Join AV Technology's Cindy Davis and Systems Contractor News' Mark J. Pescatore on Aug. 7 at Convene at One Liberty Plaza, located in the heart of Lower Manhattan, for a full day of peer networking, deep-dive panel sessions, and one-to-one meetings with manufacturers. And because you asked for it, attending the AV/IT Summit has been approved for four AVIXA RUs for CTS.

Seating is truly limited and running out, so click here to reserve your complimentary spot now.

Below is a snapshot of the day's agenda. To view a more detailed agenda and panelists, click here.

Davis and Pescatore kick off the day with an interactive session, where the panel and audience ask and provide solutions to some of the most common day-to-day Pain Points facing today's AV/IT end-users and integrators.

Diversified's president and chief commercial officer, Mathew Newfield, delivers the keynote on a topic on everyone's mind: When Connections Become Threats: Cybersecurity Realities in Modern AV/IT Networks.

10:30 a.m. means it is time for a NYC coffee break. Network with your peers and visit with manufacturers to discuss projects in the works and find solutions to help your organization's AV/IT run more smoothly than the NYC MTA.

11:00 a.m. How Virtual Production Studios are Enhancing Brands and Engaging Audiences: Are you still unsure how or why you would utilize a virtual production studio in your corporate enterprise or higher education campus? You won't want to miss this panel.

11:30 a.m. The Future of AV Technology: A panel of professional prognosticators explores today's technology trends and how they will translate into the workflows of tomorrow.

NOON: Recharge with lunch, network with your peers, and visit with manufacturers.

1:15 p.m. Presented by HETMA | Mistakes Were Made: Learning from Higher Education AV/IT Missteps and Charting a Better Course: A refreshingly honest conversation about turning hindsight into foresight as we navigate the next generation of educational technology solutions.

1:45 p.m. Grab a refreshment, discuss the day's topics with your peers, and visit with more manufacturers to learn about solutions for your projects.

2:15 p.m. AV/IT // IT/AV: We're at the peak of the AV over IP transition, and this panel openly discusses real challenges that remain.

3:00 p.m. AI: Hope or Hype? A panel discussion will explore what's already good about AI and what needs further development.

3:30 p.m. Closing Reception: It's time to wind down and discuss the day's highlights with peers, panelists, and sponsors

As we mentioned earlier, seating is truly limited and running out, so click here to reserve your complimentary spot now.

A world-class basketball arena on a warm August morning in New York may be an odd choice of venue for a philosophy lesson, but when you're talking about AI, sometimes it's best to reference a 19th century approach to spiritual transformation. Trust me, it worked.

This year's AV/IT Summit, which was held on Aug. 1 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, started with a keynote address from Julian Phillips. You may remember him as our "Blueprint for Success" columnist from last year. He also has a regular gig, serving as managing director of XTG, the experimental technology division of AVI-SPL. His talk was about the synergistic relationship between AV and AI—but in typical Phillips fashion, his presentation was about much more than that.

Phillips had his own take on the 90/10 Principle, variations of which have been discussed by everyone from 19th century Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People author Stephen Covey. He argued that most organizations spend about 90% of their resources focused on maintaining the status quo. That leaves only 10% to innovate or transform operations.

[Editorial: 'Intelligence' Can Be Artificially Overrated]

In other words, most of us are way too busy keeping busy. I'm guilty as charged, how about you? Do you have dedicated time in your work week to consider new ideas, new areas of opportunity, new anything?

Phillips challenged attendees to flip that ratio around and dedicate the larger share of our time and energy to exploration and innovation. Sounds great on paper, but how will the work get done?

AI can help.

Phillips had three major takeaways that we should all consider. First, whether you like it or not, AI is here and you can't opt out. Second, AI technology that is available now, if applied properly, can help with much of the busy work that fills our calendars and limits our ability to be innovative. Finally, he encouraged each of us—yes, you too—to become lions, at least as described by Friedrich Nietzsche, a 19th century German philosopher.

Nietzsche saw spiritual transformation as a process of three stages. (I'll be brief here; you can read Thus Spoke Zarathustra at your leisure.) We all start as camels, dutiful beasts of burden conditioned to do our work and conform to society's rules and expectations. If we recognize those burdens, we transform into lions (aka rulers), embracing self-purpose and freedom while rejecting external controls. The final transformation is the child, which celebrates creativity and creating purpose, but that's a whole other discussion. The point Phillips made was that we need to challenge industry norms and consider new ways to conduct business.

Flipping workplace percentages from 90/10 to 10/90 is not something that's going to happen overnight—and some of us may never be able to achieve that kind of work/innovation ratio. But he believes companies in the Pro AV industry need to change their organizational structures and make the most of AI tools or risk being left behind.

[Integrators and AI]

In the short term, I'm guessing Phillips would be at least somewhat satisfied if we acknowledged that maintaining the status quo is the 100% wrong strategy for our industry. It's a start. Now, let's hear that roar.

SCN, AV Technology, TV Tech, and Future B2B converge on the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY for their annual AV/IT Summit on August 1, 2024. Registration is now open. 

Continuing to use some of NYC's most familiar sporting venues, the 2024 AV/IT Summit at Barclays Center will focus on "Connecting Horizons: Bridging Innovation in AV/IT for a Future-Ready World." 

[AV/IT Summits Past: What You Missed at the 2023 AV/IT Summit| 2022]

Also recently announced, Julian Phillips, SVP and managing director, XTG at AVI-SPL as well as a SCN columnist, will deliver the opening keynote, exploring the synergistic relationship between audiovisual (AV) technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as critical drivers in the rapidly evolving global business landscape.

Panels will be hosted by Cindy Davis, brand and content director, AV Technology; Mark J. Pescatore, director of content, SCN; and Tom Butts, editor-in-chief of TV Tech, and include: The Future of AV in an AI World, Real Estate and the New Office, The State of Networked AV-Today and Tomorrow, Higher Ed AV/IT Perspectives, and the Barclays Center Facility Technology Tour.

Don't miss out. Register today! 

The 2023 AV/IT Summit was held at the home of the NHL’s New York Islanders. Islanders fans had a few nomadic seasons between the old Nassau Coliseum and the Barclays Center until the doors for the UBS Arena at Belmont Park in New York opened in 2021. 

When building UBS Arena from the ground up, Ryan Halkett of the New York Islanders and Steve Stubelt of Diversified, both of whom worked closely on the technology behind the arena, had to answer one important question, in two big parts: What will make Islanders fans come to the arena, and what could they provide that a fan can't get from the comfort of their own couch?

[Takeaways: What We Learned at the 2023 AV/IT Summit]

Simply put, it came down to the experience, not just the game. It had to be more than the hockey—and it had to be geared to bring back old fans while introducing the Islanders to new ones. Halkett was able to build his vision from the ground up, a rare opportunity, but one that puts a lot on one's shoulders. 

"I was able to get in at the ground level where no decisions had been made," he explained. "That really enabled me and my team to be able to take time, step back and say, 'OK, what are we trying to achieve?'

"And what we were trying to achieve when we opened the doors was a facility that not only had the best-in-class equipment, but then when a broadcaster comes in, how can a broadcaster come in here and seamlessly integrate into our house network? Many other venues where I've been, it can be very difficult, but I want to make sure when the trucks are coming in downstairs, they can tie into our room easily and we have seamless communication. A lot of my vision was about state-of-the-art and ease of access, and then being able to put on brilliant shows using all of our different technology."

And while the broadcast angle has been seamless, the fan experience has been awe-inspiring. With a special show for those in attendance, AV/IT Summit attendees got to see firsthand what the UBS Arena can deliver.

[AV/IT Summit Editorial: Is Your Office a Magnet for Employees?]

The Pro AV behind the shows is a mix of some of the industry's biggest names. Daktronics provides the LED displays on the ice (or stage if one of the megastars' tours comes through that the arena also hosts). RF cameras, a TVU 8K camera, and JBL audio all help the arena come to life. The control room has a bevy of Pro AV gear, including a Ross XPression for in-game graphics, Grass Valley switcher, and a wireless Wavecom system. An Allen & Heath board serves as the main audio mixer. 

A Quince Imaging projection system—with transmitters, receivers, and a player system—supports the mapping for the ice. There is a slew of projectors—one in the southern end, one in the north end, and four in the middle, that each get their own CPU players for more intense visuals. The end result is a show for the senses. 

The Islander fans, for so many years, wanted a building, weren't getting a building, were let down so many times, and now they finally have a home,"  Halkett said. "And they feel like it's their home because it is their home."

Here, make yourself at home and check it out. 

If you haven't yet registered to attend the AV/IT Summit event taking place on August 2 at the UBS Arena in NYC, here's one more reason! Check out our keynote topic below. 

The Reality, Hype and an Agile Future: The Human-Centric Hybrid Workplace

Global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm HOK’s senior principal and director of WorkPlace, Kay Sargent, has the pulse on the state of the evolving workplace. Sargent provides insight into how HOK’s clients are reshaping the “office” environment for the hybrid workforce that’s still in flux and planning for an agile future.

“To meet the workplace needs of the day, we need to rethink how we engage with the space and how we interact with each other. A new social dynamic is being created,” said Sargent. “At the same time, we’re seeing exponential change being driven by advances in new technology. We are seeing the parallel rise of machine learning and the human factor. These two streams are converging and changing not only the tools we use but when, where, and how we work. Companies face the prospect that they could become irrelevant if they don’t recognize the shifts occurring and seize the moment. The challenge is to look beyond today and see what lies ahead so we can adapt accordingly.”

Join us as Sargent explores how to address the hybrid workplace realities of today, not get blinded by the hype, and why now more than ever, agility is the key to success.

Check out the full agenda and register to attend for free. Space is limited (really), so sign up today!

Future plc is pleased to announce the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA) has joined as a partner of the AV/IT Summit, which will take place on August 2 at the UBS Arena in New York City. 

A collaboration from AV Technology, Systems Contractor News, and TV Tech, the AV/IT Summit is a leading AV/IT event in the Northeast that features a day of engaging panel discussions from industry thought leaders. The agenda is packed with sessions that explore next-gen technologies critical for positioning businesses and higher education institutions for success. 

The Summit attracts technology decision makers from corporate enterprises, museums, government, higher education, consultants and integration firms such as Deloitte, University of Southern California, Bloomberg, Columbia Business School, Capital One, George Mason University, Deutsche Bank, Johns Hopkins University, AVI-SPL, Brookings Institution, Takeda, CUNY, Diversified, New York City College of Technology, NYU, Omnicare, Vinoleo, Pace University, WeWork, University of New Haven, Citigroup, Montclair State University, Avidex, Rutgers University, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and many more. 

On the partnership, Cindy Davis, brand and content director for AV Technology, says, “Even before HETMA became an organization, its members were significant contributors to our publications, webcasts and live events. I am thrilled to solidify this partnership.” 

Joe Way, co-founder and chair of HETMA says, “HETMA’s core mission is to unite the higher ed vertical and connect them with the best resources to be successful in their daily roles. The opportunity to partner with AV/IT Summit accomplished exactly that in a way we couldn’t do on our own. We’re thankful for this partnership and look forward to seeing it grow every year.”

“I want to extend a special thank you to HETMA for moving its first roadshow to August 1 which is hosted by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore so its members could participate in both events,” Davis adds. “They are truly a wonderful group of individuals.” Sign up to attend the HETMA - Baltimore Roadshow here. 

To find out more about the AV/IT Summit and to register for free, please visit avitsummit.com

About HETMA
HETMA is a 501(C)3 advocacy organization focused on the higher education AV industry. The goal of HETMA is to raise awareness of technology issues unique to the higher education community by communicating with manufacturers, vendors, and higher education administrators on the needs and challenges that technology managers face.

About AV Technology
AV Technology is the leading information resource for AV/IT pros, AV Technology (AVT) bridges the knowledge gap so that technology managers are fully equipped to make the best AV/IT purchasing decisions for their organizations. Through the digital e-zine, technology supplements, daily newsletter, webcasts, social media, in-person and virtual events, AV/IT technology decision makers rely on AV Technology for authoritative content to do their job better.

About SCN
Systems Contractor News is passionate about the business of Pro AV. As the leading publication serving the systems integration industry for more than 25 years, we reach Pro AV decision makers through a suite of productive tools. AV integrators, resellers, and consultants choose SCN as the trusted source for industry news and analysis, Pro AV case studies, thought leadership, product information, and educational events.

About Future
Future plc is an international multimedia company established in the United Kingdom in 1985. The company has over 220 brands that span magazines, newsletters, websites, and events in fields such as video games, technology, films, music, photography, home, and knowledge. 

Learn more about Future plc.

The 2022 AV/IT Summit was held at Citi Field in Flushing, NY. The home of the New York Mets is amid one of the most extensive technological upgrades in all MLB, an upgrade that will continue to evolve throughout the season and into next.

Some of the Pro AV and IT industry’s most knowledgeable sources joined AV Technology’s Cindy Davis and SCN’s Mark J. Pescatore to take a look at where AV and IT are headed and some of the challenges to get there.

The Rise of Esports

Keynote speaker Ashley “AJ” Jones, director of membership sales and services for the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), started the event with a look at the rise of Esports. What was once a club sport on the NAIA on Division II and III levels has transformed to a varsity sport connecting universities throughout the nation.

[Esports: Has Your College Levelled Up?]

Jones took attendees on a virtual tour around some of the facilities including Boise State’s broadcast and production studios and Full Sail University’s top-notch Esports arena that features arena seating, bleacher seating, multiple video walls for audience viewing, and an impressive LED halo display that shows player cards and stats.

