A greyscale image of the Singapore Airlines event at Navy Pier

A Glimpse into the Past of Warner AV

Greg Warner

Recently, I’ve been reflecting on Warner AV’s history and stumbled across an old CD tucked away in storage. It contained a digital brochure with brief descriptions of our work at past events, along with a PowerPoint presentation showcasing images from those times. What you’ll see below comes straight from that CD, presented completely unedited. For context, the file modification dates on the CD range from April 3 to September 25, 2001.

Caterpillar in Chicagoland

To introduce the 700 series of tractors, Catepillar brought dealers from around the country to Pheasant Run outside of Chicago. The month-long meeting was stages in an equipment storage area transformed for the function. Air conditioning and Generators were used to guarantee a successful show. The reveal relies on full-surround sound, Powerpoint support, 150 conventional lighting instruments, 12 intelligent lights and over 2000 feet of drapery. Live entertainment was coordinated with a “tractor Ballet.”

A wide shot of two women singers center stage, part of the entertainment for a Caterpillar dealer event. The stage is brightly lit with pink and purple hues, and a large screen displays the CAT logo and "Challenging the Future
Two singers perform on a brightly lit stage for a Caterpillar dealer meeting. A large screen displays the CAT logo and "Challenging the Future".
The event stage for a Caterpillar dealer meeting is brightly lit with pink, purple, and yellow hues. Star-shaped light patterns are projected onto the floor and a screen displays the CAT logo and the slogan "Challenging the Future
Two Caterpillar 700 series tractors are revealed on the stage of a dealer meeting, accompanied by dramatic lighting and a large screen displaying the "Challenging the Future" message.
Two Caterpillar 700 series tractors are featured on a stage with dramatic lighting during a dealer event. A large screen behind them reads "Challenging the Future CAT". Star-shaped light patterns are also visible on the stage floor.
A man stands on the stage, spotlighted against a backdrop of star-shaped projections on the floor, during a Caterpillar dealer meeting, where a screen reads "Challenging the Future CAT".
A long view of the event stage during a Caterpillar dealer meeting, taken from a location with tables for dining. People stand at and sit around the tables as the stage with the "Challenging the Future" screen is prepared for the next part of the event.
The event space for a Caterpillar dealer meeting seen from the side of the stage. The scene includes two singers performing on a brightly lit stage as well as some of the yellow Caterpillar equipment used in the "tractor ballet."

Discover Card in Orlando

The Discover Card meeting was held at the Contemporary Hotel in Orlando. The eighteen-hundred member audience was divided into two general session rooms. The main room featured a concert level sound system flown with three lines of delays. the four projection screens, two main 12x16s and two-flown repeater 9x12s, were fully routable between 3 cameras of I-mag, video playback, and PowerPoint through the use of Extron 408 hi-resolution switchers.

A photo of the Discover Card meeting venue at the Contemporary Hotel in Orlando from the rear of the audience, illuminated by a bright yellow stage light with rays shooting out. There are two large screens on each side showing the number "1" and the word "POWER". Rows of tables with white tablecloths fill the room in front of the stage.
An overview of the Discover Card meeting venue at the Contemporary Hotel in Orlando. Rows of white-clothed tables and chairs face a stage with a "DISCOVER" banner. The stage has two side screens showing the number "1" and the word "POWER". Lighting is bright on stage.
A man is speaking at a lectern on stage during the Discover Card meeting in Orlando. A large screen displays a close-up image of the speaker. The stage backdrop is brightly lit with blue light. The rows of the audience are visible.
An overview of the Discover Card meeting venue at the Contemporary Hotel in Orlando. Rows of white-clothed tables and chairs fill the room in front of the stage. The stage has a "DISCOVER" banner, and side screens showing the number "1" and the word "POWER" are displayed. The backdrop is illuminated with colorful pink and blue lights.
A man is on stage speaking at the Discover Card meeting. A large screen on the left side of the stage shows a close-up of the speaker. Behind the man on stage, is a light blue background with the "DISCOVER" banner over him. The rows of tables fill the room before the stage.
A man is speaking on the stage at the Discover Card meeting. A large screen displays a close-up image of the speaker. There is a "DISCOVER" banner on stage, which is lit with vibrant pink and blue lights. Rows of white clothed tables fill the room in front of the stage.
A photo of the Discover Card meeting venue at the Contemporary Hotel in Orlando, illuminated by a bright yellow stage light. Two large screens are on each side of the stage showing the number "1" and the word "POWER". The room has rows of tables with white tablecloths and chairs for the audience.
A Discover Business Services conference room at the Contemporary Hotel in Orlando is set for a dinner with red napkins and black tablecloths. The stage has the words "DISCOVER BUSINESS SERVICES" on the screens and is set with flower center pieces.

