But For Ohio State

But for Ohio State is the comprehensive campaign spearheaded by the Office of Advancement at The Ohio State University, whose goal is to raise 2.5 billion dollars by 2016.

When the campaign kicked off on October 4, 2012, the amount pledged and collected to date was 1.3 billion dollars.

But first, let us return to June of 2012, when Bartha was given the opportunity to produce the campaign kickoff as well as the additional six (6) city tour.

At that time The Ohio State University wanted a 360 degree image that would transport the audience in attendance to any place on campus as well as the rest of the world through the use of still images and video.

Working as a partner with the University’s planning committee, we created the scripting, videos, images, lighting, and sound effects for an evening event that started at the Oval, the central focus of Ohio State's campus, beginning with dawn, moving through mid-day for the dinner portion of the evening, and closing with the Oval at night.

The sights, the sounds, and the student entertainment that embody the Oval every day were all incorporated into a resounding program that covered all the various colleges and departments within the University.

We told stories by many students, faculty and alumni through the use of video or live testimonials in the room that stated “Had it not been for The Ohio State University I would not have had the opportunities that changed my life."

The tour began in Columbus, Ohio on October 4, 2012, and traveled over 7,696 miles during its six city tour to Cincinnati, Chicago, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Washington DC and ending in New York on November 4, 2013.

We here at Bartha are proud to have been a part of such a successful and historical venture that we shared with everyone at The Ohio State University.

Maximize Your Video Production* Investment

Annual conferences and other events provide a great opportunity to connect with attendees and communicate a message. It seems as though the goal each year is to go beyond the experience of the previous year’s event. A great vehicle to creatively and effectively deliver a message and add excitement or visual interest to the event is through video production. This powerful story-telling tool can excite, motivate, and re-energize your team.

Video Tip 1—Make it memorable

Not sure what to showcase? Think about potential customers that might be able to provide you with a great testimonial. For something inspiring, profiles of high achieving individuals can be used to share insight with the audience. And, of course, there are always those emotional stories of individual and/or corporate success. The possibilities are endless.

Video Tip 2—Look for the video’s “Legs”

A well-produced and polished video can be a cost-effective investment when designed to have “legs” well beyond a particular event. With careful planning, scripting, and post-production, that single investment can yield valuable communication tools through DVD media, web and social media outlets for as long as it is a valid message.

Video Tip 3—Reuse and Recycle

Even a modest video production will create an archive of useful media assets that can easily be re-purposed, re-edited, and crafted into new messaging. You may be able to “lift” certain sections of an event video or simply, extract and re-edit that moving success story, then utilize it to recruit new personnel or attract new customers.

* Did you know that Bartha has a comprehensive video and media production team equipped with the latest HD production gear? To some, that remains something of a well-kept secret. The fact is, Bartha’s team has created some pretty amazing projects: ultra wide screen videos, a kinetic typography and animation piece, multiple award videos and image pieces for a number of high-profile clients.

Bartha is committed to delivering the best media production services in a comfortable, collaborative atmosphere; full HD video acquisition and post-production, 2D and 3D design and animation, onsite video production, presentation graphic design and production, virtually everything required to create a polished, effective message.

No Waste!

When planning your next event, consider how wasteful you might be. Not with water bottles or extra food (although we do think that is important too!) but with your event space. Your set-up doesn’t have to be about just about a couple of screens and a podium.  BE DIFFERENT - use ALL of your space to maximize the visual impact and the opportunity to communicate.

Consider these creative ways to use your space:

• Floor Projection - event logos utilizing lighting instruments or even full motion video or graphic content
• 360 degree projection - surround your audience with high-impact video messaging
• Ceilings
• Pre-function space - free-standing kiosks with plasma displays can deliver video or graphic content as attendees enter or gather for social functions

Bartha can design CADD floor plans of an event space to maximize the space, and offer creative ways to utilize the event space for your next event.

What's It Worth?

Everyone loves stuff. Buy one, get one free. Order now and get 50% off. But what’s it really worth? Are you getting something that matters to you or is it just something discounted and/or free?

For years, Bartha has worked on creating value behind our services. Bartha’s belief is simple: Invest the time and attention and deliver services that support and enhance events. Don’t “nickel and dime.” Don’t count the paper clips. Stick to the budget. 

Some of Bartha’s “stuff” can be measured in dollars and cents. Some is simply priceless.

We believe these services and the way we do business add value to everything we do.

• Access to Bartha staff for creative, consultation, collaboration,
  and brainstorming

• Initial set and stage designs

• Stage and set design revisions and renderings as an event evolves

• Creative consultation for presentation graphics and creative consulting for video
  production

• On-site flexibility and “can do” attitude

• Performance “above and beyond” to make things right

• Dedicated, invested staff

Why do we value these services? It’s a way of fulfilling a commitment to do everything possible to make each event special and successful. 

Live Streaming -- Is It Right For Your Event?

Many meetings now offer live streaming elements to their events. Used successfully, you can share your event experience with the world. Used incorrectly, your event creates a disconnect and your audience will disengage. 

Bartha wants to be sure you stream correctly so here are three tips we think you should consider.

