[Fort Caswell, NC 2020] On the southeastern tip of North Carolina sits Fort Caswell, a former US military stronghold that guarded the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Since 1949, the North Carolina Baptist State Convention has owned and operated the oceanside retreat center. Each year the facilities host a countless number of live events and gatherings of all ages; including but not limited to summer church retreats/camps, live concerts, and Civil War Round Table events. The main auditorium on the Fort Caswell Campus is Hatch Auditorium which can accommodate an attendance of up to 1,000 people. As a result, each summer thousands of kids from all over North Carolina (and the surrounding states) attend worship events in Hatch Auditorium. Fort Caswell’s staff is committed to continuous upkeep and improvement on not only their already beautiful grounds, but also their buildings, and the technology within. This is where Landmark Audio Video is introduced into the equation.
Since the mid 2000’s Landmark Audio Video, or LAV, has been servicing the east coast. LAV is a custom design build Audio, Video, and Lighting Integrator headquartered in Hampstead, North Carolina. During the final quarter of 2020, LAV and Fort Caswell Retreat Center reached an agreement to update the Theatrical and Architectural Lighting System(s) within Hatch Auditorium. This is the first time since the 1980’s that the system has been completely redesigned. Landmark installed a motorized lighting system that included Martin fixtures and one of the first GrandMA3 consoles, by MA Lighting, on the east coast.
2 time Emmy, 4 time Grammy, 17-time #1 music producer and Billboard Producer of the Decade, Steve Ivey, is involved as a seasonal consultant for the BeDoTell ministry of BSCNC with music and production. Steve had this to say about Landmark and the aforementioned project. “I am involved with the music and production for BeDoTell youth conferences at Fort Caswell and am excited about the amazing work of Landmark helping the facility recover from some weather related events. I worked closely with Landmark and they led us down the right path to repair and then install a state of the art production which will be an amazing element to the conferences. The North Carolina Baptist’s commitment to the growing needs of youth ministry is outstanding, and having the tools necessary to continue to reach them is very important. Landmark advised us and installed this new system which will have a big impact on our ability to effectively minister to the youth of NC. I worked closely with Jesse (Jesse Thompson, Project Manager) and Landmark and am highly appreciative and impressed with their commitment to excellence in their work.”
Jesse Thompson, Project Manager for Landmark Audio Video said “Working with the wonderful staff at Fort Caswell, Steve Ivey, and the Baptist Convention has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my professional career. Everyone involved was dedicated to getting this job done right and I am very glad we (LAV) got to be a part of updating Hatch Auditorium to current generation technology. Working in and for churches is a big part of Landmark’s past and we are working tirelessly to make it an even bigger part of our future. I am really looking forward to seeing the place packed out and back to worshiping once everyone can once again meet safely”.