LePetite Academy in Las Vegas

The LePetite Academy meeting was held at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. For the week-long meeting of pre-school teachers, Warner AV was asked to supply video while interfacing with the theatre’s existing audio and lighting equipment.

The stage is brightly lit, focusing on a rocky formation in front of a blue sky background. Three figures are standing on the left side of the stage, while another sits on the floor on the right side. A smaller video screen is visible to the left, showing the same scenery as the background.
A wide shot of a theatre stage in a dark room. The stage is lit with a green backdrop showing rocky terrain and a glowing apple logo in the center. There are three people on the stage, one to the right and two at center stage. A smaller video screen to the right shows the same background. The audio and lighting control board is in the foreground.
Similar to the first image, a wide shot of the stage with a green background, glowing apple logo, and rocky terrain. The lighting is focused in the center stage, where two people are standing. Two smaller screens appear on the left and right side displaying the same image of the rocky terrain. The audio and lighting control board is in the foreground.
A stage with rocky props and a backdrop showing a mountainous background. A few people are on stage, with some standing behind a rocky formation. On the right and left side are two smaller screens displaying “Passionate People Creating the Future”.
A long shot of the stage, showing the same blue-toned mountain scenery with a sun and cloud. Two screens now appear on each side of the stage displaying “Passionate People Creating the Future”. The audio and lighting control area is visible in the foreground, and some small figures are visible on stage.
A closer view of the same theatre stage, the lighting has changed to a blue-toned background, now with a detailed sky and sun behind the rocky formations. A smaller screen on the left displays “Passionate People Creating the Future” with an apple graphic. In the foreground, the soundboard is in the focus with rows of seats in the background.
A wide shot of the stage and audience. The stage is lit with a blue-toned background and a detailed sky with a sun. Two smaller screens display the words “Passionate People Creating the Future” on each side of the stage. The audience is starting to fill in the rows of seats.
A shot from the back of a theater. The stage displays rocky scenery and a blue sky, with an animated sun and cloud. A red car is parked on the left side of the stage. Two side screens display “Passionate People Creating the Future”, with a stylized flower. The audio and lighting control area is visible in the foreground.

Raynor Garage Doors in Miami Beach

The Raynor Garage Door Meeting was at the Fontainebleau Resort in Miami Beach. The audience consisted of 500 dealers and their families. For the General Sessions, a 10.5×14 screen was flown into the center to support Powerpoint Graphics with three camera I-mag routed to two 12×16 off-stage screens. Main and delay speakers were flown for even coverage throughout the room. Fourty-eight conventional instruments, eight intelligent lights and twelve cyc cells were used to light the stage, set and ceiling.

