Breaking News: 4Wall Throwing Industry Party at #LDI2012

Remember two years ago, the last time LDI was in Vegas? With a party like this, how could you forget?! Time to relive it again this year!  Details of the 2012 4Wall Industry Party are out!

When: Friday, October 19th @ 8pm

Where: Firefly Tapas Kitchen & Bar; 3824 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, 89119

– the building in the back, just one mile south of the LVCC

What: All you need is your show floor badge to get in.

This year is a bit special.  It is also the LDI 25th Anniversary Party sponsored by 4Wall Lighting and UsedLighting.com. What can you expect… showgirls, music from the industry band, The Swingin’ Johnsons and a 4Wall staple, an OPEN BAR… till 11pm.  If you are heading to LDI, clear your calendar Friday night, you will NOT want to miss this one.

LDIMobile App and LDI2012

Big news first… Everyone has been wondering about LDI 2012. Will it be in Vegas, will it be in California, what about New Orleans? I was partial to the long fetched rumor of it being in Washington, DC.  I think I started that one! ;)

Drum roll please….

LDI 2012 if in LAS VEGAS BABY!

LDI just put up a Save the date for LDI2012 in Las Vegas from October 15-21 2012. Mark your calendars!

Looks like LDI is not updating their iPhone or Android app for the show.  They did however announce the re-launch of LDIMobile.  It is a web based show guide.  You will need internet on your mobile device in order for it to work.  It works on any device that has a web browser.  It’s not an app, but it is definatly better then lugging around a show guide!

Check out the LDIMobile “app” here.  Have a look at the instruction video as well.

See everyone in the swamp! Safe travels.

InfoComm 2011 Show Apps

InfoComm 2011 is right around the corner!  It happens this week in Orlando Florida from June 15th through June 17th. I’ll be heading down to InfoComm tomorrow to cover the show for both PLSN and iSquint.  If you are in town, find me, we’ll meet up and have a good time… I AM SURE OF IT! Learn more about the InfoComm show by visiting www.infocommshow.org.

InfoComm has released an update to their app for both the iPhone and Android.  I am a HUGE supporter of show apps as I don’t have to carry around a show magazine to find a booth I am looking for.  Not only does it save space, time and trees, but it is interactive!  Here is more about the app for both the iPhone and Android.

InfoComm 2011 will be filled with valuable networking activities and special events that will provide its projected 32,000 attendees with memorable experiences. The world’s largest audiovisual trade show is being held June 11-18, 2011, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

“Attending InfoComm’s tradeshow provides AV professionals and their customers a chance to see the latest in applied AV technologies at the biggest marketplace for commercial AV,” said Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D., Executive Director and CEO, InfoComm International. “But it also provides great networking opportunities and a chance to celebrate the resiliency of the industry through challenging times.”

You can download the iPhone app for FREE from the iTunes App Store.

You can download the Android App for FREE from the Android Market Place.

4Wall New York Vendor Showcase

On Thursday, May 12th, 4Wall Lighting New York held their annual Vendor Showcase in their New Jersey warehouse.  This is my second vendor showcase that 4Wall Lighting has invited me to and it was just like the DC Open House… Excellent!  4Wall turned part of their massive New Jersey warehouse in to a mini trade show, minus all of the fancy trade show decorations, carpeting and drapery. Instead, they wheeled out road cases from the rental department, one for each manufacture that will be exhibiting and place a sheet of plywood over it and a table cloth, done. We are lighting people, we are use to being in shops and backstage, we don’t need the glitz and glamor, just show us the lights! 4Wall understands this and gives us attendees what we want, time to look, play, ask questions and grab a burger and beer. It is that KISS philosophy that I love.

The New York Vendor Showcase was well attended.  Al Ridella, VP of Business Development in the New York office guesstimated about 150 to 175 people came to the showcase between 3pm and 7pm with a couple of stranglers hanging on past 7pm to make sure they hit all the exhibitors… including me.  Jim Cannon, VP of Rental Operations for New York and his crew were busy manning the grills as well as still prepping rentals all during the showcase.  I have to hand it to Jim, he grills a bad ass burger!