The takeaway? More Division I schools are joining the party. Accessibility makes it easier to watch your favorite team play your favorite game, but keeping up with the evolution is a must. Mobile gaming is growing, and high-level varsity programs are beginning to create additional opportunities with the programs outside of competition, which means it’s time to keep these “arenas” up to date with the latest technologies.

Optimize Your Hybrid Meetings

Pescatore hosted the panel with Sharath Abraham, digital workplace consultant at Accenture, Thomas Berry, CEO of Verrex, and Vanessa Jensen, market development at Shure. The four took attendees around the world of hybrid meetings and many of the challenges that are being met.

As Jensen noted, AI and machine learning technologies are moving quickly with capabilities that drown out unwanted sounds, and there are now aesthetically pleasing solutions—ceiling mics and speakers for example—which don’t even require a desktop for setup.

[SCN Hybrid World: Workplace Products and Expert Tips] 

The huddle room was the place to be prior to the pandemic. That really hasn’t changed, according to Berry, but it has been reimagined. Every huddle room now has a display, speaker, and microphone. While the goal of the huddle room remains the same, the technology will continue to evolve.

Abraham added perhaps the most important takeaway from this session: It is imperative to create a technology cheat sheet and train employees to get the most out of huddle rooms. How often do employees participate in a meeting on their laptop instead of using all the technology available to them in the space? To optimize those huddle rooms, the key is to figure out how to train all those generational group and support them as the technology evolves.

Videoconferencing and Collaboration for IT Directors

To discuss some of the challenges that face IT during the return to the workplace, Davis was joined by Bill Bennett, media solutions and account manager at ENCO, John Mitton, CP of the AV group at Red Thread Spaces, Jenn Steinhardt, associate AV designer at Shen Milsom & Wilke (SM & W), and Aaron Weiler, senior enterprise engineer at Comcast Business.

The pressure is on IT directors to answer questions that may not have clear answers yet. Companies have to have a purposeful plan and strategy to get people back to the office—and the IT challenge is making that strategy compelling, or “sexy,” as Weiler said. Expectations are higher than ever, and the employee expects that when they walk into a room, it should function as easily as it does at home.

Citi Field Digital Experience

Davis hosted Kirk Kessler, sales manager of live events for Samsung Electronics, J.P. Pollard, head of live events, entertainment, sports, and spectaculars at Samsung Electronics, and Oscar Fernandez, vice president, technology solutions for the New York Mets, as attendees for this panel learned all about the technological advances at Citi Field.

[Home Run: A Look Back at 5 Big League Pro AV Upgrades for 2022]

The takeaway? Citi Field is awesome. Not only is the stadium and field a sight to see, but the technology is arguably setting the standard for MLB stadiums across the land. As Kessler said, the Samsung and Mets partnership was a shared vision, and they are achieving a common goal to enhance the fan experience while keeping the focus on the game (not obtrusive technology).

There are already five levels of LED ribbons and hundreds of displays installed, but it is just the beginning. Most recently, the Jackie Robinson Rotunda was updated with displays that feature the lineup and a ribbon that provides stats of the starting pitcher. The displays themselves are also a gateway of communication. They communicate content or game moments, menus, or directions to a store or attraction within the stadium. One of the end goals is to have personal devices be able to be used in conjunction with the system.

Citi Field and the Mets are changing the league for fans, partners, advertisers, and the team itself. Now, other teams are looking at it and want what the Mets are doing.

The Future of Pro AV

Pescatore led the final panel of the day, and he didn’t have to do much work. He asked one simple question: What is the Future of Pro AV? John Garmendi, senior manager consultant program development/strategic business development manager at Sony, Steve Greenblatt, president and founder of Control Concepts, Paul Harris, chief executive and technology officer at Aurora Multimedia, Ken Kalish, sales director, key accounts at Absen, and Julian Phillips, senior vice president and managing director of XTG at AVI-SPL, had plenty to say.

The conversation started with the recent technologies affecting the hybrid world the pandemic as created. Solutions and services like AI, Microsoft Teams/Zoom/UC, and HDBaseT were, unsurprisingly, immediately provided by the audience.

[AV Network's top stories, product news, and expert insights] 

While Phillips said that the cloud is imperative to moving forward, he also harped on a common theme: There has never been a better time to be creative in Pro AV. The pandemic forced the industry to throw out the rulebook, and those in the industry have a chance to move forward even more quickly than ever before. The Pro AV world can find foundational standards that are common for all, but there is opportunity for new solutions to problems with new technology.

Some suggestions provided by this expert panel were not only building products and solutions with built-in intelligibility, but that are interoperable from manufacturer to manufacturer. While communications have been unified with COVID-19, perhaps the products installed can be as well.  Perhaps one of the most interesting suggestions was to focus on employee behaviors as well as the technologies being used.

The future of Pro AV seems to be moving toward a virtual, remote world with extended realities in everything from production to education. To get there, the industry will start seeing more diversification and less single-branded systems that can do one thing, with the ability to take a different model to update products to be more compatible without being dependent on a single service/solution.

Join me, Cindy Davis, content director for AV Technology, and Mark J. Pescatore, content director for Systems Contractor News, as we host an engaging (we promise) and information-packed day of panel discussions, peer networking, and opportunities to talk one-on-one with key manufacturers.

I swear this isn't a ploy to get you to sign up early—while Citi Field seats 41,992—AV/IT Summit attendance will be limited to our event space. So, register now—really, not kidding!

KEYNOTE: The Explosion of Esports—From Trends to Opportunities in Higher Ed

How could we pass up the opportunity to talk sports at Citi Field? But we've got a special AV/IT angle: We invited keynote speaker Ashley "AJ" Jones, director of membership sales and services at the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), to share recent trends and provide insight into the explosion of Esports in higher ed today. With more than 200 colleges and universities that she represents at NACE, AJ has her finger on the pulse of what is trending today and what the near future of Esports programs looks like—and translates that into opportunities. AJ comes to Esports with calloused hands, as she was the Esports Head Coach at Park University in Parkville, MO, before joining NACE.

Batter Up

Optimize Your Hybrid Meetings, panel session moderated by Pescatore: It's a hybrid world—and that means flexibility is a priority for your collaborative spaces. The proper audio, video, and conferencing solutions are essential to help ensure engagement and productivity. From conference rooms to huddle rooms and beyond, what technologies do you need to create an environment that best serves remote and in-person workers? Our panel of experts will discuss best practices to make your next hybrid meeting efficient and effective.

For IT Directors: Video Conferencing and Collaboration, panel session moderated by Davis: The hybrid workplace is here to stay, and hybrid/HyFlex classrooms are on the rise. The lion's share of implementing videoconferencing and collaboration lies square in the IT department. This panel discusses the intersection of IT and AV and the critical elements both teams need to create a successful conferencing and collaboration deployment—whether in 50 or 500 rooms. Bring your questions to our panel of experts from AVIXA, end users, integrators, and key manufacturers.

The Future of Pro AV Technology, panel session moderated by Pescatore: Innovation doesn't stop, even when supply chain issues continue to delay manufacturers. What are the next big (and maybe not-so-big) technologies that will impact the Pro AV industry? Our panelists will discuss some of the major trends that could change the user experience in the coming years.

Find more agenda details here.

Did I Mention the AV/IT Summit is at Citi Field?

Did you know that Citi Field recently underwent a major-league technology upgrade? This happens to be the reason we chose the stadium for our event. We have designed a panel discussion and a technology tour around key installations.

First up, the panel: Citi Field Digital Experience—The Strategy moderated by Davis. Curious about how 12,000 square feet of direct-view LED displays and more than 300 LCD screens were chosen, how video is distributed, how they're networked, and how they're operated? From planning to integration to operations, a panel of key stakeholders share insights on the strategy behind the digital experiences throughout Citi Field. Learn how each space has been purpose-built for the fan experience.

Citi Field Tech Tour: At the conclusion of our last panel session, the Citi Field AV/IT staff will take us on a behind-the-scenes technology tour within the stadium.

But That's Not All

Because this is a right-sized event, manufacturing sponsors are present to give you more time than at a larger show. Our sponsor list is updated daily; you can check it out here.

We are fortunate to have some of the brightest minds in the industry joining our panel discussions. Our speaker list is updated daily; you can check it out here.

After the tech tour, we gather for cocktails to continue networking and sharing highlights from the day.

Mark and I hope you can join us. We look forward to seeing you in person.

Register now!

The Aug. 5 AV/IT Summit will serve as a meeting place for companies in all parts of the ecosystem to come together to discuss how best to work together and enable each other to succeed while enhancing efficiencies across the board. 

Featuring a virtual exhibit hall from key pro AV vendors—like Absen, Dell, Samsung, and more—attendees will have the ability to peruse the most innovative AV products during this single-day event. 

Here’s a rundown of what's scheduled for the AV/IT Summit tomorrow.

The Emotional Journey of Selling My Business and Lessons Learned Along the Way

In this keynote session, noted AV expert Jay B. Myers will share the many components that go into the sale of a business, including building a business designed to sell. He will also explore how mergers and acquisitions impact everyone in a company and how to manage culture through change.

[ Jay B. Myers to Keynote 2021 AV/IT Summit ] 

What the Spec?

Why does it feel like it's integrators versus consultants versus IT? This panel will discuss how #AVTweeps can work better together—from the beginning–to create a five-star experience for clients before the first spec is even written.

The Future of Pro AV Technology

Manufacturers discuss new technologies and the impact they'll have on the pro AV industry. They'll tell us what the field will look like in one, three, and five years.

Human-Centered Design

A panel of experts discuss the concept of human-centered design and share how it can help you increase your bottom line.

IoT in AV

As the Internet of Things (IoT) becomes ubiquitous throughout facilities, integrators have an opportunity to expand their portfolio of offerings. This panel discusses IoT from crucial planning with building stakeholders, integration strategies, and service.

Pivot, Pivot, Pivot

COVID-19 forced the pro AV industry to rethink business practices—concerts became drive-ins, empty stadiums were filled with fake crowd noises, the list goes on and on. In this session, AV professionals share lessons learned, new avenues for revenue growth, and how they plan to move forward.

Wrap-Up/Passport to Prizes

Moderators and AV/IT Summit attendees will discuss key takeaways from the day. Attendees who are present for this sessions and have completed their Passport to Prizes card will also have a chance to win big with our sponsors.

Happy Hour

Join fellow #AVTweeps for an hour of virtual networking.

Earn AVIXA CTS RUs at the AV/IT Summit

AV/IT Summit attendees are eligible to earn 5.5 AVIXA RUS. Click here for more information.

The AV/IT Summit Virtual Exhibit Hall

Don't forget to stop by the AV/IT Summit virtual exhibit hall to check out the latest pro AV innovations. The exhibit hall will also be open for four weeks after the event, allowing AV professionals to learn more about these products at their leisure.

Register for the 2021 AV/IT Summit

The 2021 AV/IT Summit is free to attend for qualified* integrators, consultants, content creators, technology managers, and the like. For more information and to register, visit avitsummit.com.

*Non-sponsoring manufacturers and distributors can register for $495, or contact Adam Goldstein at adam.goldstein@futurenet.com for sponsorship opportunities. Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

While “pivot” was a business buzzword in 2020 that described what we all had to do to stay afloat in an uncertain business environment, I challenge all the pivots of the past to look to the future and evolve. The pandemic arrived at the same moment broadband internet speeds and videoconferencing technology were able to support robust virtual communication. Technology was no longer an add-on, but the main act to stay connected.

Looking ahead, workers are returning to offices, social events are happening in person, and concerts are back. Where does that leave us? What have we learned?

We learned that innovation happens when we are inspired and have the space to let our creativity flourish.

Before our pandemic-induced communications pivot, it was common to have to wait a day to see video footage of an event recorded by a camera in a ballroom; now, we can experience a virtual event in real time and with professional production techniques. We learned that it’s possible to make virtual nearly as good as in-person.

Companies diverted their resources to build web platforms to host pre-event web content, registration, integrated attendee engagement platforms, and sponsor benefits.

How the content was created also became important. Strategic event hosts and producers found the best attendee response when streaming highly produced pre-recorded content on the day of the event mixed with a truly live livestream of the presenters.

Show organizers developed a whole new guidebook of virtual event best practices, which was evaluated, discussed, and implemented. Grace was shared among us all—from attendees to vendors and hosts. The goals were clear: bring people together around captivating content.

We were also innovative in how we brought people together socially during virtual events. The immediate response and feedback from virtual photo booths, trivia nights, and chat windows in virtual event presentations sparked additional conversation and brought people together.

I was pleasantly surprised to realize that I sometimes learned as much from an online text chat with fellow attendees as I did from the main presenter. It opened my eyes to the promise of idea sharing and instant collaboration. We need to challenge ourselves to maintain the benefits of synchronous (and asynchronous) connectivity going forward, even when we are finally able to return to in-person experiences.

[ Experience next-level virtual networking at the 2021 AV/IT Summit on Aug. 5!  ]

As many of us worked from home and collaborated with colleagues over videoconference, one thing remained clear: virtual event fatigue is a real thing. While we logged in to our company’s collaboration platform, we longed for the day we could be back together in person. It’s simply not as good when you try to give friends a hug or shake hands with colleagues virtually.

While we work toward opening the world back up, there are new considerations we have to keep in mind. We need to take what we have learned about innovation and virtually connecting a larger, more diverse, global audience and remember that content and connectivity drive benefit.

While events may be evolving to better suit the needs of attendees, presenters, and sponsors, budgets and resources will always remain a limiting factor.

How do you maximize your resources to provide the greatest value? Work with your partners and team to find ways to make the technology work for you. New tools and resources are coming to market every day, but without a clear understanding of your goals and challenges, you’ll get lost in a sea of options.

