There was big news at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta on Oct. 22. Zones, a longtime global provider of end-to-end IT solutions and managed services that's known for its work in the retail and QSR verticals, officially announced its expansion into the Pro AV industry at its Zones Customer Connect Tech Expo. There, industry experts and attendees got a firsthand look at what Zones has to offer the commercial side of AV.

[More from Wayne Cavadi]

The line between AV and IT continues to blur, and the Zones IT solutions portfolio makes it an ideal fit for the Pro AV side of the industry. While the company will focus on the retail and QSR sectors, the overarching goal will be to help all Pro AV installations in the not-so-distant future. As Doug Eckrote, EVP/COO, explained, the timing was right to invest in the opportunity and drive it home.

"I think integrators are looking for scale," Jeff Cobb, newly appointed SVP, Integrated Solutions, told SCN. "[Integrators will] have pieces of a project of things that we've been doing for a very long time. So, it makes sense to include us in those types of conversations."

Zones' business practices are broken down into four main pillars, and each was showcased on the Customer Connect exhibition floor. Ivan Tetyushev, director of technology solutions, began the tour, discussing its IT lifecycle services. From procurement to end-of-life, Zones can provide IT management all in-house, with no need for third parties, as the company aims to be an all-in-one source for integrations worldwide. Other areas of expertise attendees saw on the exhibition floor included simplifying collaboration in the digital workplace, customized cloud and data center, and networking and security.

"We're global, so we have resources all over the world," Ashley Flaska, VP of marketing, offered as yet another benefit Zones brings to the industry. "If a customer wants to do a global deployment, then we're able to facilitate that, whether it's through Zones or our partners that we work with throughout the world."

Cobb, who started with Zones roughly a month ago, came to the company with 30 years of expertise in integrated solutions, working very closely with cybersecurity and managed services. With AWS and Microsoft having sweeping effects on the industry this week alone, security is more important than ever—and Zones is equipped with the solutions and knowledge to prepare its customers.

"Security has come a long way in my 30 years of being in IT," Cobb said. "But there is still so much more that organizations need to do. It's always a contention of where a dollar is going to go, where resources are going to go. That's why managed services are so important. It's that age old saying that we have to be right 100% of the time, where the bad guys, they just have to be right once."

As Zones prepares to enter the Pro AV world, do they have plans to work alongside integrators, or are they the new kids on the block, a competitor looking to make its mark? "That's a very good question," said Flaska. "In Pro AV, we don't compete with integrators, we want to collaborate with them. By combining AV specialization with our IT deployment scale, we deliver better outcomes for customers together."

Whether it is updating outdated digital signage—a struggle many are facing as signage shifts from simple menus and messaging to an enhancement to the customer experience—or modernizing their IT infrastructure, Zones aims to be an all-in-one partner to limit the complications and stress installations may bring.

Off to the Races

Zones wasn't the only one generating a buzz. Attendees were invited to the VIP Porsche Experience Event, and were allowed to take an extended ride around the test track in a brand-new Porsche. And you can be sure I didn't miss the opportunity.

Each guest was invited to get behind the wheel for nearly 90 minutes of thrilling, high-speed adventure. With your coach sitting shotgun, you start the experience by taking a jaunt around the test track. Each coach teaches you how to take turns at high-speed without pumping the brakes (even though I did... numerous times). My coach was Charles Geer, who is somewhat of an Atlanta icon, so he had plenty of stories to tell to keep your mind off the fact that we were racing $218,000 vehicles.

From the test track, drivers were taken to a slick course, where you had 10 tries to learn how to race around slippery conditions. With the coach ready to grab the wheel, the goal was to let you spin out sans panic... which admittedly took a couple turns around the course to eliminate. Then it was onto the drag strip, where you revved it up to 60 mph for about 30 yards before you had to slam on the brakes and come to a full stop. After you mastered the cone course, where you had to wiggle and waggle through the cones, it was off to the water course.

There were fishtails and 360s galore, but it was all part of the fun. You could do nothing but laugh (and thankfully, Geer was as well) as you lost control, and learned how to quickly regain control through two different course doused with water. From there, you "graduate" and return to the main course, now going at higher speeds. After a few laps, your coach gets out, and you switch seats. Once in shotgun, I asked what we do next, to which Geer simply responded, "You? You hold on."

It was three laps of high-speed and little breaking as Geer sped through and past other attendees. Geer, a former racecar driver himself, was chatting as if nothing were happening, making the experience fun... and helping me forget I was on what felt like a spaceship.

The Pro AV wheel never keeps spinning. Whether it is the latest awe-inspiring installation, innovative new products, or yet another acquisition, the news cycle doesn't sleep.

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That's exactly why you need the SCN SmartBrief. Keep up to date with all the news you need to know. The newsletter hits your mailbox weekday mornings with the latest newsmakers, event and trade show info, and so much more. Curated by SCN senior content manager, Wayne Cavadi, we focus on insights from around the industry.

5 Topics You're Missing Out On

1. Expert Insights and Opinions

We don't simply ask questions (though we do in our monthly Executive Q&A series). We also invite some of the industry's most respected and brightest minds to share their insights and experiences.

Go inside the workplace with insights from Steve Greenblatt in his On Your Business series. Or get industry advice from Blueprint for Success, a column currently written by Diversified's Mathew Newfield. With monthly viewpoints and in-depth articles on current trends, our experts have you covered.

2. Newsmakers Galore

The Pro AV industry is growing, and so is the workforce. Whether it's new hires or promotions, new distribution partnerships, collaborations on new technologies, or the seemingly nonstop acquisitions, our weekly Pro AV Newsmakers keeps you in the know on all the moves.

[Free Pro AV News Is One Click Away]

3. The Best Trade Show Coverage Around

Whether it's across the sea or in the desert, we bring you the latest news from our industry's top industry trade shows. And our preshow prep—including our InfoComm Impulses, NAB Show Notebook, and ISE Product Watch—helps you maximize your time on the show floor.

4. Spotlight on the Best: Hall of Fame, The Nine, and Top 50

We recognize the people and companies leading our industry. Our SCN Top 50 Systems Integrators has become the industry standard. The SCN Hall of Fame honors industry trailblazers, and we profile nine, up-and-coming Pro AV-ers who are setting up the industry for a bright future. Plus, we have awards aplenty throughout the year, like the Stellar Service Awards, Installation Product Awards, and Best in Market Awards.

[Have You Subscribed Yet?]

5. Let's Have Some Fun

Trivia questions, polls, and a look at cool installations from around the world are a must. Plus, we look beyond Pro AV with features like our Halloween Candy Showdown and Super Bowl Prediction Special. It doesn't have to be all about work, right?

So, go ahead. Join the SCN faithful and become a subscriber today!

The professional AV industry stands at an inflection point. After decades of hardware-centric, proprietary systems that required specialized expertise to deploy and maintain, we're witnessing a fundamental shift toward cloud-managed, software-defined infrastructure that promises to transform how AV systems are designed, deployed, and operated.

At NETGEAR, our recent decision to join the OpenAV.Cloud initiative reflects our conviction that this transformation is essential for the industry's continued growth and relevance in an increasingly connected world.

[Pro AV Leaders Launch OpenAV Cloud]

The Limitations of Legacy AV Infrastructure

Traditional AV deployments have long been characterized by several persistent challenges. Complex commissioning processes often require specialized technicians and extended on-site installation periods. Proprietary protocols create vendor lock-in scenarios that limit flexibility and increase long-term costs. Managing distributed AV installations across multiple locations requires physical site visits for troubleshooting and updates. Perhaps most critically, these systems operate as isolated islands, making integration with broader IT infrastructure difficult and costly.

These limitations represent fundamental barriers to scalability and operational efficiency that no longer align with how modern organizations manage their technology investments.

Why Cloud Changes Everything

Cloud-managed AV infrastructure addresses these challenges through a fundamental reimagining of how AV systems operate. Rather than static, hardware-defined networks, cloud platforms enable dynamic, software-controlled environments that can adapt to changing requirements in real-time.

The benefits are transformative. Remote management capabilities eliminate the need for on-site visits for routine maintenance, updates, and troubleshooting. Centralized monitoring provides comprehensive visibility across distributed installations, enabling proactive maintenance and reducing downtime. Auto-discovery and intelligent configuration reduce commissioning time from days to hours while minimizing human error. Open APIs and standardized protocols enable seamless integration with existing IT infrastructure and third-party systems.

Perhaps most importantly, cloud platforms shift AV from a capital expenditure model to an operational expense framework, aligning with how organizations increasingly prefer to budget for and consume technology services.

