Training, meetings, corporate events and community activities are among the various uses for the new multi−purpose room at the headquarters of a Midwest corporation. When the company planned its new building, executives wanted a state-of-the-art room that would serve both its corporate needs and be available to the local community.
Plans included a 7,000 square-foot conference room that could host hundreds, yet be divided into smaller rooms as needed for fewer people. Audio Contractors of Oregon, WI, a professional audio/video design and installation company, provided an innovative and functional high−tech solution featuring Kramer Electronics products.
“Our challenge was to make the technology function easily and flawlessly, no matter whether there were 200 people or 20 people using the space,” said John Deem, owner of Audio Contractors. “Kramer had everything we needed under one roof, and all the individual pieces talked to each other.”
The large multi−purpose room, which seats over 250 people, showcases six 80−inch LCD displays around the sides and two 184−inch drop−down projection screens in the front. Using expandable walls, the large room can be divided into six separate rooms, each with a display screen and classroom−style seating. The audio/video system serving each room allows participants to view various presentation sources on the screens – from Blu−ray software to laptop computers.
The Kramer Electronics VS−88H HDMI matrix switcher is the central switching device for all rooms. Built−in media boxes in each room allow both computer graphics video and HDMI capability through the use of Kramer WP−301xl computer graphics video and stereo audio and WP−306 HDMI active wall plates for signal input. The connections for PCs and laptops are built into the tables of each room, while duplex outlets are installed on one side of each dividing wall. The computer graphics video signals from the WP−301xl wall plates travel over Kramer TP−121 and TP−122 twisted pair transmitter/receivers to a Kramer Electronics VP−436 ProScale® HDMI digital scaler/switcher. Source signals are converted and scaled to the proper resolution and the computer graphics video signals are also converted to HDMI output signals. The output signals are then routed through the VS−88H to the room displays by Kramer PT−571 and PT−572+ DGKat™ twisted pair transmitter/receivers for HDMI.
A single rack unit in the corner of the large room holds the seven ProScale VP−436 scaler/switchers and the VS−88H. All inputs from each room go through the room’s presentation switcher. Network category cabling is built in to six floor boxes, making long cable runs unnecessary.
“This company wanted to have the best in new technology available for many people, and we were able to create a seamless system with the Kramer Electronics product,” Deem said.
The purpose is clear: Kramer products offer versatility and flexibility, and are a multipurpose solution.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
