We can do together what we cannot do alone. Perhaps no one understands this axiom better than a church technical team member. Worship Facilities Conference & Expo (WFX) 2016 in Louisville, Ky., at the Kentucky Exhibition Center this week, presented educational sessions and an expo that emphasize the power of “we”—of church teams working together to create a growing, vibrant church that speaks to and engages communities.
WFX 2016 opened Wed., Sept. 21, at 10 a.m.; its exposition featured 233 exhibitors for attendees to network with and learn from. Highlights follow:
Keynotes
Day one began with a keynote address from Phil Cooke, founder and CEO of Cooke Pictures based in Burbank, Calif. Cooke an author and filmmaker, delivered his thoughts on the topic “How the Digital Revolution Has Changed Everything You Know About Media and Ministry.” The talk focused on the ways in which digital communications have impacted culture at large, as well as what it means to be the church in today’s world.
Cooke stated that creativity has become the currency of the culture, and he stressed that video is a critical means used by the current generation to consume information. He also emphasized that the current generation uses social media as a primary communication tool, encouraging churches not to overlook their all-important online presence and messaging there.
Day two’s keynote presenter was Bobby Gruenewald, pastor and innovative leader at Life.Church in Edmond, Okla. Gruenewald’s talk addressed innovation and how churches must harness the power of apps and other special technology to have a positive impact on their ministries.
Products on display
Products on display with representatives available to answer questions and offer product training included Elation, for both its lighting and LED video panel offerings, as well as Chauvet Professional, whose reps stressed in an educational session the importance of preparing lighting equipment early, with enough lead-time for Christmas services and events.
Keynoter Phil Cooke of Cooke Pictures stated that creativity has become the currency of the culture, stressing the power and relevance of video.
Wednesday at WFX also brought a live sound loudspeaker demo entitled “The Ultimate Audio Experience.” The following companies participated: Adamson Systems; Clair Brothers; dBTechnologies; Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW); Electro-Voice; L-Acoustics; Martin Audio; RCF; Renkus-Heinz; Tannoy; Turbosound; Verity Audio; WorxAudio Technologies; and PreSonus.
Find a full exhibitor list for the WFX 2016 expo here: http://fp37.a2zinc.net/clients/EHPublishing/WFX2016/Public/eventmap.aspx?&shExhList=1.
Spotlight on products & know-how
A number of AVL manufacturers offered up-close looks at their products, along with the opportunity for attendees to talk with experts about house-of-worship usage and application.
Sound engineers got their first opportunity to see the new Digico S31 digital audio console, which debuted in the United States at WFX 2016.
Elation gave attendees a front-row look at its DTW, Fuze, Platinum Seven, Satura Profile and X-Series fixtures, as well as its EVHD LED panels.
DPA Microphones showcased its display of d:vote, d:facto and d:fine mics for live music, speech and vocal HOW applications.
Elektralite launched their new Dazer downlight designed for color-changing house light applications.
JVC debuted the new GY HM200HW 4KCAM live stream video camera with a package designed specifically for churches. The cameral allows operators to add graphic overlays without the use of an external titler or other production equipment.
Other highlights included BenQ’s display of laser and large-venue selections. Attendees got a firsthand look at the Colorific LU9715 Blue Core Laser Light Source Projector and PU9530 High Brightness Projector.
Zylight made a new product introduction at the exposition with its Alladin Professional LED line. The company also showed white fixture versions of its F8-100 LED Fresnel and IS3c LED panel lights.
As part of its Christmas Lighting seminar, Chauvet presented speaker Andy Rushing, full-time lighting designer for Lauren Daigle and Kari Jobe, as well as Craig Rutherford who has performed lighting and set design for Big Daddy Weave.
Looking ahead
WFX 2017 will be held in Dallas at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. More information on the 2017 conference and expo can be found at www.wfxweb.com.
