We asked them about the activities of the consortium and their plans for the autumn.   

Though at first glimpse it may seem your primary focus is event technology services, a closer look will tell us that you have an incredibly diverse service portfolio with everything from smart homes to digital education. How could you best define what Visual Europe Group really is? 

We like to define ourselves as a continuously innovating and exploring creative factory of event technology. Our goal is to use our expertise and creativity to provide unique and unforgettable experiences to a wide segment of the general public. Event technology hasn’t been the only tool is not the only aspect of our service portfolio. We have moved beyond our role as a one-sided technology service provider to supporting clients with the full range of services from planning and concept development to implementation. Our repertoire and technical knowledge are continuously fed by the unstoppable advances in technology as well as our desire for professional growth. 

What can you tell us about the history of the consortium? Where did the group come from and where is it going? What projects are you the proudest of from recent years?  

We are there at major music festivals, the best concerts, the most important sports events and are also involved in the operation of several top event locations. Our consortium VEGroup is 100% Hungarian-owned. Our event technology business Visual Europe Production provides event technology solutions for major events such as the FINA world cup, Giro d’Italia, wrestling European championship, Real Estate Awards 2022, FEHOVA 2022 or This Is the Day! 2022. We have nearly 20 years of experience in the operation of fixed installations and event locations. The professionals of Visual Europe Project are responsible for the precisely planned visual technology systems, crisp sound, professional interpreting technology and stage solutions, special LED walls, projection technology ideas and digital signage solutions of several event locations. We cover the full spectrum of services from planning to maintenance. We are proud to be steady partners of locations such as the MVM Dome, Puskás Museum, the MOL Headquarters, Szent István Exhibition, and Budapark, for which we designed and operate smart home systems. 

What overlaps can you see between the operations of MOME and Visual Europe Group? What topics would you like to incorporate into the collaboration with the university?  

MOME and VEG have the same focus, just a different – theoretical vs. practical – approach. The university will cover the theoretical background by teaching students about 3D mapping immersive spaces, whereas VEG will provide practical training on the software and tools to help them land jobs in virtual productions.  

At this point, what do you expect from this autumn semester? What can VEG and MOME benefit from this joint course respectively? 

This collaboration comes from the shared belief of both sides that this course can fill an important gap. The entertainment industry is changing at a rapid pace in response to advances in technology, and the labour market is unable to catch up, resulting in an increasing shortage of professionals in the field. This is a problem our consortium is constantly struggling to with and looking for professionals to help with a growing number of tasks. The operation of a virtual film studio and the evolution of virtual film making require a high-level professional background. Becoming a professional includes having the necessary professional background with the required technical training, which will be the golden thread throughout the students’ prospective careers. At this point, the need for education comes in – education that the university as a centre for education, can provide to the professionals of the future. This is where our work together makes a difference: in striking a balance between supply and demand. 

Project work with students requires a unique balance between carrying out an assignment and the individual growth of students. Are there any special considerations that you think should be given extra focus in a situation like this? 

This training, especially its practical aspect is unique and fills an important gap – no other place is offering a course in this field with a similar level of complexity. Technological advances and the need to follow emerging trends place a strong demand on the industry to develop itself and to ensure the continuous development of its professionals. It is this aspect that we would like to focus on by supporting the training. The course is designed to create an educational space supporting individual growth and providing professional practice to help students learn the job under professional guidance and at internationally competitive levels. The main focus is the provision of a world-class theoretical and practical training and we believe that our company’s studio which is currently being built will become a hub for creating special and unique productions in the hands of future generations.  

What are the most important trends you can identify in your field today? What should a young designer or entrepreneur currently watch for? 

Today’s event technology provides all help necessary for an event to deliver an unparalleled experience to participants. Whether it’s a spectacular show, a production in virtual space, a performance by a rockstar at Sziget or the light painting of the Bazilika, the possibilities of today’s lighting, video and sound technology possibilities are limited practically only by your imagination. Each field has its unique journey of evolution, but all of them are already linked by the incorporation of Virtual Reality, digitalisation and holographic solution into events. Our short-term plans include the creation of our state-of-the-art virtual studio, which will feature the most rapidly advancing technologies available today. A virtual studio has LED wall as a background for shooting scenes instead of a genuine set. Following the camera movement in real life, a media server adjusts the perspective of the 3D content projected onto the background, giving viewers the illusion that the scene was shot in a real location. 

We believe in finding an innovative solution to make any event unique, from the smallest event to the biggest, from concert to conference. This is why we are always looking for something new and extraordinary even if it’s more risky and daunting than the conventional, established, well-trodden path. We encourage students to put their essence into what they do, work towards creating something unique and novel, and not to be scared of making mistakes, because it is mistakes that give you knowledge and experience.