The Business Model Revolution

This technological shift enables a corresponding transformation in business models throughout the AV ecosystem. For integrators, cloud-managed infrastructure opens new revenue streams through subscription-based monitoring, maintenance, and support services. Instead of project-based, one-time revenue, integrators can build recurring relationships with clients through ongoing service contracts and system optimization.

End customers benefit from this shift as well. Organizations can scale their AV deployments gradually, paying for capacity as they need it rather than making large upfront investments. IT departments gain the visibility and control they expect from modern infrastructure, while AV professionals retain the specialized functionality their applications demand.

This alignment of technological capability with preferred business models creates sustainable value for all stakeholders in the AV ecosystem.

NETGEAR's Cloud-First Approach

Our Engage Controller platform exemplifies this cloud-first philosophy. What began as a configuration tool has evolved into a comprehensive AV system management platform that provides auto-discovery, profile-based configuration, topology visualization, and secure remote management capabilities.

When integrated with OpenAV.Cloud's API-driven framework, networks managed by Engage become part of a larger ecosystem where devices and services from hundreds of partner vendors can communicate natively and securely. Our switches, particularly the new M4350 series with SMPTE ST 2110 support and precision timing capabilities, transform from simple network endpoints into intelligent, software-controllable assets within this broader digital AV infrastructure.

[NETGEAR Sets the Standard on Partnerships and Breaks 400]

Industry-wide Collaboration

The future of AV cannot be built by any single vendor. Today's customers demand solutions that "just work" regardless of brand, especially as AV systems become more IP-centric and cloud-integrated. This reality requires unprecedented collaboration across the industry to establish open standards, shared APIs, and interoperable protocols.

Our participation in OpenAV.Cloud represents our commitment to this collaborative approach. By working within this framework, we're helping build an ecosystem where value is measured by how seamlessly products integrate into customers' existing workflows and long-term technology strategies instead of by individual product specifications.

Looking Forward

The transition to cloud-managed AV infrastructure is a reimagining of how the entire industry creates and delivers value. Organizations that embrace this shift will benefit from greater flexibility, reduced operational overhead, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing requirements.

For NETGEAR, joining OpenAV.Cloud is about positioning ourselves and our 450+ partners at the center of the AV industry's most significant transformation in decades. As software-defined systems replace proprietary silos, and as operational flexibility becomes more important than raw specifications, we're committed to building the infrastructure that will power the next generation of professional AV applications.

The future of AV is cloud-managed, software-defined, and built on open standards. That future is arriving faster than many realize, and those who embrace it today will shape how the industry evolves for years to come.

When InfoComm was complete, I joined my family for a few days of R&R down the road at Walt Disney World, where I took the opportunity to say goodbye to an old friend at the Magic Kingdom.

Last year, when I heard rumors an attraction could be on the chopping block, I took my wife and teen daughter to explore "Tom Sawyer Island" with me. Back in the day, this was a premier attraction. It started with a raft ride over to the island. From there, you were set free to explore caves, trails, bridges, and more.

My family was not impressed, and I suppose I can't blame them. It was time spent away from more modern attractions to watch me grin like an idiot while surveying the recreated blacksmith area of a frontier fort.

So, this time, I queued up solo for the first motorized log raft of the day over to "Tom Sawyer Island," which closed permanently less than a month later on July 7. What I noticed was that the grownups outnumbered the kids. By a lot. I also noticed the raft was not full. By a lot.

Methinks I see the problem. Most kids today aren't begging their parents to take them to a walkaround area modeled after the stories of a fictional Midwestern boy whose adventures took place before the Civil War, particularly when they are a few steps away from roller coasters, pirate adventures, and a mansion that's reportedly home to 999 ghosts (and has air conditioning).

I spent about 20 minutes experiencing the self-guided attraction one last time. I explored the caves, stepped heavily on the suspension bridge to make it bounce (as is right and proper), made my escape out of Fort Langhorn via the secret tunnel, and boarded the return raft in time to meet my family for lunch back in the 21st century.

Am I happy that "Tom Sawyer Island" is gone? Absolutely not. Hey, I'm still stewing about Universal Studios replacing "Back to the Future: The Ride" with "The Simpsons Ride" more than 15 years ago. But things change—and not just in theme parks.

I still own a record player and dozens of albums from my younger years, along with a box of CDs (I never unpacked it when we moved almost a decade ago). Yet, despite my incontrovertible attachment to physical media, I almost always reach for my phone when I want to hear music.

During my early production days, I'd walk around in the South Florida heat and humidity with a cumbersome Sony U-Matic 3/4-inch portable videocassette recorder, snuggled into its Porta-Brace case and hanging off my shoulder. When the industry moved away from videotape to solid-state recording, my lower back didn't exactly lament the technological leap. And I certainly don't want to go shoot some B-roll with that setup again just for old times' sake.

Technology rarely stands still, especially in our business. While there's certainly room for nostalgia in our lives, you can't really live there or work there, at least not efficiently. A friend of mine still waxes poetic about Palm Desktop for the Palm smartphone. In fact, he kept using the software long after he had upgraded his phone. He could probably still use it, but the hassle of trying to integrate software that was discontinued in 2010 into a modern OS wasn't worth the effort.

[Editorial: The 'Old Days' Really Weren't That Long Ago]

How much outdated gear have you kept? In my office closet, there's a Petrol production backpack full of production accessories, which is stored next to several additional equipment bins. Between them, I have lights, mics, headsets, tripods, prompting solutions, adapters, old smartphones, and way too many cables. Most of it has been replaced by newer solutions—and those will likely be replaced within 5-10 years, too.

I guess it's time to sort through my bins and say goodbye at my local recycling center. But maybe next year. It's a little too soon since my last escape from Fort Langhorn.

Just as it is common for both technical and non-technical professionals to share that they just "fell into" the AV industry, owners of AV service provider firms share a familiar origin story. Many AV businesses were naively launched in response to an idea or opportunity without a formal plan or understanding of the demands and requirements of running a successful business.

[Blueprint for Success: Are You Experienced?]

The popular inception story of AV service provider businesses points to a reoccurring storyline in which the principal began as a freelancer or solopreneur relying on their technical expertise, unique skill set, and mastery of their craft to make themselves marketable. The driving force behind their venture often includes the desire to satisfy a client's need, provide a higher-level product or service, or offer a more customized or personalized solution with an inclination for independence, appreciation, financial reward, and/or achievement. While most owners of these businesses can hang their hat on their knowledge and expertise in their trade, many start with limited business training and an absence of insight into the best practices of running a successful business.

Under Pressure

Running a business can seem easy as a sole proprietor, where all the actions and decisions are centered around the owner. Early success may often be a product of pent-up client demand, a unique opportunity, or a high volume of business resulting in competitive pricing. However, these fortunes can be short-lived and misleading.

As client demands and operational needs grow, they begin to exceed the capacity of the singular owner, triggering the need for expansion. When owners face this pressure to grow, they reach an inflection point where the needs of the business surpass their inherent or accumulated business knowledge, and they can benefit from a higher level of business acuity.

While some business owners are prepared to take the next step in business growth, many are ill-equipped to tackle what lies ahead of them and, even worse, are unaware of what they don't know. Unfortunately, it's not until they misstep and are impacted by costly mistakes that they realize the need for additional business expertise and experience. Some will continue along the path of ignorance, relying on their instinct to respond to daily challenges, while others will seek enlightenment to address their shortcomings.

[On Your Business: Technology Isn't Enough]

One valuable option that may not be on everyone's radar but is growing in popularity is hiring a business coach. While mentors and trainers can provide highly regarded insight and support, coaches are hired to ensure business owners and leaders perform at their best and achieve desired results. Business coaches are typically small businesses themselves who specialize in helping fellow owners and leaders understand how to strengthen their skills and prepare themselves and their organizations for success.

Different Training Methods

Business coaching comes in many forms and formats, offering owners options to determine what works best for them and fits their needs. Some business coaches focus on consulting with organizational leaders to establish strategic plans and set annual and quarterly goals with periodic meetings to evaluate progress, results, and misses. Other types of coaches work one-on-one with business owners to be their advisors and guide them through navigating day-to-day activities and decision-making.

A third approach involves a more comprehensive blend of services where the business owner and leadership team are coached individually, focusing on their areas of responsibility. In addition, the entire leadership team is coached to ensure alignment, establish goals, monitor progress, and work cohesively to achieve results.

