PixelFLEX Expands the Creative Possibilities for Fogarty Services

	Photo: Fogarty Services

Located just outside St. Louis, Missouri, full service corporate event management firm Fogarty Services believe that it's the guest experience that can truly define the success of any event, and using the latest technology is key to that success. With the decision made to bring in a new rental inventory of the latest in video technology, Fogarty Services recently purchased a FLEXTour LED video system from Nashville-based PixelFLEX.

"Our previous involvement with LED video was primarily in working with installed systems in stadiums with dynamic content creation through our in-house video and graphics team," says Roger Leonhardt Jr., Fogarty Services. "This was actually our first step in owning LED video for ourselves for use in a rental capacity, and it was driven by a recent corporate event where we needed multiple displays and media servers. After initially looking at projection, which wouldn't be flexible enough, we decided to take a look at purchasing our own rental inventory of LED tiles, and the FLEXTour LED video system works great."

A robust, high-definition and curve-able LED video display, FLEXTour is designed specifically for the rigorous demands of live entertainment productions. With its unique rigging capabilities that allow for traditional and off-set configurations, each 500mmx500mm tile is fully front-serviceable and its integrated climbing ladder allows for quick access to displays flown high overhead. Built with the highest standard in components including the new NovaStar A8s receiving card, FLEXTour is completely flicker-free making it one of the premier LED video design solutions available today, the company says.

Leonhardt continues, "When we started speaking to PixelFLEX about what we needed, they invited us down to Nashville to see first-hand which LED video solutions would work best for our needs. For the purchase, we did look at two possible manufacturers, but after comparing the product options, the FLEXTour had a higher resolution and NIT rating. Additionally, it was lighter and more robust which is a distinct advantage in a rental application. We have always looked at PixelFLEX as being a leader in LED video innovation, and when comparing side-by-side with other options, it was an easy choice."

Ready to now put the FLEXTour LED video system into action, Leonhardt and the team would be heading southwest for a large corporate event. Wanting to push their own levels of creativity, they were able to develop an LED video design unlike any they had done before.

"Our project in Arizona was an employee recognition program and we really wanted to give the event the feel of a Disney theme park experience," says Leonhardt. "To create the setting, we had the guests first enter through an LED archway that led into the main ballroom. Once inside, we built a radial-display structure with 14 LED video towers that were two tiles wide and seven tiles tall. In between the towers, we had three, large-format 9x16 video screens with edge-to-edge, borderless content. With the theatre-style seating, the system wrapped around their peripheral vision, and then using the addition of surround-sound and enhanced lighting, we created a very immersive audience experience with FLEXTour LED."

As a modular rental solution, Fogarty Services now has the opportunity to offer their clientele the possibility of an LED video design for any occasion. In a broad spectrum of design possibilities, the technology must to be able to perform time-after-time, no matter what the circumstances might be.

"We see a lot of potential for the FLEXTour LED video system in the corporate, live event, and tradeshow markets, and we have also invested in portable truss structures that will allow us to deploy LED video anywhere, regardless of house rigging capabilities," adds Leonhardt. "I really like how the hardware of the FLEXTour system is well-made and precise, and with its IP65-rating, we can also take our events outside. It's stout and you know it's going to hold up."

"The support you receive from PixelFLEX is fantastic," concludes Leonhardt. "They take the time to show you how the technology performs and assist in all facets of the design-build process. There really is no other place where we will get that type of partnership, and we really appreciate their dedication to making our business a success."