It was great to see familiar faces, like the smiling face of JC More from City Theatrical, and Mr. Chad Rosco Tiller.  It was also wonderful to meet many new people from around the industry. It always happens, you talk or email with someone for months and months and then finally you get to meet them in person at an event like this.  Had that happen just a couple of times on Thursday.

What about new products! 4Wall invited over 45 manufacturers to exhibit at their showcase and boy did they turn out.  The list is pretty extensive!  Rather then listing everyone AGAIN, check out the list on 4Wall’s event page. Looking back over the list, I don’t remember seeing a couple of manufacturers there like my good friends at SeaChanger, Mr. Field Template himself, Steve Shelly or the guys from Wybron.  I expected to see the Wybron truck there as Martin Professional had there truck. I am sure everyone is off working and keeping pretty busy. We’ll catch them soon some where I am sure.

One of the neatest things on display was TMB’s latest product form Schinick Schnack Systems out of Germany. TMB is now distributing the Schnick Schnack LED panels in the US market. The panels are pretty neat, at least from the 6″ demo model at their table.  You can create a low res video display with a diffuse acrylic panel in front of it for 60’s style mood panels and trippy effects.  There is a wide range of panels and options available.  To learn more about the panels, visit their website at www.schnickschnacksystems.com. You will have to contact TMB or your local TMB dealer for pricing as it is a POA system.

Some of the other neat things seen at the Vendor Showcase was the New Impression Spot One LED Profile Moving Head available from GLP Lighting. Robe Lighting was on hand with their new ROBIN 600 LEDWash moving head and the ROBIN MMX Spot Moving Head. The Blank Tank company was showing off their full line up of 4″ cube LED wash fixtures. They are gearing up to release a couple of new products such as a variable white wash fixture and another “option” that I cannot mention yet… just know that I want one!

Overall, I had a blast at the 4Wall New York Vendor Showcase.  A huge thanks to 4Wall Lighting for inviting me up to the party… I mean showcase! ;) Learned a lot, got to meet new and old friends and had some great food. It’s funny, four hours seems like a long time for an event, but it always happens, it is over so quick and I never get around to everyone! Still, great times!

4Wall posted a bunch of photos to their Facebook page already.  I didn’t get a chance to snap to many photos, but I did see 4Wall guys running around snapping pictures every where and doing interviews with exhibitors through out the day.  Keep a look out for more photos and videos from 4Wall… Who know, you might see me in one!

Thanks for having me up, see you in LA? ;)

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#USITT2011 Stage Expo Hasn’t Even STARTED and I Have So Much to Share!

Today was jam packed with sessions, sessions and more sessions.  I was part of the panel for two sessions today and I had a BLAST!  The best part is, I have audio!  While I would love to share it as soon as possible, I just don’t have the capabilities to do it while in Charlotte, so we’ll just have to wait till the show is over, sorry.

The first session I was on the panel for was There’s a Lighting App for That/Mobile Lighting Tools. Just like it sounds, we talked about mobile apps! The panel was lead by Scott Parker from StageSeminars.com, joined by app developer Eric Cornwell from West Side Systems, legendary lighting designer, Richard Pilbrow, and me! We had a great discussion about why and how apps are developed.  How Mr. Pilbrow uses his iPad and various apps to aid him in designing and then me rounding out most of the other lighting apps and some other useful tips, tricks and ideas on how to manage not only your design process, but your life as well.

The second session that I was on the panel for was Marketing in the Digital World and Social Media for the Lighting Professional.  The panel included Andrea Bilkey, Jim Hutchison from JimOnLight and myself. The three of us discussed how important it is to be social both in the real world and online and offered some guidelines to help prepare yourself for that undertaking.  And yes, I was live tweeting the session a little bit.