If you are planning a hybrid in-person and remote event, understand your experience goals. If you have the team, time, and budget to let creativity work for you, you can support a uniquely collaborative dialogue between your in-person and virtual audience.

We have seen people’s desire to connect, and the technology exists to make it happen. Putting together the pieces of a successful hybrid event will continue to spark our industry to innovate.

Amanda Eberle Boyer is speaking at the Aug. 5 AV/IT Summit on the "Pivot, Pivot, Pivot" panel.  Click here to register. 

Noted author and AV professional Jay B. Myers is set to keynote the 2021 AV/IT Summit, which is being held virtually on Thursday, Aug. 5.

The keynote, which is based on Myers' book Rounding Third and Heading for Home: The Emotional Journey of Selling My Business and the Lessons Learned Along the Way, will review the many components that go into the sale of a business, including building a business designed to sell. Myers will also explore how mergers and acquisitions impact everyone in a company and how to manage culture through change.

"We're thrilled to have Jay join us at the 2021 AV/iT Summit," said Megan A. Dutta, content director, Systems Contractor News. "Our readers always appreciate Jay's candor and I know Summit attendees will be fascinated with his frank insight into the business of pro AV."

"It is truly and honor and privilege to be a part of this year’s AV/IT Summit," added Myers. "I look forward to sharing my two decades worth of experience in building value in my AV integrations firm, as well pulling back the curtain on the mysterious world of mergers and acquisitions."

The 2021 AV/IT Summit is free to attend for qualified* integrators, consultants, content creators, technology managers, and the like. Attendees are eligible to receive 5.5 AVIXA CTS RUs for attending. 

For more information on the 2021 AV/IT Summit, visit avitsummit.com.

*Non-sponsoring manufacturers and distributors can register for $495, or contact Adam Goldstein at adam.goldstein@futurenet.com for sponsorship opportunities. Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

Gold Sponsors

• Absen
• Dell
• Samsung

Networking Sponsors

• ClearOne
• Sennheiser

The 2021 AV/IT Summit, taking place virtually on August 5, has been approved by the AVIXA independent Certification Renewal Committee to provide learning opportunities for CTS holders and others for their continued professional development; the event is worth 5.5 AVIXA Renewal Units (RUs) for CTS, CTS-D, and CTS-I holders.

“We are committed to providing quality education to the pro AV community, and the number of CTS RUs available to our attendees drives that point home,” said Megan A. Dutta, content director, Systems Contractor News. “We’ve gathered an incredible collection of speakers who are ready to help attendees learn in a fun and engaging way.”

“It’s so important to continue to hone your skills throughout your career. Learning new methods and sharing experiences with peers drives your professional growth,” added David Labuskes, CEO of AVIXA . “We’re thrilled that Future, the producer of the AV/IT Summit, has made the commitment to become a CTS RU provider to support pro AV professionals’ education.”

For more information or to register for the event, visit avitsummit.com/2021.

The 2021 AV/IT Summit will take place virtually on Aug. 5 on a highly visual platform that translates the experience of attending a conference to your computer screen. 

Virtual for the second year in a row, the AV/IT Summit will feature interactive, engaging panels with subject matter experts from various facets of pro AV, as well as plenty of networking and a solid exhibit hall experience.

"When we pivoted to a virtual event in 2020, we were able to cast a wider net and bring our phenomenal content to AV professionals across the world, " said Megan A. Dutta, content director, Systems Contractor News. "We’re thrilled to once again bring future-forward conversations to the AV community along with an exhibit hall featuring the latest technologies.”

“Last year’s event was a wonderful meeting of minds that helped shed light on some of the biggest question marks on pro AV,” said Matt Pruznick, editor, AV Technology. “With the future equally uncertain in 2021, I’m really looking forward to hearing the perspectives of industry leaders on what we can expect going forward.”

The 2021 AV/IT Summit is free to attend for qualified* integrators, consultants, content creators, technology managers, and the like. For more information and to register, visit avitsummit.com.

*Non-sponsoring manufacturers and distributors can register for $495, or contact Adam Goldstein at adam.goldstein@futurenet.com for sponsorship opportunities. Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

If there’s one purpose that the AV/IT Summit serves, it’s educating AV professionals on how to work more effectively and considerately. The 2020 AV/IT Summit brought end users, integrators, and others together—virtually, of course—to understand each other’s pet peeves, so that all in all, we make our customers happier. That’s pretty special.

The panel 'The Modern AV UX' was the perfect culmination of the AV/IT Summit's purpose. Industry leaders Michael Judeh of Convene, Sean Reid of Astroman AV, Dana Schneider of Edwards Lifesciences, and Charmaine Torruella of Verrex gathered to discuss improvements they have implemented in their work, grievances, and tidbits of wisdom. The panel was fearlessly led by Mark Coxon, CTS-D, CTS-I of Tangram Interiors. 

Watch the video below to see 'The Modern AV UX in Corporate Environments' panel at the 2020 AV/IT Summit.

Click here to see more from the 2020 AV/IT Summit.

The AV/IT Summit took place virtually for the first time this year, providing an experiential challenge for the show’s organizers, which include the editors at Systems Contractor News, AV Technology, and parent company, Future.

This COVID-19 pandemic has forced a change—not only in the pro AV industry, of course, but in all industries around the world—and it’s really only recently that we’ve begun to figure out what factors are most important in delivering successful events and experiences. 

Though we may not be able to meet in person, we can still meet, and knowing what factors are most significant in a positive experience can help us all get the most out of it.

An afternoon panel discussion at the AV/IT Summit went into more detail on the subject of technology-mediated experiences. "Tech That Connects" brought together four subject matter experts—Bradford Benn, CTS, manager, audio, video, projection, lighting at a major media and entertainment company; Jeff Day, co-founder and president, Tack22; Anna Crider, principal, Entro, and president of the SEGD's board of directors; and Meg Sciarini-Smith, AV systems engineer at a Silicon Valley tech—who discussed experiential techniques AV professionals can employ to amplify a sense of community.

Watch the video below to see the Tech That Connects panel at the 2020 AV/IT Summit.

Click here to see more from the 2020 AV/IT Summit.

One of the hallmarks of the AV/IT Summit each year is the uniting of integrators, consultants, and end users in a discussion of how we can better collaborate to create better outcomes for our customers. It’s an allying of the audiences of the two organizing publications, AV Technology and Systems Contractor News, and the result is a frank dialog that inspires change.

At the 2020 AV/IT Summit, 'Stop. Collaborate. And Listen.' panelists Jeremy Caldera, CTS-D, CTS-I, CEO, IAS Technology; Joe Dunbar, senior account manager, Diversified; Rachael Harris, service assurance engineer at a major financial institution; and Gladys Marroquin, audiovisual consultant, Newcomb & Boyd shared their thoughts on how better dialog between all sides of the AV industry can produce the best outcomes.

Watch the video below to see the Stop. Collaborate. And Listen. panel at the 2020 AV/IT Summit.

Click here to see more from the 2020 AV/IT Summit.

I recently rewatched the 1977 Disney classic Pete’s Dragon, and when Helen Reddy bursts into song, these lyrics really hit home: “There’s room for everyone in this world, if everyone makes some room...”

At SCN, we believe a rising tide lifts all boats. We aim to include a wide variety of viewpoints—different job titles, genders, races, experience levels, etc. Our team is proud to say that at the 2020 AV/IT Summit, more than 50 percent of our group of non-sponsored speakers were female and nearly one-third were people of color. Similarly, a broad range of ages and experience levels was represented.

Why is that demographic information important to us, and why should it be important to you? Recognizing a greater diversity of viewpoints allows us, as an industry, to think outside the box, to gather new methodologies and new ways of thinking.

Related: Black Lives Matter

Sometimes it’s difficult to make room for new viewpoints—we’re stuck in our old ways, comfortable doing business within our current circle. It’s easier to keep things as they already are than to enact change. But when we reach out and expand our network, beautiful new connections are formed.

Bringing new people into the mix and passing the proverbial mic doesn’t limit your opportunities—it expands them. You get to make new connections with people who could quite possibly change your career trajectory—and you’ll receive major kudos for introducing those smart, cool #AVTweeps to your network.

So my challenge to you, dear reader, is to introduce and highlight an AV professional this month. Call on the #AVTweeps community to follow her on Twitter, write a post about him on your LinkedIn, etc. Let’s have a giant virtual meet-and-greet this month and get to know some new faces.

There’s room for everyone in the pro AV world and I, for one, am looking forward to expanding my universe.

P.S. Missed the 2020 AV/IT Summit or want to see parts of it again? The exhibit hall is still open, and video of all sessions is available online until early September. Visit avitsummit.com for more information.

If there’s one purpose that the AV/IT Summit serves, it’s educating AV professionals on how to work more effectively and considerately. The 2020 AV/IT Summit brought end users, integrators, and others together—virtually, of course—to understand each other’s pet peeves, so that all in all, we make our customers happier. That’s pretty special.

The panel “The Modern AV UX” was the perfect culmination of the AV/IT Summit's purpose. Industry leaders Michael Judeh of Convene, Sean Reid of Astroman AV, Dana Schneider of Edwards Lifesciences, and Charmaine Torruella of Verrex gathered to discuss improvements they have implemented in their work, grievances, and tidbits of wisdom. The panel was fearlessly led by Mark Coxon, CTS-D, CTS-I of Tangram Interiors. 

Editor's Note: All of the 2020 AV/IT Summit content—including the exhibit hall—is available on demand for the next month. To learn more, visit avitsummit.com.

At the core of everything, technology managers and integrators want technology that works well and serves a purpose. Oftentimes end users are located in different states or even countries. So, how do we best create a consistent experience across our locations? This question sparked insightful discussion.

Schneider responded plain and simple: “Getting that end-user feedback is essential. What’s out there and how can we incorporate that into our technology?” Feedback is how you learn to grow. It’s not always positive, but the negatives are oftimes exactly what you need to know in order to create more success. 

Judeh remarked: “You don’t know until you know.” So, the challenge remains when you receive that feedback. What do you do with it?

Reid then spoke of a bad experience with a local university where communication was little to none—the university decided to purchase technology without consulting with the individuals who actually used it.  “Everyone in the university wanted something different. There was no mutual understanding,” lamented Reid. 

Moral of the story as an integrator? It’s important to look at each situation and really see what they want and need from you. At the end of the day, you want those users to be satisfied every time they walk into the room and use the technology. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Another important lesson discussed during the panel was education and patience. Technology is growing and changing every single day, and those in the pro AV industry know this better than anyone. Judeh gave a perfect example: “Adopting new technologies takes time. If I were to buy an Android after using an iPhone for years, it would take some time for me to get used to the technology even though the user experience on the Android is great.” 

According to Judeh, this serves as a gentle reminder to the integrators who may feel frustrated when their end users are slow to understand the newly implemented technology. It’s like getting back on the ski hill after a few seasons or learning a new language. Good things take time and as integrators, it’s important that you slow down and educate.

Torruella, on the other hand, stands by her own theory time and time again. “It’s [AV] not a ‘one size fits all.’ Some people think AV is one thing—copy, paste, and we’re good. It’s not. The way we manage it at Verrex is we are constantly being consistent with our engagement. It’s not enough to just implement the solution and fix it when it breaks. We have to consistently engage with the customer to do a review. We revisit the client every quarter. It’s important to understand what they’re doing differently in each region.” The process may be tedious but the rewards are great. Torruella noted that she prides herself on interpersonal relationships with her clients and truly understanding their needs. 

“We have to be willing to teach people. I know more about the technology than the customer because I live and breathe it everyday,” she continued. “I have to make sure if I’m recommending something based on what I believe that if we don’t sync, I educate them and show them what I know. It’s ok to be on the path to be teachable. They like and respect that. They rely on it. You have to be willing to teach.”

This unusual year has taught many of us to slow down and it seems as though that’s what our integrators are learning in their work as well. On the flip side, end users are urged to continue communicating clearly on what they need from their integrators. Let’s keep this technological ecosystem thriving and growing in the right direction—upward!

All of the 2020 AV/IT Summit content—including the exhibit hall—is available on demand for the next month. To learn more, visit avitsummit.com.

One of the hallmarks of the AV/IT Summit each year is the uniting of integrators, consultants, and end users in a discussion of how we can better collaborate to create better outcomes for our customers. It’s an allying of the audiences of the two organizing publications, AV Technology and Systems Contractor News, and the result is a frank dialogue that inspires change.

This year’s edition, titled “Stop. Collaborate. And Listen,” was no different. Featuring Jeremy Caldera, CTS-D, CTS-I of IAS Technology, Joe Dunbar of Diversified, Rachael Harris of a large financial institution, and Gladys Marroquin of Newcomb & Boyd, the panel, which was moderated by SCN’s Megan Dutta, tackled a variety of timely topics revolving around the general subject of achieving better teamwork. 

Talking to the Right People

Rachael Harris hit upon the theme for the entire discussion at the outset: “Communication is the key to everything,” she said, outlining the importance of dialog not only between various parties, but within organizations as well. 

This latter point was echoed by Joe Dunbar, who observed that oftentimes stakeholders in an organization and the actual users of the technology won’t be on the same page during the planning process. “There’s always been a gap between those two groups,” he said. “I always think about how we can better supplement their interactions and conversations, because a lot of the time that conversation doesn’t happen, and that feedback isn’t flowing.”

Jeremy Caldera agreed: “I think we’re talking to the right people, then when it comes time to do the training, the end users say ‘This isn’t what I wanted.’ As an integrator, it’s hard to fix that breakdown.”

