INTRODUCTION
Owned by Cafaro Company, Eastwood Event Centre is a brand-new, state-of-the-art event facility located in Niles, OH. Situated in the Eastwood Mall Complex and connected to the Cafaro Company’s headquarters, a retail concourse, and a Residence Inn® by Marriott, the Centre hosts meetings and productions of all sizes. It features two ballrooms, four breakout rooms, a kitchen, a green room, and two prefunction areas.
THE CHALLENGE
Make a great first impression on guests and offer them the flexibility to host any type of event, at any scale, with the best AV experience possible.
THE SOLUTION
Implementing the best, most reliable AV technology available throughout the facility was critical to helping the Centre meet its goals. Jeff Kovacich, Director of Information Technology, and Ian Price, IT Support Specialist, at the Cafaro Company collaborated with SVT and CDW to equip the Centre with technology solutions from Crestron.
THE TECHNOLOGY
The Cafaro team installed Crestron DM NVX® AV-over-IP technology to enable staff to easily and securely route flawless high-resolution video content over the existing 1Gb network to displays across the Centre for different types of events and presentations. The Crestron DM NVX Director™ software-based switching appliance makes it simple for staff to configure, control, and manage the large network of DM NVX devices. DM NVX Director automatically discovers each DM NVX endpoint on the network and allows each to be assigned as a logical input or output. DM NVX also simplifies integration with one or more Crestron control systems. Additionally, Crestron AirMedia® wireless presentation technology was installed to provide guests with touchless presentation and collaboration capabilities. With AirMedia, anyone can enter a room and automatically connect their device via a Crestron touch screen to share and distribute content. “AirMedia’s touchless control, simplicity, and ease-of-use has been a key advantage for the Centre’s staff and event coordinators,” says Ian Price, IT Support Specialist, Cafaro Company. A Crestron control system enables the Centre to integrate all the disparate technologies, from AV, lighting, and shades, to HVAC and security on one rock solid, scalable, and secure control platform. The PRO3 provides high-speed, real-time multi-tasking so the Centre can seamlessly run multiple control programs simultaneously, and change them individually, as needed, without affecting the whole.
RESULTS
Crestron technology has enabled Eastwood Event Centre to distinguish itself from other event spaces in the area and ‘wow’ the community. Guests now have the ability to customize the space to fit the unique needs of any type of event, at any scale.
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.
