October 5, 2022
This month we sat down with several members of our Alford Media Staff and asked them questions we gathered from you the readers! READ MORE
August 31, 2022
This month we interviewed our Audio Service Manager, Ben MacKinney, and Audio Designer, Derrick McDonald, on the benefits of our new Martin Audio WPL speakers. READ MORE
November 8, 2021
A hybrid event uses a combination of in-person and digital elements to create the optimal experience for various audiences. READ MORE
August 10, 2021
When it comes to virtual events one of our main focuses has been making the remote and virtual experience for producers and presenters the best it could be. Learn some of the ways we’ve found to help improve the virtual experience for those creating the event. READ MORE
June 23, 2021
In this episode, Tom and Rachel are joined by Tomm Gillies, SeeKing Productions, to discuss how to improve the virtual experience for presenters and producers. READ MORE
June 17, 2021
How do you keep your audience’s attention on a virtual platform? We share some features and suggestions to improve the virtual event experience and make it more engaging. READ MORE
May 7, 2021
In this episode, Tom and Rachel are joined by Melanie Reed, VP of Business Operations at Alford Media, to discuss how to make a better virtual experience for attendees. They also cover the current status of the events industry and what we expect in the next year. READ MORE
April 9, 2021
We share advice on planning safe, socially-distanced events. Also learn about the event solutions for schools and special events that Alford Media provides. READ MORE
March 24, 2021
Alford Remote Presenter Kits elevate the audio, lighting, and overall video for remote presenters with simple plug-and-play devices.
These kits offer an overall better quality of your virtual presentation or remote meeting with a fast and easy setup. READ MORE
December 17, 2020
From a one-day corporate event to week-long multiple exhibitor showcases, we offer a full range of virtual event platform solutions.
With Alford Virtual Event Space or one of our strategic partners we can provide virtual platforms with an array of features and attendee bandwidths. READ MORE
December 15, 2020
Alford Virtual Event Space is a custom branded site developed for each client that includes a live stream embed of your event and incorporates features to best enhance corporate and nonprofit online events.
Most importantly, it was developed by Alford with our clients and their specific needs in mind. READ MORE
December 9, 2020
In this episode of The Back Porch, Tom and Rachel were joined by Tyler Mayne, CEO of Evolve Media Group, Brian Rivers, CEO of Centrifuge Media, and Carrie Freeman Parsons, Chair of The Freeman Company. Our guests discussed how 2020 has been different, what pivots they’ve made, and what they see for the future of events. READ MORE
November 1, 2020
Alford Media offers a variety of service options for webcasting events. When it comes to virtual events, we understand there are different needs and levels of service to make a show a success. With that in mind we have developed several different options to choose from. READ MORE
August 31, 2020
In this episode, Tom and Rachel discuss how Alford Media is raising the bar for remote meetings and virtual events. You’ll also hear from our people behind the scenes and how their roles elevate the experience of a live streamed event. READ MORE
August 12, 2020
Early during the COVID pandemic, Alford employees were looking for any way to reach out and help the community. A perfect opportunity and partnership was found with Alford Media and the Flower Mound School of Rock for a 2 day live stream showcase for their students. READ MORE
July 30, 2020
We’ve created a guide that lists the most well-known live streaming and web conferencing services with a focus on the details most important for streaming virtual, live, and hybrid events. READ MORE
July 22, 2020
Hybrid events allow for an in-person audience or in-person feel and an expanded reach via live streaming or web conferencing. READ MORE
June 29, 2020
In this special edition of the Back Porch, Tom and Rachel were joined by Landy Estes to celebrate his 26 years of service with Alford Media. READ MORE
June 17, 2020
In this episode of The Back Porch, Tom and Rachel discuss Alford’s Burgundy Culture, including the reason behind the color, company events, and what it means to be Burgundy. READ MORE
June 10, 2020
Whether you need a studio or to host your virtual event completely remotely, Alford Media has a variety of options for you to choose from when planning a virtual event. READ MORE
May 28, 2020