Harris suggested the importance of brining the actual users in the design phase, “because real end users aren’t ‘end users;’ the real end users are [employees like] accountants,” she said. “Those people are the ones who need to be more involved in the process.”

Caldera offered that a well-defined scope of work with a detailed “10,000-foot-view” executive summary can be helpful for getting as many people on the client side informed of what the project entails.

Staying on Time

Gladys Marroquin shared that the biggest point of friction she has when working with integrators as a consultant is timelines. “At the end phase, when we try to close out and verify a system, the timeline of integrators saying a system is going to be ready is almost always inaccurate,” she said. “When they say systems are ready for day-one use, it’s almost never the case.”

Dunbar suggested that this can be the result of small things the integration team may have missed—something that regular dialog can help prevent. “Every one of us knows when you look at these documents, and you read through plans, and you read specifications, after the third our fourth time around, it’s like ‘I need to remove myself from this; I need to take a break, because I can only count TVs so many times,’” he said. “Delivery to consultant could be a pretty easy thing to build into the workflow, to help catch things that got missed.”

Another breakdown in the integrator-consultant dynamic is changing scopes of work, according to Caldera. “Sometimes when the consultant started the project, they were specifying equipment that’s now two years old,” he said. “They were dealing with a scope of work that is old, and now people have changed, users have changed, needs of changed. Having that communication and approval process is the most important thing.”

A Seat at the Table

Overall, though, the panelists agreed that communication among all parties in a project—including architects, IT, and building systems—is improving, especially now that AV has gone from a “nice-to-have” to a “must-have” solution because of the pandemic. “AV hasn’t had the same seat at the table as some of the other trades have, but it’s getting better,” Caldera said. “We’ve been learning the language, and for the end users’ sake, us finding a way to communicate better is going to be helpful.”

All of the 2020 AV/IT Summit content—including the exhibit hall—is available on demand for the next month. To learn more, visit avitsummit.com.

The AV/IT Summit took place virtually for the first time this year, providing an experiential challenge for the show’s organizers, which include the editors at Systems Contractor News, AV Technology, and our parent company, Future.

Our aim for this online summit was to at least replicate and at best improve on the engagement and community that have drawn attendees to in-person events for decades. 

This COVID-19 pandemic has forced a change—not only in the pro AV industry, of course, but in all industries around the world—and it’s really only recently that we’ve begun to figure out what factors are most important in delivering successful events and experiences. 

Though we may not be able to meet in person, we can still meet, and knowing what factors are most significant in a positive experience can help us all get the most out of it.

An afternoon panel discussion at the AV/IT Summit went into more detail on the subject of technology-mediated experiences. “Tech That Connects” brought together four subject matter experts—Bradford Benn, CTS, Anna Crider, Jeff Day, and Megan Sciarini Smith—who discussed experiential techniques AV professionals can employ to amplify a sense of community.

Editor's Note: All of the 2020 AV/IT Summit content—including the exhibit hall—is available on demand for the next month. To learn more, visit avitsummit.com.

Telling Stories

Meg Sciarini Smith, who’s an AV systems engineer at a Silicon Valley tech company, set up the discussion by describing how she uses technology to bring people closer together. She notes that the solution is not always found in the brightest, shiniest tech, even if that’s what the client thinks he wants. What’s important is finding the best technology to tell the story. “Because at the heart of it, audiovisual is about communication and assisting the message. To me, it’s finding whether that’s a media server with some fancy image tracking, or if it’s just a microphone and a spotlight. It matters about that human experience—that the message you’re trying to convey makes it to its audience and does it in a really good way, like a really awesome experience.”

She continued, “I feel like there is a responsibility on technologists’ plates, if you will, to say, okay, yes, I’m here to give you what you want, but is that more important than your messaging?” Her job, as she sees it, is to balance the competing desires, “articulating to your client or to your customer or to whoever the ramifications of that technology and why something else might facilitate the message better. When it comes down to using the right technology, you find that’s what creates the most magical moments, where you create that suspension of disbelief and your customer gets transported. You’re no longer in a lobby waiting for your next meeting. You’re in a space that makes you feel at ease. You’re in a space that makes you feel something visceral. That’s huge. But you don’t need an LED VR studio to do that. You just need the right messaging, the right content.”

Bradford Benn finds the same challenge in his work, at “a major theme park and media company,” where he is “designing the next generation of fun.” The experiences he creates are on a very large scale, and people must travel to the theme park to experience them in a group. “But we still have the basic challenge, as a theme park, of expressing the stories and not using technology for technology’s sake ... and not getting in the way of that experience,” he said. “The ultimate thing is, we want to immerse you in the experience and not let you think of the outside world, and give you an experience you can only get there.”

The best experiences may be facilitated by technology, but it’s the story that’s the star at Benn’s theme park. “No one goes to a Broadway show and says, ‘I want to have a chandelier that falls from the sky. And I need someone to go through a trap door, and I need this, I need that,’ but that seems to be what [some] people do with experiences. You always start with the script and the story. The way my company runs it is I’m the subject matter expert on audio, video, and projection. They give me a copy of the script—and there are scripts for theme parks of what they’re trying to do, what the experience is, all of that—and I choose what technology is best.”

Anna Crider is a principal at Entro and president of the Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD). She explained that integrators should think of SEGD as a resource, not competition. “SEGD is a mix of every specialty, because it’s really about collaboration. And so for us, for myself, I will never say that I could come in and do some digital installation without experts like all of you on this panel. We’re the ones who are thinking about the overall experience. We’re thinking about how someone’s experiencing it, but then we’re teaming with fabricators or integrators or whomever we need in order to actually help us take this small pebble of an idea and really bring it to reality. Across the SEGD, we really thrive on that collaboration and all these different perspectives in the room to go beyond what our personal skillsets are.”

That thought process applies to her work at Entro, a company that provides design services in branding, wayfinding, signage, environmental design, and media architecture. “Everyone will say, ‘I want one of those apps that does the blue dot thing, you know.’” While that may be the right technology for the project, it may not. “It’s starting with the brief and understanding what the problem is that we’re solving. And then just developing that,” Crider said. “So it’s experiences. It’s really thinking about what is that experience that we’re creating for people, whether it be retail, a city, a hospital, anything.”

Jeff Day, the founder of North of 10 Advisors, a member of the AVIXA board directors, and “an AVIXer for life,” described the process of deciding when technology needs to play a role in an experience. He noted, “In the brand activation world, there are three pillars to what I refer to as the ‘connected brand experience,’ and that has to do with the entertainment aspect: being entertaining, being connected, and being a community. One of the things I think is really important is the community aspect of all of it. What drives people is the desire to be connected to people. And when tech can be used to help amplify a community, it has a really powerful effect.”

You Gotta Be In It to Win It

Megan A. Dutta, content director at Systems Contractor News and moderator of this discussion, asked the panelists about the word “experience”—why is that word still important and do we need to continue to use it?

Sciarini Smith answered, “I’ve based my career on trying to make people really feel like they are someplace else than an auditorium with some lights and some music coming in. In the entertainment industry specifically, your bread and butter is making people feel something. It is the experience.... What matters is that the person or persons sitting in the space, whatever that space is, walk out of it and either don’t know and don’t care what the technology was because it was just that seamless, or were totally transported out of their daily lives and for a couple of minutes got to feel something exciting and great and were like, ‘Wow, that was cool.’”

“And also, it’s what we remember,” added Crider. “I mean, regardless of when we go somewhere, or we’re in a virtual situation like this [the AV/IT Summit], it’s the technology, it’s the experience, it’s the way we feel when we’re in that environment that we remember, more so than whatever we were there to do. I would say it’s such a critical word [experience] because we all can impact the way people feel and remember and experience an environment.”

Day noted, “I like to think of the word ‘experience’ as both a noun and a verb, and it will always be relevant in both contexts. A noun in the sense that we observe something and we experience something like what Meg described, and a verb in terms of the sense that to experience something is much more of an active and an interactive thing.... The word ‘experience’ will never be irrelevant. It should always be attached to its outcome, whatever the outcome is.”

“The experience for my company [a theme park] starts at the parking lot,” Benn added. “If you’re having trouble parking and it takes a long time and you don’t know where to go because there’s no signage, you can’t remember where you parked and all that—you’re already stressed before you get into the park, or before you get into the movie or the building or the theater, wherever you’re going. That’s already started to change your experience.”

Experiences are multidimensional, complex events with many potential points of failure or success. And every interaction is potentially an experience: not only visiting a theme park but even buying a product online constitutes an experience. Benn noted, “How hard is it to set something up? How long does it take to repair it? All those other things that people forget are part of an experience actually are part of it. It starts at the very beginning. Is it easy to buy a ticket for the movie theater? Is it easy to park? Is it all these other things? Because that attention to detail is part of what you experience.”

The Humanity of Experience

Dutta brought current events into the discussion, asking the panelists how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting our experiences, “particularly right now, when we’re not really having live events, everything’s virtual, people aren’t really getting together.”

“The virtualized everything is just not getting it done. There are aspects of it that are great, but it just will never be enough, you know,” Day lamented. “When I’m talking to major brands or I’m talking to people in the event world, I hear them describe three things: It’s got to be live, it’s got to be virtual, and it’s got to be digital. And I think we’ve compartmentalized these three things pretty well up to now. But now we’re saying, ‘No, we’re going to go all virtual.’ It’ll never be all virtual, and it’ll never be all digital, and it’ll never be all live. Great brands are connecting the experience. They’re saying, ‘We’re going to think about all three of these and we’re going to deliver against it.’ To me, that’s the coolest part about this. They’ve all been great [individually], but now they have to be interwoven to be successful.”

“Yeah, I agree. And in some ways, I think, from an experience standpoint, what has happened to us in this kind of forced new world is that it’s been a shakeup,” said Crider. “We had all been cramming into one place. Everything had been quite rigid. And in some ways it’s actually opened up to, maybe experiences can be a little bit more tailored, have more of an individual, one-on-one aspect. Maybe there can be room to breathe rather than cramming us all in one space. Maybe there’s actually some flexibility now in terms of events, where they are online, plus in person. We have more of a say now, as participants, to be able to demand a level of humanity. So that’s my hope, that humanity is brought into everyday experiences, whether that be walking down a city street or attending an event. It can be on your terms a little bit more than it ever has been.”

Sciarini Smith agreed, noting that “when it starts with the human aspect, that’s when technology is its most successful.”

“This is the beginning of having to look at things as digital, live, and virtual. People will see the opportunity that exists to connect them. It’ll never be enough to do it just one way. Forever more, we get to look at things through three lenses,” said Day. “I think major brands are going to adapt their strategies to do that because I don’t think they are happy with 100 percent virtual. They still want to touch consumers. I’m using major brands as a backdrop, but I think the same is true of industry associations and other groups. We will crave live, virtual, and digital. We’re going to crave it all. Meg described some great immersive—we crave it and we’re going to expect it in corporate just like we do in theme. There’ll be no difference. We want it in both places, and we want it at home.”

“I think virtual and physical are going to start blurring more and more. It’s just a matter of course—not just for events, but for everything,” noted Benn.

Sciarini Smith summed up our experience of the COVID-19 pandemic well, borrowing from Charles Dickens: It is the best of times, it is the worst of times. She explained, “It’s the worst of times because it’s terrible what the world is going through right now, but it is amazing the ingenuity and the innovation that we are seeing and how fast it’s moving. That’s exciting.”

Crider reinforced the idea. “You pick up on a great point that this is our moment, in a way. The world has to change. It’s our moment as experience designers to help push things forward, and make it move quickly because it has to,” she said. “I think it’s really exciting that we can impact someone’s safety, their perception of safety. We can impact the experiences that we all have. It’s a really exciting time for us as a profession."

All of the 2020 AV/IT Summit content—including the exhibit hall—is available on demand for the next month. To learn more, visit avitsummit.com.

Things move quickly in the tech world, but few were prepared for just how fast the professional AV landscape has shifted over the past few months. The 2020 AV/IT Summit tackled the most important issues facing integrators and tech managers today and over the horizon, considering both trends that have been gaining steam for some time and necessities that have arisen as a result of the global pandemic.

The event featured presentations and panel discussions with experts from various sides of pro AV—including integrators, manufacturers, and technology managers from leading institutions—discussing where we’re headed as an industry and how we can better work together to deliver superior outcomes for customers.

And unlike other online trade shows you may have attended this year, the AV/IT Summit took place in a virtual exhibition hall. Attendees can navigate a rendered convention center and make their way into an auditorium with IMAG screens for the programming. All of the pre-recorded content and the exhibit hall is available online until early September.

Here’s a rundown of what happened at the 2020 AV/IT Summit:

Keynote Address: Esports in Education: How Video Games are Changing the Way We Learn

The event began with a keynote address by Lori Bajorek, president of the National Esports Association, who discussed how AV organizations can harness the power of the massive wave that is competitive gaming. 

Kramer Morning Keynote

Kramer Electronics’ Clint Hoffman interviewed an AV professional to discuss a cutting-edge case study.

Stop. Collaborate. And Listen.

This session brought together end users and integrators to discuss how to avoid common conflicts and streamline teamwork. 

AV in a Post-COVID-19 World

The panel will featured representatives from 1 Beyond, Crestron, Sennheiser, and WolfVision who addressed AV’s increasingly pivotal role in today’s post-pandemic environment.

Samsung on AV in Corporate and Education Environments

Samsung Display Division’s vice president of marketing Mark Quiroz served up stimulating insight on the growing importance of pro AV in corporate and education environments.

The Modern AV UX

On this panel, integrators, consultants, and end users will discussed the evolution of the modern AV user experience in corporate environments. 

