The Jeff Show: Re-booking a Flight Due to a Summer Storm

June is very busy at WAV with three Microsoft events and two Honeywell events; and with the beginning of summer concert season, a myriad of other small events. As I write this, everyone is on the road except me. 

This makes me think about summer storm season around the old airport. That means at some point you (and I do mean you) will get caught at a gate with your travel plans delayed by Mother Nature. You and about 180 of your closest friends (ok they are not your friends) are trying to get a seat on the next flight home.
  

Everyone lines up at the ticket counter as two gate agents try to rebook 180 people with travel plans that are next to impossible. So, you’re looking at about a two hour wait just to talk to an agent.

You won’t have to wait if you have status or are smart. If you have status, the computer will automatically rebook you and send an email. If you’re smart, you can rebook your flight in no time and get a free drink for a mere $50. That’s right, head over to the airline club, pay the $50 one day fee, go upstairs to the desk and let the agent fix it. You're in the club, they are the best at what they do, and they never want to tick off a club member.  While the other 179 of your friends all battle for the last 3 seats on the next flight, the number just went to 2 as you get your boarding pass.

Problem solved.  But wait Jeff, what if you are in Smoot Wyoming where there is not a club. Just go past security and hit the ticket counter. It helps if you can give the agent puppy eyes. And remember; never be mean to a ticket agent. Mother Nature is not their fault.

I, myself. try to restrict my summer travel to taking the family to Door County. But when we drive by O’Hare every time on the way up, I promise to think of you.
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Company owner Jeff Warner has been involved in the industry of as long as he can remember as his dad, Harry, started WAV. He joined the company full-time in 1979, and travels the world to help big clients like Bankers Life and Casualty, McDonald's and Microsoft plan AV displays for meetings and events. Please e-mail Jeff you own travel tips to jwarner@warnerav.com, and your tip might be featured in our blog.

Remembering Our Roots

Harry Warner appeared in a
Shure Brothers microphone ad, circa 1968

WAV company founder, Harry Warner, served in the Pacific theatre of World War II. Upon the conclusion of his service, he returned home and embarked upon a career in the growing field of electronics.

Landing a position on the stage crew of Chicago's Arie Crown Theater in 1962, Harry showed great interest in live sound. In those days, there was rarely an audio department, as sound equipment and techniques were often found in the electrical department along with lighting.

Harry eventually became the Head Audio Engineer and worked with big name, one-night headliners of the era from Frank Sinatra to Henry Mancini's Orchestra. He also had longer runs with stage plays that featured Carol Channing, Yul Brynner and Sammy Davis Jr.

Each production offered it's own unique challenges, especially with the primitive state of audio concepts such as equalization, feedback-reduction, mic placement and audience coverage. Eager to learn all he could about audio in all applications, Harry soaked in all the knowledge he could.

Harry lost his audio job due to a tragic fire that swept through the original McCormick Place and Arie Crown Theatre. The theater closed and did not re-open until 1971, when he would return briefly to his previous position.

Although he was still able to secure temporary positions on other Chicago stage crews in the interim, Harry made the decision that he had accumulated enough experience to open his own business in the growing field of live sound reinforcement. Although the names have changed over the years (early versions were Concert Sound, Audio Equipment Co and Warner Sound) the seeds of what would become Warner AV were planted.

EIKI LC-HDT2000 Joins WAV Inventory

We're thrilled that two EIKI LC-HDT2000 projectors have joined our vast inventory. These projectors are very bright, and project everything in HD.

This sophisticated projector includes a vast array of lenses and projects, 15,000 ANSI lumens bright with 90% uniformity and a 3000:1 contrast ratio. It's compatible with inputs up to USGA and WUXGA, and supports analog and digital video plus more.

Perfect for widescreen blends, large screens that require a high lumen projection and screens that are used for HD, be sure to ask for this versatile projector if you are having a meeting of 300-1,000 attendees.

WAV Helps Kick-off the Auditorium's Katten/Landau Studio Series

Trina Hamlin warms up at sound check.

Last night, WAV had the honor of helping to kick-off the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University's Katten/Landau's Studio Series with music phenom Trina Hamlin.

Project Manager, Cory Wetzell, used the Soundcraft Si board which can recall pre-programmed settings for Trina. This was a useful piece of equipment to have as Cory had to stay on his feet as Trina opened the concert by playing the harmonica and guitar simultaneously and also mixed a surprise performance by Trina's friend and colleague, Susan Werner.

We'll continue to help at the Studio Series on July 21 when The Bourne Family performs, and on August 25 when Tammy McCann closes the series.