Planar LED Video Walls Highlight Array of Amenities at Newly- Opened Westport Social
The new Westport Social opened its doors in the Maryland Heights suburb of St. Louis, introducing a 13,000-square-foot classic bar and gaming lounge packed with amenities and entertainment. Created and owned by Lodging Hospitality Management (LHM), the sophisticated yet casual concept includes an elevated food menu, two private karaoke rooms, an outdoor patio and a spacious interior teeming with a diversity of games such as bocce ball, shuffleboard, ping-pong, pop-a-shot basketball, darts, foosball and snookball.
The main bar features a large open room with 20-foot ceilings, booths and lounge-style seating, and installed on different facing walls—creating a dynamic sports-viewing environment—are three 16-foot-long, 9-foot-high Planar TWA Series LED video walls with 1.8mm pixel pitches (TWA1.8) from Planar.
Offering a crisp, high contrast image from using the highest quality black LEDs and delivering excellent off- axis uniformity and maximum full color and brightness, the Planar TWA Series offers a vibrant video wall solution for the expansive sports bar area.
The Planar TWA Series is architected to support the highest pixel density and delivers benefits unique to its "flat panel" design including a 16:9 form factor optimized for the most popular high-resolution standards.
Engineered for 24x7 operation, the Planar TWA Series is available with a redundant video and power option to ensure continuous operation for demanding operations.
Jim Conaway, LHM Vice President of I.T., said the Planar TWA Series was the optimal choice for Westport Social, providing a clear and sharp picture across the entire viewing range in the sprawling, open space.
"Westport Social is a really unique place to watch sports—there's no other place like it," he said. "Based on feedback we received, the video walls deliver a significant 'wow factor' and that impression does not fade away—when customers return, they are still blown away."
While dramatic, the video walls offer simple operation. "All of the control is accomplished via an iPad," Conaway said.
"Staff can arrive in the morning, push one button and everything turns on. They can also easily make changes, such as going from a single screen to a quad view."
According to Conaway, the video walls compliment the upscale lounge furnishings and industrial bar design, providing a novel atmosphere to watch sports and socialize—a formula that is proving to be successful. "Business has been so good that I would venture to say that Westport Social has become the top revenue producing bar in the whole state," he said.
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.
