[ M ] any events in the industry tell you what you can do , but they don ' t necessarily tell you what you should do . I wanted to focus on the practicality of the technology and how we are using that technology in a way that isn ’ t just setting people up for an unattainable objective .
is meant to attract people that are actually doing the work and provide the ability to speak one-on-one with the exhibiting manufacturers . That being said , for 2022 , we are looking at a possible second event in the fall , which would happen on the East Coast . It ' s still in negotiation at this point , but it ' s well on its way . Next year , we have the same goal ; we ' re hoping for an East Coast , West Coast series .
CE : What kind of demographic does this event appeal to ?
Procopio : This event is primarily focused on church production teams , the team that is going to be responsible for worship services . With technology that is available from the parking lot to the sanctuary . How are people using LED screens in public spaces ? How are they using sound systems in public or outdoor spaces ? We intend on focusing primarily on audio visual production managers and technical directors , but we are also talking to executive pastors and business administrators , because we want to connect the relationship between the people that are spec ’ ing the equipment and the people that are authorizing the purchases . We want them to understand why those people are coming to them and saying , ‘ I need X product to help us improve our services .’
CE : What kind of tools can people expect to walk away from this event with ?
Procopio : Immediately you are going to see what technology is going to be best used in your churches . You ' re going to find very practical technology . You ' re going to find skills that will allow you to make immediate changes , whether they ' re with live streaming , which has become very popular , obviously . It could also be with your video production services , your audio mixes , your lighting systems . You ' re going to walk away with practical tools that can work right away .
CE : How has COVID-19 impacted the planning process ?
Procopio : Omicron made some changes over the winter , but we are very hopeful for the spring . California has recently changed their restrictions , downgrading from a pandemic to an endemic , which allows for us to connect a little bit better , with fewer limitations . We ' re beginning to see very good numbers in event registration , and I think audiences are excited to return to live events .
CE : What can staff gain from a peer-to-peer networking environment like the one that
WAVE provides ?
Procopio : Ultimately , I think the best thing is that you get to see what your peers are doing at their facilities , you ' re learning from others how they are tackling similar challenges . You ' ll find churches that are the same size that are able to discuss what they ' re doing . It encourages dialogue when you ' re able to have those commonalities together in an educational space . They say , ‘ we learn best when we ' re together ’ and I totally agree with that .
CE : What resources are available to help familiarize people with
WAVE ?
Procopio : Right now , our website is live
: www . wave-event . co . We are partnering with Church Executive , Technologies for Worship and Church Production Magazines , where members and subscribers for those publications have access to our event and to our content . All the sessions are going to be recorded and will be made available after the event . That ' s something that people can take away , not only when they ' re there in person , but they ' ll have the ability to watch later on as well . We ’ re excited about that .
— Reporting by Emma Green
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