"The Current" - Newsletter, August 2008


	*In this Issue:* Meet the CDP Staff New Product Spotlight Awesome New Web Features Five Tips: Event Safety

Meet the CDP Staff

Check out our ongoing video series that gives you the inside scoop on what CDP is all about. Meet the team, hear the stories. We share why we're so excited to work with you...

New Product Spotlight

3D Bradfords

A new twist on our most popular product! 3D Bradfords are a revolutionary three-dimensional fabric shape that fits onto our existing Bradford Panel for a cool new look!

Specs (per section):

Height — 4'
Width — 4'

Add $50 to the Stock Rental Price per 4' x 4' section

3D Leaves

Give your guests a 3D experience! Our 3D Leaves fit right onto our existing Leaf product, giving you the pop you're looking for at a reasonable price. Add it to your design today!

Specs:

Height — 6'

Width — 10'

Add $150 to the Stock Rental Price for one Leaf

Awesome New Web Features

Our web team is proud to introduce some new features on our website that make searching our products easier than ever! Check out what's new this month:

	Expanded Pictures Hover your mouse over any thumbnail image on our sitemap and instantly see a larger preview
	More Options Right-click any image on our website and find a whole list of useful options, including: print-friendly pages, information request links, and more!
	Recently Viewed Items Check out our handy list of your recently viewed items on the left side of the screen. Hover over the items to see a larger preview, or click to go back to the product page. When you come back to our site later, your preferences are saved for future browsing.
	Print-Friendly Pages Now you can view all of our products using the "Print Friendly Page." Just click the link and you can print out a big picture with all the useful information attached.

We're always looking for new ways to make your experience more enjoyable. If there's a feature you'd like to see on our site, please email us and tell us all about it!

Five Tips: Event Safety

Event safety is usually the last thing on a stressed producer's mind when there are so many things to be done. The lights, audio, staging, and talent all have to mesh just the right way for the production to be a success — it can be a real challenge! Though accidents don't occur often, they can be devastating for your guests and your reputation when they do. Why take the chance? Here's a refresher on some great safety tips that you can use to make sure your event goes off without a hitch:

A Sticky Situation
Hanging In The Balance
Watch Your Head
A Whole Lot of Power
Have An Exit Strategy

A Sticky Situation

Slick and uneven surfaces can be a challenge when it comes to keeping your guests and talent safe. Use cable ramps to cover all exposed cable and mark clearly with glow tape. Remember that tape alone does not adequately cover cables in high-traffic areas. Slick stage decks can also pose a hazard to your participants. Try using water, a little leftover cola, and a mop to make your stage just sticky enough so that it has some grip.

Hanging In The Balance

Be sure to safety-tie any elements that could topple over on the public, for both seismic and wind concerns. Even an HVAC system or an open door can cause a collapse if your elements aren't secure. If you are using overhead, suspended (rigged) equipment, use certified gear as designed with professionally trained riggers. Remember: if there is ever a doubt, ask before you hang.

Watch Your Head

Your crew is important to you and the last thing you want is a member of your team getting hurt! The two most common injuries during productions are pinched fingers and back strains. Make a habit of equipping your crew with fitted gloves and back braces when moving heavy equipment. In the event on an injury, be prepared with a fully-stocked First Aid Kit and keep a list of all local emergency care on hand, including the venue EMT and the nearest urgent care center.

A Whole Lot of Power

It takes a lot of juice to power the incredible designs that are a hallmark of today's events. Stay safe by using a professional electrician for all tie-in and lighting needs. Make sure to professionally meter and balance all electrical loads. Know where the venue's breakers are and how to access them. It's also a good idea to pick up some extra fuses — just in case the lights go out at an inconvenient time!

Have An Exit Strategy

Don't get stuck without a way out! Keep all doorways and walkways clear. Laws can vary from state to state, but minimum aisle-ways are usually 32" wide. Know how many exists are required to be maintained for your patrons in attendance. Finally, get to know the Fire Marshal when planning your event. If you bring him or her into the fold early enough, you'll catch any bugs before they can ruin your event.