The Future of AV – What’s Next?

Representatives from Bose, Dell, Kramer, Shure, and Sony discussed emerging technologies and the impact they'll have on the pro AV industry. 

Tech That Connects

This session brought together end users from major technology and entertainment companies to share how all experiences can be more like the modern retail store, and how AV professionals can use experiential techniques in everyday installs to increase engagement and customer happiness—things that will be crucial as establishments look to break the public’s quarantine inertia.   

The Future of AV/IT—AR, 5G LTE, and the Cloud

WolfVision’s Michael Lisi shared how advancements in technology are quickly shifting paradigms in ways that are disrupting and changing the nature of the pro AV industry.

Don't Miss Out

All of this content—and the exhibit hall—is available until early September. Visit avitsummit.com for more information.

At the 2020 AV/IT Summit, representatives from 1 Beyond, Crestron, Sennheiser, and WolfVision discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the landscape of pro AV and accelerating trends that were already underway.

Watch the video below to learn more about pro AV in a post-COVID-19 world.

All of the 2020 AV/IT Summit content—including the exhibit hall—is available on demand for the next month. To learn more, visit avitsummit.com.

For more information, contact:

• 1 Beyond
• Crestron
• Sennheiser
• WolfVision

At the 2020 AV/IT Summit, representatives from Bose, Dell, Kramer, Shure, and Sony predicted what the pro AV landscape will look like in one, three, and five years.

Watch the video below to learn more about the future of pro AV.

All of the 2020 AV/IT Summit content—including the exhibit hall—is available on demand for the next month. To learn more, visit avitsummit.com.

For more information, contact:

• Bose
• Dell
• Kramer
• Shure
• Sony

Lori Bajorek, president of the National eSports Association, gave the keynote address at the 2020 AV/IT Summit on Aug. 6.

"Even though esports is played in a virtual world, it is a team sport that fosters community," Bajorek said in her presentation, "Esports in Education: How Video Games are Changing the Way We Learn." "Now that we are all socially distanced, even esports need to pivot. We all need to pivot."

Watch the video below to see Bajorek's full presentation.

The exhibit hall and content from the 2020 AV/IT Summit is available online until Sept. 7, 2020.

Visit avitsummit.com for more information.

2020 AV/IT Summit Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Presenting Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Networking Sponsors

The AV/IT Summit—held virtually on August 6—will bring a full day of education, networking, and giveaways galore.

Attendee will have the opportunity to win a variety of prizes from sponsoring manufacturers in the Passport to Prizes contest. 

In addition, AV/IT Summit participants will be rewarded for being social. AV Technology and Systems Contractor News will give away three $50 Visa gift cards for the tweets with the most engagement on Twitter using #AVITSummit and #AVTweeps.

“When attendees visit exhibitors at the AV/IT Summit, not only will they learn about the latest trends and tech innovations in our industry, they’ll also be eligible to win great prizes ranging from pro AV gear to Amazon gift cards,” said Megan A. Dutta, content director, Systems Contractor News. 

Passport to Prizes include:

—Logitech Zone Wireless Bluetooth Headset from Crestron

—$100 Amazon Gift Card from D&H

—Kramer Galil -6-AW 6.5inch, 2-way, On Wall Outdoor Speakers 

—Sennheiser HD 450BT

—Shure AONIC 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

—Sony Wireless Earbuds

—$50 Amazon Gift Card from TierPM

—$50 Amazon Gift Card from WolfVision

—and more!

For more information, visit avitsummit.com.

Passport to Prizes Details

Attendees who visit every sponsor booth and the Bose Lounge will be entered into a random drawing to win prizes from sponsors.

#AVITSummit Social Details

Attendees must use #AVITSummit and #AVTweeps in posts on Twitter. The three tweets with the most engagement (shares, likes, etc.) will win a $50 Visa (or the like) gift card. Corporate accounts and manufacturers/manufacturers' reps/distributor, and the like are not eligible. Judges' decision is final. 

More Information About the AV/IT Summit

• AV/IT Summit to Address Challenges, Opportunities for Pro AV
• Products You Can't Miss at the 2020 AV/IT Summit
• 1 Beyond on AV in the Post-COVID World, by 2020 AV/IT Summit speaker Rony Sebok
• Samsung on Education Solutions in the Changing World, by 2020 AV/IT Summit speaker Mark Quiroz 
• Bose on AV in the Post-COVID World, by 2020 AV/IT Summit speaker Martin Bodley
• Hey AV, We Need to Talk: Ways of Better Engaging with Corporate Clients, by 2020 AV/IT Summit speaker Charmaine Torruella
• Shure on the Future of Pro AV, by 2020 AV/IT Summit speaker Vanessa Jensen
• Kramer on the Future of Pro AV, by 2020 AV/IT Summit speaker Clint Hoffman
• Sennheiser on AV in the Post-COVID World, by 2020 AV/IT Summit speaker David Missall
• WolfVision on AV in the Post-COVID World, by 2020 AV/IT Summit speaker Michael Lisi
• Crestron on AV in the Post-COVID World, by 2020 AV/IT Summit speaker Alex Peras
• What Does the Future Hold for the Pro AV Industry?, by 2020 AV/IT Summit speaker Richard Ventura
• Connecting Small Businesses to the Pro AV Industry, by 2020 AV/IT Summit speaker Rachael Harris
• AVIXA Summit Approved for 5.5 AVIXA CTS RUs

COVID-19 has accelerated the adoption of videoconferencing technology—it became the way we stayed in touch while working, learning, and living remote from one another. As the pandemic response evolves, most organizations are transitioning to a hybrid model, where some are on campus or in the office while others join in from remote locations.

Not only will AV technology be needed in rooms where it was not before, but there is also an increased need for specific technologies like automated camera solutions. To accommodate social distancing, those on site will need to gather in larger spaces with fewer people in them. Smaller huddle rooms will be used less frequently. More rooms will need to be equipped for videoconferencing since meetings or classes that did not involve remote participants before now will.

In the past, to capture a corporate training session or university lecture for later viewing, a single camera and lavalier mic may have been sufficient. Now, customers are demanding AV integrators to install more cameras and mics in a room so that all participants can be seen and heard, not just the presenter. While working from home, people have become accustomed to the close-up views they see in laptop-based conferencing: one person per webcam. They will expect the same close-up views of those in larger meeting spaces. A wide shot of a large room with people socially distanced will not be effective when presented gallery style; no one would be visible in the small frame of the conferencing platform. 

But if the cameras in the classroom or meeting room focus on whoever is speaking or presenting, the far end participants will see them up close, just like all remote participants. Automated camera solutions make this possible with no IT staff needed and touch-free operation.

An auto-tracking camera can follow a presenter as they move about so remote participants see them and can see what they write on a blackboard. Voice-activated camera switching solutions that work in larger spaces by detecting where the audio is coming from based on the mics in the room can automatically control high definition PTZ cameras with 20x zoom to cut to the best camera and focus on whoever is speaking. People appear larger on screen, closer to how they would if they were directly in front of a webcam. With a minimal number of properly placed cameras around a room, good camera angles are possible for all participants.

Universities and corporations are all adopting this technology now. Universities are motivated to give students the best possible hybrid experience, so they do not defer their educations, and schools have CARES Act funding to support this goal. Corporations want employees to remain motivated and engaged and productive.

Upgrading rooms now is an investment for the future as well. Hybrid work and learning is not limited to the COVID-19 pandemic; flexible work and learning options are here to stay.

Rony Sebok spoke at the 2020 AV/IT Summit on AV in a Post-COVID-19 World panel. 

As states across the nation have started to reopen their economies, businesses both large and small are working hard to implement new protocols to ensure their employees and customers are safe. With schools in some parts of the country opening as soon as August, there is now a close eye on what educators will integrate into the classroom environment to create a collaborative and safe learning experience. 

Prior to the pandemic, most learning took place in the traditional classroom. Students spent their weekdays from August to June in school with peers and educators, developing interpersonal skills and fostering friendships. This created an experience that many have grown used to and look forward to each year. 

School administrators are challenged to reimagine what this experience will look like as we quickly approach a new school year in unprecedented times. As many districts unveil their plans to return to the classroom, there is a focus on a hybrid model wherein some students learn direct in the classroom and others join the lesson remotely. Technology is crucial to ensure that teachers can confidently provide a quality learning experience through this hybrid solution.  

Want to hear more from Mark Quiroz? Join him at the AV/IT Summit.

By pairing interactive whiteboards with video conferencing capabilities, school systems are able to engage with students in a more familiar setting even when students are at home. With new solutions, teachers will be able to live stream their classroom to the students participating remotely, offering the similar level of engagement without physically being in the same location. Additionally, teachers can leverage these tools to record their lessons and upload them into the school’s portal for students to reference later. 

Some schools have already deployed various hybrid solutions and have seen positive results.  According to Antonio Roca, managing director at Academica, a global network of public charter schools, “Academica embraced technology to ensure students didn’t miss a single day of live instruction with their teachers utilizing remote live instruction or synchronized education and had excellent results and student engagement increased.”

While exact details may differ, all school systems will have guidelines that they need to meet to best protect their faculty and students who physically attend schools, making it increasingly important to equip their facilities with digital signage that can provide important updates quickly and efficiently. Many digital displays offer remote management software that allows users to update the content at the cadence they need. 

Retailers and other businesses are already implementing thermal scanning solutions to screen employees and patrons as they enter the store to ensure no one has a fever. With the speed at which these devices complete a temperature reading, they could be an integral component for school campuses, allowing administrators to quickly identify any potential risks before allowing students to enter the building. 

The professional audiovisual industry has realized the need to quickly meet the new demands posed by the current situation—in both schools and the workplace. With the new solutions being developed and brought to market, schools are adjusting their physical spaces to offer safe, clean environments as society resumes normal operations in a new capacity. From collaboration tools to wayfinding offerings to emergency alert protocols, integrating display solutions is crucial to offer teachers, students, and parents peace of mind as we embark on an adjusted way of life together. 

Mark Quiroz is speaking at the 2020 AV/IT Summit with a  pre-panel intro titled "Samsung on AV in Corporate and Education Environments".

Click here to register for free for the Aug. 6 event.

The 2020 AV/IT Summit will take place virtually on August 6.

With a full day of killer discussions on the future of technology and the ability to check out the hottest pro AV products in the exhibit hall, you don’t want to miss it!

Watch the video below to check out the products you must see at the 2020 AV/IT Summit.

For more info on these products, register for the 2020 AV/IT Summit. 

Kramer VIA GO

Kramer’s VIA GO delivers exceptional wireless presentation functionality in a compact form factor.

WolfVision Cynap Pure Pro

Cynap Pure Pro is an award-winning solution for enabling seamless and effective collaboration, across the table and around the world.

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 UC

Bose NCH 700 UC equip you to confidently collaborate every time so you can work better, wherever.

Samsung Pro TV

Samsung's Pro TV offers a stunning 4K UHD display, sleek design with easy setup, and endless custom content possibilities.

1 Beyond Automate VX

1 Beyond’s Automate vX provides automated camera switching for improved video in classrooms and corporate meeting rooms of any size.

Crestron Flex R-Series

Crestron Flex R-Series is a mobile UC system that brings collaboration where it’s needed most, closing the distance between remote teams—wherever they may be.

Dell 86 4K Interactive Touch Monitor 

Dell’s 86-inch 4K touch display delivers amazing visuals and a natural writing experience utilizing FlatFrog In-Glass touch technology.

Sennheiser TeamConnect Ceiling 2

The Sennheiser TeamConnect Ceiling 2 microphone features patented beamforming technology to allow mobility in meetings, and it recently achieved Zoom compatibility to further enable the future of conferencing with quality audio.

Shure MXA710 Linear Array Microphone

Whether it’s under or next to a wall-mounted display, or suspended from the ceiling, the MXA710’s low-profile form factor blends into any meeting room aesthetic without sacrificing audio. 

Sony BRAVIA Pro BZ40H Display

Sony’s BRAVIA Professional BZ40H Displays feature a powerful SoC platform, Android-P OS, and mirroring with Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast.

AtlasIED Atmosphere

AtlasIED's Atmosphere platform sets a new standard for digital audio. Touch-less control, easy-to-program automation, and AI offer integrators and users an effortless way to create the perfect atmosphere for their businesses.

ViewSonic Interactive Flat Panel Display Available from D&H

Featuring 4K Ultra HD resolution and an advanced touchscreen, ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP7550 delivers incredible collaborative capabilities for boardrooms and classrooms.  Available through D&H.

Neoti UHD Series

Neoti’s UHD LED Series features a 16:9 aspect ratio, easy assembly, and curve capabilities. It is ideal for indoor applications with close viewing.

Nureva HDL200

The HDL200 system’s refined aesthetics and 4,096 virtual microphones provide true full-room coverage for spaces up to 18 feet by 18 feet.

Safe Zone Gunfire Detection System

The Safe Zone automated indoor gunfire detection system provides actionable intelligence to law enforcement, first responders, and onsite personnel. 

TierPM AVInsite

AVInsite is a centralized dashboard helping organizations monitor, understand, and optimize conference rooms, virtual meeting hardware and software, and collaboration technology.

VisibilityOne

VisibilityOne offers real-time monitoring for collaboration systems like Zoom, Poly, Cisco, Logitech, and related IoT. See the health of all collaboration room resources on one dashboard. 

To see all of these products and more, register for the 2020 AV/IT Summit at avitsummit.com.

Right now, our industry finds itself in a unique situation, and never before has it held so much potential. Yes, there is no denying there’s a lot going on in the world, but at the intersection of all this activity, we’re seeing the next stage in the evolution of unified communications take root. 

