The Sofitel Melbourne On Collins’ award-winning and internationally recognised Grand Ballroom has recently undergone a remarkable transformation, led by its in-house audiovisual partner, Audio Visual Dynamics (AVD).
AVD has proudly serviced the Hotel and Conference Venue market, along with a wide range of corporate and industry partners, since 1992. Drawing on decades of expertise and long-standing supplier relationships, the team delivered a lighting upgrade that has redefined the ballroom experience – from elegant gala dinners to high-energy awards nights.
The Grand Ballroom is one of Melbourne’s most versatile event spaces, spanning 40 metres in width by 20 metres in depth and easily dividing into three smaller rooms, each accommodating up to 300 guests. The upgraded lighting design now gives AVD the flexibility to shape each event with precision – creating atmosphere, impact, and an unforgettable guest experience.
“With the new system, we can seamlessly switch between stage lighting, room washes, gobos, and special effects,” explains Dion Mertzanidis, AVD’s Technical Supervisor at Sofitel Melbourne. “For awards nights, we can deliver dynamic stings and dramatic ballyhoos. For conferences and galas, we provide smooth, even lighting that elevates the experience for every attendee. The new rig has made a huge difference to what we can achieve for our clients.”
Replacing outdated fixtures, AVD selected versatile Ayrton Diablos to handle everything from spotlights to textured room looks, while compact ShowPRO R3 Washes provide powerful, almost silent washes of colour across the space. High-impact ShowPRO Pluto Beams bring energy to the stage with dramatic aerial effects, perfectly suited for concerts, walk-ins, and awards shows.
Control of this new system is powered by the MA Lighting grandMA3 compact XT, providing limitless creative possibilities and ensuring AVD can tailor each lighting design to the unique needs of every event.
“The difference compared to last year is like night and day,” Dion adds. “This upgrade allows us to deliver incredible flexibility and a premium standard of production that truly benefits our clients.”
With this investment, Audio Visual Dynamics has ensured the Sofitel Melbourne Grand Ballroom continues to be one of the city’s most desirable and technically advanced venues – where unforgettable events come to life under world-class lighting.
