Philippe Kwon loves to think outside of the box. Philippe is President of Canadian Event Production Services (CANEPS), an audio, visual, and lighting company located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. CANEPS provides consulting and technical services for meetings, live events, venues, weddings, recording acts, and production companies across Canada and the United States.
CANEPS has built a reputation for making the impossible happen, and they use Anchor Audio systems to do it.
Philippe talked with us at InfoComm '24 about solving real-world communication challenges with Anchor Audio products. He sounds like a bit of a McGyver in his tales...
Like the wedding in a remote area by a dam. What started as an innocent request ("Can you provide a sound system for our outdoor wedding?") quickly turned epic.
"The wedding venue was an outdoor clearing, far off the beaten path in the middle of nowhere. We had to hike quite a way to get to it, with makeshift backpacks carrying all of the equipment. It was located beside a dam, and the dam running. It was so noisy!" says Kwon.
"We brought 4 Liberty PA systems, and a Walkman (dating ourselves) for music. We mic'd the couple up with wireless lapel mics. It actually turned out pretty nice. Everyone was able to hear the ceremony and the music."
Philippe Kwon and Jean Scally take a moment between tales for a selfie at InfoComm '24.
Kwon continued, "In 2003 we had an event at an airport. They were officially opening a new runway. Our challenge was to provide the PA system so that everyone could hear the speakers."
"The event was being held right on the new runway. There are not any power outlets on runways, so we knew we were going to use Anchor speakers.The other runway was still active and there were planes taking off and landing throughout the ceremony. We knew the background noise was going to be loud."
"We used four Liberty speakers, pointed directly at the audience. Luckily, it was not going to be a massive crowd so this would cover it. We were also concerned about possible interference with the airport tower communications, so we used a wired mic. It was another successful event!"
"I think we started developing a reputation as the go-to company for events in loud places." Kwon joked.
But he wasn't joking. CANEPS got a contract to provide the sound at a fireworks show.
"We solved that one with Bigfoot systems. It's amazing how easy it was to set up the speakers so the music could be heard over the fireworks. We've done this show several times since." said Kwon.
He continued, "We love Anchor Audio systems. They help us provide solutions in a lot of tricky places."
Did we call Philippe McGyver? ...We meant to say Superhero! His superpowers include bringing sound to the most unlikely places and delivering amazing events.