1. Select the right content; don’t just stream everything. Be selective and find the right message you want to share.
2. Know your speed, you don’t want a ticket. You want to ensure that the video can be uploaded at the correct speed on site. With the right equipment this is no problem however, if you aren’t prepared your streaming video can end up with large delays and that means participants will not have a good experience.
3. Use the right ratio when outputting your video. How you export your video from the source will make a huge impact on quality. A bad picture isn’t an option so be sure you know how to format correctly. And be sure you are using the right equipment to capture the sound and picture. Not all cables, cameras and microphones are the same. 

Streaming is an effective tool but not if it means that it could hurt attendance at your event because they can watch online. Consider streaming only certain parts of the general sessions, or just the keynote speaker. Make your audience want to come to the event, but give the online viewer something to view if they cannot attend for some reason.

For more helpful tips on streaming your next event contact John Killacky at 614.252.7455 or johnk@bartha.com.

Be Prepared — Top Considerations for International Events

Bartha just recently returned from Ireland, staging an event for a large corporate client. As we review our experience abroad, we thought it helpful to share some tips regarding the planning and execution of events overseas.

Planning. Allow a minimum of six weeks just to prepare equipment; four weeks for shipping; one week for packing; and a minimum of one week for paperwork and proper documentation. The paperwork necessary to ship equipment and event supplies abroad is very comprehensive; understanding how the process works to ensure everything arrives on time is critical!

Do the math. We have learned that shipping our own mission-critical equipment is often the most cost effective way to stage a show. Much of the high-end technology we use day in and day out in the U.S. comes at a premium price overseas; some, more standard equipment, may be reasonably priced so shipping offers no distinct advantage. Every destination is different. Our job is to do the math, balance shipping costs versus local rentals, and design a final labor and equipment package that is cost-effective while assuring top performance and capability.

Teamwork.  Any time we travel abroad we know that we need to locate quality local professionals to assist us.  We work to create relationships all over the world so that no matter where we go, we know we have a solid team.  It makes all the difference and ensures that each event is worry-free for our clients.

Be dutifully aware of Duties. Every country has different (and sometimes punitive) import/export regulations. Know what they are in your destination country before you pack and ship all that expensive stuff. For example, if you plan to give your top sales people a classy piece of jewelry in recognition of their achievement, you may be liable for import/export duties based on its value. This has been known to lead to sticker shock.

Power. Be sure you understand the needs of your event so that you can be assured you have enough power. Remember the 2013 Super Bowl? Planning for power at any event is critical especially when abroad. 

For information or assistance in planning your next overseas event contact Chris Zervos at 614.252.7455. He can help answer any of your questions. 

Four Years in the Making,Two Weeks of Flawless Execution

Over 18 months ago, Bartha was selected by The Church of the Nazarene (based in Lenexa, Kansas) to produce and stage the 28th General Assembly and Conventions in June 2013 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. This quadrennial event, held every four years, attracts over 20,000 church members from around the world. With over 18 months to prepare, we utilized a number of strategies that can be applied to any large event:

Identify and Support Key Stakeholders: The 2013 General Assembly included three two-day Conventions of church groups, five major worship services, three days of plenary business sessions, and nearly 60 breakout rooms, many of these running concurrently in two massive halls of the Convention Center. Each of these had discreet stakeholders and “ownership”. Bartha created specific teams of production professionals and on-site leaders assigned to the event spaces and individual stakeholders to assure outstanding client service for every element of the two-week event.

Logistics: Scheduling becomes even more critical for events of this size. Layout a carefully planned timeline and schedule to coordinate everything from loading dock access, equipment storage, local labor, security, load-in schedules, rehearsals, etc. Detailed planning here eliminates a world of on-site headaches and controls on-site costs.

Partner with the Best: The Church of the Nazarene General Assembly required simultaneous translation in seven languages, an automated audience response voting system, captioning of business sessions for an official record, live streaming, and a number of specialized services to serve the international audience and church business. Bartha teamed with a number of trusted partners (some of the best in the country) to flawlessly and seamlessly deliver these services.

Flexibility: Even with 18 months of planning and preparation, on-site flexibility was one of the keys to overall success. Events can change in an instant—being able to adapt to those changes is simply what we do.

Creative Ways to Honor Hundreds

We recently completed Arbonne International’s Global Training Conference (GTC 2013) with an audience of 13,000 in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. With over 550 individual achievers to be honored on stage, we are challenged each year to creatively and quickly give them their moment in the spotlight.

We have crafted this list to help you during your next event.

Keep the pace of award recognitions moving, whether you are recognizing 10 or 1000:

• Keep a consistent pace going throughout the awards.
• Avoid picture taking during the show; the audience should not be waiting while you take pictures. Create an off stage  “photo op” area that can be used after the event.
• Utilize a stage manager to keep people moving and help ensure that everything runs smoothly.
• Choose the right music to keep the audience entertained and maintain the pace.

