Trade Shows Part 2

6 02 2012

Since my last post, I’ve had a couple people request more info on what trade shows I like and for what reasons.  This is not an exhaustive list by any stretch, but these are some of what I consider the most beneficial shows and hopefully it will help you pick a trade show that will give you a chance to connect with other church techs while learning something helpful to what you are doing.

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) – April in Las Vegas, NV
This is one of the biggest trade shows and features more video than any church can ever use.  While there is some audio and lighting gear, video is really the big focus at this show.  You should be able to get into the trade show for free, but the classes will cost you extra.
Pros: There is a lot of gear and a lot of people at this show.  You will get a chance to meet some incredible people and get your hands on lots of gear.  If you’re looking to make some significant video purchases, you should definitely attend this show.
Cons: It is a huge show which means it’s easy to get lost and not talk to anyone who does what you do.  You have to be intentional and deliberate to make connections.

InfoComm – Alternates site, June in Las Vegas, NV for 2012
InfoComm is a good, all around trade show involving audio, lighting and some video.  If you’re looking for a well balanced variety of gear, this is a good show to start with.  Just like NAB, you should be able to get onto the trade show floor for free with advanced registration, but the classes will cost you extra.
Pros: This show is a much more manageable size but also still has lots of great people to connect with.  It’s easy to both get your hands on lots of great gear and connect with manufacturer reps and other church tech people.  I find that I run into fellow church techs regularly while walking the InfoComm show floor.
Cons: Because the show is well rounded in it’s gear inclusion, it’s not exhaustive.  While you can get your hands on a lot of gear, it my not be the place to do an exhaustive search on what you are looking for.

LDI – Alternates sites, Late Fall/Early Winter in Las Vegas for 2012
If you are a lighting, staging or stage design person, LDI is a great show for you.  One of the only shows dedicated to lighting, LDI isn’t a huge show but it packs a good punch with what’s new in lighting and staging.  Once again, the trade show can be attended for free but the classes require paid registration.
Pros: You get a chance to see everything that’s new in the lighting world, from the cheaper DJ stuff to the higher end professional gear.  It’s also not a huge show so you can get a chance to talk to lots of great lighting people.
Cons: It’s pretty much about lighting, so if lighting is not your thing, this is probably not the right show for you to go to.

Worship Facilities Expo (WFX) – Alternates sites, September in Atlanta, GA for 2012
This is one of the biggest church focused trade shows and does a decent job blending the opportunity to get your hands on solutions for worship technology with opportunities to learn from and connect with other church tech leaders.  While you can get onto the trade show floor for free, the classes do require a paid registration.
Pros: No other show brings so many of today’s church technical leaders, and there are many opportunities to connect with and learn from each other.  In addition, unlike most of the other trade shows, WFX has numerous training classes focused on more than just showing you gear, but teaching you how to get the most out of gear for ministry.  WFX also has the Tech Director Retreat, a day of encouraging and training for Church Tech Leaders.
Cons: It is a smaller show so the trade show part isn’t big and there usually isn’t much that is new.  Also, being a younger conference, they are still growing and developing the event to make it better.

Guru’s of Tech Willow Creek – May in Crystal Lake, IL
After last year’s inaugural event, I have high expectations for this year’s Guru’s of Tech event.  While there are multiple Guru’s events, the willow Creek team put on a great event last year and the classes were excellent.  Not only that, but it’s a church tech only event and you’ll have opportunities to meet, chat and worship with many folks doing what you are doing.  Best of all, the event, including classes, is free.
Pros: Guru’s of Tech Willow Creek features fantastic classes and many great tech leaders ready to invest in you.
Cons: While there was a little gear to look at last year, this is not a trade show so don’t expect a lot of gear.

Have questions about these or other shows, please comment below or shoot me an email.


Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : General

Value of Trade Shows

27 01 2012

As I reflect on another trade show completed, I walked away from the annual NAMM show in Anaheim feeling both exhausted and invigorated, an unusual combination for sure.  Walking the show floor for 8 hours per day for multiple days, talking to everyone from manufacturers to vendors to fellow church techs will wear out even the most athletic of people.  At the same time it’s an energizing process.  You get the opportunity to learn about the latest and greatest tools to help you provide more effective ministry.  More importantly, trade shows give you the opportunity to connect with others who do what you do, who have come up with creative solutions to the issues you face and have weathered the situations that may be frustrating you.

I’ve long felt that the highest value of trade shows is the opportunity to connect with your peers, to pick their brains and get encouragement.   As more and more technology becomes available to help us accomplish our goals, connecting with others who do what you do also becomes more critical.  It seems there are 4 (or more) ways to do everything now.  Discussing the options, pros and cons of solutions with people who have used them in real life is invaluable.  Demonstrations are certainly helpful, but the word and experiences of peers tell you so much more.  Trade shows and other church tech events give you the opportunity to do both, to get your hands on solutions and discuss real life applications with those who are doing real life ministry.

If you’ve been serving in ministry as a volunteer or staff person for any time though, you know that it’s about way more than the gear.  Ministry is about people, and connecting with people at trade shows who really understand that is the most invigorating part of the whole experience.  Let’s be honest, serving in ministry is both one of the greatest and hardest things you can do.  Even as a volunteer, you can feel overworked and underappreciated very quickly, but I’ve found spending time with people who get what you do and share the same heart and vision will help encourage and reinvigorate you in the calling you have in serving in church tech.

If we’re honest with ourselves, we know that we can’t do ministry alone.  Who better to connect with than peers who do what you do, experience what you experience and face the same challenges you face?   Can I challenge you to get more connected with others who serve as you do from churches across the country?  In my first few years as a Technical Director, I actually paid out of my own pocket to attend a number of events and they helped shape who I am as a tech and ministry leader.  I would gladly pay all of that money and more to do it again.   If you can’t make it to one of the big trade shows, get involved with online networks like www.churchtechleaders.org.  Regardless of how you do it, get connected, get support and get inspired by your peers.  And if you sign up for www.churchtechleaders.org or are at one of the trade events, look me up, I’d love to meet, encourage and support you.

Just Some of the Trade Shows & Events Coming in 2012

Guru’s of Tech – Willow Creek (Crystal Lake, IL)

http://www.gurusoftech.com/

Infocomm – Las Vegas, NV

http://www.infocommshow.org/

Worship Facilities Expo – Atlanta, GA

http://www.wfxweb.com/

LDI – Las Vegas, NV
www.ldishow.com

Christian Musician Summit – Various Locations

http://www.christianmusiciansummit.com/


Comments : 2 Comments »

Categories : General

Feeling restless?

29 03 2011

In the past week I’ve met face to face with nearly a dozen church tech leaders and have had phone calls and emails with many more.  There’s been some great discussion of what kind of things do and don’t work, ministry philosophy and plenty about life in general.  One topic that has come up frequently over the past week though is one that really makes me sad, and since I’ve experienced it myself over the years I’m committed to helping people navigate it.  The topic is leaders who feel like they are ready to walk away from their church or ministry, and with each email, text message, tweet or live conversation my heart aches more for tech leaders.

Before I go further, if you are in a good place with leaders who love and appreciate you, I rejoice with you and for you.  You are truly blessed!  If you’re in that environment and you still feel like God is calling you to a new thing, I truly believe that God has something even better for you.  For most of the people I’ve been talking to though, it has been less about simply feeling God’s call to move and more about wrestling with whether or not they can hang on to where they are now.  They  (or their family) may feel tired, used, abused, uncared for or burned out. Some are even ready to walk away from ministry altogether.  For those of you experiencing this, or are on your way to experiencing this, here are some thoughts and encouragement I’d like to share.

