How to Keep Your Audience's Attention...

How can you make a strong first impression to the audience? You can do that by using water. One way meeting planners keep the audience interested is by 

projecting images through a 

wall of water. 

Water walls can be used onstage, mid-room or on a back wall as projection screens, or in a trade show booth. The water screens provide the unique visual experience of glimmering, rushing cascades, along with the rippling sounds of falling water. The screens work by creating a thin film of water ideal for rear projection of video, lasers, gobos (which created illuminated elements such as logos), and other lighting effects. The projection source can be a laser, video projector, or lighting fixtures with gobos, making images appear to float in front of the audience. The water falls from an overhead nozzle system into a basin, where it is recirculated by a high pressure pump. The surrounding area stays dry, with performers or speakers behind the system unaffected by the curtain of water. The systems are available in six or seven foot wide sections that can be joined to create screen sizes of 40 feet (or more) in width, with a screen height of 15 to 20 feet. Screens can be set up conventionally or to surround guests. 

There are also fog screens, which as created by using water to create a thin, suspended layer of dry fog that enables projection of images that appear to float. These are great for grand entrances and exits through laser or video-projected company logos, as well as for themed event content. 

Unfortunately, there are limitations like any technology. The water screens work best with low ambient light, so it can't be used during day time events. The technology is fairly costly. One manufacturer, Prina sells a seven-foot section with a screen, ejector, tank, hose, water pumps, and filtration system for $18,900. Most planners rent either through a production house or from a manufacturer like Prina, where the daily rental is $2,300. The longer the rental, the lower the price and it is estimated that three days would run $3,500, plus shipping. 

Nonetheless, water screens are becoming popular because of its eye-catching effects. They have been used at corporate meetings, orchestra performances, award ceremonies, etc. I think that this technology is definitely a plus for meeting planners to be aware of since it provides a different way to keep the audience's attention.