In this first episode Tom and Rachel cover a wide spectrum of topics, including the current state and future of the industry, favorite conference memory, cows, tornadoes, future designs and layouts of events, and jalapeño cornbread. READ MORE
May 20, 2020
Our team and process give you the same level of professionalism and quality you’re used to at live events for your virtual events with the bandwidth for multiple web stream, a robust presenter management system, and capability for multiple streaming sources. READ MORE
May 11, 2020
Alford Media presented a live stream concert for the band, Brothers Beckham. This was a high-energy music experience combining awesome music and creative technology. READ MORE
May 1, 2020
A special message from Alford Media and an introduction to our Webcasting Studios. See the many ways we can bring your virtual meeting to life! READ MORE
April 24, 2020
On this episode of Backstage Pass Tom Alford – Executive Vice President of Alford Media, Amber Jenkins – President of Snap! Event Productions and Paul Johnson – Founder of Paul Johnson, Inc. discuss how the events industry is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and how this will impact the industry going forward. READ MORE
April 17, 2020
In our last article, we shared some tips on how to look and sound your best in your virtual meetings. In this one, we have some best practices for holding your remote colleagues’ attention and ensuring a successful virtual meeting. READ MORE
April 14, 2020
As many companies have been transitioning to working remotely and working from home, virtual meetings have replaced most of our usual face to face time in the office. In an effort to make the best of our remote meetings we have some tips from our staff. READ MORE
March 5, 2020
Webcasting and live streaming have become an ever-increasing platform for bringing a live event experience to online viewers. Whether by a virtual studio or with a live audience, webcasting has the ability to bring that experience to viewers anywhere in the world. READ MORE
February 26, 2020
Creating immersive spaces at events can include a wide variety of technologies and techniques. The BlackTrax system and the Astro Spatial Sara II processor bring opportunities for tracking presenters, objects in your content, and even attendees, creating memorable experiences that fully immerse those involved. READ MORE
February 17, 2020
Steve Alford, President, and Tom Alford, Executive Vice President, of Alford Media talk about the events industry, evolving technology and what makes Alford Media successful. They also answered the burning questions listeners wanted to know. READ MORE
February 6, 2020
The events industry is evolving and we’re seeing a rapid rate of in-house exclusive AV contracts. There are several important factors to keep in mind to ensure you get exactly what you need from a venue without unnecessary added costs. READ MORE
January 28, 2020
The National Association of Music Merchants Trade Show (NAMM) was recently held in Anaheim, CA, and there were many exciting and innovative products this year. Ben MacKinney, Audio Services Manager at Alford Media, attended the event and recaps what he saw. READ MORE
January 22, 2020
As interactive technology continues to expand, we’re excited to share Pufferfish’s latest product, the PufferTouch2+. This technology combines on-sphere touch interactivity with eye-catching visuals, bringing opportunities for attendees to fully interact with your content. READ MORE
January 8, 2020
Captivate your attendees and transport them somewhere else using an Immersive Interactive Space. Combining elements such as Absen LED panels, kinetic lighting, and our Custom Interactive System will allow for a new level of immersion for your attendees. READ MORE
December 23, 2019
LDI is one of the leading conferences and tradeshows for live design professionals from all around the globe, hosting over 14,000 members of the production community, working in a wide range of international live and broadcast venues. These are the main trends we saw within lighting. READ MORE
December 18, 2019
Our new Interactive Video system allows us to easily create and manage a wide variety of interactive displays and digital signage for events. Alford can customize the effects and combine them with additional graphics or video elements to deliver a unique effect for maximum audience impact. READ MORE
December 13, 2019
The event technology industry is bursting with new technologies and innovations. Many new developments debuted at LDI 2019, the leading conference and trade show for live design professionals from all over the world. Blake Taylor and Aaron Walters discuss these new trends. READ MORE
December 10, 2019