At the very core of all this activity, we’re pressure testing just how flexible the technology is that we bring to markets like business, education, and healthcare. And with this, we’re helping to shape how people are learning, connecting, and doing business. We’re also seeing people approach situations with a greater sense of curiosity and a “let’s-try-it” willingness to experiment and find new ways to getting work done. 

It used to be that phone calls and email were the foundation of our work communication, leaving tech like videoconferencing to move along at a slower adoption rate as most organizations reserved it for specific spaces dedicated to the task. Now that people have spent the last several months adapting to new tools, the use of videoconferencing platforms has become as ubiquitous as phones and email. Increasingly, people are more comfortable jumping on a video call and consider it just as easy as picking up the phone—and it’s a lot quicker than email. 

Many have used FaceTime or similar apps to connect with friends and family from time to time in the past, but it’s the use of video in business—crossing that invisible boundary and giving a glimpse of our lives outside the office and professional settings—that many of us haven’t had the opportunity to embrace until now. And now that it’s happened, there’s no going back.

Want to hear more from Martin Bodley? Join him at the AV/IT Summit.

As we stand at this intersection, one of the greatest drivers changing the way we work is technology. With cameras on every device and unified communication providers continuing to refine their platforms, the introduction of tech like 5G and Starlink broadband will reinforce the flexibility companies are now embracing. In-room video enablement will continue to increase as we reenter the workplace, but we’ll also see more options to connect and collaborate through new form factors like kiosks and self-contained pods.

Whether you’re designing a solution that supports your company’s technology and your knowledge workers, or you’re ensuring your clients are investing in future-flexible solutions, it’s a balancing act to deliver what people want and what businesses need. In the end, it boils down to creating a variety of environments that enable people to stay focused, to connect, and to collaborate so they can work better, wherever. 

Martin Bodley is speaking at the 2020 AV/IT Summit on AV in a Post-COVID-19 World panel. 

Click here to register for free for the Aug. 6 event.

The 2020 AV/IT Summit will take place virtually on Thursday, August 6. Registration is free for integrators, consultants, tech managers, and the like.

Watch the video below to find out why you should attend the 2020 AV/IT Summit. 

Click here to register for the 2020 AV/IT Summit.

Having worked with corporate clients for more than 20 years, I can tell you that there's a problem that keeps happening over and over again: AV is not engaging with clients in the most meaningful and effective ways. What do I mean by meaningful and effective? I mean in a way that engages the AV vendor with the corporate client for a long-term partnership and higher-level discussions. That is the goal, isn’t it? To get higher, to elevate.

AV is a combination of technology and construction; we are the technology contractors of collaboration. It is not as simple as buying a device, connecting, and then just going, as other trades might be able to do. AV takes different devices with connectors, software, cables, brackets, etc., and uses them to construct collaborative systems that accommodate the user’s workflow and environment. It’s like putting together a Lego set, except you have to select the right pieces and sometimes test and reshape them in order to assemble a working system. With this in mind, how does AV better engage with corporate clients to convey their full value and efficiencies?

There Is More Than One Decision Maker

First and foremost, you need to know there is more than one decision-maker at corporate organizations. Many times I hear people say, “I know a guy there.” A guy? Just one? Why not a few people? Why not people in other business units? Yes, AV is often decided at the AV/IT technology manger’s level, but not always. Corporate tech teams’ roles are blending with other roles and departments. There are different business divisions and units that make their own decisions on AV tech. I know what you’re thinking: what if you upset your main contact because they feel you are going around them? So don’t! Ask for permission, ask for direction … just ask. This helps your contact become the liaison and perhaps the champion for their colleagues in solving their AV problems. If you ask and they say, “That’s not me” or “I don’t know,” then you have indirect permission to explore on your own.

Engagement Is Not Just for Sales

Most of the time, salespeople are the front line of an AV company. Now—and most especially now—everyone has to be prepared to take the front line with the salesforce. By everyone, I mean vice presidents and executives of key departments like finance, operations, and service. Engineers, project managers, technicians—they are already there.

Corporate understands that successful long-term relationships require key team managers to oversee the delivery of the promises, commitments, and/or solutions that sales prescribe. Just like your corporate clients have to collaborate in-house to deliver to their internal clients, they expect the same of their vendors. Some clients are not so effective, and this is where an AV vendor can show them the way.

Presentation Is Key

Now, in the age of COVID-19, presentation is key. Since most meetings are now virtual, your presence and content will be crucial to keep engagement. AV teams traditionally meet in person with clients; they do not often use virtual tools, and they rarely know how to use them well enough to be engaging. However, corporate clients do. They assist and train their end users to enable them to meet virtually with their clients and supply chains successfully, and often. Some virtual meeting tips:

1. Have a Strong Network – Hate when someone’s video and audio cuts out? Well, so does your corporate client. They do make allowances, but show them you are up to the task. Get situated wherever you are with a consistently working network.

2. Learn the VMR – Whether you are using Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Zoom, Google Meet, or another communications platform, learn how to use its functions. There are online trainings for all these tools. Take them, and then practice, practice, practice. No, they do not all function the same way.

3. Content Is Your Friend – Have some sort of presentation, whether it be PowerPoint, a video clip, or a demo. If your meeting does not require that, then make sure you always have your video on. Allow your clients to see you and engage somehow.

4. To the Eye of the Beholder – Be neat in appearance. Whether at home or in person, be well groomed—no ZZ Top beards. If you have to have a beard, clean it up. Dress like your client. You will never go wrong with a suit, but if you’d prefer not to wear one, mirror your client’s work attire to effectively assimilate to their culture and gain trust.

Can We Just Talk?

Don’t sell to them; talk to them. Get a deeper engagement to understand more of their pain, to learn more about their business entity, to give them back more of their time. The more you know about your client and their business, the more opportunity you have to find other areas where you can support them.

I worked with a client who had 100-plus business entities that made their own decisions (read: had their own budgets). It was hard for the shared services team to provide a streaming solution that matched all their business units’ needs. So I did my own R&D expedition, with permission, and came back to the table with a data report they never had before. With that, I developed a catalog of three flavors of streaming applications available to all their business units.

I also developed more meaningful relationships in which they understood I wasn’t trying to sell them; I was trying to solve for them. By just talking to them periodically and doing check-ins, I created more time for them, less work, and solved a problem. Now how good did that make them feel?

Be Easy to Do Business With

What drives a corporate client berserk is a vendor that is hard to do business with. If Corporate Client A needs a room implemented in six to eight weeks, and it takes four weeks to issue a purchase order, what do you do? If you do all the previous steps and discover their process for issuing orders and payments and the timespan of these business functions is not workable, then get other stakeholders in your company engaged with you and the client to help you put together a satisfactory resolution. Operations and back offices may be amenable to change. AV is all about presenting different options, so why leave it up to sales reps only?

In the end, a corporate client who sees you are willing to be flexible with alternatives will always keep you front of mind. I can’t begin to list the number of corporate clients I have worked with who complained about how the prior vendor’s people never worked with them, never understood their organization, and never called them. They used the sales rep to run interference to spare internal stakeholders the pain of talking to the client. Do you think a corporate tech manager with a decent amount of AV work will accept that for long? Would you?

Charmaine Torruella spoke at the 2020 AV/IT Summit on The Modern AV UX panel. 

Technology has completely revolutionized how we communicate. From microphones to telephones, radios, and speaker systems, we’ve been able to connect with each other across vast distances for over 100 years. Doing so has helped businesses, too, and ongoing developments in the AV space continue to deliver clearer, higher-quality audio, allowing organizations to communicate seamlessly with collaborators wherever they are in the world. Now, as we begin to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, keeping our businesses connected and working together effectively is more important than ever. It’s easy to take this for granted: run a meeting with faultless audio and everyone moves on with their day. Encounter problems, and it can disrupt the flow and outcome of a collaboration. Quality audio is essential, and the AV industry will continue to adapt with new, innovative technologies.

AV technology will be key in creating safe and easy-to-use meeting spaces in our post-coronavirus world. Tech has advanced to the point where with the right equipment and systems, users will be able to have a completely hands-free experience that will minimize the risk of spreading infection. Understandably, there has been a huge boom in interest in hands-free solutions in 2020. What was once considered a "nice-to-have" bonus is now an important aspect of workplace setup, as things like touchscreens, remote controls, and handheld microphones have become potential vectors for COVID-19.

Want to hear more from Vanessa Jensen? Join her at the AV/IT Summit.

Apps are available that allow users to control the systems within meeting rooms, from screens and remote logins to microphone setup—and with auto-connect functionality, these systems will function smoothly and seamlessly. Alternatively, the advances in voice-activated software and natural language processing will permit anyone to engage with meeting room systems without even needing specific apps set up on their devices.

At this time, it’s hard to predict exactly what the future of the workplace will hold, but these technological advances will create meeting rooms that will combine more efficient, intuitive, and integrated systems with the safety and caution that the future working environment demands.

Vanessa Jensen is speaking at the 2020 AV/IT Summit on The Future of Pro AV—What's Next? panel. 

Click here to register for free for the Aug. 6 event.

We didn’t see it coming so quickly. We couldn’t know how bad it would become. And we don’t know when it will definitively end. 

We’re talking, of course, about the COVID-19 outbreak. It started as a small brush fire, then roared to life in Asia, then Europe, then North America, hitting the United States particularly hard. Numerous verticals have been hammered as a result, including hospitality, live events, transportation, conventions and trade shows, and retail. 

As states try different approaches to reopening, there are real questions about safe distancing and disinfecting measures. Large numbers of employees are working from home (or trying to), and many will remain there after the pandemic passes. Movie theaters and Broadway remain closed. Restaurants run at limited capacity, and baseball, hockey, and basketball teams will play truncated seasons in empty stadiums and arenas.

And now, an enormous challenge looms large. The start of the fall school year is approaching, but is it really safe to have children and young adults in close proximity to teachers? Some schools and universities are going to try opening with restrictions on class size and seating. Others have decided it isn’t worth the risk and will instead rely on distance learning and virtual classrooms for the fall 2020 and winter 2021 semesters.

Want to hear more from Clint Hoffman? Join him at the AV/IT Summit.

Not surprisingly, the old ways of communicating and presenting won’t cut it now. “Wireless” is now more important than “wired.” Faster broadband connections and increased bandwidth are imperative. Computer and webcam sales are through the roof, with many of these products on back order. Flexible, powerful, and easy-to-use software and hardware systems for audio and videoconferencing are the hot ticket right now. 

It’s become apparent that we’ll be working, learning, and socializing remotely for some time, perhaps well into 2021. Armed with a laptop, microphone or headset, and webcam, we will figure out a way to accomplish all of these things. And the AV industry is indeed stepping up to the plate with solutions that fit this unique time and place.

Wireless presentation sharing products are a perfect example. With these two-way platforms, instructors and students can easily engage in virtual classrooms, cast and share individual screens, participate in Q&A sessions, and take quizzes, all while maintaining safe social distancing. They’re ready to run popular conferencing applications including Zoom, BlueJeans, Teams, and GoToMeeting. These products can be easily inserted into a conventional, hard-wired AV presentation system using HDMI and USB ports, expanding its reach across multiple classrooms on a local area network (LAN) and beyond to remotely connected students and participants over wide area networks (WANs). 

And there couldn’t be a more appropriate time to move to cloud-based AV control systems. Leave the masks and disinfecting wipes at home—there’s no need for in-person visits anymore. Each piece of AV gear equipped with a network interface card can now be accessed, operated, monitored, and updated remotely over wired or wireless networks from anywhere in the world. And cloud-based control systems can configure the necessary operational commands from large databases of device drivers, speeding up installation and reducing labor costs. 

Finally, we’ve seen a worldwide increase in touch-free interactions and transactions to minimize the possible spread of the coronavirus. Wireless presentation products are a perfect fit because the only physical contact presenters have is with their own devices; only screen content is shared. As for cloud-based control systems—well, that’s about as touch-free as you can get. 

The AV industry is most certainly operating in unfamiliar territory these days. Fortunately, we do have the right AV solutions on hand to navigate it successfully, now and long after the pandemic fades from memory!

Clint Hoffman is speaking at the 2020 AV/IT Summit on The Future of Pro AV—What's Next? panel as well as giving the morning keynote. 

Click here to register for free for the Aug. 6 event.

With cleanliness and social distancing top of mind for all organizations preparing to reopen, AV professionals are faced with a unique challenge. Meeting rooms and classrooms have always been high-touch, close-contact environments where equipment like microphones and headsets are innocuously passed from person to person. After COVID-19, such behavior is subject to much more scrutiny and care. 

Not to worry: IT and AV professionals don’t need to add “equipment sterilizer” to their job descriptions as businesses and schools open back up. Thanks to recent innovations in touchless audio, the AV market is well positioned for this new normal. There are plenty of affordable products and even small software upgrades available that can make the transition back to classrooms and offices safe, effective, and seamless through great-sounding touchless audio solutions.

One innovation that will prove increasingly valuable is beamforming microphone technology. To maintain distance between class or meeting participants, these types of microphones automatically track whoever is speaking within a space to effectively capture the speech on a conference call. With this, there is no need to “pass the mic.” Audio is crystal clear for remote participants, and social distancing best practices can easily be met in person.

As COVID-19 fast-tracked the move to remote learning and working, it is more than likely that most organizations will choose to continue allowing participants to join meetings and classes from home. Accordingly, AV and IT professionals should make sure that their audio equipment is compatible across various videoconferencing platforms—whether that is Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or something else that is commonly used at their enterprise. 