While the benefits of a business coaching are indisputable for those who have found the right resources and are committed to doing the necessary work, working with a coach is not for everyone. First off, hiring a coach does not automatically lead to results. Coaches are paid to coach the owner or leaders, not do the work for them. Business owners and leaders need to be "coachable," meaning they are willing to listen and trust the guidance of their coach.

Since most business owners aren't accustomed to answering to someone, having their decisions challenged, or being held accountable for completing tasks and producing results, they need to be ready to adjust their mindset and behaviors to benefit from coaching. Coaching will be an ineffective and unnecessary expense if these criteria are not satisfied.

The Right Fit

Finding the right coach that fits the needs of the owner, leaders, and organization is another critical factor in determining the effectiveness of business coaching. Even more important than other business relationships, owners and leaders need to feel confident and comfortable working closely with their business coach to share susceptible business details and be as vulnerable as necessary to reveal their weaknesses and call out their deficiencies.

In turn, the coach needs to mesh well with the personality and behavioral traits of the owner and leaders so they can communicate effectively, motivate successfully, and gain the confidence required to enlist the team's belief. Like any client-provider relationship, the provider must demonstrate value and return on the client's investment, while the client must also do their part to commit to the provider's success.

The Pro AV industry puts a lot of emphasis on the value of technical training, certifications, and qualifications. The same should hold true for the importance of business knowledge, skills, and mastery. While outwardly, clients evaluate AV service providers on their technical abilities and know-how, it is their business operations that they genuinely value. Whether it is enhanced customer service, project efficiency resulting in time and cost savings, accuracy and thoroughness in implementation, or consistency in service, businesses with a solid organizational infrastructure, as well as proven systems and processes, help them succeed and benefit their clients.

[Viewpoint: An Invitation for Collaboration]

Committing to evolving business skills and knowledge is as essential as having a technically sound company. Understanding the importance of having a resource to help owners and leaders develop and strengthen their businesses is vital to the success of the organization, its members, and its clients. Whether through working with a business coach or other means, continually advancing business acumen is a requirement rather than an option for achieving long-term stability.

There's something truly magical about the holiday season. For those of us who live in South Florida, it's a monthlong delusion of acting like it could snow any minute. My family encourages that mindset by adorning our front lawn with wintery decorations and more. And yes, I recognize the irony of completing this process in shorts.

[Editorial: Lessons Learned from a Lost Tablet]

Outdoor decorations rarely last a lifetime. For example, our front lawn featured a blow mold plastic nativity set for several years. It had to go after the unrelenting sun had left Mary and Joseph with what appeared to be a wicked case of leprosy. We've suffered more recent losses, too, including a rickety sleigh seemingly held together by Christmas spirit for its final years, as well as a rusty snowman that made visions of your last tetanus shot dance in your head.

While I'm a sucker for almost all things Christmas, I do have a strict rule: one hour. That's how much time I'm willing to devote to outdoor Christmas decorations. From stringing the lights across the front of the house to positioning the current crop of lawn characters, we've got 60 minutes to make it happen.

A one-hour time limit doesn't make me a scrooge. I'm thinking about disassembly. For some reason, I can't seem to shave any significant time off striking the proverbial set. From wrapping cables (or extension cords in this case) to stowing lights and reorganizing all the pieces that survive to twinkle another year, it takes another hour to wrap up. That includes taking a few minutes to draw.

Yes, part of my holiday tradition is producing a diagram of our outdoor decorations. I generally sketch it each year, right before teardown. No, it’s not drawn to scale. It’s not even drawn very well. There’s a rough approximation of a roof line, as well as some blobs that represent various outdoor decorations.

[Blueprint for Success: Are You Experienced?]

However, the important parts of the illustration are very detailed. Those are the power stakes, extension cords, and anything else with a plug. The sketch provides me with a rough idea of where the various items should be placed—but more importantly, it shows me whether I start with the female end or the male end of the lights (and the actual starting point on the house).

You see, there’s no power on one side of the exterior, so if I hang the icicles incorrectly, I have to take them all down. Every. Last. Strand. And then I get to start all over again. If that happens, you can forget Christmas spirit. Or decorum. Or appropriate language.

I’m happy to report that’s never happened—because I have my diagram.

"Winging it" is not an efficient way to hang Christmas lights, just like it's not an effective way to deploy a proper Pro AV system. I mean, you can always blame the kids for your choices of incongruous seasonal symbols, but that excuse doesn't translate well to the boardroom. Piecemeal lawn decorations are one thing; no one wants a Pro AV system to be described as "kitschy."

[Under New Management]

Even if your client needs to build their system over time, you should have a plan in place for moving forward. Yes, you'll need some wiggle room for changes in technology, but planning ahead and consideration of future product compatibility should translate to less wasted effort and avoidable system component replacement.

Whatever your holiday traditions, here's hoping they are merry and bright. And well diagrammed, of course.

In many industries built upon custom services and solutions, including AV, sales can have a negative stigma and be considered a four-letter word. In general, there is a natural tension between those in technical and sales roles due to their skillsets, inherent personalities, and communication styles. However, finding a middle ground where these key areas can align and collaborate to benefit clients and the organizations they represent is important.

[Viewpoint: An Invitation for Collaboration]
Like it or not, sales play a crucial role in the success of all businesses. They are the oxygen that fuels business operations, growth, and well-being. Without sales, businesses do not exist—and without sales growth, businesses struggle to survive long-term. So, if sales are essential to every organization's well-being, why would salespeople be viewed adversely?

Smooth-Talking Misconceptions

There is a common misconception that salespeople are smooth talkers who can convince someone to buy a product or service, whether or not they need it or it provides them with benefits (the old selling ice to an Eskimo line). While some may own this persona and find it to be beneficial, most modern salespeople have found the need to approach sales from a collaborative, relationship-building, and solutions-oriented perspective to be successful with clients as well as internal teams.

[Viewpoint: Leading by Example]

Salespeople in the AV industry face an uphill battle with how they are traditionally perceived. To establish a new identity and grow past the reputation that precedes them, they must build and earn the trust of clients and team members, look beyond negative experiences from their past, and be open minded to a fresh start and new approach.

It wasn't too long ago when it was common to find typical salespeople pitching the latest and greatest products and technology they were hired to sell without truly understanding the value they provide, the needs of the client, or the unique challenge or opportunity they are looking to address. While this traditional approach to selling may have worked in the past and produced favorable results for both the supplier and the client, times have changed. In most cases, once the client realizes they are being sold to rather than being served, the salesperson and their organization are no longer regarded positively.

For integrated AV systems, sales missteps often result from projects being sold based on hardware specifications, capabilities of a design, and installation requirements, rather than the functional outcome it will provide. With only a broad overview description of what the system can do rather than the specific details of what a client expects, much can be left open to interpretation regarding delivery, implementation, and user experience.

This is often exemplified by the absence of a detailed functionality narrative and operational requirements description. And that leads to a common pain point and source of frustration for programmers, as they attempt to manage programming time and effort within a budget and schedule—or struggle to satisfy a client who has a difference of opinion on what they were expecting or are entitled to receive versus the interpretation of what was sold.

[On Your Business: Purpose Before Profit]

While the age-old disconnect between sales, implementation, and end users may never be truly resolved, it is important to make strides toward closing the gap of expectations. If not just for building strong, loyal client relationships, it is crucial to ensure businesses can operate productively, sell responsibly, and achieve profitability.

Leads and Relationships

In AV integration and service-based businesses, sales plays a significant role in a business' profitability. Salespeople not only have the responsibility of providing a pipeline of work that keeps the business operating, but they must also be accountable for ensuring that projects are sold for the proper amount based on an agreed upon scope of work that the client agrees will provide value, address a need, or result in a desired outcome. Unlike selling products at a given price, selling systems and solutions that meet clients' expectations, are competitive with market pricing, and are sold and executed profitably is inherently more challenging.

While sales may be deemed to be the primary responsibility of salespeople, many members of an organization can contribute to sales. Whether they know it or not, everyone in any position can promote their company, impress a client, or contribute to the success of a sale.

Lead generation, the first step in developing a sales opportunity, can result from an organization's visibility in any capacity. Whether it's participating in industry events, engaging on social media, sharing company news or happenings, or discussing experiences with friends and family, personal interaction and positive exposure are stepping stones to referrals, opportunities, and relationships.

Client relationships are validated and grown through interactions at every level. Friendly and reliable email and voice communication, personalized service, pleasant interactions, and easy transactions demonstrate consideration and customer care that clients value. While the salesperson brings the client in, it is their team that solidifies the relationship and keeps them coming back.

