In November, Barco hosted a hybrid leadership update introducing our two new co-CEOs and sharing their vision with external stakeholders. Relying on the strengths of our own solutions, our Barco team pulled of an impressive job in delivering an extraordinarily engaging event for participants both on-site and remote.
Press, analysts and investors were invited to join the leadership update webinar where the two newly appointed co-CEOs, Ms. An Steegen and Mr. Charles Beauduin, shared their initial assessments of Barco today and thoughts about capturing growth opportunities in the future. Being an internationally listed company with a global scope, we chose to set-up a hybrid event in the most professional way.
A front-row experience with weConnect
The weConnect virtual classroom is designed to deliver engaging and interactive digital teaching and training experiences. Over the last year, however, the platform also proved its benefits as a professional solution for bi-directional virtual and hybrid events. During the November leadership update the weConnect set-up supported up to 120 remote participants and allowed for live engagement and active collaboration as if they were sitting amongst their peers in the auditorium of the company’s Belgian headquarters.
The complete remote audience was displayed on a secondary screen next to the main presentation screen. After the leadership update everyone got the chance to ask questions. Remote participants asking their question were brought to a dedicated area on the main screen via the weConnect ‘Spotlight’ function, allowing for a more personal and interactive Q&A, close to the real-life experience.
Professional and dynamic visual experience
In the backstage, our inhouse experts and operators used the E2 and S3 Barco image processors - long-standing partners-in-crime for live events of all sizes, and now also a great asset in the creation of inspiring virtual/hybrid events. There were multiple camera angles, video clips, dynamic slides, the weConnect outputs, etc. The image processors made it all seamlessly appear on the auditorium screens in a dynamic lay-out with smooth transitions.
To deliver the visuals on the screens in the highest quality, our 3-chip DLP UDX and UDM projectors were used.
Events of the future
The presenters and participants, both on-site and remote, were impressed with the professionalism and engagement level brought by the Barco solutions – calling it much better then with other hybrid experiences. The new CEO’s agreed the event was a success, and expect this way-of-working to become the new Barco normal for similar events.
“This event proved to be the excellent opportunity to showcase the combined strengths of our different solutions,” Jan van Houtte, Barco VP weConnect, concludes. “It was a great proof point for our weConnect virtual classroom platform in an event setting. Together with the Event Master image processing systems and laser projectors, we have everything inhouse to offer our partners and customers an E2E event 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.