View of the Raynor Garage Door meeting setup in the Fontainebleau Resort, Miami Beach. The image shows a large room with round dinner tables covered in white tablecloths and set for a meal, and two side screens displaying test patterns on the stage. The ceiling is lit with turquoise and the stage features decorative panels lit with pink, purple and blue. The meeting room appears to be under preparations for the dinner portion of the event
Wide shot of a large conference room at the Fontainebleau Resort in Miami Beach, set up for a Raynor Garage Door meeting. A stage is adorned with set pieces, pink curtains, and potted plants. A central projection screen displays the 'Linking Strengths for Success' conference logo, while rows of tables and chairs are arranged for the audience. Stage lighting, including blue, purple, and pink, illuminates the space.
Wide angle view of a large conference room at the Fontainebleau Resort, Miami Beach, set for a Raynor Garage Door meeting. In the foreground there are rows of tables and chairs covered in maroon cloths. In the background there is a stage and two large off-stage screens projecting 'Linking Strengths for Success'. The stage is decorated with colorful lights, plants, and modern decorative elements.
Image of a meeting space in the Fontainebleau Resort, Miami Beach, prepared for the Raynor Garage Door meeting. There is a stage with various set pieces and lighting with the text 'Linking Strengths for Success, Miami Beach, 2001' projected onto a large off-stage screen. Rows of tables covered with maroon cloths and chairs for conference attendees are set up in the foreground. There are also some camera tripods in the scene.
Close-up view of the stage at the Raynor Garage Door meeting held at the Fontainebleau Resort in Miami Beach. The stage features a set decorated with a pink curtain backdrop and modern, colorful cut-out shapes. A lit podium stands at stage left. Potted plants are positioned on and around the stage, all lit with pink and blue lighting.
View from the front of the conference room of the stage set-up and a screen projection at the Raynor Garage Door meeting at the Fontainebleau Resort, Miami Beach. A central screen displays the conference logo and a stage with a pink curtain backdrop and modern, colorful cut-out shapes. Camera equipment and rows of tables are set up for the event.
Close-up, low-angle view of the stage from behind a camera tripod at the Raynor Garage Door meeting at the Fontainebleau Resort, Miami Beach. The stage is adorned with modern decorative panels lit in colors including pink, blue, and purple. There is a small podium at the front left of the stage. Potted plants are placed at various locations.
Image of the stage setup for the Raynor Garage Door meeting at the Fontainebleau Resort in Miami Beach. The view is looking at the stage from the front of the room, showing the screen, podium, main stage and audience tables covered in maroon cloths. The stage features pink curtains and a colorful modern cutout set with potted plants. Off-stage, on the right and left, are two large projection screens displaying the conference logo.

Singapore Airlines at Navy Pier

The meeting was to introduce same plane service from Singapore to Chicago. Projection was a Christie 10K projector. The scenic elements were were created with 2 Panni projectors. Three bands provided entertainment for the dinner function. Four 20 ft. palm trees were brought to Chicago from southern California.

Interior of the Aon Ballroom at Navy Pier, set up for a Singapore Airlines event. A large stage is framed by a projected floral design and the Singapore Airlines logo on the wall. Four 20 ft palm trees flank the seating area, where guests sit at tables. Informational panels on stands are visible near the foreground. Lighting creates a blue-purple ambiance.
Wide view of the Aon Ballroom at Navy Pier set up for a Singapore Airlines event. Palm trees frame the scene. Display panels stand in the center, highlighting information about the new flight to Singapore. The ceiling is visible with beams and lighting. Banners in the windows feature the Singapore Airlines logo.
Elevated view of the Aon Ballroom at Navy Pier, showcasing a dinner event for Singapore Airlines. Palm trees flank the space. A projected floral pattern and the Singapore Airlines logo is on the arched ceiling and stage area behind where an orchestra plays. Informational panels line the central aisle of dining tables. The color wash is a light purple.
Wide shot inside the Aon Ballroom at Navy Pier, during the Singapore Airlines event. A large screen projection shows people in traditional dress. Guests are seated at round tables and an orchestra is visible on the stage. The ceiling is illuminated with a blue wash. A floral pattern is projected onto the arched ceiling and the Singapore Airlines logo.
Close up of a band playing on a stage during a Singapore Airlines event. The band includes a grand piano, drums and several horns. The stage is bathed in red light, the Singapore Airlines logo on a podium.
Full view of a Singapore Airlines event at the Aon Ballroom at Navy Pier. Guests are at dinner tables leading into the hall with palm trees and informational panels. The ceiling has lighting and beams and banners are on the walls.
High, wide angle view of the ceiling in the Aon Ballroom at Navy Pier at the Singapore Airlines event, with the structural beams highlighted by blue lighting. The dining area, palm trees, and four information panels are visible below the vaulted ceiling. Guests sit at round tables.
Elevated shot of the Aon Ballroom at Navy Pier during the Singapore Airlines event. A large screen shows dancers in traditional dress, and floral design and the Singapore Airlines logo projected onto the ceiling. The space is set with round dining tables, four display panels and an orchestra is on the stage.
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