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Microsoft Australian Partner’s Conference and Microsoft Tech.Ed 2009

Norwest Brisbane were contracted by our friends at Technical Direction Company to supply audio and crew for the Australian Microsoft Partner’s Conference 2009, followed by Microsoft Tech Ed 2009. This job was a massive undertaking, filling the entire Gold Coast Convention Centre including all meeting rooms and foyers, and the Norwest crew of Ian Shapcott, Will Davy, Owen Hitchens, Hugh Webb and Luke Symons were kept on their toes

for two weeks managing over twenty audio systems ranging from meeting rooms to full exhibition halls in Keynote mode using flown EAW & AT line-array systems. An ever-evolving program meant nothing stayed the same for more than a couple of days so the crew were kept busy.

As well as traditional conference audio and break-out systems, the Tech Ed conference called for three theatrettes utilising “silent” audio systems. Technical producers for Microsoft, Jack Moreton Worldwide, wanted a high-quality solution, preferably a cut above traditional infra-red interpreter systems. This presented no challenge to us; Norwest has Australia’s largest stock of in-ear monitor systems and we provided a total of 220 Shure in-ear monitors across a range of frequencies, utilising headphone-style transducers rather than the usual IEM ear-buds which would have resulted in a less than satisfactory hygiene risk. The results proved to be as expected; all attendees received high-quality full frequency audio from their presenter and associated AV packages and all left happy.

Over and above the multiple in-ear channels in use, Norwest provided over 70 channels of Shure wireless radio microphones. Norwest Radio Guru, Steve Caldwell, provided the necessary spectrum management for the job and as a result, no on-going radio issues surfaced over the entire conference. All in all, the conference consumed around 3000 batteries & 400 sets of headphones. Norwest acknowledges the fantastic work of TDC’s Andrew Smith in providing impeccable technical management in the lead up and during the event.

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