Challenge

With tens of thousands of guests eager to take in the conference, preserving sightlines to the stages was as much a priority as was crystal-clear vocal reproduction and full-room coverage. Furthermore, the architecture of the rooms, including concrete walls and pillars and low trim height, required the audio system to be lightweight and flexible in its rigging capabilities, while also offering solutions to accommodate long cable runs—more than 380 feet.

Solution

The primary stage featured ten hangs of Cohesion CO10, which provided ample low-end extension and full coverage of an asymmetrical seating space that included VIP sections; supplemental stages also used stage-stacked CO10. Two Cohesion CP218 II+ were used in each room for additional low end support, particularly in the main room, where a live band entertained guests during interludes. The Cohesion CM14 stage monitor was used for crystal-clear reference in all three spaces. HID cabling permitted long runs with high fidelity and minimized loss over hundreds of feet.

Result

The CO10 hangs “disappeared into the ceiling—they looked permanent,” according to System Engineer Andrew Kastrinelis. With sightlines preserved, and full-room coverage guaranteed, audiences were treated to exceptional vocal intelligibility for the hundreds of guest speakers on stage. FOH Engineer Stewart Bennett noted that the PA allowed him the control to lessen reflection issues in the challenging environment, and the audio system performed with consistency and clarity in all three rooms of the conference.

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