CUE kicked off with a keynote address by CEO Fred Foster, in which he talked about the growth of ETC over the last four decades, and the company's focus on customer service and product innovation. Foster also unveiled new products, including the affordable ColorSource Spot profile LED luminaire and console programming wings that will officially debut in July.
Josh Allen, an award-winning lighting designer from Theatre Consultants Collaborative, and Al Crawford, lighting director for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Company and CEO of arc3design, also gave keynote addresses during CUE. Allen covered the history of electricity in an entertaining and enlightening presentation that featured influences from pop culture, on-the-street interviews, and little-known conspiracy theories. Crawford talked about his time touring with the Alvin Ailey troupe, and how he and his tech crew have worked in a constantly changing array of theatres in many different countries.
Both Allen and Crawford taught master classes to attendees. Allen partnered with GDS by ETC product manager Chris Patten to discuss easy ways to upgrade a theatre with modern products like LED houselights. Crawford's master class touched on lighting for non traditional installations. Emmy Award-winning lighting designer Patrick Boozer also taught a master class at CUE about using the ETC Eos console for live music events. Packed with footage from concerts, the class gave practical advice on busking, device management and other console features that are crucial to effective live-music lighting.
ETC and media partner LSA (Lighting&Sound America) expanded the reach of the CUE conference even further by live streaming several of the sessions, including the three keynote addresses and Crawford and Boozer's master classes. Hundreds of people around the globe tuned in to watch, and the sessions are now available for on-demand viewing at www.etcconnect.com/CUE/archived-videos.
Throughout the event, a product showcase featuring a range of ETC products was set up for attendees to drop in and get demonstrations and experiment with new products.
On the Friday evening, ETC opened its headquarters for a picnic and entertainment. On Saturday night, ETC hosted a banquet at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Centre.
(Jim Evans)