When it comes to assessing client needs, evaluating efforts for pricing, and delivering a functional, well-presented proposal that instills confidence in clients, salespeople enlist the support and collaboration of their team. By demonstrating respect and building trust, salespeople will receive the backing needed to capture client requirements, present options, vet solutions, ensure the accuracy of the outcome, and manage the scope of work so clients are happy and projects are completed within the parameters of the sale.

Road to Profitability

Like sales, profitability is critical to a business' survival. Businesses that lose money regularly don't last long, and two common ways to lose money are to sell irresponsibly and deliver inefficiently. Thus, along with satisfied clients, profitable sales are a key to business health and stability.

The road to profitability may start with the sale, but several factors can contribute to or detract from the desired result. Thus, the benefit of a salesperson who is in alignment with their team and has built trusted, collaborative relationships internally and with their clients will find an easier, more predictable, and more consistent path to success.

[Editorial: Ballad of the Broken Signage]

With AV systems becoming more critical, system requirements increasing, clients becoming more self-sufficient, margins tightening, and competition becoming more prominent, AV service providers face greater business pressures than ever. Although it can be difficult to shake the negative perception, salespeople need to establish a new identity where sales are thought of positively, embraced within an organization, and solidified as an asset to clients.

Yes, there will always be outliers who live up to the old reputation. However, salespeople who are collaborative, relationship-based, and establish trust both internally and externally will be set up to succeed—and should be valued and supported by their organization.

Big industry events like InfoComm and NAB Show are in the rearview mirror and summer is coming closer to an end. As we head into the fall, let’s take a look at what seems to be the focus for everyone in Pro AV.

School’s in Session

It’s August and for some that means school is back, while others are clinging to those last few weeks of summer freedom. Obviously, the new age of education is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, and that ranges from hybrid learning technology to new virtual production studios to college football season.

At SCN, we went back to school in our latest issue. There is no denying that hybrid learning is still a huge focus in education, from K-12 to the UNLV campus. The days of only lecture-based learning are well behind us, and now, whether it be lessons or guest speakers, classrooms need to be ready with the latest UCC and hybrid solutions to facilitate learning in and outside the teacher’s walls.

However, there is a lot more going on inside the walls of higher education that deserve a look. There we discovered a new virtual production studio at FAU, how Solid State Logic helps upgrade audio for college recording programs, and took a deep dive into which short-throw projectors work best in the classroom. Whichever aspect you find most interesting, they all share one common theme: bringing the student and teacher closer with technology that is easy to use.

Of course, high school and college football season is on the horizon, and that means new videoboards aplenty. Daktronics and Watchfire are two companies that have been hard at work, but one thing is clear. Bigger is better, but the secret is not sacrificing any pixels in the process.

AI is EVERYWHERE

Seriously, everywhere. If you work remotely, your cameras track your position and voice. We’re seeing it used in content creation across social media. It was the topic of the keynote address at the 2024 AV/IT Summit, and it is currently the focus of Cindy Davis’s thought leader series AI & AV.

Earlier this spring, fresh off the NAB Show floor, our own Mark J. Pescatore questioned if AI is almost ordinary. After all, if you were interested in the latest PTZ camera or videoconferencing hardware, it was almost guaranteed to have some sort of AI component. In other words, AI wasn’t the story.

[Implementing artificial intelligence is changing the Pro AV industry]

However, the story has changed. Now, instead of worrying about auto-tracking features, Pro AV experts are offering insights on how to use AI not only to enhance technology, but to make connections, turn a profit, and manage the little things to allow for more innovation or creativity. It is this aspect of AI that has become more important than ever.

Collaborating on Collaboration

Much like with schools, the hybrid workplace isn’t going anywhere. Conversations surrounding what’s in conference rooms are never ending, especially with bigger displays as well as more AI-driven videoconferencing solutions.

[An Invitation for Collaboration]

However, there seems to be more of a focus on office space and real estate management than simply the technologies that are going into it. There are many different types of employees who work in many different ways. This is perhaps one of the largest takeaways from the pandemic—what I call the death of the cookie cutter employee.

Are you creating workplace equity with in-person and remote employees? Do you have the appropriate spaces—hot desks, conferences rooms, huddle spaces, or even quieter places for employees that don’t have to be on loud calls all day long. Keeping the hybrid employee happy is now a matter for Pro AV and IT professionals—and space matters.

Where Does Production Fit into Pro AV?

All you had to do was take a trip to 2024 NAB Show and you know the answer. Both Mark and I journeyed to Las Vegas for this year’s show, and we noticed a lot of familiarity on the show floor.

The broadcast convergence into Pro AV is undeniable and could arguably be the next big thing. With everything else—hybrid conferencing systems, high-quality video walls, and yes, AI—simply getting bigger and better, broadcast-quality production is an expanding opportunity for integrators.

We are also seeing a lot about the world of virtual production, having spoken with the folks at Meptik about the new WWE virtual production studio it helped create, and most recently, the aforementioned FAU studio. Our own Cindy Davis from AV Technology held a webinar on the elements of a successful virtual production studio with where a panel of experts discussed the elements needed to create successful, high-quality virtual productions at a fraction of the cost of outside studios.

Entries for the second annual Pro AV Best in Market 2024 awards are now open. The awards look to honor products launched or have been newly upgraded in the last 12 months that have shone within the Pro AV technology landscape. Enter today—the deadline has been extended to Friday, SEPTEMBER 6th, 2024.

During the pandemic, Future created a Best in Market option alongside our Best of Show awards for those companies that were unable to attend live events. The popularity of the Best in Market option prompted us to launch BiM as an independent award program, which debuted last year.

[Inaugural Pro AV Best in Market 2023 Winners]

Brought to you by Future’s Pro AV brands AV Technology, Sound & Video Contractor, and Systems Contractor News, these awards are an opportunity for companies looking to head into the fall with their product awarded a Pro AV Best in Market for 2024.

Click here to enter the awards and browse the site for more details.

The deadline to enter has been extended to Friday, SEPTEMBER 6th, 2024., so enter today. 

Why do companies like PlexusAV opt for involvement in open standards? On the surface, it seems counterintuitive. Engaging in the development of these standards requires a considerable time investment, and the resulting technologies are accessible to all—potentially leveling the competitive field. However, our experience as active participants in the AIMS community and the launch of our inaugural IPMX products offer valuable insights into why we decided to take this route, and why your company might consider joining AIMS, as well.

InfoComm 2022 marked my first foray into the captivating world of the ProAV industry. As I wandered through the tradeshow, an array of questions danced in my head. What were the ProAV industry's popular applications? How did it differ from the broadcast sector? What challenges did the industry face that we could potentially address? The answers to these questions were elusive but provided the spark for what would become a groundbreaking journey into the realm of AV over IP.

Steven Cogels, global director of Business Development at PlexusAV and I sat in an office, brainstorming ways to bring something unique and game-changing to the AV-over-IP landscape. We noticed that while numerous solutions existed, they were primarily built on proprietary technologies, forming walled gardens with no interoperability. Some of these solutions were tailored to specific applications, leaving us pondering a critical question: Where were the standards? Where were the interoperability events and technology pavilions showcasing collaborative solutions? The industry needed a fresh approach.

Enter the AIMS Alliance with its groundbreaking concept: IPMX. This wasn't just another green field technology project. IPMX was born from the battle-tested technologies of the broadcast production space. It aimed to create a technology ecosystem with plug-and-play user experience, designed to evolve alongside technological advancements. IPMX addressed precisely the issues that had been circling in our minds—how to contribute positively to the AV-over-IP market and bring about meaningful change.

IPMX: The Foundation of PlexusAV's Vision

IPMX provided the framework for an ecosystem that not only embraced standards-based AV-over-IP but also welcomed proprietary solutions. With IPMX, users could harness the power of a low-latency, high-quality AV-over-IP system while leveraging the best-of-breed devices and equipment from other technologies like Dante and NDI. This approach ensured maximum flexibility for end-users and established a solid foundation for the Pro AV industry to build upon.

Fast forward to InfoComm 2023, AV-over-IP, we demonstrated the potential of IPMX to the Pro AV industry. Our presentation at the show was met with resounding enthusiasm and a collective sigh of relief from industry professionals who had long been grappling with the same problems and challenges.

The industry's response was an emphatic "FINALLY!" as they realized how IPMX could effectively address many of their pain points. It became evident that IPMX had the potential to revolutionize the Pro AV landscape, providing the interoperability, scalability, and flexibility that had been sorely lacking.

AV Industry's Embrace of IPMX

Our commitment to IPMX as a foundational technology has garnered widespread support. The industry recognizes that IPMX offers a path forward, one that brings standardization, interoperability, and innovation to the forefront.