The final session I got to for the day was the Lighting Commission Meeting.  The lighting commission is the group of people that organizes the lighting sessions for the conference.  It’s at this meeting where anyone, I mean ANYONE can put forth and idea for future sessions.  If you have a great idea for a session at USITT that deals with lighting, they want to talk to you! I have been apart of three sessions in the past two years and I have had a BLAST sharing my thoughts with everyone.  I encourage you to do the same.  Headed over to the Lighting Commission page and get in contact with someone and tell them about your great idea.

Finally, the day wrapped up with some dinner, a few choice beverages and the USITT 2011 tweetup at Strike Bowling.  I didn’t get a chance to take to many photos today as I was running around all over the convention center.  But in true iSquint fashion, I’ll have plenty of photos to share tomorrow!

#USITT2011 Is THIS WEEK… Are You Ready?

It’s March already?  Time is just flying by!  As I un-pack, clean, write and re-pack for USITT this today, I wanted to check in and see if everyone else is ready for the week.  Have you made a list yet? You really should.  It is the worst to get to the conference and realize you forgot something.

First things first… cloths, pretty important thing.  Dress not only for the weather, but also to show off your self.  Remember, we are selling ourselves here. Extra cloths never hurt.

Resume and business cards.  If you are a student or a job seeker at the conference, more is never a bad idea.  I might suggest budgeting about 200 or so resumes and 500 business cards.  Again, it sucks to run out in the middle of the conference, so more the better.  It is ALWAYS a good idea to have the digital files on a jump drive that you can take to a FedEx Kinkos to have printed in Charlotte if you run out.

The other thing I always want to point out is general behavior and representing yourself or company at the show.  The thing I want to mention is common sense, USE IT.  You should also read Steve Shelley’s ” write up on what to expect at industry events.  Mr. Shelley has been doing it for a long time and has some great advice.  You may have already seen this before, but read it again, I always do before a big event.

When I started attending industry events, one of my former bosses gave me the greatest pieces of advice. Whether you are representing a company or yourself, while you are at an industry event, you are “on” 24/7.  No matter if you are on the trade show floor or at the bar at the end of the day, put your best foot forward and let everyone see your best side.

We are in an industry were everyone knows someone.  The person you just meet might know someone else and start talking about you.  Putting your best out there will make sure that conversation is a good one! I don’t mention this to scare you from having fun and being yourself, just use common sense. ;)

I look forward to seeing everyone in Charlotte later this week!  This is going to be a great week. Make sure you are prepared and ready. Safe travels everyone!

Welcome Contributing Writer – Eric Boxer

I’m not gonna lie, this is pretty sweet. Not only do I get to go to the coolest trade show in the world (I mean, it’s the trade show that showcases everything that other trade shows use to showcase and highlight their stuff), but I get to help those who can’t make it experience it. It’s a lot of show floor and I look forward to working with Justin and all the other contributors to cover every inch of it. I’ll be focusing on data distribution and infrastructure as well as some hands on time with as many consoles as I can.

LDI2010: Get a Deal on a Hotel For the Show

I received an email from Live Design.  If you are still on the fence about coming to Las Vegas in October for LDI, this should help easy some of the cost of attending.

Book in the official LDI block by Monday, September 27th and get:

• Exclusive rates starting at $59 per night
• Coupon books at select hotels featuring
$1,400 in savings*
• Double Hilton HHonors® Points

Here are some of the offers still available when booking through LDI

• Bally’s – $65
• Harrah’s Las Vegas – $59
• Hilton Grand Vacation Suites – $119
• Las Vegas Marriott Suites – $129
• The Mirage Hotel & Casino – $145
• Paris Las Vegas – $89

There are more hotels in the block. Click here to view the full hotel list and rates.

LDI 2010 Registration is OPEN!

1. Goto to kayak.com, book flights to Las Vegas
2. Book hotel room in a Casino… ANY Casino
3. REGISTER FOR LD 2010!!!

That is correct, LDI has opened up registration to the 2010 LDI Show in FABULOUS Las Vegas Nevada! I listed the to-do-list, what are you waiting for?  Book you flight, reserve that hotel room, (or not if you don’t plan to sleep) and Register for access to the floor of the show.  Pretty simple right?  This is crazy right?  It’s July and we’re already talking about LDI in OCTOBER!  As of today, there are 98 days left until the doors open and the party begins.  Don’t put it off, Git-R-Done!

