Cocopah Casino & Resort Event Center
Design-Build AV Integration for a Multi-Use Event Facility
| Client | Cocopah Casino & Resort |
|---|---|
| Location | Somerton, Arizona |
| Project | New Event Center and associated banquet, conference, circulation, concession, restroom, and public areas |
| Delivery | Design-Build Commercial AV Integration |
| Public Venue Capacity | Groups from 10 to 2,000; largest Event Center room listed for up to 2,000 theater-style |
| Core Systems | Professional audio, distributed audio, AV-over-IP, projection, control, stage lighting, digital signage, and AV networking |
Design-Build AV Integration From the Ground Up
WOW Electronics provided design-build audio, video, control, stage lighting, digital signage, and AV networking for the new Cocopah Casino & Resort Event Center.
With no existing AV consultant design or system specification to follow, WOW Electronics developed the technology plan from the ground up. The project covered the main Event Center, three banquet and conference rooms, circulation areas, concession areas, restrooms, and other public spaces.
The objective was not to make every area operate the same way. Each space received an AV system matched to its purpose, while selected systems were connected where sharing audio, video, or control provided a practical benefit.
WOW Electronics worked directly with manufacturer engineering teams during the design process. dBTechnologies assisted with electro-acoustic modeling of the main Event Center, while Sonance engineers helped model loudspeaker coverage for the conference and circulation areas. That engineering work established system architecture and loudspeaker placement before final installation and commissioning.
Professional Event Center Audio
The main Event Center received a permanent professional sound system built around dBTechnologies VIO line arrays. Fourteen VIO L208 modules are flown in two seven-box arrays, supported by six VIO S118 subwoofers.
An Allen & Heath SQ-6 digital console, AHM-32 processing, and DT-series networked audio interfaces provide mixing, processing, and remote audio connectivity. Shure ULX-D digital wireless microphones support presentations, entertainment, and other Event Center functions requiring professional wireless audio.
A dedicated NETGEAR M4250 AV network supports the networked audio infrastructure. The completed system gives Cocopah a permanently installed production platform for concerts, presentations, corporate functions, and large live events.
A Separate Audio System for Everyday Use
The main line arrays are not required for every function held in the Event Center. WOW Electronics installed a separate Sonance distributed-audio system for meetings, banquets, background music, and smaller functions, allowing staff to use an audio system appropriate to the scale of the event.
Audio That Follows the Event
Separate Sonance distributed audio serves circulation areas, hallways, public spaces, and restrooms throughout the facility. The system can operate independently for normal background audio or receive program audio from the main Event Center.
During a live performance, attendees who leave the main room can continue hearing the event while moving through the facility or visiting the restrooms. This keeps the event experience connected beyond the doors of the main room.
Large-Format Projection Throughout the Facility
WOW Electronics installed seven Sony professional laser projectors across the facility. The main Event Center uses a Sony VPL-FHZ85 paired with a 220-inch motorized Draper projection screen flown above the stage.
Six Sony VPL-PHZ51 projectors serve the three banquet and conference rooms, with two projection systems in each room. The projection systems are integrated into the larger AV distribution and control environment rather than operating as standalone presentation equipment.
Professional Stage Lighting
WOW Electronics also designed and installed the Event Center production-lighting system using CHAUVET Professional Ovation Rêve fixtures with ChamSys QuickQ control.
Ovation Rêve E-3 IP ellipsoidal fixtures and P-3 IP PAR fixtures provide stage, wash, color, and production lighting for live entertainment, presentations, and special events. A ChamSys QuickQ Rack provides permanent venue control while supporting handoff to another production lighting console when an event requires its own operator or show-control setup.
Three Flexible Banquet & Conference Rooms
The three banquet and conference rooms operate independently from the facility circulation-audio system. Each room has its own AV capabilities while participating in the Crestron networked AV architecture.
Each room includes Crestron DM NVX video distribution, DM NAX networked audio, Sony laser projection, Draper motorized projection screens, Sonance room audio, and Crestron control.
Local connections give presenters and event staff direct access to HDMI through Crestron DM NVX, Bluetooth through Crestron DM NAX, and professional XLR audio through Crestron DM NAX. The rooms can operate independently while still providing the routing flexibility needed as the dividable spaces change configuration.
Crestron Control Where Staff Need It
Fixed Crestron touch panels are positioned at key operating locations, including both sides of the banquet-room area, the AV engineering room, and the Event Center stage.
Authorized staff can also access the programmed control interface from phones and tablets. This allows employees to move throughout the venue and make AV adjustments without returning to a single fixed control location.
Digital Signage Throughout the Facility
WOW Electronics installed 14 Samsung commercial displays for digital signage and concession messaging: four at the main concession stand, two at the Event Center concession stand, and eight at banquet and conference-room entrances.
The signage provides dedicated display locations for menus, event information, room identification, and other guest messaging throughout the facility.
From Design Through Final Commissioning
WOW Electronics remained involved through system programming, configuration, testing, tuning, and final commissioning.
The Event Center audio system was measured using REW-based acoustic testing to evaluate system response and balance the main arrays, subwoofers, and supporting loudspeakers. Manufacturer-assisted modeling established the design foundation, while field measurements and commissioning allowed the completed systems to be evaluated and adjusted in the finished venue.
The Result
The completed Event Center gives Cocopah different technology platforms for different types of events without forcing every space to operate the same way.
Large productions have dedicated professional audio and stage lighting. Smaller Event Center functions have a separate Sonance audio system. The banquet rooms have independent local inputs, projection, audio, and control. Public spaces remain independent while retaining the ability to carry live-event audio throughout the building when desired.
Staff can control the systems from fixed Crestron touch panels or from authorized phones and tablets as they move throughout the venue.
The design-build approach allowed WOW Electronics to develop the technology around how the facility would actually operate rather than install from a predetermined AV package.
Project Technology
| System | Technology |
|---|---|
| Professional Audio | 14 dBTechnologies VIO L208 line-array modules; 6 VIO S118 subwoofers; Allen & Heath SQ-6, AHM-32, and DT-series networked I/O; Shure ULX-D digital wireless |
| Distributed Audio | Sonance Professional Series loudspeakers and Sonance DSP amplification |
| AV Distribution | Crestron DM NVX video distribution and DM NAX networked audio |
| Local Room Inputs | Crestron NVX HDMI; Crestron NAX Bluetooth; Crestron NAX XLR audio |
| Control | Crestron touch panels plus authorized mobile phone and tablet control |
| Projection | 1 Sony VPL-FHZ85 in the Event Center; 6 Sony VPL-PHZ51 projectors across the three banquet rooms; Draper motorized screens; 220-inch Event Center screen |
| Stage Lighting | CHAUVET Professional Ovation Rêve E-3 IP and P-3 IP fixtures; ChamSys QuickQ Rack control |
| Digital Signage | 14 Samsung commercial displays: 4 main concession, 2 Event Center concession, 8 banquet/conference entrances |
| AV Networking | NETGEAR M4250 AV switching |
Planning a Hospitality or Event-Space AV Project?
WOW Electronics designs and integrates commercial audio, video, control, stage lighting, digital signage, and AV networking for event centers, hospitality venues, and other large-scale commercial facilities. From initial design through final commissioning, the goal is a technology platform built around how the venue actually operates.