1) You are not alone
I don’t know the current statistic but the average church leader last somewhere around 18 months in their position.  This is all pastors and leaders.  Working in a church is a tough calling, but we have to remember that we’re not alone in this and there are many who are willing to support and share life with you.  The Church Technical Director Roundtable alone has over 350 technical leaders who know what you go through, and many of them have or are currently experiencing this.  My encouragement is to talk especially to those who have gone through this season to help gain perspective, insight and possibly some ideas on where to go.  This season is one that can feel very lonely and confusing, it helps greatly to have experienced folks speak into your life, especially during a season like this.  Sometimes a little outside perspective is all that is needed to help you navigate a tough situation.  If you don’t know or have someone in your life, please feel free to contact me.

2) Look at and work on what you can change, you.
What I’ve learned about challenging seasons of my life is generally they are times that required me to look inward to change and grow.  Let’s face it, while you can and should address struggles with those you have struggles with, if a leader or coworker is the source of your frustration, you have a limited ability to change them.  What I’ve learned though (the hard way of course) is that frequently a change needed to be made in me too.  When I’ve felt burned out, often it was because I wasn’t spending enough time reading my Bible, or being quiet, or even simply not working.  When relationships have strained, often I could have been much more proactive about building mutual respect and connection.  I’m not saying it’s always your or my fault, but when things get tough we must be willing to look at ourselves first.  Sometimes we simply need to take better care of ourselves, have healthier boundaries or simply attitude check ourselves.  Whether or not the problem started with me, it’s the first place I should start since it is the area I have the most control over.

3) Focus on being who God made you to be
During these times it’s much easier to leave than stick it out, to jump ship rather than try to turn it.  I think often we give up too soon, giving up before God has a chance to mold us into what he wants us to be.  I’ve had times in my life where I feel like God has specifically told me that if I will hang on and push through, He will open even bigger doors than if I give up.  On the other hand, sometimes God is calling you to a new thing, and if so you absolutely need to be obedient to that.  Last year that is exactly where I was, feeling a shifting in what God had called me to do.  The issue wasn’t with the ministry I was a part of, but the changes God was bringing to my passion and vision for ministry.  My point here is that if you are going to leave a church or even a ministry position, do so because God is directing you to, not just because it is easier.  During this season, my encouragement is to really seek and pray about what God made you to be.  For me, through much prayer and discussion with my wife and trusted friends and ministry veterans, it was clear that God was shifting my vision and calling.  Even though I love leading technical ministries and could continue what I was doing, God was adjusting my passions and gifting to this new direction and I had to be obedient to that shift or struggle through staying behind.  If you are experiencing this season, is God shifting your calling, wanting to shift your location, or asking you to stick it out and learn what He wants to teach you?

Every person’s story has different characters and twists and turns, but if you are in this season of restlessness, hopefully these insights will help you start navigating what God has for you.  If you’re in this season, I’d love to pray with you and talk with you.  Please contact me at duke.deJong@yahoo.com or on Twitter @dukedejong.


Comments : 2 Comments »

Categories : General, Leadership

Sabatoge – Guru’s of Tech

11 03 2011

An interesting topic came up during the Guru’s of Tech conference in Chicago during a breakout session titled, “Working With Non-Technical People.”  It is one of many topics from this conference that has spurred further discussion, and since it’s a worthwhile topic for all techies, I thought it was worth bringing to the web.  The question posed to the experienced, well-respected panel was, “How do tech people sabotage themselves and their ministries?”  Two key answers were given and I’d like to add a third.

1) We answer questions too quickly

One way techs make life harder on themselves is simply answering questions too quickly.  The most obvious example is saying no to a request before knowing all the details and scope of work.  Tech leaders are some of the busiest people I know and there are many legitimate reasons and times to say no.  Unfortunately, almost as a defense mechanism, frequently a no is given before scoping out the details.  While healthy boundaries are important, we must remember that we are in a support role and it is generally not our role to decide what our priorities are.  When a request is made a response conveying a desire to serve should be given until the details can be found and priorities can be discussed with your direct report.  If you do then have to say no, you have the backing and support of your leadership, you shared your heart to serve and explored reasonable options.  In the same way trouble can come from saying yes too quickly.  When a need is agreed to before knowing all of the details, techs can set themselves up for failure if they can’t deliver.

