Avolites’ sales team members Steve Warren and Koy Neminathan have just returned from a highly successful workshop and demonstration mission in India.
The two day workshop, held at the King’s Banqueting Hall in Central Bombay, was a hands-on product awareness exercise aimed at increasing knowledge and enlightening existing and prospective owners about the many advantages of Avolites equipment, specifically Pearl 2000 consoles and Art dimmers.
The idea was initialised by Avolites’ Sales Director Steve Warren and organised with the help of Viraf Pocha of LIDE and Atul Sonpal of Jagmag Electric.
The workshop was attended by over 35 people from over 10 companies based in and around Bombay. Lighting designers, rental companies and a host of individuals linked directly to the burgeoning 'Bollywood' film industry (now the second largest film production market in the world) attended.
Avolites’ Steve Warren in full from during demo on a Pearl console
Pearls are currently the most popular Avo console in India – their reputation for quality and reliability going before them. Apart from those for whom the Workshop was a first hands-on experience with the desk, it also offered a chance for more experienced users to gain and exchange cool programming tips.
Alongside the three Pearls, Avolites arranged for assorted moving lights to run with each desk, and also had a Visualiser system to allow attendees to experiment and explore the consoles’ many capabilities. An Art 4000 dimmer module, owned by Benny Matthews of Super Rhythms was also supplied for the event.
For Avolites, the Workshop also provided an invaluable insight into the special requirements of the Indian market, and the implications for their equipment. In India, lighting professionals are often working in environments where getting a stable and uninterrupted power supply can be a problem, and they also have their own specific connection needs
Left to Right : Koy Neminathan & Steve Warren of Avolites Ulhas Sahasrabuddhe (SS Lights), Rakesh Ridlon (TCA), Francis Poria (SS Lights)
Some of the highest profile players in the Indian market attended, including Jagmag Electric, LIDE, Wizcraft, Super Rhythms, Roger Drego and SS Lights, proving that the standard of knowledge and competence of Avolites users in this territory is very impressive. Avolites desks are streets ahead of other commonly used lighting boards - the surfeit of channels and playbacks plus the facilities for fast and easy programming are among their best loved features.
While Avolites is already known as a top brand in professional lighting markets, Kamal Ahuja from LIDE went even further “the Pearl is not just a great desk.……it is the world’s most excellent desk” he declared enthusiastically. The interest in Avolites products in India has steadily increased since Jagmag Electric bought the first Pearl in 1995, and the reputation for the equipment being robust, efficient and good value has spread far and wide.
Steve Warren & Koy Neminathan (Avolites) – left & centre, with Chetan Merchant from Famous Light & Sound at his warehouse.
Steve Warren says, “The response to our visit was tremendous. I think it was of great help in terms of support and also in developing our relationship with the Indian users “.
It was also worthwhile in commercial terms, paying off almost immediately with several sales confirmed at the PALA show in Singapore as a direct result of the Indian trip.
Right - Viraf Pocha of LIDE and
Harold Fernandes of Wizcraft (Left) using the Pearl.