ABTT Show Starts This Week

Another week, another trade show is happeing some where in the world.  Last week was InfoComm, this week brings the ABTT or The Association of British Theatre Technicians in London England.  The ABBT show takes place at the Royal Horticultural Halls starting Wednesday, June 16th and ending Thursday June 17th. The show opens at 10:30am on Wednesday and 10am on Thursday.  You can still register for the show on site in Lindley Hall near the Vincent Square entrance.

This is just another show that I wish I could make, but a large body of water prevents that!  With almost 100 exhibitors, British and European techs will have plenty to look at and learn at the show. Peter Kirkup, our friend from England and product manager for Zero 88 will be attending and hopefully give us some insight into the show.  Learn more about ABTT and the ABTT Show by visiting www.abtt.org.uk and www.abtttheatreshow.co.uk.

This Week Brings #InfoComm10 in Las Vegas Nevada

This week brings InfoComm 2010 in Las Vegas Nevada.  InfoComm is the biggest tradeshow in the country for pro-AV.  With over 900 exhibitors, and 300+ sessions spread over seven days, it is no wonder they need the LVCC!

The sessions have already started back on Saturday, but the exhibit floor does not open until 9am, Wednesday June 9 and closes Friday, June 11. Be sure to add the HTML version of the Show Floor to your smart phone to locate exhibitors while at the show.  There is also a flash version of the show floor, but as we all know, it doesn’t work on the iPhone.  There is still time to register for InfoComm, you just have to pick up your badge at the on-site registration desk.

For up to the minute news about the show and things to see, add @infocomm & @infoCommShowGuy to your twitter followers or follow the hastags #infocomm10 and #infocomm2010. You can also get more info on InfoComm by visiting the shows web site at www.infocommshow.org.

If you are attending the show, send back pictures and info about all of the latest and greatest products!

NAB 2010 – Done and Gone

That’s it, that is all she wrote for NAB 2010 in Las Vegas.  The show floor closed down about five hours ago and things moved quick to get exhibitors out of the hall.  Some people were done in an hour, others will be there through the weekend with such massive booths to break down.

My time spent on the show floor was a wonderful experience, and a tiring on at that too!  With that show floor expanding across North, Central and South halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center and other off site locations, there was just not enough time in the day to walk the entire show floor. I was mainly stuck to central hall this year as that is where I was doing interviews in the SeaChanger booth along with all most all of the lighting exhibitors being located there as well.  Just walking the Central hall was quite the task, but still so worth it.

If you have any interest on top of lighting in broadcast, production, content creation and acquisition, you really must attend NAB next year!  There are devices from the beginning level all the way up to the HD production and broadcast level.  Seeing as I am still on the beginning level of video and audio acquisition, I was drooling over some of the latest and greats cameras, production equipment and tools. And remeber, this was just things that I saw in central hall! Who knows what I missed in the other halls!

Some of the great lighting products that I saw were mainly LED products.  It seems that everyone is “in the game” now with getting an LED product out on the market. While I would love to go on and on about them right now, I have to prepare for tonights dinner with the great folks at SeaChanger.  During the weekend and going on into next week I will be putting up some video’s I made during my time here at NAB along with more details and info about some of the new products coming to the market.

I also will be putting up some great interviews that I did in the SeaChanger booth with some lighting designers and of course, the SeaChanger Duck. I want to give a HUGE shout out to SeaChanger, especially Beth, Tom and Phil for bringing me to NAB to cover and do interviews on the show floor.  I had a blast here in Vegas and am so grateful for this opportunity! Even though SeaChanger brought me out to NAB, I really think you should look at the Nemo Plasma color mixing fixture.  All signs point to a great and cool fixture!

Make sure to mark your calendar for next years NAB Show, April 9-11 in Las Vegas!

More NAB 2010 Photos

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