 The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture realized that in order to continue hosting the largest agricultural show on the east coast they would have to expand their facility to accommodate a growing number of exhibitors. The Administrators decided to solve the space issue by expanding the original structure with a new front entrance, main lobby, exhibit hall, equine arena, equine barn and outdoor animal exercise area. To allow for movement of visitors and animals, a two level concourse was built between the original facility and the new areas.
The PA Department of Agriculture worked with international consultant Shen, Milsom & Wilke, Inc., to provide A/V design services for the project. Once the design was finalized, SAGE Technology Solutions, Inc. was chosen as the qualified local contractor to provide equipment integration and installation services for the project. SAGE's headquarters are only a few miles from the PA State Farm Show facility and was a perfect fit to provide prompt service for a system of this scope.
SAGE Delivers:
 One of the initial challenges was how to provide sound reinforcement and paging to a facility that may be a rodeo arena one day and a ball room the next? Not only did the system need to provide high quality audio, but needed to be flexible enough to route signals from one zone to another as would be required for the calendar of events. SAGE chose the Peavey Media Matrix Main Frame with Custom Programming and AMX Control as the logical choice to meet changing needs, while remaining manageable for the facility staff to operate.
 Through the use of the AMX Touch Screen and a custom graphical user interface (GUI), SAGE was able to seamlessly integrate the complete audio/visual system: making preparations for the many different events at the Farm Show fast and effortless. The configurations for an RV Show, for example, can be saved as a Preset within the GUI Screens to avoid having to reprogram the audio/visual system each time the Farm Show hosts an RV event.
Cutting Edge Audio/Visual Technology:
 The new A/V system allows all audio and video in the newly constructed areas to be controlled from one location. All necessary controls such as volume and source selection are performed through an "easy to use" touch screen located in the main A/V equipment room. These same controls can also be accessed over the facility's local area network. This flexibility will allow the Farm Show to control the audio and video while sitting in the new Equine Arena, Exhibition Hall or even from their office.
Solutions Provided by SAGE:
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- Flexible Audio and Video Matrix allows for simultaneous operation of many programs
- Each designated destination can be used independently of other areas
- Microphone and line level inputs are provided in the eight Exhibition Hall Zones and the Equine Arena
- Wireless microphones available for use throughout the new areas
- Background music available from CD changers and cassette decks
- Plasma screens in the lobby and TV's in the link used to display event schedules, cable TV stations or other video sources
- Cameras in the Exhibition Hall and Equine Arena provide a view of the rooms and can be recorded by dedicated VCR's
- Video sources can be viewed over the local area network, allowing potential clients the opportunity to view the facilities remotely
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Equipment Highlights:
- AMX NetLinx Integrated Controller
- Peavey MediaMatrix Audio, Communication and Media Systems Processor
- Pelco PTZ Color Cameras installed in Exhibit Hall and Equine Area
- AKG Acoustics Wireless Handheld and Lavalier Microphones
- CD Player, Cassette Deck & VCR Audio/Visual Display Capabilities
- B&C 12" Coaxial Exhibit Hall Speakers
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Overcoming Challenges:
 Due to project construction delays by the other trades, time was the most critical factor for delivery and startup of the systems. SAGE Technology Solutions had only 16 calendar days to complete the installation and fine tuning of the systems for the biggest event of the year, The 2003 Pennsylvania State Farm Show. SAGE worked in coordination with the site electrical contractor, Edwin L. Heim Co., to complete the project for opening day of the 2003 Farm Show in what seemed to be an impossible time frame. But as they say in the business, " The show must go on !"
Ongoing Capability Improvements:
 SAGE Technology Solutions recently completed the installation of a Complex-wide wireless voice/data network at the Farm Show. The system is designed to give the exhibitors at the Farm Show Complex access to the World Wide Web for demonstrating their products online and also to telephone service for completing credit card transactions in real-time. With the many functions of the Complex' exhibit areas, installing "hard-wired drops" for these purposes was not possible: wireless was the only option! SAGE works with the Farm Show prior to exhibitor arrivals to activate the services and remains on-site as Technical Support as needed. The Farm Show has the potential to reach half of the country's population within an eight-hour drive of Harrisburg ; giving the PA Farm Show the potential to be The Premier Farm Show Exhibit Hall on the East Coast. The technology installed by SAGE Technology Solutions gets them one step closer to achieving their goals. |
