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    Blog Series: Trade Shows

    Earls Court, London

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    – Mike Graham, looking pensive in front of MVP video panels

    Written by Mike Graham, product manager for CHAUVET Professional

    I’m at PLASA 2011. We are getting the show ready and for the second time, we are right in front of the doors leading to Earls Court 2. For those of you who have been to Earls Court, you know that right before those doors, the floor of the hall tilts up a little. That tilt is where the stages are when the big shows come in.

    Anyone who knows me knows I am a big Pink Floyd fan. In fact, I’m writing this blog and listening to “P•U•L•S•E Live at Earls Court”. It actually sends a chill down my spine to think that I am lucky enough to build up a rig and help design and program lights in the exact spot where some of the greatest shows have ever been produced. Not only was PULSE here in 1994, but the original “The Wall” was also staged here in 1980 and again in 1981. It is a mind-blowing thing for me to think about those shows and in my own little way, I can pay tribute to those who have come before me and produced some of the greatest shows ever. Not only has Pink Floyd made history there, but many others including Led Zeppelin, Genesis, The Who, The Rolling Stones,  Queen, Dire Straits, David Bowie, Elton John, U2, and Madonna have played sold-out multi-night shows there. Some of the world’s best lighting designers have held court right there where our booth is.

    Pink Floyd at Earls Court, 1973

    For some reason, I feel totally at ease working here in this space. I’m not sure if is the history of the room, or if it the intimacy of working in a smaller space than at trade shows like LDI or Pro Light + Sound. I look forward to coming back here year after year and doing our show in the same place. Right here, where the floor tilts.

    Today, I heard a terrible rumor (as if there is any other kind). I heard within the next two years, Earls Court Exhibition Centre would face its own demise. I also just read about it online. Looks like this venue will be torn down to make way for 8,000 flats. This is a travesty of the highest proportions.

    I plan to make the most of the tilted floor this year.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtE0vxOJ03Q]

    CHAUVET and PLSN Student Reporter Search

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    We’re looking for a student reporter to go toe-to-toe with PLSN Editor Justin Lang at this year’s LDI in Orlando. Read the full story here.

    UPDATE. Check out this video from PLSN’s Justin Lang, taken at PLASA 2011. In it he, Berenice Chauvet (VP) and Ford Sellers (Senior Product Manager) demonstrate what they are looking for in a student reporter.
    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkZrSj8PO3A]

    Missouri trip: CHAUVET (On the) Road Show

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    Blue Planet  Lighting, based in Hollister, Mo., played host to CHAUVET Central U.S. Territory/Key Accounts Manager, Jeremy Pace, during their recent road show. Jeremy showcased fixtures such as the 2011 Parnelli Award-nominee for Indispensible Technology, WELL wireless uplighting fixtures, a member of Legend Series, our flagship moving yoke for the professional line, Legend 300E Spot, one of the newer members to the COLORado line, COLORado Range, and the variable white member from the SlimPAR Pro series, SlimPAR Pro VW. A big thank you to Blue Planet’s Mike Gormley for sharing these photographs.

    Jeremy Pace in action, navigating the Legend 300E Spot.

    Legend 300E Spot illuminated.

    Legend 300E Spot fixture detail.

    COLORado Range illuminated.

    WELL fixture detail.

    SlimPAR Pro VW, which is only 2.5″ inches thick.

     

    If the shoe fits…

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    Mike Graham, looking pensive in front of MVP video panels

    Written by Mike Graham, product manager for CHAUVET Professional

    When it comes to footwear, I am not a brand based person. I have been buying two pairs of value-oriented skateboard sneakers every six months for the past six years. I thought they were comfortable and had enough support for everything I do. This would include everything from working in the office to building trade show booths.

    About three months ago, my wife and I started to hit the gym. This meant going out and picking up some more sneakers. This time, we decided I better get something that was meant for working out. I was trying on different sneakers, my eyes were instantly opened, and more to the point, I realized I have been torturing my legs and back for the past six years.

    My new sneakers. And my tattoo.

    Long story short, I ended up getting a new pair of sneakers for work too. I got a pair of Nike LunarFly+2 sneakers. They are great for standing on concrete all day and more importantly for South Florida in the summertime, lightweight and breathable. Best of all, they were still under $90.00.

    There are a ton of different sneakers out there that are lightweight, breathable, and comfortable. I really suggest getting a pair—for the road, gym, trade show floor, and more.

    Oh yeah, there’s an app for that.  Apple App Store has an app that you can use to count your steps and keep track of you daily “workout” as you go along. Kind of cool.

    InfoComm 2011, Orlando

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    Written by Mike Graham, product manager for CHAUVET Professional

    Whew! It’s been hectic trade show season so far. We launched our new line of modular video panels at this show. Three of them in different pixel pitches (MVP 18, MVP 12 and MVP 37.5). And a new moving wash to the Q-Series called Q-Wash 260-LED. Here are a few quick photos from this year’s InfoComm. (Click on each to view a larger image.)

    Things are looking up. Visitors checking out our new video panels.

    Justin Lang, from PLSN/iSquint, stops by booth 5859.

    View of our booth and its grand scale.

    Prolight + Sound 2011, Frankfurt

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    Written by Mike Graham, product manager for CHAUVET Professional

    Back from Frankfurt and here is my bloggage, as promised. I thought to do a photo-driven blog instead since our booth rocked. But first, here are some official words for the show. We introduced three new fixtures to the European market at this year’s show in Frankfurt. The WELL, COLORado Range IP, and COLORado Ridge IP. Additionally, we announced the expansion of our year-old branch in the U.K. (Click on each to view a larger image.)

    Our booth at its quietest, just before the show opens.

    One brand. Global reach.

    This fixture, WELL, was extremely popular. The shot before above showed its 6-slot road case.

    This is a great shot showing the scale of our booth and the trade show floor.

    Our team (L to R): Ben Dickmann, Michael Brooksbank, Gerry Zigman, Albert Chauvet, Berenice Chauvet, Ford Sellers, me, Stephane Gressier

    We also have a quick video. See you next show (which is InfoComm in Orlando, Fla.)
    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyOnAIYHQQc&feature=channel_video_title]

    And so it starts… trade show season.

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    Written by Mike Graham, product manager for CHAUVET Professional

    This year, we at CHAUVET have a pretty aggressive trade show season. We kick it off with Prolight + Sound next week in Frankfurt, Germany, and will end it with LDI in Orlando, Fla., come October. I will be in Germany next week and will be sending bloggage back from the show. We are looking forward to a great season with some awesome booths.