A recent report from LoopUp found that people spend 15 minutes on average per conference call troubleshooting audio challenges or dealing with distractions. To enable productive collaboration and great audio quality, it’s important to ensure interoperability in advance. 

Another way to enable touchless audio is via mobile apps. AV and IT professionals should embrace the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend at school and work to allow collaboration over Wi-Fi. To minimize the sharing of devices and ease social distancing during lecture halls or seminars, schools in particular can enable high-quality audio streaming via secure apps on students’ smartphones.

For many AV installs, audio has often been an afterthought. As COVID-19 effectively turned how corporations work and how schools teach upside down, audio can no longer be a postscript. Now more than ever, good-quality audio can make or break the end user’s overall experience. It can be the difference between a student’s grade or a successful business proposal. 

As businesses and schools prepare to reopen, audio will be the primary interface for remote or socially distanced classes and meetings. With this, AV and IT pros must embrace new innovations and technologies to ensure their organizations can benefit from high-quality, touchless audio solutions.

David Missall is speaking at the 2020 AV/IT Summit on AV in a Post-COVID-19 World panel. 

It’s time we face the music. The audiovisual integration industry has changed, and things are never going to return to the way they once were. 

COVID-19 was not the culprit. It was just the catalyst. The true culprit was the ever-more powerful, ever-more capable, ever-more portable, ever-more ubiquitous, and ever-more economical, computer.

Though we would prefer not to admit it, computers and software can now accomplish most of what we once needed professionally installed audiovisual systems to deliver. This includes functionality like video and audio conferencing, wireless presentation, multi-source switching, window-processing, live and on-demand video streaming, room control, interactive whiteboarding, and more. We recently witnessed the computer produce entire virtual events like Infocomm 2020 Connected and WolfVision's VCX Conference. Even our shrinking materials lists and scope of work documents from recent years are showing us the writing on the wall (again via our laptop connected to a display). IT departments are choosing computer-centric design approaches over rack-based, proprietary AV systems, and there is no going back.

Want to hear more from Michael Lisi? Join him at the AV/IT Summit.

Not long ago, it was easier for us to make the case for a professionally integrated AV system. We could talk about user adoption, standardization, and our ability to simplify user experiences with button presets on fancy, touchscreen control solutions. We could also talk about the dreadful meeting experiences awaiting those who overestimated the capabilities of low-cost USB peripherals or the dangers of installing “undersized” audiovisual systems in larger meeting spaces. These conversations were frequently effective. Then they were occasionally effective. Then they were rarely effective. Now that COVID-19 has come along and sent everyone home, just forget it.

Why talk about user adoption, standardization, and redefining user experiences when everyone is successfully using their laptops to work and collaborate effectively? Why worry about undersizing AV systems when everyone is working from home and no one seems eager to gather for in-person meetings? Many will argue that this situation is only temporary, that people will eventually return to work and go back to meeting from room to room. This may be true, and for a moment, let’s assume it is. The question remains: what kind of experience will make the most sense for them if/when they return? Should we focus on introducing them to revolutionary new meeting space technology that we installed while they were out, or should we make it easy for them to simply continue using the technology they already mastered? My personal feeling is that the latter solution offers the path of least resistance and the highest likelihood of success.

So where do we go from here? Notice that I did not offer “staying here” as an option. If we want to survive, and even thrive in the months and years ahead, we are going to need to reconsider how we can add value to this new equation. How can we better serve our customers as they continue to embrace and depend on computers for their collaboration needs? I can’t tell you where this path ends (as I’m saving this for the keynote I’m sharing at the 2020 AV/IT Summit), but I can offer a few suggestions for where to begin. 

For those of us who are in this field because we love technology and enjoy keeping up with it as it changes, let’s just consider this another opportunity to do what we love. 

Michael Lisi is speaking at the 2020 AV/IT Summit on AV in a Post-COVID-19 World panel, and is giving the closing keynote address.

Click here to register for free for the Aug. 6 event.

Michael Lisi, national distribution manager at WolfVision, will give the closing keynote at the 2020 AV/IT Summit.

Lisi's keynote will cover key technological advancements poised to re-shape the landscape of the AV/IT industry.

"We are living in a turbulent and volatile time in which the world situation is changing from day-by-day” said Lisi. “As such, it’s an honor to be invited to speak and share ideas at a thought leadership such as this for the betterment of our industry.”

"We're thrilled to have Michael and WolfVision join us at the 2020 AV/ITSummit," added Megan A. Dutta, content director, Systems Contractor News. "His groundbreaking thoughts on augmented reality, 5G LTE, and the Cloud will be enjoyed by integrators and tech managers alike."

Lisi's keynote will take place on Aug. 6 at 4:15 p.m. ET. 

To learn more or to register for the AV/IT Summit, visit www.avitsummit.com.

When the pandemic struck, the move to remote work was swift, but even as more states open up and loosen social distancing restrictions, we will continue to see more companies opt for at least a partial in-person contingency. It is unlikely that we’ll see a major rush back to the office and campus, particularly as the U.S. still faces surging COVID numbers; it is more likely that there will be a shift toward a hybrid work environment that comprises both in-office and virtual/remote students. This isn’t all bad: companies have now figured out how to enable work from home productivity because they were forced to.

This shift to hybrid work means enterprises need solutions to balance collaboration and safety equally, allowing employees to interact and be productive without putting anyone in danger of contracting the virus. This creates a unique opportunity for AV professionals to position their services and AV technology as one way to mitigate this challenge. This includes collaboration and unified communications (UC) solutions, technology platforms that support social distancing, provide important data and analytics, and can be easily added to existing or new systems in spaces of any size or scale. 

The hybrid work environment will force facilities managers to make significant changes to the footprint of offices and public spaces. Collaborative environments that are bigger and support social distancing—think fewer shared desks and more conference and meeting room spaces—will be in demand, but enterprises will need a way to enforce the new rules. Technology can help support social distancing restrictions with features like people counting. 

People-counting is a need-to-have, not just to protect employees from the virus, but also to measure how space is used in our new work environment. AV installers can implement this safety functionality by using the latest unified communications (UC) and collaboration tools, which have cameras that support people counting. 

Want to hear more from Alex Peras? Join him at the AV/IT Summit.

To further promote collaboration, AV professionals can add room video systems that tie into their UC platform. This allows the technology to support everyone in a meeting equally, whether they are in the room or remote: The digital display and UC platforms allow all participants to see each other, while high-quality audio technology (soundbars, microphones, ceiling speakers, tabletop audio devices, etc.) ensures everyone can hear each other clearly.

All technology that goes into a modern office should be designed to also enable remote working as this shift will be dramatic—and can be a huge force for good. In fact, a recent survey from Xerox found that “56 percent of respondents are expanding their technology budgets in anticipation of new requirements stemming from fully remote or hybrid workplace arrangements,” supporting a need for technology that can successfully bridge the gaps that exist between in-person and remote communication.

Another technology for AV professionals to consider is a personal device content-sharing gateway, which allows users to plug in their own devices (laptops, mobile phones, etc.) to share content onto another screen. A personal device content-sharing gateway combines safety and collaboration so that meeting participants don’t have to touch anything that isn’t their own device, which helps prevent the spread of bacteria around a building. Neither do they have to huddle around one person’s laptop in close quarters to review notes or a deck, which promotes social distancing.

Additionally, personal device content-sharing gateways allow people to work off the devices with which they are most comfortable and familiar; they know where their files are, what shortcuts are programmed into the trackpad settings, and so on. Less time is wasted learning how to control and share with new devices on the fly, which helps everyone make the most of the meeting.

It is also important to consider using UC technology that will power these added devices using a strong, reliable, secure, and low-lag network, as well as displays that bring the latest in picture quality to provide a more lifelike experience for virtual users. 

Every company, campus, and organization are in a different place with their return-to-work plans and procedures following the height of the first wave this past spring, and there is no playbook for this new reality. But one thing is for sure: Safety and hygiene now will have to be prioritized just as highly as productivity and collaboration was and will continue to be. AV professionals can use this time to support customers in rethinking their system design and by deploying technologies that meet the needs of the hybrid reality that we are faced with. 

Alex Peras is speaking at the 2020 AV/IT Summit on AV in a Post-COVID-19 World panel. 

Click here to register for free for the Aug. 6 event.

Ahead of the 2020 AV/IT Summit, AVNation's Tim Albright sat down with some of its speakers to discuss the state of pro AV and get a sneak preview of what attendees can expect at the event.

Albright was joined by Megan A. Dutta, content director, Systems Contractor News; Jeremy Caldera, CTS-D, CTS-I, CEO, IAS Technology; Rachael Harris, service assurance engineer at a major financial institution; Sean Reid, founder, Astroman AV; and Meg Sciarini-Smith, AV systems engineer at a major technology company.

To hear more from these AV/IT Summit speakers, register for the event at www.avitsummit.com 

2020 AV/IT Summit Platinum Sponsors

• Kramer Electronics
• WolfVision

2020 AV/IT Summit Presenting Sponsors

• Bose
• Samsung

2020 AV/IT Summit Gold Sponsors

• Crestron
• Dell
• Sennheiser
• Shure
• Sony

Networking Sponsors

• AtlasIED
• D&H
• Nureva
• Safe Zone
• VisibilityOne

To learn more about 2020 AV/IT Summit sponsorship opportunities, visit avitsummit.com/2020/sponsorpackages or email Adam Goldstein at adam.goldstein@futurenet.com.

What does the future hold for the display industry? What is the next big thing that will be driving our installations and projects as we move into the next five, 10, 20 years? To be honest, your guess is as good as mine. However, there are key applications and use cases that are driving the technology evolution. In the wake of the new reality, there are significant trends that are moving the industry forward.

The display, the visual experience for all solutions, has undergone many changes over the last 20 years. Glass is giving way to LED lights; lamps on projectors are being replaced by lasers; onboard computers are getting smarter, smaller, and more complex. IoT is a critical discussion point on RFPs and projects, and resolution changes are starting to creep back into our conversations.

When discussing the future and changes to displays, we must start at the physical surface and appearance of the display itself. The LCD, the de facto display standard, has been the king of the hill for a long time. LCD displays account for the lion’s share of installations—especially in desktop, digital signage, collaboration, and conference room solutions—but we are now starting to see the introduction of alternative technologies, specifically around large format and video wall solutions. OLED and dvLED have emerged as options that can coexist with LCD and enhance display technology offerings.

New applications and opportunities are emerging from the introduction of OLED displays’ lightweight and ultra-thin form factors and amazing colors, and dvLED’s flexible, large-scale, non-rectangular abilities and bezel-free presence. Costs, form factor, applications, and flexibility will drive the evolution and adoption of each technology. The video wall business will have the largest change, and dvLED will become the dominant display solution. 

Want to hear more from Rich Ventura? Join him at the 2020 AV/IT Summit.

And there is another migration on the horizon: the transition from 4K to 8K displays, which still favors LCD on a cost-per-inch basis.

Projectors have gone through a massive evolution with the introduction of laser light sources, which enable much longer use cycles, enhanced image quality, and expanded applications. The projector has been and continues to be critical for scenarios that require extremely large-scale video, unique viewing experiences, and flexible installations.

Additionally, onboard computing has evolved. What began as a simple media player with no smarts has become a computing system that can run multiple applications and software platforms. Today, System on a Chip (SoC) has become commonplace and will continue to grow. The simple ability of playing back content is assumed; customers today are looking to be able to run collaboration systems, signage platforms, video analytics, wayfinding, videoconferencing, and applications. The SoC solutions will continue to become more powerful and deliver more capabilities. There is no silver bullet when it comes to computing, and every application will require the right tool to accomplish the task. SoC is being embraced and opportunities are expanding. Those with strong SoC solutions will benefit greatly.

Lastly, IoT will be a major driver for the display industry and our connected future. We require technology that works together, can be controlled remotely, and drives data and intelligence back to us, which is crucial for digital signage, collaboration, kiosks, and telehealth. In today’s world, we must be able to control, troubleshoot, update, correct, deploy, and engage with our technology remotely. Having to deploy resources is difficult, and IoT is a driver for this. Being able to communicate with sensors (beacons, RFID, cameras, etc.) becomes a major need for the display industry. SoC will play a critical role in this as we see more intelligence and smarts being deployed within the displays themselves. As devices get smarter, data sets get larger, and a connected platform is the expectation, IoT is leading growth and will be a critical component moving forward.

Displays and technology will keep evolving and will continue to be dictated by needs and use cases. What is critical is that we evolve with the industry.

Rich Ventura is speaking at the 2020 AV/IT Summit on The Future of AV—What's Next? panel. 

Click here to register for free for the Aug. 6 event.

AVIXA has partnered with the AV/IT Summit to host a charity trivia night. The night before the Summit, on August 5 at 8 p.m., AV professionals will gather for an evening of networking and friendly competition. All proceeds will benefit the AVIXA Foundation, the charitable arm of AVIXA.

“We are excited to team up with the AV/IT Summit to host this special edition of Trivia Night in support of the AVIXA Foundation. After the success of our Trivia Night during InfoComm Connected, this was a perfect match up to continue the competitive and fun event. This a great way to bring the community together while supporting the AVIXA Foundation’s mission to help build the future AV workforce,” said Amanda Eberle Boyer, senior director of member services, AVIXA.

 “While the AV/IT Summit is being held virtually this year, we still want to provide our attendees with opportunities for networking,” added Megan A. Dutta, content director, Systems Contractor News. “Trivia Night: The Rematch will allow AV professionals to give back while engaging with each other is a friendly competition. The AVIXA Foundation has done an amazing job of promoting the AV industry to young people, and we're proud to be able to partner with them on this event.”

