Michael T. Strickland, Bandit's chair and founder, found himself deeply touched. "I was moved in a way I will never be moved again," he said. "To be in a room with that much greatness... simply defies explaining."
As a sponsor of the event, Bandit Lites donated more than a year's worth of labour, equipment and funds to ensure these Medal of Honour recipients received the star treatment they so richly deserved.
"It's a labour of love," said Strickland of the work chairman Joe Thompson and his committee did to bring the event to Knoxville. "It's a huge event and very significant, and they got it here. We're honoured to be part of it and to be involved."
"When I am asked to be involved with an event for our nation's heroes, I know I have been given a great responsibility." said Kim Frame of Washington D.C. based Webster Group who worked as the convention planners. "I was so fortunate that CMOH had a close relationship with Bandit Lites. I have worked over the years with their people and gear, but now I was finally in their hometown."
The four day long convention included a performance by The Charlie Daniels Band and closed with The Patriot Gala, a glittering celebration hosted by actor Gary Sinise, where four civilians, including U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice and Army veteran Samuel Alito Jr. and actor Mark Wahlberg were recognized for their support of the military.
"I have always known Bandit as a concert lighting company; however, two of our events were programme oriented with almost no musical element. These events were about speaking, video rolls, and large scenery. Bandit's lighting of these events was so elegant that it took our guests breath away when they walked into the room. The space was truly transformed. The concert lighting for The Charlie Daniels Band was everything Bandit is known for, but we also had to showcase military components, speaking, and video as well."
Lighting for the events included MAC 2000, VL 2500 spots, Coemar Infinity Wash XL's, GLP Impressions, GRNLite LED Battens and Pars, grandMA and Road Hog consoles.
"Bandit once again proved they are a multi-faceted lighting company," added Frame. "From the talented designers to the cool headed operators, no matter how much we threw at them they just handled it."
(Jim Evans)
