Behind the Big Dome is its gazebo, where more than 800 conference crew, performers, volunteers, and suppliers took their meals or got their coffee fixes. There, more than 6,200 packs of food, 3,000 cups of coffee, and 750 gallons of drinking water were ordered and distributed. People would be in and out of the gazebo from 5:30am til 10pm. Afterwards, the technical crew and volunteers who were booked at a hotel just across Aurora Boulevard would crash there for the night, oblivious to the noise from the marathon videoke sessions next door. 

The preparations started as early as 12:00am on July 19. Suppliers of audio-visual equipment, sound and lighting systems, stage, LED screens, cameras, plasma TV monitors, and pyrotechnics did their ingress and setup until late afternoon. After that, they did test runs for technical equipment followed by technical dress rehearsals of the talents inC’s presentations. Amid the boxes and cables, volunteers prepared the lineups for the worship and preachings on laptops: One team for the LED screens, the other for the scoreboard. There were also two technical directors who 'mixed' the audio and video presentations. Adjacent to the technical booth were the translators’ booths and reserved seats for foreign delegates who need translation. Less noisy but equally frenetic was the Production Room, which served as storage, meeting room, and quieter place to ‘power nap’ on Mae’s airbed, sometimes two or three at a time. Total worktime: 27 hours

After just a couple of hours of break (if they can), the technical team and suppliers did line checks for sounds, lights, and video, then sound checks for the musicians and worship team. There was just enough time for final technical check before the gates opened at 12noon. While the delegates streamed in, ushers and security directed the people to their proper color sections. At the Red Gate, the registration committee was busy distributing color-coded IDs, printing new ones for the walk-ins, and doing a great job of crowd control management.

Less than an hour after the program started, the production crew started receiving text messages about unclear audio reception in the green section. The audio experts remedied this during the break while many of the delegates went out to Gateway Mall or stayed and bought food and drinks from vendors and hawkers inside the coliseum. In Gateway Mall, the Kids Church and Children's Church provided pre-ordered dinner packs for the children.

Meanwhile, suppliers and volunteers were busy setting up the stage, installing the Nintendo Wii equipment and the pyrotechnics for the evening's presentation while the halftime committee prepped the contestants. Hosts rehearsed lines from cue cards and put finishing touches to their make-up and attire. There was another round of line check and props setup before the evening's presentation. I was in and out of the arena, coordinating the delivery of giveaway pillows for the green section delegates ("the ends of the earth"). Total worktime: 15 hours.

Saturday schedule was almost a repeat performance of Friday, except for the pillow distribution and the halftime event of EN's Funniest Home Videos. Total worktime: 15 hours. Some of the technical and registration teams gathered in the VIP room to unwind by telling about bloopers, unnoticed by the audience but causes of panic for the stage managers and production assistants.

The last and final day of the conference, I only saw part of the Nigerians’ practice for their presentation before rushing out for errands. I got back just as Pastor Steve was ending his sermon. After the conference officially ended, the technical team and suppliers started packing up for their egress. Just before leaving, we gathered in the Production Room for photo sessions and prep for afternoon services at various Metro Manila churches. Total worktime: 7 hours.

All in all, EN.07 was an exhausting, exciting, and exhilarating experience for me.  World Conference 2010… bring it on!!!