ETC’s first International Workshop a success

Every two years in Madison, Wisconsin, ETC hosts Workshop, an educational event used to train and share new information with industry dealers, reps, and distributors. This summer, for the first time, the event was opened internationally. The week-long event started July 12th, and brought 313 dealers, reps, and distributors from 34 countries to the ETC headquarters. "Workshop is ETC's best opportunity to bring our sales family together. This was definitely ETC's most successful Workshop ever," says Patti Tuttrup, ETC marketing events specialist.

A day of international sales meetings and tours of ETC's Wisconsin-based manufacturing facilities in Middleton and Mazomanie kicked off the event. For many of the international Workshop attendees, this was the first time they saw the ETC factories in person. They were able to see where the products they sell come from and meet the people who make them.  

On Wednesday, July 13th, Fred Foster, ETC CEO, took to the stage with his keynote address, Reflections on 40 Years of ETC . His stories began in 1975, with the birth of the company and the creation of the first ETC lighting console. He quickly moved through 40 years of ETC memories, touching on noteworthy installations and company milestones, always crediting the large family of ETC dealers, reps, distributors, and employees for the company's continued success.

That evening, attendees were treated to a picnic at ETC's headquarters that featured local food carts, Wisconsin beer, and some friendly competition as attendees took part in Tech Games that included assembling a Source Four ^® fixture, hanging and focusing a fixture, and laying out keycaps on an Ion ^® console.

Classes on rigging, consoles, lighting fixtures, architectural control, and more, as well as an additional keynote by Dr. Kevin Houser, professor of Architectural Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, kept attendees busy for the remaining days.

To thank the Workshop attendees for their hard work, commitment, and support over ETC's 40-year history, ETC hosted a banquet on the final evening at Madison's Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, overlooking picturesque Lake Monona. "We've grown because of you," says Fred Foster, ETC CEO, to the attendees. "You've embraced our products, our company, and our culture, and helped the world see the passion we share for the industry. I cannot thank you enough for that."

The next Workshop for ETC's reps, dealers, and distributors will be in 2018. Next summer, ETC will bring back its popular CUE professional-development conference, welcoming end users from around the world to Madison for a one-of-a-kind experience. Dates for CUE will be announced soon.