XLIVE convenes industry leaders at the intersection of brand events and activations, experiential marketing, music, sports, film, culinary/beverage, esports, technology, brands and the experiences that culminate at festivals and live events. These are the most notable trends that are impacting the events industry and elevating experiential events. READ MORE
December 4, 2019
Alford attended the annual Live Events & Entertainment trade show where tech with a purpose and audience immersion emerged as two themes that loomed large over the three-day conference. Allison McMahan and Dave Pooser of Alford Media discuss the recent Expo. READ MORE
November 20, 2019
In a recent survey, we asked, “What is your perception regarding the corporate meetings and events industry? Is it… growing, shrinking, stagnant, or evolving?”. The results indicate that the overwhelming majority, 66%, of respondents believe the industry is evolving. READ MORE
November 4, 2019
Thanks to new technologies and trends in event tech, corporate meetings and conferences are getting a makeover. Immersive audio and interactive engagement are just a few innovations changing the event industry. READ MORE
October 16, 2019
For attendees to want to share an event on Instagram—a primarily visual platform—there must be compelling, striking visuals. Visually-engaging stimuli—from holographic effects to unique LED or 3D digital signage—can transform experiences into an art worth sharing. READ MORE
September 9, 2019
In the events industry, anything that affects a show negatively is an emergency, and when an emergency happens it can mean doing the impossible to make sure the show goes on. Tom Alford breaks down how Alford Media responds to these situations. READ MORE
August 28, 2019
One of the often-overlooked aspects of producing large-scale business events is lighting design. As brands look to find creative ways to capture trade show audiences with content, audio, and visuals, the right lighting can enhance an immersive experience like no other. READ MORE
August 21, 2019
At our latest Innovation Experience, Art of the Possible, we hosted our guests through a tour of art and technology with a focus on immersive environments, interactive technology, and digital scenic. We wanted to inspire our clients with new ideas to create memorable experiences. READ MORE
July 26, 2019
At Alford Media, we want our team members to strive for greatness in their careers. From team-building exercises to in-depth training of intricate equipment, Spec Ops is a way of helping our people embrace their potential while also emphasizing the importance of each person’s role to the greater vision of the company. READ MORE
July 9, 2019
In the past, event technology specialists at AV companies had to manually scan each item of gear making its way to the warehouse. It’s an antiquated system that takes time, and is prone to human error. Here at Alford Media, that has changed with RFID asset tracking technology. READ MORE
July 2, 2019
Thousands of exhibitors gather at Infocomm each year to showcase new technologies and ideas. Several of our employees attended the event to see what innovative trends are coming to the market. Here are just a few of the exciting event technologies that we experienced. READ MORE
June 10, 2019
Much has changed since then in terms of technology since Alford Media was founded in 1984. The one thing that has not is how Alford treats its employees, a feeling that Dan Thompson said is “one of the best.” READ MORE
May 31, 2019
Introducing SlideMark™, a web-based app that allows audience members to bookmark and annotate slides from conference presentations. No longer will attendees need to take pictures of the screen on their phones. In addition, producers and meeting planners can receive data on what content is most engaging to the attendees. READ MORE
May 24, 2019
We know that audience engagement is a necessary part of any event. We have the products and experience to keep your attendees’ attention on your content and help create a memorable experience to keep them coming back. READ MORE
May 13, 2019
The events industry has many unique challenges, but can also bring an infinite number of exciting possibilities. On this episode of Backstage, we speak to Eric Hagström, Senior Project Manager for Alford Media, to get a better sense of these challenges and best practices for putting together an international event. READ MORE
May 10, 2019
Bring your 3D signs to life with custom, projected moving-graphics. Use 3D Digital Signage for impressive conference entrance signs, immersive digital signage in attendee space, or a simple way to liven up a 3D logo on stage. READ MORE
April 29, 2019