As the Pro AV sector continues to evolve, open standards such as IPMX are pivotal to its growth and success. This vision and dedication have sparked a positive change, catalyzing collaboration, and progress within the industry.

Our decision to embrace IPMX was born out of a passion for solving industry challenges and a commitment to driving innovation. As we look to the future, it's evident that IPMX has the potential to transform the ProAV landscape, offering solutions that are truly interoperable, scalable, and adaptable.

In the grand narrative of Pro AV, the industry's resounding support for IPMX underscores the importance of open standards in shaping its future. As more players within the Pro AV sector adopt IPMX, we can anticipate a more unified, efficient, and exciting era for AV technology, one where the boundaries of what is possible are pushed ever further.

Along with the SCN Top 50 Systems Integrators 2023 list, we polled a selection of leading firms on industry hot topics.

What do you expect to be the biggest challenges for your company in 2024?

Jeff Davis, CEO, Avidex
As we propel our organization forward to fuel rapid growth, an enduring challenge remains the identification and retention of top-tier talent. We recognize that our people are the lifeblood of our culture and our most valuable investment. We’re fundamentally focused on providing attractive benefits, a thoughtful approach to onboarding, and unwavering commitment to ongoing growth and training. Moreover, we’re actively working to foster employee engagement through satisfaction surveys, employee committees, interactive town halls, and supporting the ongoing exchange of ideas for company innovation and improvement. These initiatives bolster our company culture and enhance our ability to serve our customers—and hopefully help us attract the next generation of top talent.

[Top Integrators 2023: Meeting Equity]

Brad Righi, President, Constant Technologies
Given the unsettled economic climate and corporate spending fluctuations, forecasting in the private sector will prove to be a challenge in 2024. Due to the extended sales cycles and potential project budget delays of many projects, uncertain forecasting can disrupt resource scaling that has been rather predictable within the private sector for several years.

Jessica Hair, HR/People Operations Manager, CCS Southwest
Growth has been our biggest challenge. We have a huge backlog and continue to grow quickly, so hiring more talent is a high priority. We need to have enough quality resources available to do the work efficiently and accurately while working with our customers to manage their expectations for job completion. 

Eric Hutto, CEO, Diversified
Staying ahead of the latest technologies can be a challenge. However, over the last year, Diversified has continued to remain curious, create a culture of innovation, and execute our strategy that emphasizes a deeper understanding of our clients’ business challenges in order to foster partnerships that will stand the test of time. By understanding our clients’ unique pain points and their respective markets, we can ensure that we are providing and supporting the solutions and services they need in order to remain relevant and thrive.

Vero Tabares, Marketing Director, WPS | Washington Professional Systems
High labor costs and talent acquisition will continue to be challenges going into 2024. With uncertainty around the economy, we also expect that organizations will make budget cuts and scale down system designs, compressing margins even further.

[Top Integrators 2023: Biggest Buzzwords]

Jeffrey Mele, CTO, Metinteractive
I’d say the potential collapse of the larger integrators that are corporate focused. I think economic changes will significantly impact the larger firms that rely heavily on corporate clientele, which is often pinned to real estate. They will have to move into the specialty practices to stay active. Or maybe not.

Despite common belief, businesses don't always exist simply to capitalize on opportunities, make a lot of money, and serve their owner(s). Especially in the small business space, many organizations are established with a specific intent to address a client's need or pain point, improve a solution, provide a niche offering, and/or cater to a distinct target audience in a unique or innovative way.

[Why Small Businesses Need a Leadership Team]

These small businesses are driven by a purpose, and their owners and leadership are motivated to succeed not primarily by money, a need to win, or receive a specific return on their investment. Instead, they have the desire to accomplish goals, reach collective success, and create an impact in a personalized manner that stems from their core beliefs and values.

While money is like oxygen (we all need it to survive and thrive) and financial security is a responsibility for those who support themselves and their family, money is often not the primary factor driving entrepreneurs and small businesses. Entrepreneurs in particular are motivated by their passion for their product or offering, and are inspired to succeed by their dedication to make a difference and have a positive effect on others (internally and externally), often leaving a lasting legacy.

Distinct Value Propositions

In a society that is littered with businesses that are highly driven by financial rewards by capitalizing on clients' feelings, emotions, ignorance, or price-driven mindset, there are values-driven businesses that exist for different reasons, especially in the Pro AV industry. Values-driven businesses seek innovative ways to satisfy clients, raise the bar for the industry at large, and achieve greater results for all those who are impacted. This distinct value proposition and unique competitive advantage facilitates their success and attracts clients who identify with and appreciate those qualities, so much so that they are willing to support these companies and ensure their success by paying a premium for their products and services.

Small businesses often fight the uphill battle of not having the biggest team, most well-known brand, deepest pockets, or most competitive pricing, but they make it up in other areas. Whether it is the niche offerings, personalized service, responsiveness, consistent outcomes, and/or comfort in having a direct relationship with a specific person or team, the right clients find value in working with companies that offer the agility and customized solutions to meet their precise needs.

[Viewpoint: Welcome to the AV Renaissance]

Values-driven small businesses have the added advantage of prioritizing their core beliefs and values to achieve success beyond the restrictions that may be put on purely profit-driven companies. While overall financial security is a fiduciary responsibility of leadership, the need to be profitable on a case-by-case basis shouldn't stand in the way of achieving successful outcomes and maintaining esteemed client relationships for companies that have built their business on protecting their reputation, ensuring client satisfaction, and upholding a commitment to excellence.

The distinction between companies that are driven primarily by profit versus those that are profitable as a result of pursuing their values-driven goals can often be identified in their business practices, relationships with clients and vendors, leadership and management strategies, and team culture. When company beliefs and core values are team and client-centric and held in high enough regard to guide decisions, behaviors, and relationships, they will ultimately result in favorable outcomes that are also financially rewarding, despite the sacrifice of profitability that may exist in any given instance. On the contrary, business practices and management strategies that are primarily financially driven can provide a short-term win for the organization, but may not be in the best interest of clients and/or team members, ultimately jeopardizing relationships.

Practicality Still Matters

While being values-driven provides a feel-good story that differentiates a business and brings together clients, partners, vendors, and team members who resonate with common beliefs and principles, it doesn’t negate the basic need for financial stability that is required for any business to operate in a healthy and successful manner. Being profitable is still a fundamental criterion for any for-profit business.

Profitability can be a sought-after goal of a business without being a primary driving force behind the business. When profit comes at the expense of others or is motivated by a need to win at all costs, it typifies the common perception of selfishness and greed. However, when profit is a byproduct of a business that is values-driven with positive intentions and altruistic ideals to serve clients, support partners, and care for their team members, the feelings around profitability are more positive, rewarding, and justified.

In a field that is people-centric like the Pro AV industry, the importance of relationships, supportive communities, and a commitment to successful outcomes is key. It makes sense that those who are born out of the Pro AV industry go on to form or lead values-based organizations that exhibit a passion for their craft, commitment to honor their relationships, and dedication to carry the flag for the betterment of the industry. It is also no coincidence that organizations that demonstrate a values-based approach to business find that they are well-received and gain the favor of their clients, team members, and those who are considering a future relationship.

[Beyond the Tech: Watch Your Language]

In the end, values-based businesses that are genuine and authentic take on the personality of their owners and leadership. Thus, working with a values-based business means investing in the individuals who are behind the business and share a mutual commitment to success by bringing admirable qualities to their relationships while prioritizing their core values ahead of their self-interests. Support for values-based businesses not only benefits those who are actively engaged in the relationships, it also helps to make the industry better, stronger, and more respected as a whole.

Rosie Riveters is a nonprofit organization that empowers young girls by building personal confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills through hands-on, community-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs. Mersive Technologies developed a new web app for Rosie Riveters Explores Pro AV’s Harmonica project and hosted a packing party in which Mersive and the local COWAVIT (Colorado Women in AV/IT) group assembled 500 Harmonica project kits for Aurora Public Schools in Colorado.

This is the second consecutive year Mersive has participated in Rosie Riveters Explores Pro AV, with last year’s fundraising exceeding $35,000 thanks to the efforts of co-creators Erica Carroll, Mersive’s director of product marketing and training, and Jennifer Goodyer, sales director at RTSales.

