Howdy from Houston!

The Media Stage team recently hit the road for its biggest in-person show since the pandemic! In partnership with EGR International, we provided the full audio-visual supplement for Vision Source: The Exchange in Houston, TX during the first week of August at George R. Brown Convention Center.

Our crew traveled in from various parts of both the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico. After the travel day, we had two complete set days to build the General Session and begin tech checks before hosting a full day of rehearsals.

We used a circular stage to complement the venue seating map with sections to the left, right and center that were eventually filled by upwards of 3,000 people. Behind the stage, we had three wide projection screens dressed with scenic Atomic panels that were up-lit to perfection. Our LD, Ritchie Negron, was able to showcase some incredible themed lighting looks throughout the show. We worked with the in-house riggers to place our movers and stage wash fixtures up on a truss structure to hit the stage downward.

We also crewed a Speaker Ready Room with three 65” monitors (to simulate the look and feel of GS) with graphics, audio and prompter support. Presenters came into this room to do a quick dry run of their presentation before going on stage for their official rehearsal time.

When it came down to our first show day, we opened with a bang! We booked a speed painter to enter through the house alongside the Houston Rockets Launch Crew who were dancing and flipping around to hype up the crowd. The speed painter illustrated the event logo onto a canvas to the beat of the drumline within three minutes. The attendees really seemed to enjoy this unique act!

Over the next three days, the run of show consisted of sponsor presentations, Vision Source leadership panels, skits, pre-recorded videos and three different keynote speakers: former Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes, famed entrepreneur Jesse Itzler and acclaimed photographer David Katz.

Vision Source’s event emcee was a huge hit. They enlisted an animatronic parrot, PD, to intro segments and banter back and forth with presenters. While he was featured on the three screens, he used his quick wit and humor to keep the attendees engaged at all times.

We had more than 20 people on this crew, each of whom showed up for their role with excitement and the utmost professionalism. Doing a show of this scale again really re-energized us, and we would not have been able to pull it off without the intricate planning and coordination by everyone involved for months (and months)! in advance. Here’s to the next one!!