SJE WEFTEC Video Production Project
Written By: Joe Tjosvold and Jacob Shilman
Published: 8/7/2025
We love an excuse to swap our desks for camera bags and adventure.
A few weeks ago, we (Joe and Jacob) packed up our gear, grabbed a couple of large coffees, and hit the road from Nashville, Tennessee to Chicago for WEFTEC, the largest annual water quality conference and exhibition in North America.
What is WEFTEC?
If you’ve never heard of it, WEFTEC is basically the Super Bowl for water professionals. It’s held at McCormick Place, which is the largest convention center in North America. To give you an idea of scale, it’s so massive that we had to plan our filming routes just to make sure we didn’t accidentally walk five miles before lunch.
Everywhere you look, there’s something happening. Booths filled with high-tech equipment, live demos, workshops, and people talking passionately about clean water solutions. For us, that means one thing: endless opportunities for storytelling.
Capturing the SJE Story
SJE came ready to make an impact. Their booth wasn’t just a booth; it was an experience. They had multiple brands and products on display, each showcasing the technology that keeps water and wastewater systems running across North America.
Their team flew in from all over the country, and it was clear how much pride they took in what they do. For us, that kind of energy is contagious. It makes video production easy because you can feel the authenticity in every interaction.
Our job was to help capture that spirit. We created a full library of content, including:
Initiative videos that highlight SJE’s mission and values
Division highlights for their ECS and CLT sales teams
A testimonial video featuring one of their reps
Episodes for the “Why I’m Proud to Be SJE” series
Every video connected back to SJE’s Value Creation Plan, a company-wide initiative that celebrates innovation, teamwork, and people.
Joe’s Perspective
The first thing I wanted to do when we landed in Chicago was eat pizza. But priorities had to wait because we had work to do.
Before filming began, we met with the SJE team to scout their booth. It was one of the most impressive setups I’ve ever seen at a trade show. There were so many creative angles and interactive areas that we instantly started planning how to cover everything without missing a beat.
Filming in an environment like WEFTEC is a mix of excitement and challenge. The lighting constantly changes, the sound levels are unpredictable, and there are people everywhere. You have to be fast, creative, and respectful of the client’s space because they’re doing real business while you’re filming.
That’s where having Jacob with me made all the difference. He thrives in fast-paced environments and knows how to adapt quickly without missing a shot. Watching him bounce between interviews, product demos, and crowd footage was like watching a live-action version of Tetris, everything fitting perfectly in the chaos.
After filming wrapped for the day, we’d trade our cameras for sneakers and hit the streets of Chicago. We walked to the Navy Pier, explored downtown, and even took an Uber to the South Side to grab a slice at Phil’s Pizzeria. Because if you’re going to do Chicago right, you have to try the real deep dish.
Jacob’s Perspective
From a videographer’s point of view, WEFTEC was heaven. Everywhere I looked, there was something to capture: massive LED screens, complex machinery, passionate people, and enough energy to power its own light grid.
The coolest part for me was how every shot felt like part of a bigger story. Whether it was an SJE team member explaining how a product worked or someone smiling proudly beside their display, you could feel their dedication. That’s what video marketing is all about. It’s not just showing what a company does; it’s showing why it matters.
When the cameras finally stopped rolling, I loved getting to explore the city. We checked out Buckingham Fountain, wandered through art installations, and walked along the edge of Lake Michigan watching the boats drift across the skyline. It’s those quiet, in-between moments that remind you how cool it is to get to travel for work.
And yes, I had deep-dish pizza for the first time. I’m usually not a fan of thick crust, but this changed my mind completely. The crust was buttery and perfect, the cheese pulled for miles, and the sauce had a sweetness that makes you instantly want another slice.
The Challenge and the Reward
Shooting at a conference like WEFTEC pushes every creative skill you have. You have to deal with crowds, noise, and unpredictable lighting. But that’s what makes it fun. There’s no script, no second takes. You capture the story as it unfolds.
One of the biggest challenges was managing audio. With thousands of people talking at once, getting clean sound felt like trying to film in the middle of a rock concert. We used lav mics, directional mics, and even found quiet corners tucked behind booth walls to get the best results.
In the end, all those little adjustments paid off. When we reviewed the footage, we could see that everything we hoped to capture was right there on screen!
Chicago After Hours
Once the filming wrapped, we finally got to enjoy a little bit of the city. Chicago has this incredible mix of modern architecture and historic character. Every corner feels like a movie set.
We walked the waterfront, listened to street musicians, and admired how the skyline reflects over the lake at sunset. It’s easy to see why people fall in love with this city.
For us, these moments outside of filming matter too. They help us recharge creatively. Whether it’s the art, the energy, or the smell of pizza in the air, it all feeds into how we tell stories through video.
Why Trips Like This Matter
When we started Chezy, our goal was to make video production simple, affordable, and accessible for businesses everywhere. But projects like this remind us that it’s also deeply personal.
We get to meet amazing people, explore new places, and tell stories that actually mean something. Whether it’s a local business in North Dakota, a healthcare client in Tennessee, or a nationwide brand like SJE, the purpose is the same: capture authenticity.
Traveling for projects like WEFTEC also connects the dots between our two home bases in Fargo and Nashville. It reminds us that no matter where we go, good storytelling works everywhere.
That’s the beauty of video marketing. It’s not just about promoting a product. It’s about showing the faces, voices, and emotions behind it. A trade show like WEFTEC might only last a few days, but the videos we create will keep telling SJE’s story all year long.
Looking Back (and Ahead)
When we think about WEFTEC, what stands out most isn’t just the massive booths or the cool technology. It’s the people. The SJE team showed us what it looks like when a company truly believes in its mission.
Trips like this also remind us why we started Chezy in the first place. We love telling stories. We love creating. And we love helping businesses across North Dakota, Tennessee, and beyond use video marketing to grow, inspire, and connect.
We left Chicago with tired feet, full memory cards, and a few too many pizza recommendations. But more importantly, we left with gratitude for clients like SJE, for experiences that push us creatively, and for a job that lets us see the world through a camera lens.
So, until next time, Chicago. Save us a slice.
And to the SJE team, thank you for trusting us to tell your story.
If you’re a company looking to share your story through video production, whether you’re in Fargo, Nashville, or anywhere in between, we’d love to bring it to life.
Want more stories like this? Check out our latest travel and video blogs on our blog page!
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