Members of the winning team will receive a pair of AtlasIED Active Wear Ear Buds.

To learn more about Trivia Night: The Rematch or to register, visit bit.ly/SummitTrivia.

To learn more about the 2020 AV/IT Summit, visit avitsummit.com.

The 2020 AV/IT Summit will be held virtually on August 6, and there are plenty of sponsorship opportunities available for pro AV manufacturers and distributors.

Watch the video below to learn more about sponsoring the 2020 AV/IT Summit.

"The experience may look a little different this time around, but we promise the 2020 AV/IT Summit will be filled with relevant content, plenty of networking opportunities, and, most importantly to you, a solid exhibit hall experience," said Megan A. Dutta, content director, Systems Contractor News.

Current AV/IT Sponsors include:

Platinum Sponsors (SOLD OUT)

• Kramer Electronics
• WolfVision

Presenting Sponsors (SOLD OUT)

• Bose
• Samsung

Gold Sponsors (1 Available)

• Crestron
• Dell
• Sennheiser
• Shure
• Sony

Networking Sponsors

• AtlasIED
• D&H
• Nureva
• Safe Zone
• VisibilityOne

To learn more about 2020 AV/IT Summit sponsorship opportunities, visit avitsummit.com/2020/sponsorpackages or email Adam Goldstein at adam.goldstein@futurenet.com.

Small businesses need help connecting to the AV industry. 

Not many years ago, I joined a brand-new, state-of-the art live-events facility as its technical director. The space was brilliantly outfitted with a very expensive and thoughtful AV integration—I felt very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the system.

Unfortunately, it only took me a few hours to feel the results of a major communication gap between the business owners and the AV integrators. I could not plug in a mic due to a lack of XLR cables. Here I was surrounded by a freshly installed and tuned multi-million dollar system, and, somehow, I was still running out to the nearest record store to purchase cables to get through the night. How was that possible? Why didn’t anyone sell them XLR cables?

Since then, I have worked with several small businesses and non-profit organizations that have extensive AV integrations and exhibit a need for ongoing, reliable AV services that will help them to maintain and update their installations as they grow. However, building these lasting relationships with the AV industry is difficult for small businesses as there is no direct route to quality, affordable AV consultation for small businesses and non-profit organizations. 

Want to hear more from Rachael Harris? Join her at the 2020 AV/IT Summit.

Any organization with $100,000 can hire an integrator and build an AV system. Unfortunately, once the integrator leaves the job site, owners are often left without a manual, without a maintenance schedule, and without any idea about what the buttons do. Businesses will spend all of their capital on the design and installation of the system without planning for the ongoing costs associated with the service contracts that keep their integrators engaged with their projects. 

Likewise, they are not normally staffed with end users who have knowledge about how to run or maintain an AV system.  These responsibilities often end up being passed around the organization, falling into the laps of either the Creative Department that produces the content, or the part-time IT person, or whatever Side-Job-Saturday person the organization can get a hold of to take oversight over the system. 

Although well-intentioned, none of these characters are likely to possess the insight, skill set, or contacts needed to fully maintain the integrity of a complex system. 

AV is a team sport. The systems are intricate and require a diversity of talent for deep troubleshooting and system health management. It is very rare to meet a single individual who can design, build, source, program, install, run, and maintain a system alone. 

But, for the sake of affordability, that is exactly what an entire community of potential clients are trying to do. These potential clients are ready, willing, and able to invest in their communication infrastructure and they want to become customers but without exposure to the industry, they do not know where to turn. 

Figuring out how to reach out to these customers and meet them where they are would solidify the value and reputation of AV service as a standard business necessity—and not an unobtainable luxury service, reserved for billion-dollar businesses. 

It would be worth the effort for the AV Industry to reach these markets with easily purchased solutions that are intuitive enough for end-user configuration. Users will still call on us for assistance and upgrades, but building the trust for a new level of clientele in today’s environment requires empowering the users to run their systems the way they want to. 

Pair this accessibility with a focus on clear, clean communication with buyers and users. AV integrators and manufacturers have to listen to the specific needs of small businesses and design solutions that specifically address those needs, and are neither high-end consumer solutions nor tiny versions of enterprise solutions. AV solutions work best when made to measure. 

While pret-a-porter fabrications will build dependence, the ideal relationship with small clients is based in confidence. We want to be confident that they know what they are dealing with and they want to be confident that they have what they need—including someone who will help them with it when they cannot figure it out. Meeting these clients where they are is a matter of communicating in language they understand and bringing the customer along as they learn more and more about their system. 

The industry wins in this deal as well. Creating relationships with these historically do-it-yourself businesses will expose the industry to competent, creative end users who represent the owners. These end users have the ability to heavily influence purchasing decisions and will be loyal customers to integrators and manufacturers who have the ability to understand their needs and help them solve their problems.

 There is even opportunity for the industry to build strong relationships with the lone wolf end users found in these spaces. They could be leveraging these as occasions for training and experimental implementations to raise the next generation of problem-solvers and solutions. More than a few could even make the transition from customer to colleague, and bring their own inventiveness directly to the industry.

Integrators hold the key to closing this gap. By creating business units that are specifically focused on fostering relationships with small businesses, these companies can represent small business clients’ needs to manufacturers and facilitate a conversation that leads to innovation for these spaces. 

Integrators are also well positioned to carefully oversee owner’s design and purchasing processes to point out future pitfalls that the business may want to protect itself from with extended service or internal hiring. 

Most importantly, they are the salespeople who understand how a business plans to use the system they are installing and can advise them on how to manage it going forward. 

Rachael Harris is speaking at the 2020 AV/IT Summit on the Stop. Collaborate. And Listen. panel. 

Click here to register for free for the Aug. 6 event.

The 2020 AV/IT Summit, taking place virtually on August 6, has been approved by the AVIXA independent Certification Renewal Committee to provide learning opportunities for CTS holders and others for their continued professional development; the event is worth 5.5 AVIXA Renewal Units (RUs) for CTS, CTS-D, and CTS-I holders.

[Lori Bajorek to Keynote AV/IT Summit]

“We are committed to providing quality education to the pro AV community, and the number of CTS RUs available to our attendees drives that point home,” said Megan A. Dutta, content director, Systems Contractor News. “We’ve gathered an incredible collection of speakers who are ready to help attendees learn in a fun and engaging way.”

“It’s so important to continue to hone your skills throughout your career. Learning new methods and sharing experiences with peers drives your professional growth,” added Amanda Beckner, CTS, vice president of learning atAVIXA. “We’re thrilled that Future, the producer of the AV/IT Summit,  has made the commitment to become a CTS RU provider to support pro AV professionals’ education.”

For more information or to register for the event, visit avitsummit.com/2020.

Lori Bajorek, president of the National eSports Association—the premier group for esports education that is collaboratively building the foundation for an inclusive community of gamers—is set to keynote the AV/IT Summit on August 6.

"At a time where AV professionals are diving deeper into the world of esports, we are thrilled to welcome Lori to the AV/IT Summit," said Megan A. Dutta, content director, Systems Contractor News. "Lori's dynamic keynote will give attendees an in-depth look at the esports market and they'll leave with a solid understanding of new business opportunities."

"Esports teaches our digitized youth to thrive and to be collaborative in a global community. Esports is more than just placing blocks or getting the most eliminations, transforming the way we learn and create community," added Bajorek. 

[AV/IT Summit Goes Virtual]

Bajorek's keynote—titled "Esports in Education: How Video Games are Changing the Way We Learn"—will review how digitized youth can be motivated to learn in the classroom and beyond through the power and benefit of esports.

For more information or to register, visit avitsummit.com.

[Free Download: The Integration Guide to Esports]

The AV/IT Summit will take place virtually on Aug. 6 on a highly visual platform that translates the experience of attending a conference to your computer screen. 

More than just a series of video sessions, the virtual event will feature most of the same benefits as the in-person AV/IT Summit, beginning with a digital conference lobby complete with exhibitor booths. There will be interactive, engaging panels with subject matter experts from various facets of pro AV, as well as plenty of networking.

"We firmly believe that August will be too soon for a gathering of 200-plus people in New York City, and we want to ensure the safety of our attendees, speakers, and staff," said Megan A. Dutta, content director, Systems Contractor News. "On the bright side, having a virtual event will allow us to expand our reach and we invite integrators, consultants, technology managers, and the like from around the country to join us for a full day of education and networking."

"With the audiovisual industry in its current state of flux, it's especially difficult to stay on top of all the changes and prepare yourself for what's next," said Matt Pruznick, editor, AV Technology. "The AV/IT Summit provides an incisive forum for leaders from all sides of the business to share their challenges, strategies, and predictions. And, more importantly, it unites key players in dialogue about how we can all work together to create more effective solutions."

For more information and to register, visit avitsummit.com.

Registration has opened for the 2020 AV/IT Summit. The event—which will be held Thurs., Aug. 6 at the National Geographic Encounter in New York—is a one-day interactive learning seminar where integrators, consultants, tech managers, and architects will come together for spirited debates on the future of installed AV systems.

"We're excited to build on the success of the 2019 event," said Megan A. Dutta, content director, Systems Contractor News. "The Nat Geo Experience will provide a tech-forward backdrop to our stellar content—plus attendees will receive a tour of the venue at the end of the day so they can see AV in action."

"With the audiovisual industry in its current state of flux, it's especially difficult to stay on top of all the changes and prepare yourself for what's next," said Matt Pruznick, editor, AV Technology. "The AV/IT Summit provides an incisive forum for leaders from all sides of the business to share their challenges, strategies, and predictions. And, more importantly, it unites key players in dialog about how we can all work together to create more effective solutions."

End users receive complimentary registration and a complimentary hotel night*. There is a $99 registration fee for integrators, consultants, architects, and the like.

To learn more or to register, visit avitsummit.com.

Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

*Must live more than 40 miles from the venue to receive a complimentary hotel night.

At the AV/IT Summit on Aug. 1 in New York, a panel of leading manufacturers discussed new technologies and the impact they'll have on the pro AV industry. 

Watch the video below to see The Future of AV: What's Next?

For more information, contact

Aurora Multimedia

Biamp

Crestron

Ingram Micro

Shure

At the AV/IT Summit on Aug. 1 in New York, a panel of leading manufacturers discussed trends impacting the current and future path of display and projection technology.

Watch the video below to see Visualizing the Future of Display Technology.

For more information, contact

Nanolumens

Sony

ViewSonic

Crowd Mics is the future.

Okay, I realize that’s a bit of a bold statement, but hear me out. Since first experiencing this product I’ve been really taken with its features, which have the potential to truly revolutionize how audiences and presenters interact.

[Biamp's Crowd Mics to be Featured at AV/IT Summit]

Basically, Crowd Mics turns any smartphone into a microphone. By downloading the free app, audience members have the ability share their thoughts and questions with the room without having to pass a mic or awkwardly line up to speak. They can also share these same thoughts and questions via text, allowing those with an aversion to public speaking to still take part in the conversation.

For moderators, Crowd Mics means having complete control over the proceedings. The presenter app not only provides the ability to choose who speaks, but also allows a mic to be turned off at any time. No longer must the room be held hostage by rambling questions or non-sequiturs. Polls can also be created, and the results published to the audience in real-time—creating unparalleled opportunities for feedback in the moment.

To say I’m passionate about Crowd Mics would be a bit of an understatement. Ever since Biamp acquired the technology last year, I’ve worked to further optimize it—a process which culminated in the world premiere of the latest iteration of Crowd Mics, held earlier this month at the AV/IT Summit in New York.

I was incredibly excited to see how the attendees reacted; the following are a few key takeaways for our customers from this initial demonstration:

1. Crowd Mics is, first and foremost, a microphone.

I love that this product is generating so much excitement among audio technicians and engineers—however, the technology isn’t terribly different than that of a standard microphone. This is important to keep in mind when setting up a room, as it has the same basic EQ requirements. Our customer support team is always happy to help with any installation your IT department undertakes, but I wanted to note that while Crowd Mics allows for new and exciting applications, its foundation should prove familiar.

2. There is opportunity to improve UX optimization.

The first time demonstrating a product on a large scale is always a great opportunity to receive genuine feedback. This AV/IT Summit case study for Crowd Mics allowed us to collect valuable real-time user reactions in the exact setting the product is intended for. Overall, our test audience agreed the app was easy to use, but that certainly doesn’t rule out future improvements and added features going forward.

3. The audience found Crowd Mics to be as cool as I do.

Presenting new application and microphone technology to a group of highly-skilled AV professionals and receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback is very exciting, to say the least. Additionally, on reviewing the case study data for the event, I found that almost everyone in attendance actively used the Crowd Mics app throughout the day, which I’m very pleased with. It’s very rewarding to discover that others share my passion for the amazing interaction that Crowd Mics makes possible.

For more information on Biamp and Crowd Mics, visit us at biamp.com.

AV/IT Summit attendees took home big prizes from the AV/IT Summit at Citi Field last week.

During the event, attendees met with sponsors and had their "Passport to Prizes" card stamped. Those who visited every sponsor were entered into a drawing to win a variety of giveaways.

Watch the video below to see what AV/IT Summit attendees won.

"Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, AV/IT Summit attendees were able to win big and take home valuable prizes," said Megan A. Dutta, content director, Systems Contractor News. "It is always fun to see the look on the winners' faces—especially when they geek-out about an AV-centric prize like the Parlé Pendant Microphone that Biamp gave away."

SCN and AV Technology also gave away two $50 Visa gift cards for the most engaging social media posts. The winners were Frank Padikkala of Diversified and Elizabeth Scozzari of Control Concepts.