[How WeWork Redefines How It Works with Mersive Technologies]

Rosie Riveters projects are designed to build girls’ confidence via a “productive struggle,” in which participants get things wrong before they get them right. The Harmonica kits contain all of the components necessary to build a harmonica, including popsicle sticks and rubber bands that students blow into to create a sound wave. Mersive created the accompanying web app—sound.mersive.app—to let students measure their harmonica’s sound using a virtual sound meter and compete for the loudest classroom on the app’s leaderboard. 

“Our goal with Rosie Riveters Explores Pro AV is to introduce girls to the industry as a career path within STEM. We want to make STEM education more accessible, provide a place for girls to learn about Pro AV, and potentially help close the gender gap for the next generation of AV professionals,” said Carroll. “The web app that Mersive created for the Harmonica projects will make the kits more interactive, fun, and insightful.” 

[Riedel Communications Powers Nashville Annual Fundraising Event]

“I’m thrilled that Pro AV organizations are coming together as an industry to make STEM projects happen for girls in their local communities. It not only helps to show these students that the Pro AV industry wants them involved but in turn allows local manufacturers like Mersive to encourage and challenge students, nurturing future talent right in their own backyards,” said Brittany Greer, executive director and founder of Rosie Riveters.

We’ve been living in the era of streaming for quite some time on the consumer side. And now it’s forging ahead in a big way in the commercial world, leading to a crossover between broadcast and Pro AV. What factors are at play boosting this trend?

[Viewpoint: Welcome to the AV Renaissance]

Part of it is the pandemic. It was difficult to interact with audiences in person during that time, so streaming content was a crucial solution. In fact, revenue for content production and streaming, in addition to conferencing and collaboration, never declined during the pandemic.

Quality or Quantity?

As an event producer ourselves, AVIXA had to implement streaming capabilities for InfoComm 2021, since many people couldn’t attend in person. AVIXA’s in-house content delivery team, led by Sam Minish, vice president of content delivery, put together a livestream content program and worked with a vendor to deliver a remote experience.

As the world started opening up more in 2022 and people were attending events in person, Sam’s team realized we needed to approach streaming differently. Our livestream was about making sure we were providing an experience that was reaching those who, perhaps through budget reasons or being newer to the industry, couldn’t attend the physical show. We focused on delivering content at the show that would resonate with that audience. The team also learned that ramping up the quality while dialing down the quantity was very effective for us.

During the pandemic, there was some tolerance for mediocre quality streaming. As long as you were delivering your message, then that was good enough. Now, with the advancements of streaming technology, there’s an expectation for better quality. When you have YouTubers producing top quality video content, people expect that out of workplace professionals.

[The Integration Guide to Streaming]

Adding to that, we’ve had a generation with video in their DNA filling the workforce for a while now that expects to be visually engaged. There’s also the aspect of real estate—with some companies not needing such a large footprint for employee office space due to hybrid and remote work, they’re opting to transition the space and add production capabilities to reach their audiences.

Forecast: More Content

According to AVIXA’s 2023 Industry Outlook and Trends Analysis (IOTA), content production and streaming revenue is forecast to grow from $39 billion in 2023 to $51.3 billion in 2028. In addition, our research of end user decision makers shows AV production rooms for broadcast among the top five spaces in which they are planning to make AV investments.

[SCN 1-on-1: AVIXA Industry Insights from InfoComm 2023]

What are the tools and skills needed to deliver these solutions to customers? The technologies powering content production and streaming are a convergence in AV, IT, and broadcast.

For decades, we’ve been talking about AV and IT blending together as more AV technologies are connected to the network. Media servers and storage act as the management and distribution engines, accounting for more than half of the total solution revenue in 2023, or nearly $19 billion. Capture technologies are next, in the form of cameras and other video production equipment, representing another $10 billion.

Integrators provide some value-added services such as installation and design. That skillset part is an important piece of the puzzle.

Crossover Considerations

Historically, AV and broadcast have interweaved through time. Many people started in broadcast and crossed over to AV or went back and forth. AV and broadcast professionals share skills in audio and video systems implementation, live events production, pre and post-production, filming/recording, and staging/rigging. AV differentiates through skills relating to effective integration of tech into space, while IT increasingly overlaps with both AV and broadcast as technology joins the network.

AVIXA is closely watching this trend of broadcast and AV convergence, and facilitating ways for AV professionals to learn more and make connections to deliver high-level solutions to the market. In June, AVIXA and IABM hosted the first UpStream conference in London to dive into this topic. We brought together broadcast technology suppliers, AV/IT solution providers, and enterprise buyers. The event featured discussions on virtual production, the pros and cons of different streaming platforms, NDI, and much more.

Virtual production was also top of mind at InfoComm 2023 in Orlando with The Unreal Ride, presented by Vū, Unilumin, and MRMC. Attendees experienced a blend of the physical and virtual worlds through a combination of virtual production technology, including advanced LED panels, a motion-controlled camera, camera tracking, and virtual environments.

What’s in store next? ISE 2024 will host the Content Production, & Distribution Summit on Jan. 31 in Barcelona, so mark your calendar. Also be sure to check out the Content Production and Streaming channel on AVIXA Xchange for news and discussions on the topic.

The Pro AV industry is forecast to add nearly $100 billion in revenue over the next five years, reaching $402 billion in 2028, according to AVIXA’s 2023 Industry Outlook and Trends Analysis (IOTA). With pandemic recovery largely in the past, the industry is poised for healthy growth through 2028, even if year-over-year percentages slowly decline.

AVIXA’s 2023 Industry Outlook and Trends Analysis (IOTA) presents data and analysis about the size of the Pro AV industry with a global perspective—plus regional and vertical breakouts. The research covers product trends, solution categories, and vertical markets.

[AVIXA Report: June Sales Growth Steady, Payroll Growth Stronger]

“This year’s update to the Pro AV industry forecasts shows a return to a rate of growth that would have been considered more normal before the pandemic,” says Sean Wargo, vice president of market intelligence, AVIXA. “However, looking below the surface, one can still see a varied landscape of opportunity. Immersive experiences across the venue and events market is a particular one to watch.”

Pro AV revenue will grow from $307 billion in 2023 to $402 billion in 2028—a 5.6% compound annual growth rate. The near term shows a mix of demand growth and deflation as supply issues improve. While 2022 did slightly better than initially expected, this came at the cost of 2023 growth because recovery was pulled forward from 2023 into 2022. On net, 2023 revenue totals reflect offsetting impacts of elevated demand and deflation in some core categories.

[Show Me the Monet: My Daughter and Her Friends Loved This Immersive Adventure]

APAC economies are experiencing higher growth each year, contributing to its position as the largest region for Pro AV spending. Most notable is the return of live events, reviving the rental and staging market. Digital signage is expanding faster in APAC, with a 7.2% growth rate as the consumer base grows.

The Americas were stronger in 2022 as in-person surged back but are expected to see lower 2023 growth. The return to in-person is a mixed story in the Americas. On the corporate side, U.S. companies have settled into a hybrid mode, driving less growth in conferencing solutions for offices. Though Pro AV is seeing the tail end of the growth from return to in-person, the venues and events industry is now spending in the region, leading growth. While the rise of software is a global phenomenon, it is the most pronounced in the Americas, where growth is nearly 12%.

EMEA experienced the lowest growth in 2022 due to the Russia/Ukraine War. Inflation is higher, and so is propping up growth slightly in 2023. EMEA is an events-based market, more than the rest of the world. The live events market is fully benefiting from audience return in EMEA, growing by 7.69%. Though overall growth is lower in the region, many core segments relating to events are seeing higher growth in EMEA. Sustainable energy is also a source for Pro AV spending growth.

Corporate remains the largest revenue source of Pro AV revenue, but more growth comes from media/entertainment and venues. These top markets remain dominated by spending on back-end technology. Content management hardware is crucial to the efforts of corporate, media and entertainment, and venues to reach and engage their employees and customers with content. While the cloud has become an important part of spending, on-premises hardware is still utilized for localized handling of content.

[Is Your Digital Signage as Good as DFW's Restroom?]

As travelers these days can attest, transportation hubs have been receiving a facelift. Digital signage is at the core of this, with many more displays being installed to direct and inform travelers. At the same time, security and surveillance systems are also advancing, driving additional AV spending.

Across many parts of the globe, investments are being made to transition to sustainable sources of energy and to improve grids. This also trickles down into the AV industry, most often in the form of control rooms for monitoring. While not a huge market for AV, it is one to watch for upside as the top-level investments increase.

Technology and education's relationship has been a very important one ever since the first overhead projector displayed those magic marker decorated transparency sheets onto a blackboard. When the pandemic hit, Pro AV and education went from 0-100 mph seemingly overnight, trying to address the new way of learning in the hybrid world.

