Ennis at the heart of live-streaming revolution

COUPLES about to tie the knot in these trying times are being invited to consider their virtual options for inviting guests to their nuptials.

An Ennis company is at the heart of a digital revolution, prompted by the pandemic, and has been live-streaming events of all kinds since the Covid-19 restrictions curtailed conferences, gigs, workshops and weddings.

Crowdcomms, a company founded in Australia by Deirdre Brennick and Peter Hare set up its Irish headquarters in Clare, and prior to the pandemic, had been at the heart of a vibrant conferencing and events industry. The advent of the coronavirus, has prompted them, like so many companies, to pivot and to completely revolutionise their activities.

Based in the Carmody Street Business Park, and working with the likes of the EPA, the Irish Cardiac Society and the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA), the Irish team, comprised of Stephen McDermott, Stuart Hadden and Elaine O’Loughlin, has been instrumental in offering virtual events, live online.

“We’ve been incredibly busy,” said Stephen. “As the restrictions continue to change, more and more companies and organisations are moving their events online, we are working to support all kinds of activities. We’ve recently partnered with The National Convention Centre and we’re live-streaming many of the events which would have been happening there.”

One of the forthcoming projects that is just about to launch is an online service which will enable couples to invite guests to attending their weddings ‘virtually’. Under the latest guidelines, wedding guests will have to wear face coverings when arriving at or leaving their table. They will also have to leave function rooms or bar areas by 11.30pm.  A maximum of 50 people, including staff, is allowed into a function room area. “You have to feel for couples, the restrictions are so tough,” said Stephen. “This service, which we are getting ready to launch, will meant that people can have their ceremony live-streamed. The couple will be able to send an e-invite, which is completely secure and private, to invite as many guests as they want to. They’ll also be able to decorate their app with things like their photos and the story of how they met, so they’ll be able to personalise everything. Guests will be able to access things like online gift lists and to send their messages to the couple, as well as to watch the ceremony remotely.”

As the company gets set to launch the service, they are seeking a couple to trial it, free-of-charge, and to give feedback which will prove invaluable in making the service the best it can be. “We would love to work with a couple out there who would like to give us feedback,” said Stephen. “Nobody else out there is doing what we are doing right now. We really do want to help make sure big events can still happen, even though they may be virtual. So many things, which faced cancellation, can still happen in a virtual space. For couples, we hope we can make a difference to their big day and help them to share it, despite the restrictions.”