? Backdrop Pro is your ultimate canvas, offering myriad ways to enhance your storytelling and ignite participants’ imaginations. Backdrop Pro can help set an ambiance that fosters meaningful connections among your participants, turning an ordinary corporate gathering into something truly extraordinary.
Why it works: Backdrop Pro creates a cost-effective for tight event budgets, providing a more affordable scenic option than either a LED wall or custom hard set.
What you should know: While basic uplighting adds tremendous visual impact, its white panels provide an ideal surface for projections, which lets you transport audiences anywhere from the ocean’s depths to distant galaxies with stirring visuals. Heighten your “surprise and delight” approach with creative staggered setups or consider custom-printed content.
Elevating event experiences with engaging environments
Imagine attendees stepping into a world where every detail — from the stage backdrop to the overall ambiance — draws them deeper into your event’s immersive experience. This is the power of effective scenic design.
“Scenic elements are sprinkles on the cupcake when it comes to building the whole event experience. They improve Return On Investment (ROI) and spark interest in your event before the program even begins,” Drozd says.
Explore the Scenic & Decor Lookbook for inspiration and options. Do you need custom scenic and fabrication? Check out Hargrove from Encore for ideas. We can tailor a solution to suit your budget and vision.
Ready to get started?
We’d love to chat about your next event. Reach out to learn more!