[UConn Athletics Pull Double Duty]

At Systems Contractor News, we have paid close attention to these advances, in particular at University of Southern California, UNLV, and the role technology and esports plays in higher education. Recently, Mark W. Knox, national business development manager at WyreStorm, sat down with Karen Ethier, director of support services, information technology ,at Roger Williams University to discuss establishing a seamless Pro AV flexibility in the classroom, current trends to engage and collaborate with all students, and how the relationship between schools and AV manufacturers is more important now more than ever.

[Esports Among the 5 Biggest Education Trends for 2023]

Take a look at the latest Forecasting AV podcast below. 

The recent high demand and widespread integration of AV technology in our everyday lives grants me permission to declare that we are officially living in the exciting era of an AV Renaissance. Just like the more widely recognized European Renaissance beginning in the 14th century, its creation was a consequence of a pandemic coinciding with revolutionary innovations in technology.

[Viewpoint: How Fast is the Pace of Technological Progress?]

Hindered by the limitations inherent to the resources of the time, the European Renaissance came to an end, making room for the Reformation and Enlightenment movements. But with the nature of the ever-evolving technology linked to our current AV Renaissance, I don't see an end in sight for our industry. 

Isolation Breeds Creativity

A pandemic strong enough to affect the social, economic, and cultural aspects of a society seems to be a vital ingredient to create a Renaissance movement. Although we are fortunate to have modern medicine—so we didn’t experience the same population loss we would have in the medieval times of the European Renaissance—the requirement to isolate, quarantine, and distance ourselves from others seems to be the match that lights the fire of creativity and innovation.

[Beyond the Tech: 'SEO' Is Three Critical Components for Any Successful AV Project]

Also, during the Renaissance, the invention of paper and advancements in technology made it possible for education to reach more of the population than ever before and open the world of communication. These two factors seem prevalent in our current age, with businesses and institutions having to close their doors and pivot to remote work and distance learning.

It may not have been as revolutionary as the invention of paper, but the adoption and integration of AV solutions in more homes and workplaces has advanced mass communication to a new level. AV manufacturers and install engineers successfully verified the old saying, "Necessity is the mother of invention," when they began rapidly deploying AV products and solutions to battle the challenges of quarantine, remote work, and distance learning. Advancements in unified communication technology made AV not only accessible but necessary.

Artistic Expression

However, it wasn’t all just business and solutions. Although the access to mass communication and education was made possible by paper, the true historic and cultural impact from the Renaissance was through artistic expression.

With isolation and seclusion, creativity and exploration were booming in the AV art world. From drone art shows to immersive experiences to virtual museum walk-throughs, AV made art appreciation at a distance possible. AV artistry and popularity grew during the pandemic, creating immersive works meant to be felt in real time that were only possible because of the advancements in technology within our field.

When society was ready to reopen, it truly felt as if there was a rebirth to our art world. Now, the innovation and societal recognition of AV art seems to be at an all-time high.

The European Renaissance is synonymous with the great art patrons of the time, such as the Medici family. It's not too much of a stretch to think our industry's manufacturers and engineers could be the patrons of this era, stepping up to the plate to support and assist the growing need for AV innovations for art, culture, and enterprise.

Practical Applications

When advancements in technology positively affect the ease of communication, it crosses over to all aspects of our everyday life. Creativity and the art movement aside, the AV industry stepping up to provide the technological solutions required to meet the demands of distance communication, work collaboration, and education is what truly makes the industry worthy of the recognition of sparking an AV Renaissance.

In education, when colleges needed microphones and cameras in classrooms to ensure distance learning students were participants, not just observers, the AV industry had solutions to support these efforts. Although distance learning has been around for decades, the transition from optional to absolute necessity for all levels of education, even K-12, allowed the AV industry to deliver the "printing press" technologies that would change the way future generations access education.

Regarding religion, historians noted that the Renaissance caused a societal reflection on these institutions, revealing that the ways of the past were no longer adequate. Thanks to the technological advancements and scientific discoveries of the time, they were able to change and advance religious structures and systems. Similarly, although many houses of worship took advantage of streaming and broadcasting their message before the pandemic, it became no longer a choice but a requirement during lockdown and social distancing.

[Viewpoint: It’s Time to Reintroduce Accountability to Pro AV]

What makes a Renaissance so monumental is how the movement can change our way of life as we know it even centuries into the future. Although many companies are now welcoming back their employees to the office, many companies have either switched completely over to remote work or are testing hybrid arrangements. Previously, many of these companies never had the infrastructure to support working from home in any form. However, because of the substantial investments companies made in the proper AV technologies, effective and efficient operational business infrastructures have been adopted.

In short, much of the world used to view AV products as a nice-to-have commodity to possibly help make their lives easier or more entertaining. The pandemic has ushered in an AV Renaissance, and it is changing the way we live forever.

Audio consultancy and networking experts RH Consulting (RHC) have been counting networked audio products and licensees since 2013 to chart the adoption of audio networking in the pro audio, AV, and broadcast markets. RHC have compiled the 11th edition of this report to provide insights into the current state of the industry. 

It covers all the major protocols including Dante, RAVENNA, AES67, AVB, Milan, and others. Following the addition of video and control protocols in last year’s report, RHC have added IPMX and NDI and will further broaden the scope in the future. 

[Everything You Need to Know about the Dante Studio 2.0 Software Update]

The statistics show that the number of networked AV products on the market continues to grow, with the total number of products being shipped being charted at 5,219, from 552 different brands. This increase of over 1,000 from last year’s report seems to indicate that the industry is successfully rebounding from a rough spell of years caused by the pandemic. Dante once again cements its dominance in the Audio over IP (AoIP) sector, adding more products to the market than all other protocols combined and RAVENNA continue their steady progress in second place, as the protocol of choice in the broadcast industry. 

[IPMX and Dirty Hands]

“Video adoption over IP has been slower than audio due to bandwidth limitations allowing only a few video channels to pass, increasing bandwidth demands for improving video quality, and unsustainable single-manufacturer solutions,” said Roland Hemming, from RHC, on the Video-over-IP data. “We observed that many of the products are simply video encoders/decoders, which reminds us of the early days of AoIP.

[Is AVoIP at a Tipping Point? One Man's Opinion] 

“It’s reassuring to see that the number of products on the market continues to grow in the face of supply chain shortages. The Video networking market is still in its infancy when compared to AoIP, but now that we have collated two years of data, we can begin to draw a line. NDI are currently leading the charge in this category in terms of overall manufacture and distribution and are also making the most concerted effort to embed this technology inside their products. We’re excited to see how this develops in the future as technologies improve.”

You can read the full breakdown of all the statistics and a comprehensive listing of all the protocols considered and how the data is compiled here.

Running: You either love it or hate it, and there is no in between. I happen to love it. No, I am not crazy; I just love how running challenges me each time.

[Viewpoint: The Struggle for Presence Equity Is Real]

There are some days when the course feels like it's uphill. There are other days when, after the first few feet, you know it will be a challenge. And there are other days where everything lines up and you break your distance, time, or speed records.

Regardless if I am feeling strong, weak, wet, cold, hot, or tired, there is one thing I am not feeling: fear. I'm not afraid to fail when I run because every step, mile, or kilometer that I go is better than sitting on the sidelines.

I approach my career in the same manner and have found several similarities. I like to quote Jimmy Iovine who said, “Fear is a powerful thing; it can either push you forward or it can hold you back.” How many of us approach our work in this manner?

Do you find yourself in certain situations where you feel like you are sprinting to the proverbial finish line for first place, or do you feel as though you are running in quicksand, never quite able to accomplish the goal? I am here to tell you that you are not alone. In my short six years in Pro AV, I find myself constantly faced with new obstacles—but I have learned how to tackle with excitement rather than be pushed back, thanks to what I have termed the "4 Be's.” Allow me to share.

Be Present

To be “in the moment” is something I think a lot of us struggle with in this digital age. How often do we tell our children to put down their devices and go outside? As adults, we tend to struggle with the same obstacle.

Whether I'm going for a run or prepping for a CTS exam, it's imperative that I have a clear head so I can focus on what I'm doing in that moment. It is OK to shut off emails for an hour or two, or maybe disconnect from Zoom while studying. Whatever helps clear your head the most is the way to go. This is also a great way to help you uncover what works and what does not.

[Viewpoint: If You Need Something, Just Ask]

While studying for my CTS in 2019, I remember one particular Saturday where I found a quiet spot in my house, cracked open the exam guide for the first time, and began reading and highlighting. After about three pages, I stopped and said, “What am I doing?” Book learning has never been a fun option for me, and I find I am invested and present when I am doing something hands-on or visually. While still referencing lessons in the book, I focused more on web-based learning, which helped me focus better and ultimately pass the exam.

