In this short, entertaining deep dive video, Eric Newkirk, Vice President of Design and Creative at CEAVCO Audio Visual, describes the challenges and benefits of holding an event at an unconventional space. As he explains, unconventional spaces can help attendees experience events with fresh eyes. The key is to plan ahead and build a strong team to manage risks and handle all the details.
In this short video clip, CEAVCO Production Technician John Safarik describes how above-and-beyond service and the audiovisual production experience of CEAVCO’s team form an unbeatable combination that differentiates us from the competition.
CEAVCO’s Eric Newkirk, Brett Kolesarek, and Justin Read attended the Rental & Staging Network (RSN) Leadership Symposium from July 17-19 in Philadelphia. The symposium was hosted by RSN member company Advanced Staging Productions. In addition to education, the annual symposium gives members the opportunity to strengthen a sense of community with RSN peers and vendor partners and share knowledge and new ideas.
At the symposium, Eric, CEAVCO’s Vice President of Design and Creative, and other RSN member executives learned about the four pillars of talent optimization. Eric, who serves as the RSN Conference Chair, also learned how to use the results of Predictive Index Behavioral Assessments® to improve individual motivation and confidence, along with team-wide communication, coaching, mentorship, and trust. Brett focused on project management-related topics, while Justin participated in workshops geared toward emerging leaders. Justin will also participate in an ongoing RSN leadership development program.
RSN is a highly selective professional organization of top-tier North American audio visual production companies. RSN members provide a consistent level of professionalism, capabilities, and live event production experience nationwide. CEAVCO is a founding member of RSN, and CEAVCO’s ongoing active participation in RSN demonstrates our commitment to advancing the industry, investing in continuing education, and creating value for our clients and their attendees.
CEAVCO Audio Visual’s Vice President of Design and Creative, Eric Newkirk, spoke at the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) World Education Congress (WEC19) in Toronto on June 17. His presentation with AVFX president and CEO Steve Halling focused on how to create a clear show flow, reduce common risks in staging a general session, and make keynote presenters more comfortable on stage.
CEAVCO and AVFX are both members of the Rental & Staging Network (RSN). Here, RSN shares 8 takeaways from Eric’s and Steve’s presentation that you can use to avoid common problems with general sessions and keynote presentations.
This year, CEAVCO Audio Visual is once again a sponsor of Film on the Rocks at Colorado’s historic Red Rocks Amphitheater. The Denver Film Society is a valued partner of CEAVCO’s, and Red Rocks is one of the ultimate Colorado experiences.
Every summer, CEAVCO invites a few guests to join our team for VIP nights at Red Rocks. On July 1, CEAVCO’s Pete Goetz, Brian Miller, and Nick Moore, along with their guests from OptumCare, Space Foundation, CableLabs, and LaCome Events, had a rare backstage tour complete with private dinner backstage and VIP seating to watch Top Gun. They also got to check out the hidden concrete tunnel beneath the stage, where thousands of famous performers have added their signatures to the narrow concrete walls.
“Top Gun was amazing!” says Pete. “It was an experience to remember. If any meeting planners or producers are interested in joining us at an event, please reach out.”
Located in the foothills of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Red Rocks Amphitheater is one of the world’s most beautiful venues and is known for its acoustically perfect sound. The 20th annual Film on the Rocks series includes events throughout the summer featuring films, a live concert, and a set by a comedian courtesy of Comedy Works. Approximately 60,000 people attend Film on the Rocks events each year.
CEAVCO Audio Visual is developing its skilled-talent pipeline by hiring Joaquin Perez through CareerWise Colorado’s modern youth-apprenticeship program. CareerWise offers work-based learning opportunities for students in 21st-century career fields and an innovative approach to talent acquisition that leaves businesses with a positive return on investment and a workforce fit to take on the 21st-century economy.
Joaquin, soon to be a high school junior, started his three-year apprenticeship with CEAVCO on June 12. He’s working as a Quality Control Technician, performing quality control checks on equipment, assisting with a wide range of warehouse operations to track inventory, and helping to order replacement parts. He’ll work 15 hours a week during his junior school year, 20 hours a week during his senior school year, and 25-40 hours a week after graduation. Continuing education is important, and he receives both a paycheck and the equivalent of 30 hours of college credit or trade school credit.
The hiring process works like this. CareerWise teens access a CareerWise job portal, identify open positions that interest them, and then apply for a job with a prospective employer. Joaquin was excited at the prospect of working for CEAVCO, and applied for a position. CEAVCO Operations Manager Justin Read and CEAVCO Controller Don Ortiz interviewed Joaquin and thought he would make a great fit. Justin serves as Joaquin’s supervisor, and Don serves as Justin’s mentor. Justin and Don both received 6 hours of CareerWise training to set Joaquin up for success in his new position, and Joaquin attended a two-day apprentice boot camp to learn the basics of working for a company.
Says Don, “We see many benefits to bringing the right people on early in their careers to help shape their skills and cultural development. We’re excited to be participating in the CareerWise program, especially since we’re seeing that it doesn’t take long for an apprentice to become a productive, contributing member of the team.”
CareerWise Colorado’s statewide program creates pathways for students to access high-demand, high-paying careers at leading Colorado companies. Student apprentices work toward high school graduation and earn postsecondary credit and industry credentials, performing meaningful, productive work as they are trained to step into full-time roles. Employers benefit from an innovative talent pipeline of productive apprentices for hard-to-fill positions. In its third year, CareerWise Colorado works with education and industry partners in Metro Denver, Fort Collins, Estes Park, Loveland/Berthoud, Grand Junction, and Eagle County.
CEAVCO Audio Visual makes continuing education a priority for employees. In this short video, CEAVCO’s Creative Services Director Sidney Reed describes how CEAVCO encourages staff to take advantage of classes and training that will help them build and strengthen their audiovisual production skills.
Sidney got her master’s degree in cinematography and video/film production because she loves learning. At CEAVCO, she has signed up for online master classes focused on video design and direction. As she points out, many employees take advantage of the continuing education opportunities CEAVCO offers.
For example, from May through July of this year, CEAVCO staff have attended or will be attending courses and workshops led by such organizations as InfoComm, the Rental & Staging Network, and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. This training covers such topics as leadership development, exhibit design, warehouse operations, Vectorworks 3D design software, quality control, and equipment rental software.
As CEAVCO continues to grow, CEAVCO’s employees need opportunities to learn and grow too. Keeping employees engaged in their professional development and making their ongoing education relevant help to ensure our team members are well-trained, challenged, and always up on the latest trends.
Washington, DC-based National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) is the place where apartment industry leaders come together to guide their future success. As a nationwide forum for insight, advocacy, and action, NMHC needed continuity of audio visual production service, reliable equipment and labor, and standard pricing at their six annual events held at locations around the country.
To support these diverse NMHC events with up to 4,000 industry experts in attendance, CEAVCO offers the consistency of staff, service, quality, and pricing NMHC requires. We travel with NMHC to provide audio, video, lighting, staging, and set design for their events in Washington, DC, Chicago, Orlando, San Diego, Huntington Beach, and Denver.
Says Jennifer Angebranndt, NMHC Vice President of Meetings, “I appreciate CEAVCO’s professionalism, can do and easygoing approach to projects, and flexibility in finding a solution. With regard to logistics, I love knowing that CEAVCO has my back and is a top-notch company with the necessary tech expertise to pull off flawless events, freeing me up to deal with other elements of meeting management. CEAVCO isn’t just a hired AV equipment supplier – they’re part of our team.”