Tips for large numbers being honored:

• If your event spans multiple days; spread the awards out throughout the program.
• Scroll the names visually across the screen rather than have them wait to have their name appear. 
• Rehearse when possible or prepare documentation prior to the event that gives honorees information about where and when they need to be ready.
• Use all available space to pre-stage groups so there are no delays.

Tips for smaller numbers being honored:

• Have honorees come from backstage
• Be sure that awards/certificates/plaques are ready for distribution.

Animated graphics can make it fun: 

• If you must do things that slow down a show, have fun with graphics to keep the audience engaged

Illumination and Tradition

On the night before Spring Commencement at The Ohio State University, the traditional candlelight ceremony was held in front of the Thompson Library. This is a very special evening established years ago for students to celebrate and reflect on their accomplishments at OSU. The class of 2013 was the second-largest graduating class in Ohio State history with 10,143 Buckeyes.

Bartha teamed with the University to bathe the east façade of the Library in bright scarlet hues. This striking visual effect provided the perfect backdrop for a final and emotional farewell. Bartha is proud to have been a part of this special event. We understand how lighting of this magnitude creates a special mood and makes a lasting impression. Congratulations to the class of 2013! 

Ace-high in Kansas City

Recently, Bartha worked in the cavernous Hall E of the Kansas City Convention Center for Team National’s ‘Thrive with Heart’ Convention. This is the fourth National Convention that Team National has partnered with Bartha to produce. Two tractor trailers, loaded with Bartha gear left our docks on a Tuesday, and by Thursday our team was ready for rehearsals and shows for 2,500 attendees. Key elements of this show included:

• Three 12’ x 21.5’ screens, HD cameras, projection, and recording
• Production of a custom graphics template as well as on-site production
• A western-themed stage set designed specifically for the Boots and BBQ evening festivities
• Comprehensive show production; graphics, video, audio, lighting and staff

We are thrilled to start planning for Team National’s Summer event in Orlando; be sure to check out our Facebook page to see pictures and updates!

Tight Timeline -- Not for Bartha!

Nationwide Retirement Solutions is relocating to downtown Columbus from the Dublin area, so they chose to bring their 2013 National Sales Meeting to the newest venue, the Hilton Downtown Columbus, just next door to the new headquarters. As an introduction to their new home, 1,200 field and home office staff gathered for an “all company meeting” featuring an upbeat, synchronized, three-screen video to kick off the event. Working with Nationwide’s Meeting & Event Management Group, Bartha’s team was able to load in at 8am and be ready for executive rehearsals by 3pm. This included a custom stage set, all sound, lighting and projection, loading and prepping 67 individual video files for playback, programming the screen sequences, and double checking graphic content.

Doing What Is Right

For the 15th year in a row, Bartha produced The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Breakfast Celebration, held each year in Columbus, OH. This celebration is the largest event of its kind in the United States. This year’s theme was “The time is always right to do what is right”. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. delivered a heartfelt keynote. Bartha was asked to be a part of this year’s celebration again and provided audio, video, lighting and a vibrant backdrop for the event. A larger than life image of Dr. King Jr. was projected above the center stage to enhance the sense of celebration, reflection, and communion.

Creativity and Collaboration

In early 2011, Bartha began a collaborative partnership with The Ohio State University producing a number of spectacular events in support of the University and various scholarship funds; each has created unique, powerful experiences.

The first was the Jessie Owens Tribute. Bartha designed a main stage with a 15’ by 85’ widescreen serving as a dynamic backdrop for the evening. Bartha’s design team created custom graphics to support each segment of the program including an animation of Jesse Owens running across the full width of the screen.

In 2012, Bartha built on the success of the Owens Tribute by producing the Celebrating John Glenn event. Wide-screen, high-definition video production took the audience back to 1962 for the launch and historic flight of John Glenn’s Friendship 7.  At the beginning of fall semester, 2012, Bartha’s creative team helped welcome 7,000 incoming freshman to OSU. This high-energy event at Nationwide Arena utilized massive video screens along with interactive projection on the Arena floor to illustrate the best that Columbus has to offer.

The final event of 2012 was the public launch of the But for Ohio State campaign, staged in the Archie Griffin Ballroom of The Ohio Union. This unique event demanded innovative imagery and staging supported with emotional storytelling. Bartha delivered with unique 360 degree projection. Fourteen high definition projectors were utilized to surround the audience with powerful images, transporting them to the center of the Oval at dawn, to mountain glaciers, to the fifty yard line of Ohio Stadium on game day.

Bartha’s production team delivered with over a dozen inspirational ‘But for Ohio State’ videos; stories of University benefactors, academic achievement, cutting-edge research and global impact. Each video story, from the dynamic wide-screen opening to the tale of disappearing glaciers, was told with original scripting, archival images and high definition footage that took our staff to Arizona, Florida and Chicago.

Bartha’s partnership with The Ohio State University continues in 2013 with the recently completed Anne & Woody Hayes Tribute Event. Bartha’s design team re-created the Ohio Stadium façade on the practice field within the Woody Hayes Athletic Complex. Five projection screens incorporated in this massive backdrop carried archival images to support each segment of the program. Bartha’s production team created a number of HD videos to tell the story of Anne and Woody Hayes’ legacy.