There is no doubt. THE Conference: Live at Lititz was the place to be for touring professionals this past winter. At every turn there were familiar faces, long lost connections, and names otherwise known only on email. The industry was gathered by the hundreds, and thrilled to see each other. Hugging, high-fives, and post-pandemic elbow bumps circled the opening party, and every session after. It was fun. But more so, over 650 people arrived ready to learn and share. Crews and vendors sat together to talk about collective challenges. Memories from previous projects contributed to the brainstorms and creative solutions discovered. Former and current mentors discussed a changing industry, and helped each other start to forecast what’s to come. Panels of peers shared about new approaches and innovation for our shows and our teams. The people and conversation were both intense and funny, honest and educational. It would be safe to say everyone left with something important and new. Though, that is what usually happens after a trip to Rock Lititz.
For nearly a decade, this state-of-the-art production campus has been growing to support an evolving industry of live entertainment professionals. On campus resources ranging from design, engineering, manufacturing and crew support join the hallmark rehearsal studios in an increasing variety of sizes, to support any type of venue. In fact, with every trip to the campus, it seems a new sleek, black building pops up. Large, metal-sided structures, with pops of the signature Rock Lititz yellow, now fill most of the 108-acre property, with even more construction in the works. If you haven’t been in a while, the Lititz location now includes: large, arena and stadium rehearsal spaces Studio 1 + 2; a variety of smaller rehearsal spaces, to accommodate any-size production need; Hotel Rock Lititz, where crews can call home, and host to iconic bar Per Diem; the community hub of campus, Pod 2, which includes cafe, gym, music shop, doctor’s office, Tour Supply and more; multi-tenant buildings Pods 4 + 5, which bring the on campus vendor count to 40 companies; live venue Mickey’s Black Box; and coming in Spring 2024, the new site of the Academy of Live Technology, previously Backstage Academy (UK), to help welcome the newest industry professionals.
As they say, the industry really does get production started at Rock Lititz. Or, at least Tour Director Marty Hom does. Like most, he was first drawn to Rock Lititz for the unmatched space and proximity to vendors. He was seeking a place crew could efficiently prep for tour, while artist and dancers could also comfortably rehearse, as they stitch it all together. During already chaotic rehearsals, it helps to have access to a space unique designed for production needs.
Since the project began, the development at Rock Lititz has remained focused on creating opportunities to support the live entertainment industry, and the people who work within it. Every vendor, every support resource, every street sign all chosen with rehearsal needs in-mind. After years on the road supporting some of history’s biggest tours, Marty was pleased to see a lot of elements he expected in the emerging facilities. However, it was the unexpected benefits of a production-focused campus, that stayed with him. Anyone who has spent time on the Rock Lititz campus knows the feeling.
On any given afternoon, there might be vendors from different companies gathering to navigate the hurdles for a coming tour, or department-based meeting to explore the nuances of high performing teams. There might be students touring the facilities, and connecting with experienced mentors, ready to share. Maybe it’s a training day with one of the many campus facilities offering classes, like Columbus McKinnon (CM-ET), Yamaha, or TAIT, bringing a wave of new faces to Pod 2. In the evenings, groups inevitably end at Per Diem, amid a chorus of “what are you doing here?” as crews from different rehearsals find old friends. It’s fun, and it’s important.
THE Place for THE Conference
Marty felt that on campus. Before the end of his rehearsal, he had called long time colleagues and friends Charlie Hernandez, Jake Berry and Stuart Ross. They had been talking about hosting an event specially designed for touring professionals. Especially with all the growth in recent years, as the industry has worked to emerge from the pandemic, everyone is curious: How can crews better support each other? What kind of cool innovations and efficiencies might grow from radical collaboration? How can our teams learn from each other’s unique experiences, and push for a healthier industry? These types of questions that will only be answer if we continue to connect with each other, strengthen our shared community, and keep the solutions collaborative.
Of course, each of the guys had already gotten to know Rock Lititz through their own experiences. Jake brought one of The Studios first ever rehearsals, helping the project get some tractions. Charlie’s own son works right on campus, and the Hotel has been home to several influential gatherings for him personally and professionally. Our reputation spoke for itself as Stuart had been hearing about the work happening in Lititz. All could sense the fast-paced, highly immersive energy the campus has become known for.
Knowing these legends of our industry were set on creating an opportunity that would support this growth, Rock Lititz was the natural home for THE Conference: Live at Lititz. They would bring the experience and well-earned networks. Rock Lititz would bring a community energy and efficient campus approach, central to what the overall experience. By bringing together live entertainment professionals from across specialties day to day, Rock Lititz regularly helps facilitate these conversations . With more voices in the mix, the closer we all move to a safer, healthier and stronger industry.
A Partnership Born
The partnership proved to be both important, and fun, from the start. The team at Rock Lititz joined with CJMS in their vision to create space for touring and live event professionals to share, connect and continue learning from each other. The campus environment was an obvious and unparalleled choice. As the planning started, the two teams found they had a lot of other big goals in common, which came to be known as GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
- Focus on conversations that encourage all of us to
“Leave It Better Than We Found It” - Create engaging and actionable content
- Showcase diverse voices and experiences
- Support our words with actions
- Provide personalized, inclusive and accessible social
opportunities for everyone
The aim was clear. Build a neutral environment for the industry to engage, brainstorm, problem-solve, and organize, while having a really, really good time. Ultimately, as became obvious in year one, that is the goal for a lot of people. We want to continue doing work we love, as well as we’re able. And that’s exactly what attendees received.
A Goal Achieved and Set Again
Veteran live professionals sat next to industry newcomers to listen, share and ask each other to talk about mental health. Together, we considered creative solutions to sustainability. We challenged each other on labor issues. Relying on leaders across generations, we learned the “why” behind some big tour decisions, and shared tips on surviving life on the tour bus. At THE Conference: Live at Lititz, we were able to explore new technologies, and debate cutting-edge markets, while trusting our most influential moments would come from crew simply having the time to sit down with each other. We heard from diverse perspectives, new voices, and everyone’s favorite names. The industry showed up, and the energy of this amazing industry of professionals make the experience special.
As live entertainment evolves to represent new and different types of events, as new teams and technologies continue to emerge, now is the time to talk about these common questions. We must schedule time to pause and reflect on what’s going well, what we’re treating the newest among us, and challenge each other to solve the biggest issues, together. THE Conference: Live at Lititz created a forum for that discuss to begin.
Rock Lititz is proud to partner in that pursuit for year two of THE Conference: Live at Lititz, and beyond. Building on the dialogue started in year one, together we hope to continue pushing toward the most creative, efficient and collaborative solutions for the live entertainment industry. This December, at least 800 crew professionals will make the trip back to Lititz to contribute to these important industry conversations.
Expect to see a few new buildings. Know we are planning on even more industry newcomers. Watch for a versatile mix of speakers, all offering insight derived from personal experiences. There will be additional, specific Meet Up time for networking, additional access to nonprofits, and representation from the Academy of Live Technology. Every piece of the week is being designed with crew audiences in mind. Look forward to more discussions, more mentorship pairings, more crew support, more unique opportunities, and knowing Rock Lititz, a lot more fun.
Tickets are going fast for THE Conference: Live at Lititz 2023. If you’d like to join for an impactful few days, make sure to lock in your travel now. And don’t forget your hotel! The preference housing partner is The Marriott in Downtown Lancaster, to which you can find a link on webpage. You can buy tickets and learn more at www.theconferenceliveatlititz.com.