In the end, in order to set everyone up for success, it is critical that tech people fully research details, options and if necessary, leadership direction when needs are brought to the table before responding.  Learning to respond in a way that conveys a heart and dedication to serve alongside actions showing the diligence to serve well will show people that they matter, that you want to help them and that if it’s possible you will.

2) Being Overprotective of Our Time

This is a tough subject.  In my years as a Technical Director I learned I had to set some pretty definitive boundaries and stick too them in order for my family and me to not burn out.  Boundaries are a good and critical part of ministry life, but care must be taken to not overshoot those boundaries.  The technical role is highly fluid with the only constant being things will change.  Having boundaries doesn’t mean you don’t have to have flexibility.  It comes with the territory and inflexibility will sabotage you as fast as anything else.  Maintain your boundaries but in times where all hands on deck are needed, be ready to be flexible.  In case you’re wondering, I don’t mean giving up your days off entirely, but simply being willing to shift your days off to a different day for very special occasions.  Just as in the previous point, the key here is to be willing to serve and support your ministry (when reasonable of course).

3) Not Focusing on Relationships First and Foremost

This last point has been a part of conversations for me across the country with arts leaders everywhere.  When we lead or serve with a gear first mentality, or focus on tasks before relationships, sabotage has already set in.  I believe what happens in a church requires partnerships of the highest degree, people who are committed to the mission and vision of God and His church and are committed to serving together in order to make it happen.  In order to be successful, relationships must be forged so when deadlines come, chaos ensues and mistakes are made, people know that you’re all on the same side, dedicated to the same mission and vision.  Grace and respect will overcome mistakes and frustration as everyone is unified together in mission and heart.  Relationships help us value, encourage and trust one another, and in the high stress, frantic world of production that can be the difference between your success or your burn out.

Join the discussion (below) that occurred at the Guru’s of Tech Conference.  Do you agree or disagree with what has already been shared?  Are there any other areas techs sabotage themselves?


Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : General, Leadership

Remember & Celebrate

31 01 2011

The other morning I was driving, reflecting on the year that has been and the year that is to come.  2011 for me is truly the start of something new as my family has moved to a new region and I start a new role with a new company so I’ve been finding myself frequently remembering the past 10 years and how I’ve gotten here, and of course about what lies ahead.  This particular morning I was listening to the song “Where You Go I Go” by Jesus Culture and decided to turn it up as I drove.  As I got to the bridge, the lyrics jumped out at me as if someone was literally in front of me yelling them out to God.

“Though the world sees and soon forgets
We will not forget who You are and what You’ve done for us
What You’ve done for us”

Many of us know the story of the Israelites and how often they did in fact forget about who God is and what He had done for them.  Rescue us from the Egyptians, check.  Part the sea, check.  Provide food from heaven, check.  Yet over time they forgot these very miracles that they lived out, what God did for them and proof of who He was (and still is).  God promised deliverance, and He delivered big time.  God promised a land flowing with milk and honey, and it seems that before could deliver on that promise the people forgot who He was and what He had done for them.  As you read the accounts in Exodus there were periods of unbelief and even turning their backs on God in order to worship gold idols.

We live in a time where things move faster than ever and for most of us that means we have less patience and more distractions in our lives.  As this new year starts, God is challenging me to frequently stop and remember exactly who He is and what He has done for me.  I can’t help but think that as we begin 2011, those of us who lead ministries and teams of people need to do this with our teams as well.  When was the last time you sat down with your team to remember together and thank God for all that He is and what He has done for you and through you?  When was the last time that as a team you’ve thought back to and remembered the promises that God has yet to deliver?

My hope and prayer for you as you start 2011 is that you and I will be people who never forget who He is and what He has done for us, and that we will share it with everyone we come in contact with.


Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : General

« Previous Entries


Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 29 other followers