Built for the Elements, Designed for Impact

The 2024 LDI (Live Design International) trade show in Las Vegas brought together the best and brightest in the live events and integration industries, and Starlite’s own Andrew Thompson (Senior Project Manager) and Drew Hopkins (Integration Account Executive) were thrilled to attend. With its dazzling displays, groundbreaking technologies, and invaluable networking opportunities, LDI provided our team with critical insights and inspiration to continue delivering top-notch solutions to our clients. Here are the highlights of our experience and key takeaways from the event.

An Electric Atmosphere: A Visual Display of Innovation

Both Andrew and Drew were struck by the scale and excitement of the LDI show floor. Drew also described the event as “electric,” with live demonstrations and fascinating conversations happening at every turn. Andrew noted the visual spectacle of the exhibits. Companies showcased cutting-edge technologies in stunning displays. Despite the overwhelming variety, both team members focused on identifying technologies that align with Starlite’s mission to provide exceptional service and innovative solutions.

One of the most noticeable trends this year was the rise of LED video walls. According to Andrew, “LED video walls were the most heavily represented product type at the show.” Drew added that innovations ranged from transparent LED panels to interactive dance floors, illustrating the diverse applications of this technology.

Highlight: A Game-Changer for K-12 Theaters

On the conference floor, Andrew and Drew discovered a truly exciting new rigging product designed with the K-12 and performing arts center markets in mind. This innovative system caught their attention immediately, standing out as something that could revolutionize how schools approach their theater spaces.

Andrew shared, “This was the most surprising and exciting product I came across,” while Drew highlighted its potential to make a big impact in schools and beyond.

We’re keeping the details under wraps for now, but stay tuned—this is something you won’t want to miss as we bring this breakthrough solution to our customers.

Cutting-Edge Technologies: What’s Trending in the Industry

Several trends and innovations captured our team’s attention:

Data and Power Management

With the growing complexity of live production environments, data and power management are taking center stage. Drew highlighted emerging solutions that provide better networking options and more efficient ways to integrate systems within existing buildings.

Engaging Exhibits and Memorable Demos

Several exhibitors left a lasting impression on our team:

• ADJ and Robe: These booths delivered captivating shows that demonstrated the capabilities of their products.
• Elation: Featuring live performers, the Elation booth was described by Drew as “show-stopping,” drawing crowds with its dynamic displays.

While the interactive element was limited, these presentations provided valuable insights into how manufacturers are positioning themselves in a competitive market.

Interested in finding out more about these products and how they can enhance your projects? Talk with our team!

Strengthening Connections and Staying Ahead

Networking was another critical aspect of LDI. Andrew spent time with connections from Canto USA and Rose Brand. Alos Drew spent time with representatives from TMB, ADJ, and ETC, building relationships that could prove invaluable for our clients’ future projects. He reflected, “Knowing more about what there is that we can offer our clients is the best thing that we can do. LDI provides a unique opportunity to see firsthand all of the complex offerings so that we can advise our clients on the best way to move forward.”

Looking Ahead: Starlite’s Role as a Thought Leader

Attending LDI reinforced Starlite’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technology and innovation. Andrew noted that participation in events like LDI “demonstrates to our vendors and customers that Starlite is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest products and technologies.” The insights gained at LDI will not only enhance our offerings but also ensure that we remain a trusted partner for our clients.

Finally, from the scalability of new K-12 technology to the versatility of LED video walls, the technologies showcased at LDI promise to shape the future of live production and systems integration. Starlite is proud to bring this knowledge back to our clients, helping them achieve their creative visions with confidence and innovation.

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As we wrap up another incredible year at Starlite, we can’t help but feel a sense of pride and excitement about all we’ve accomplished in 2024. From expanding our team to receiving industry accolades, this year has been nothing short of remarkable. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and celebrate the highlights that made 2024 truly special.

A New Era in Systems Integration

The year kicked off with a bang as we welcomed Dan McKay as our new Vice President of Systems Integration. Dan hit the ground running, introducing a data-driven culture that has transformed our integration department. His leadership has fostered improved communication, sustainable processes, and tangible growth.

But that’s not all! Our integration team leveled up their skills, with two team members, Bill McCormick and Lucas Nguyen, earning their CTS-I certification from AVIXA. We also welcomed Drew Hopkins to our sales team who has adapted quickly and aided in big-bid projects specializing in lighting. We also added Aaron Drobnack to our project management team, further strengthening our capabilities in AV.

Spotlight Project: Philadelphia’s Historic City Hall. 

One project that truly lit up our year (pun intended!) was the facade lighting work at Philadelphia’s Historic City Hall. This project earned recognition from City Theatrical, Live Design, and Color Kinetics with putting Starlite on the map for large-scale architectural lighting projects.

Check out the City Hall project highlights and our other work here!

Featured from left to right: Ben Tilley (Project Supervisor), Andrew Thompson (Sr. Project Manager), Lucas Nguyen (Integration Technician, CTS-I)

Starlite in the Spotlight

It wasn’t just our projects getting attention – our leadership team also found themselves in the limelight:

Dan McKay, VP of Systems Integration: Recognized as one of SJ Biz’s 2024 Executives of the Year for his transformative impact on our integration department. 

Celebrating Milestones

At Starlite, we’re all about the long game. This year, we celebrated some impressive work anniversaries:

20 Years: Joe Masciangelo

Cheif Operating Officer

30 Years: Jason Danowitz

VP of Event Technology

Staying Ahead of the Curve

In our fast-paced industry, staying current is crucial. This year, we doubled down on reinforcing vendor relationships through demos and training sessions. From hands-on experience with Allen & Heath consoles to exciting lighting demos, we made sure our team – and our customers – were up to speed with the latest tech.

Check out our rundown from our Allen & Heath University’s d Live Training:

New Gear Alert!

Our rental inventory got some exciting new additions in 2024: 

Broadcast-quality DVS LED Video Wall

Empowering Event Technology Excellence

This year marked a significant milestone for our event technology team as we expanded our rental inventory to better serve our clients and elevate our event capabilities. With the addition of cutting-edge equipment, we are now poised to better execute large corporate events and diverse production projects with unparalleled efficiency and creativity over any local competition.

We proudly returned to the Princeton Festival for our third consecutive year, hosted by the Princeton Symphony Orchestra. This year, we supplied everything needed to ensure their outdoor productions were nothing short of spectacular. The off-stage star of the show was Starlite’s recently purchased SRX 906LA line array from JBL. 

Our fleet has grown to include nine vehicles, enabling us to tackle any event technology project in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. This expansion not only enhances our logistical capabilities but also reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality experiences. The strategic investments in our inventory ensure that we are equipped to meet the demands of our clients, providing seamless setup and flawless execution for every event.

Thanks to our talented team and new resources, Starlite is more prepared than ever to bring visions to life, whether it’s a corporate gathering, a gala, or a large-scale production. We are excited to leverage these advancements as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in event technology.

Looking Ahead

As we raise a toast to 2024, we’re filled with gratitude for our incredible team, loyal clients, and the exciting projects that came our way. The “Starlite difference” – our team’s unwavering commitment to excellence – continues to shine through in everything we do.

Here’s to another year of pushing boundaries, exceeding expectations, and lighting up the world with our passion and expertise. Cheers to 2024, and bring on 2025!

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