For the past 35 years Alford Media has specialized in video, ever evolving and changing. We’ve identified Visual Effects as a trend that has continued to increase with more requests for special projects and wow factor add-ons at events. This is a new focus for Alford, adding it to our list of services with more innovations to come. READ MORE
April 26, 2019
We are thrilled to introduce the Interactio mobile system. This system fully replaces audio streaming hardware for events, allowing streaming of any audio to listeners’ phones or tablets. READ MORE
April 10, 2019
The nature of the end-user experience at live events is changing. On today’s Backstage with Alford Media, we chat with Dan Thompson, Senior Account Manager about Alford Media’s growth into a company that embraces outward trends in a holistic fashion. READ MORE
April 4, 2019
We celebrate Alford Media’s 35th anniversary! In honor of this milestone, we sat down with Steve and Tom Alford to learn how and why they founded Alford Media, what’s changed in the industry, and what they’re most excited for going forward. READ MORE
March 21, 2019
Alford is now using RFID technology to improve operational excellence by tagging all gear and cases in order to more efficiently be tracked. Learn more here. READ MORE
March 11, 2019
Running event technology seamlessly is the bare minimum in today’s event technology world. On today’s episode of Backstage with Alford Media, we hear from Operations Manager Matthew Dietzler, and Audio Designer Jonathan Lieurance to break down this dichotomy. READ MORE
February 27, 2019
We are pleased to announce the addition of the Astera Titan LED Wireless Pixeltube to the Alford lighting department. Learn more about them here. READ MORE
February 25, 2019
Communicating with your event technology team before an event is crucial for success. In this edition of Backstage, we’re joined by Dave Pooser, Director of Product Innovation at Alford Media, to discuss Alford Media’s own collaboration platform and how it can ease the event planning process. READ MORE
February 20, 2019
We are proud to present the Vari-Lite 2600 Profile and 2600 Wash, two of three luminaires designed as the LED generation update for the popular VL2500 Series. READ MORE
February 14, 2019
Tom Alford, Executive VP and General Manager at Alford Media, explains the importance of transparency and trust in the events industry and describes the evolution of shared information and communication at Alford Media. READ MORE
January 30, 2019
Alford Media is excited to announce that Alford Access is now live! With Alford Access, you’ll only need to look one place for live, real-time access to your show. Our user-friendly dashboard is available 24/7 and allows for easy, collaborative communication between you and everyone on your event. READ MORE
January 28, 2019
The Alford Preset Remote has an exciting new update that all our users are going to love! READ MORE
January 9, 2019
The evolution of the AV industry has been fueled by technological advances that have garnered much debate through the years. In this podcast, Matthew Dietzler, Alford Operations Manager, discusses the audio transformation from analog to digital and why all audio engineers should learn to be network engineers as well. READ MORE
December 31, 2018
If asked to sum up the reason for our longevity and success in one word, it would be easy, loyalty. Steve Alford, President of Alford Media, describes the importance of loyalty to Alford and within the industry. READ MORE
December 17, 2018
Lighting plays an important role in delivering a strong message and fully engaging attendees to create a memorable experience. Kurt Wunsch, Lighting Designer, explains how in this podcast. READ MORE
November 23, 2018
LED continues to expand its presence from award shows to live concerts to corporate events. How can event producers keep their shows fresh and continue wowing attendees with the tech becoming ever more familiar? Here are some different ways to incorporate LED into your event and set your show apart. READ MORE
November 14, 2018
How is visual effects technology impacting the events industry and how can it be useful for corporate events? Shawn Lunsford, Video Service Technician, answers both of these questions and more in this podcast. READ MORE
October 31, 2018
Our Lighting Manager, Blake Taylor, Lighting Designers, Kurt Wunsch and Dominic Fanelli, and Director of Product Innovation, Dave Pooser, all attended this year’s event, discovering new ways to work, testing the latest gear, and continuing to learn all of the nuances of the industry. READ MORE
October 17, 2018
