Successful Meetings - January 2009 - (Page 23)

reason to use lasers: audience-scanning laser beams. This puts the audience right in the middle of laser-projected cones and fans of light. It’s like being in the middle of a fireworks show. For meeting and event planners, this gives the audience a unique connection to your message. It is one thing to sit in the audience, watching a screen. It is quite different when the presentation literally reaches out and touches you—you can’t help but feel part of the excitement. Due to U.S. regulations, American audiences have seen laser beams only overhead or to the side. But new techniques and research have coalesced, and U.S. regulators approved systems for safely scanning audiences with the types of lasers used in light shows. These systems were first widely used in the U.S. on a 2007 concert tour featuring Pink Floyd music (naturally!) and have also been used at the Lighting Dimensions International 2007 and 2008 conventions, among other venues. Audience scanning shows are so new to the meetings market that you should consider it for an extra-special event or client. It is a sure bet that this is something the client and audience have never experienced before. As you search for providers, here are a few tips on safety and quality: All U.S. laserists are required to submit their equipment and show setups to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, to receive a “variance.” The laser company must perform your show either under that current FDA variance, or, if there are special elements, under a new or amended variance. Some states, such as New York, Texas, and Arizona, have additional requirements. Check with the laser company to be sure they meet all state and local laser usage regulations as well. Ask to see a demo video or other record of shows. Confirm that the com- pany actually did those shows. (Unscrupulous operators may try to pass off other companies’ work as their own.) Ask if they are members of the only laser trade group, the International Laser Display Association. ILDA members tend to be larger, more professional firms committed to quality. ILDA requires its members to abide by a Code of Ethics. Ask about awards won, including ILDA Awards—they are a good sign of artistic quality. ILDA has a “Complete Guide to Laser Shows for Event Producers” available at www.laserist.org. With or without the guide, you’ll find it is easy and cost effective to add today’s laser beams and graphics, for an extra-special event. Patrick Murphy is the executive director of ILDA, which promotes the advancement of laser light shows and laser display technology. Murphy can be reached at mail@laserist.org GET DOWN TO BUSINESS TAKE A FRESH APPROACH TO YOUR NEXT BUSINESS MEETING OR CONVENTION Take advantage of our $150 million expansion: NEW CONVENTION CENTER COMING MAY 2009. PLAN EARLY. CALL OUR SALES OFFICE AT (918) 384-7668. I-44 EXIT 240A, TULSA, OK I 800-760-6700 CherokeeCasino.com http://www.laserist.org http://www.CherokeeCasino.com http://www.CherokeeCasino.com

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