We are an original customer of Show Technology, so I guess we’ve been there for at least 30 years, however, we were involved a bit before that.
We’ve seen Show Technology grow from an idea and a leap of faith to the great company spanning Australia and New Zealand that it is today.
It’s hard to believe an ethnic DJ could accomplish so much … but it’s probably all Gina.
Oh … the stories I’ve got …
I remember having an Asian lunch with Emmanuel where we discussed what would be a good hire inventory/floor stock for a start-up production/sales shop – he gave great advice and knew what he was talking about as he’d been pretty successful with his Megatone business.
Show Technology then reached out to businesses across Australia involved in all the potential markets (Sales/Hire/Production/Installation) and the deal had you purchase some stock (I remember there were Martin 805s, 2308 controller and some disco-type lights) and you were then a Martin ‘Dealer’ and included in all the marketing. The theory is that if you used it in hire you knew the benefits.
What was interesting was that the largest lighting production company in NSW wasn’t a Martin Dealer and didn’t have access to the Martin products.
We’d just moved into our first small premises and we had a Suzuki Vitara and we covered the spare tyre cover with Martin and Claypaky stickers.
Emmanuel and Gina came up to our opening and we gave away a Martin denim jacket to a customer on the night – that customer still does the odd bit of business with us.
Around the same time, Showtech started in their first premises at Rydalmere and I can remember going there and having our son Bryce sitting on Susie’s knee while she worked.
Over the years we’ve had some memorable experiences with Showtech and the original team of DJ Emmanuel, DJ Vince, James and Phillip Ngay have been instrumental in the growth of our business and continue to do so in 2024.
Some highlights: So many, I could write a book ……
We were one of the few companies in Australia to sell some Martin PAL (Profile Automated Luminaire) – this was a huge scanner and the first light with motorised shutter blades – it weighed 75kg and we nicknamed it the “Hernia Scan”.
I remember one of the Show Technology events where Emmanuel was run off the road, crashed into, or both while Go-Cart racing by one of the Martin Dealers – I don’t think they lasted too much longer with Show Technology after that.
We did an amazing trip with Emmanuel and co to Europe in 2014, taking in Germany, Italy and Denmark, that got off to an interesting start when while on a layover for several hours on the way over EZ took us all into Hong Kong to a hotel bar where the waiter managed to spill an entire tray of bourbon and coke on me – I was soaked. He went into bat hard with the venue about them buying me a new outfit, but they wouldn’t, so as my bags were all checked to Germany I had to go out and buy a new set of clothes right then – I’ve still got the shirt.
Other highlights of that trip were guessing what colour shoes EZ would be wearing and Tony Davies eating a piece of meat bigger than his head in the old town of Bergamo.
Oh … and EZ and Caroline (my wife) being shit scared to put on the survival suit to get on the Zodiac boat across freezing water to an island near Aarhus in Denmark for what turned out to be an amazing experience and dinner. They did a deal together that they’d each go if the other did.
An ENTECH one year where we (dealers) were all pulled aside before the opening and encouraged to bring as many clients as possible to their stand and sell everything they were using on the stand – we had people arriving at the close of the show to take the gear they’d bought. I think it was that year when we all received a book – “From Order Taker to Sales Maker” to read and use the info to sell, sell, sell.
As a supplier, they’ve been supremely consistent and have some of the longest-standing brand representation for Martin Lighting and Claypaky and their other brands are also a who’s-who of long-standing and some up-and-coming brands.
But it’s not only sales … their dedication to making sure their customers are treated well with not only pricing but support, advice, information, knowledge, training and therapy make Show Technology a one-of-a-kind company and we’re so glad to still be involved with them after 30 years.