While we are typically renowned for our expertise in sound, lighting and projection, one of our more recent innovations involves an equally important, but not as obvious aspect of the event, the networks we use on site for running the gear. READ MORE
October 3, 2018
With the technology behind hologram effects becoming more cost effective and easily accessible these visual elements are a fun, engaging addition to many events and conferences. READ MORE
September 28, 2018
As Richard Branson said “Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of your clients.” That has always been Alford’s approach to superior service and engaged employees. READ MORE
September 12, 2018
As part of our commitment to always be innovating, we hosted an Innovation Experience this summer to showcase some of the latest technologies and introduce new and creative ways to utilize staple event elements that would inspire our clients and generate new ideas for their events. READ MORE
August 31, 2018
L-Acoustics Syva is great for corporate events in small ballrooms or for high-end meetings with a ground supported speaker system. With the options of black, silver, or gold, Syva can fit perfectly in any environment including intimate settings, amphitheaters, and gallery spaces. READ MORE
August 13, 2018
We take pride and place great emphasis on ensuring we have the right team for each event and every client, meaning efficient and effective travel management is also a top priority. While we aim to keep travel costs low, our primary focus is to make travel less stressful so that our technicians can concentrate on the event and put all their energy into executing a successful show. READ MORE
July 31, 2018
Through Alford Access, you’ll only need to look one place for live, real-time access to your show. Our user-friendly dashboard is available 24/7 with access to data such as your budget and equipment list, the crew list and contact information, venue information, and any related files. READ MORE
June 18, 2018
Alford is excited to introduce our new LED Wall Calculator app, capable of configuring the panel requirements for numerous types of LED wall options. READ MORE
May 17, 2018
AV over IP is a hot topic in a variety of industries where sending audio and video through simple, robust and reliable channels is an important goal. The event tech industry is one area where the ability to easily set up, use and break down equipment that fulfills those AV needs is imperative. READ MORE
May 9, 2018
Two related technologies, load cells, and Vectorworks’ Braceworks help our staff improve overhead safety for hanging lighting, speakers and screens while gaining more visibility into the planning process and reducing the time spent physically setting up a venue. READ MORE
April 20, 2018
Event planners know the many ways in which live streaming can be utilized, yet there are multiple techniques that can be revamped and freshly executed. READ MORE
April 11, 2018
A few months ago, Alford sent our Director of Product Innovation, Dave Pooser to the annual exhibitor show, Integrated Systems Europe in Amsterdam. After exploring all new technology and gathering research, Dave compiled a list of his biggest take aways. READ MORE
April 1, 2018
Lots of events try to be successful the old-fashioned way—by succeeding. This year why not make your event stand out from the crowd? If you turn it into a massive failure, it’ll be discussed for years! Check out these tips on how to maximize your failure. READ MORE
March 28, 2018
Participant experience has become a central part of the events industry’s focus, particularly when engaging all five senses of the attendees. Sight, sound, smell, touch and taste are all relevant and varied means to creating a rich and entertaining environment that captures and holds an attendee’s attention. READ MORE
March 14, 2018
Bolero is an all-new wireless intercom system capable of supporting 10 belt packs per antenna and up to 100 antennas in a single deployment. READ MORE
March 5, 2018
As part of Employee Appreciation Week, Steve Alford addressed what makes our Burgundy culture here at Alford Media truly different from the rest. READ MORE
February 28, 2018
According to a survey of 21,980 firms from 91 countries, companies with female leadership performed at higher rates and correlated with increased profitability. In the tech industry, women are far less likely to be involved in leadership and Alford Media Services is well aware of the industry’s gender disparity. READ MORE
February 27, 2018
Alford has added Shure Axient Digital, a wireless mic system that replaces the UHF-R series, to our inventory. READ MORE
February 26, 2018
Alford’s Director of Product Innovation, Dave Pooser, writes about the new and fun technologies that came out of The Special Event this year. READ MORE
