Reflections on LDI Lighting Conference

We’ve just returned from the 2013 LDI Show in Las Vegas.  LDI is the largest annual gathering of entertainment technology professionals in the USA. LDI includes an exhibit floor and comprehensive conference program. LDI is the best industry source of education and training, as well as the preeminent place to see all of the latest and greatest technology.

While at LDI, our staff attended courses on advance moving light programming, rigging and safety, and lighting design.  These classes gave us the chance to get our hands on the newest consoles, lighting, and safety equipment.  It’s a part of our commitment to bringing the highest quality sound, lighting, and video rentals and sales to the Cincinnati market.

We also spent many hours on the exhibit floor, researching the newest available lighting products and strengthening our relationships with our vendors.  There were many amazing new products and several trends, including:

  • The lines between video and lighting are blurring.  Look for lighting and video to integrate even more in the future.  Contact us for information on how to make this transition go smoothly for your church or facility.
  • LED lighting continues to dominate the market.  LED is getting brighter, more versatile, and less expensive.  There is an emphasis on converting older light sources to LED to reduce costs and environmental impact.  With exciting new products from Chauvet, Robe, and Martin Professional, it makes technical and financial sense.
  • Pixel mapping is taking entertainment lighting by storm.  The ability to divide the LED pixels of your lighting up and address them individually converts your entire rig into a video palette. It shortens programming time and opens a whole new world of lighting looks. New consoles from MA Lighting, Avolites, and many others make it easier than ever.
  • Safety is finally taking center stage.  Recent events in the entertainment industry have brought rigging and electrical safety to the forefront.  The PLASA standards for rigging are now available free of charge.  Additionally, there are many new training resources and equipment available to make these often dangerous fields safer.  We plan to offer a safe rigging workshop in early 2014.  Please contact us if this is something you’d be interested in attending.

Here at Access Audio, we’re constantly improving our sound and lighting rental inventory.  In fact, we’ve added over 30 LED fixtures this month alone, with more coming in this December.  We have strong relationships with the major lighting manufacturers as well.  When you need lighting rentals or sales, make us your first call.  We’re ready to help.