VER Expands Lighting Division with the Opening of Orlando and Chicago Lighting Hubs

VER, a provider of production equipment and engineering support, announces a major expansion of its lighting division with the addition of Orlando and Chicago as full-support lighting locations. This follows VER's opening of a full-support lighting department in their London branch last fall.

The company's lighting division sets standards in the entertainment industry supporting some of the highest-profile productions including the iHeart Music Festival, automotive giant FCA, the worldwide Justin Bieber Purpose tour, Twenty One Pilots' Emotional Roadshow global tour, and most major awards shows.

"More and more staging clients are asking VER to support them on corporate projects. We not only have the largest inventory of equipment in the world, we have experts whose unique experiences on trend-setting projects directly benefit clients in other markets. The corporate market is growing in Orlando and Chicago and therefore the request for our lighting expertise is too," says Susan Tesh, VER's executive director of lighting.

Steve Hankin, VER CEO added, "Our staging clients have asked us to provide equipment inventory and seasoned experts in Orlando and Chicago and we are happy to be able to do so. We've invested in these known production hotspots so we can offer on-the-ground support and provide clients with the expertise and equipment they need, when they need it. With all VER product divisions represented in these two cities, clients will also benefit from the diverse team's cross market/cross product collaboration."

The company recently moved its Chicago operation to a 94,000-sq.-ft. building near Midway airport. The most comprehensive facility of its kind in the area, it offers expanded inbound and outbound docks, on-site engineering services, a complete camera prep area, demo rooms, a state-of-the-art previz suite, productions offices, prep space, and more. Similar plans are in place for Orlando.

VER has added key personnel with production expertise to service clients as account executives in the two locations.

Joining the Orlando team are John "JP" Pratt and Anthony "Looch" Ciampa. Pratt proudly served in the US Navy before building a 20-year career where he filled several roles from technician to production manager for Fortune 500 corporate events, music tours, theatrical shows, sporting events, festivals, and more. Ciampa credits his successful career as a lighting technician, crew chief, television gaffer, and master electrician to his ability to communicate effectively.

The Chicago team will be strengthened by the addition of Ryan Bundy and Terry Heisler. Bundy has more than 20 years' experience providing lighting solutions for clients in the Chicagoland area. Heisler, with 31 years of experience in the industry, was on the rock-n-roll circuit for many years before starting his own lighting company in 2000 and providing technical services to corporate and music clients.