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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In the world of auditorium performances and events, lighting is not just functional—it’s transformative. It sets the tone, directs attention, and enhances the overall aesthetic of any production. Understanding the importance of lighting is key to ensuring every performance is viewed in the best light possible. At Starlite, we specialize in elevating your auditorium’s lighting to enhance both visibility and ambiance, ensuring that every seat in the house has the perfect view.

Assessing Your Current Lighting Setup

Evaluating Existing Lighting

To start, take a critical look at your current lighting. Consider the brightness, the reach of the lights across the auditorium, and whether shadows obscure the view from any angle. Perform tests during various events to see if the current setup meets the diverse visual demands of different performances.

If you notice uneven lighting, frequent bulb outages, or an inability to adapt the lighting mood for different shows, it might be time for an upgrade. Modern lighting systems offer greater flexibility and reliability, which can significantly improve both the performer’s and the audience’s experience.

How to Design Lighting for an Auditorium

Latest Trends in Auditorium Lighting

LED Technology

LED lighting is a game-changer for auditoriums, offering unparalleled control over color and intensity with significantly lower energy consumption. Replacing incandescent lighting fixtures will allow you to use significantly fewer fixtures. This combined with the energy efficiency leads to a more cost effective and dynamic lighting installation.

Advances in Lighting Control Systems

Lighting control systems have revolutionized in the past few years, architectural systems have more control than ever over more complicated systems. While lighting control consoles have surged forward to have more processing power than ever and are able to control more aspects with ease. Combining these two systems allows non-experts to get the looks that they want with ease and experts the ability create art with light.

Innovative Lighting Design Techniques

Using advanced technology such as moving light fixtures allows designers to create any look they may dream of using fewer fixtures. Using these fixtures in combination with your static lights allows for infinite design choices up until the moment the audience enters the space.

Choosing the Right Lighting Equipment

Selecting the right fixtures involves more than just choosing lights that look good. Consider the lumens (light output), color temperature, and beam angles to ensure coverage across the entire stageand audience area. We have laid out some commonly used fixture types below:

What kind of lights are used in an auditorium?

• Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights (ERS): These are versatile and can be used to spotlight areas or create gobo effects.
• Fresnels: Known for their soft, wide light, they are ideal for washing a scene with color.
• PARs: These are used for flooding an area with light and use different lenses to achieve different levels of coverage.
• Followspots: These are used to highlight and follow performers as they move across the stage. They are manually controlled manually from the fixture itself.
• Moving Heads: These fixtures can move to aim their light anywhere on stage. These come in wash and profile variants. Each have their unique advantages, reach out to your local dealer to learn which is best for your application.
• Strip Lights and Cyc Lights: Used to light up a cyclorama or large swaths of a set background.

Each type of light contributes to the overall design by providing different intensities, colors, and effects, allowing for a fully customizable stage environment.

What colors used for stage lighting?

The three primary colors used in stage lighting are red, green, and blue. These fundamental colors can be mixed in various ways to create a wide spectrum of hues, allowing lighting designers to achieve almost any color they desire for dramatic effects, mood setting, and thematic presentations on stage. As technology advances manufacturers are adding more colors to the LEDs to ensure the highest quality of light.

How many footcandles are required in an auditorium?

Onstage your light levels will change with the mood of the performance that is happening. In the audience not during show time you are looking for around  10-15 foot-candles. During a production when the house lights are out you should have around 0.2 foot-candles at the floor of the aisles. It’s important to tailor the lighting intensity based on the specific activities and visual requirements of each event held in the auditorium.

What is the best lighting for a theater?

The best lighting for a theater typically involves a combination of fixtures:

• LED ERS, Fresnels and PARs for front lighting and washing the stage.
• Moving lights for added flexibility and advanced features.
• Followspots to highlight actors during performances.

Integrating these types with appropriate control systems allows for precision and creativity in theatrical lighting, enabling designers to effectively tell a story or convey emotion through lighting.

Installation Considerations for Upgrading Auditorium Lighting

Steps for a Successful Installation

Pre-Planning: The first step in a successful lighting installation is a thorough pre-planning phase. This involves assessing the auditorium’s existing layout and infrastructure. Understanding the spatial dimensions, power supply locations, and current lighting setup helps in designing an efficient upgrade plan. It is often best to bring an expert in for this portion as they may notice minute details of your space that could help or hinder in the process.

 

Consultation with Experts: Consulting with lighting designers and engineers is crucial. These professionals bring a wealth of experience and can offer tailored advice on the best types of lighting fixtures and configurations that meet the specific needs of your auditorium.

 

Choosing the Right Equipment: The choice should align with the auditorium’s functional requirements and the types of performances it hosts. Allow the experts to make recommendations when it comes to the right equipment. From manufacturers to which of the many options for each type of light an expert can make sure you are covered.

To ensure the upgrade process is as smooth as possible, schedule installations during off-hours or closed seasons. This approach minimizes the impact on scheduled events. Additionally, maintaining clear and open communication with all stakeholders—such as management, technical staff, and event planners—about the timeline and potential impacts is essential.

Maximizing the Impact of New Lighting

Using advanced 3D modeling tools can aid in visualizing potential lighting setups before physical installation. This technology allows for experimenting with different angles and heights, helping to determine the optimal placement for achieving the best coverage and visual effects. Investing in programmable lighting systems can also greatly enhance the flexibility of your auditorium lighting. These systems can be adjusted for various event types, whether it’s a lecture, a play, or a concert, providing customizability and ease of use.

Ensuring a Lasting Lighting Solution

To ensure longevity and optimal performance of your new lighting systems, regular cleaning of lenses and fixtures is necessary to maintain brightness and clarity. Additionally, it’s important to check and replace any worn-out wires or connectors to prevent potential hazards and ensure functionality.

Establish a routine maintenance schedule based on the manufacturer’s recommendations and the specific usage patterns of your auditorium. Training your staff on basic upkeep and troubleshooting techniques is also beneficial, as it enables timely responses to any issues that may arise.

By carefully considering these factors and following these guidelines, you can significantly enhance the functionality and aesthetics of your auditorium’s lighting. This ensures that every event is not only well-lit but also leaves a lasting impression on its audience.

Choosing the Right Partner

Select a provider that offers comprehensive services, from consultation and design to installation and support. Experience, portfolio, and customer reviews are also important. Starlite provides customized lighting solutions with an emphasis on innovation and customer satisfaction, backed by a team of experts dedicated to delivering top-notch service and support.

With Starlite’s expertise, you can ensure your auditorium lighting needs are met with the highest standards. Reach out today to learn how our solutions can transform your audiovisual experience, ensuring it’s dynamic and future-ready.

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