The Dance, A Note of Recognition...

Only some of the forks on load in.... and they all knew how to dance...

The morning check in..

One of my clients hires me for production - an industry I trained for and worked in for many years.  I have a love for all events, but especially Concerts, Corporates, and Conventions and am excited when I can fit one into my schedule. 

The project that we have been prepping the last few weeks is a large convention he has been involved with for a few years (this being my second year to help him) and I was onsite for the first few days of load in for labor check in and tracking.  Due to the Non-Disclosure, I could not take revealing photos or cannot explain what convention it is....

Between the bursts of arrivals and managing information flow I got a chance to look up and watch a ballet. A dance of semis, forks, booms, scissors, carts, and dollies maneuvered by crews to get crates and cases where they need to be so that truss, motors, and decking can be hung and set and then decorated before doors open to the public. 

  

This description does not halfway recognize the talent of the stagehands, the dedication of the production staff, and the hours of planning spent to create an unforgettable experience.  It never ceases to amaze me the logistics that have to be figured out and if it is planned correctly, the audience will never know how many hours and people are dedicated to create an experience in what is essentially an empty box.

On this project, I found myself watching the forklifts scoot from the truck to the hall moving pallets between gear and columns so the crew can position screens, projectors, computers, and masking to make the illusion complete. 

Due to other obligations, I could not stay for the duration of the event but I wanted to send a shout out to the team I just worked with - a production team from all 4 corners of the United States that each contributed something different but all for a common goal.  So, I’ll raise a glass to the production team making this another memorable event – Thank You - not only will this convention come off without a hitch (as it did last year), but the 50k attendees each day will never know your names (as they shouldn’t). You are the first to come and the last to leave  and I am honored to call you my team.

No one can do it alone, and collaboration is the key to success.