Be Proactive

I have found that obstacles become less daunting when you are proactive as compared to reactive. For example, you find that your head spins every time AVoIP comes up in a discussion. You recognize that you are uncomfortable with the subject, and you lack confidence to provide a solution to your customers. Do you seek out the numerous online trainings/certifications to better equip yourself, or do you ignore that you are not comfortable and try to get the answers from a colleague?

The key here is to be proactive and seek out the variety of tools/resources that are readily available. You will find that the more you step out of your comfort zone, the more “in comfort” you will be long term.

Be Willing

This comes in a number of different forms. Are you willing to learn? Are you willing to change? Are you willing to be coached/critiqued? The basis of this is to simply be willing. If you go into an opportunity kicking and screaming (metaphorically speaking), you are more likely to fail. If you have the willingness to learn and want to succeed, it's only going to help you and push you toward the results you desire.

One of the best compliments I think someone can ever receive is being told you are “coachable.” That compliment carries a lot of weight, because you are essentially being told you are willing to listen as well as willing to correct/alter your approach—and willing to admit you are not always right. When you are willing to learn in Pro AV, you are telling your superiors, teammates, and customers that you are interested in going the extra mile to help them and better position yourself for the future. That is something that I find highly commendable.

Be Happy

This might seem like a trivial suggestion. When I think about any race I have ever done, however, there is one common theme: I have been happy to be in that place at that moment. You are at the starting line happy and eager to get going. Even as you encounter a hill or the dreaded muscle spasm, you find it easier to overcome because you know you are prepared and ready for what is thrown at you. Showing up to a race—or a client visit—in a pessimistic mood will certainly set you up for the same types of “pushback” that Jimmy Iovine talked about in his quote. A positive outlook provides the momentum to push you forward!

[Beyond the Tech: 'SEO' Is Three Critical Components for Any Successful AV Project]

These “4 Be’s” have carried me through quite a lot of situations, both professionally and personally. Whether it's earning a CTS, participating in an industry panel discussion, running two back-to-back races on the same day, or attempting to run uphill in 13-degree cold on a snow-covered road, all feats can be conquered with the right preparation and mindset.

My challenge for each of you is to finally seek out that one item that might be holding you back in some way, shape, or form—and break through the proverbial glass that might be stopping you from conquering. Overcoming our fears does not always need to relate to the dark or scary stories we heard as children. Sometimes, it is the most common of occurrences we experience in Pro AV that are preventing us from achieving greatness.

It’s hard to believe I’m coming up on my first year as an official part of the Pro AV industry. Much like the industry itself, it was quite the whirlwind of change from Day 1 until now. As a newbie, I’m honestly impressed with how you Pro AV vets keep up.

I transitioned in from the world of sports, and almost immediately had my first assignment…about sports. While sports journalism and Pro AV features are quite different, they both share a common thread: They tell a story. It’s a story about the integrator’s process; a story of the new system at work; a story about product innovations we only saw in movies a decade ago; and a story about the user experience being a better place because of integrators like you.

So, what have I learned after Year 1?

The World Is Hybrid… Until It Isn’t

If Elon Musk has his way, the hybrid world will come crashing down soon enough, but the evolution from the start of the pandemic up to now is mind blowing. Just when you think you know a device or solution is the best fit, something bigger (or oftentimes more compact) and better comes along. Though it was the brainchild of our content director, Mark J. Pescatore, I was the primary author on the ongoing SCN Hybrid World series of articles, which have been read plenty by our loyal readers.

[UPDATED!!! SCN Hybrid World: Workplace Products and Expert Tips 2022] 

Again, it’s probably old news for integrators, but coming from a job where you sit on the sideline and write about what you see, you don’t really fully comprehend all that goes into setting up the perfect conference room, classroom, or hybrid environment. When the world went to Zoom press conferences after games, you kind of just assumed it was all magically there, this mysterious bubble where all the faces look at each other in mini-boxes and you hear all the quotes you need to make deadline.

Interviewing the experts and breaking down the products—who knew all the considerations required to make it all come together? It was eye opening, but more importantly, educational. And it's a lesson that seems to evolve on a weekly basis.

InfoComm Is Wild

Do you remember your first InfoComm? Well, this was mine, and—I’m guessing much like yours—it was quite the experience. Overwhelming, exciting, informative, enhancing… you can use just about every adjective in the book to describe the experience. The bottom line is no one can prepare you for what it entails. I (kind of) hung out with Michael Jackson at an Exertis Almo event—I certainly didn’t see that coming.

[InfoComm 2022 Impulses: Trends and Technologies We Saw in Las Vegas]

Before you even walk in, you’re welcomed by marching bands and a huge LED display showcasing the sights and sounds. A showroom floor that expands into its own Pro AV universe that is bustling with energy and the enthusiastic noise of people happy to see each other again and products on display. Let’s face reality, this was the first full-sized InfoComm since the pandemic. There were a lot of happy people and after-show events to welcome everyone back. And all this on the backdrop of Las Vegas? How does one not get romantic about Pro AV?

The AV/IT Summit

While Mark and AV Technology’s Cindy Davis drove most of the content, I was there, basically, to take it all in. I did that by writing about my biggest takeaways from the one-day affair at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.

[5 Takeaways from the AV/IT Summit 2022]

While attendees got an up close and personal view of the new technologies from Samsung that are quite possibly reshaping the ballpark experience (right up my alley!), perhaps the best part for me was the people. To put all the faces from esports to hybrid collaboration that contribute thought leadership, expert tips, and even some of The Nine 2022 was as interesting as the panels themselves. What they all have in common is a passion for the industry and a genuine excitement for the future, even though no one really knows exactly where that’s heading. Is it AVoIP and SDVoE? HDBaseT? SMPTE? It took me long enough to figure out what all those acronyms mean, never mind what they mean for the industry in the long term.

Pro AV Is Really Cool

I’m new to the industry, but its not my first career. Heck, it’s not even my second career. But when I get an assignment, it’s sort of like being that proverbial kid in a candy store. You just walk around the venue awestruck and want one of everything you see.

I was able to take a lot of what I know about sports and get some interesting stories out of it. My connections to collegiate sports took me to Lenoir-Rhyne’s football field and across the nation with Digital Scoreboards. I got to go to Wonderland with Alice right here in Atlanta, and took a trip down memory lane at a vintage auto museum. Everywhere I went, I was exposed to something new. But with my sports background, I can relate to the “coolness” of the industry. Why wouldn’t you want to wake up and write about something that is fun?

So, what will Year 2 bring? Well, isn’t that the fun part? We’re not really sure, but we’ll be bringing you fresh stories on everything that comes along.

Effective January 1st, Draper is expanding its network of independent manufacturer representatives with Mizzen Marketing and Richard Dean Associates being joined by Audio Biz, Excellence Marketing, Farm AV, HWPco, Mainline Marketing, McFadden Sales, and SKMac.

[AVIXA Report: Pro AV Index on Pace for Record Year]

“Our future is bright, and we want to share the excitement with our dealers and partners. I can’t think of a better way to kick off the upcoming new year than by welcoming many of the Pro AV industry's finest manufacturer rep firms,” said Kevin Barlow, director of sales-Pro AV. “We are fortunate to have found such a great group of professionals who appreciate Draper’s history of product innovation and culture of partner integrity.”

“We have great expectations for continued growth. These additions dovetail perfectly with our strategic plans to support dramatic market share expansion,” said Jentry Wittkamper, Draper director of sales. “We began partnering with Richard Dean Associates and Mizzen Marketing earlier this year. Their teams have been energizing and both helped make the decision to move in this direction an easy one. All these companies have been engaged with our regional sales managers already. Their reputations and relationships will enable tremendous opportunity for us. We couldn’t be more pleased.”

[JUST RELEASED: SCN Top 50 Systems Integrators 2022] 

The Draper Pro AV portfolio of products and solutions includes a wide range of projection screens and fabrics, including TecVision surfaces, as well as projector lifts, fly cage stacking frames, and AV mounts and structures to support the latest video wall technologies. In addition, these reps will handle Draper commercial window shade products through Pro AV channel of authorized dealers.

Located in the historic, recently renovated Bailey Power Plant in Winston-Salem, NC, The Variable is a multiple award-winning global strategic marketing firm. Through the course of growth and success, The Variable’s staff had outgrown their previous office location and found themselves elbow to elbow, in desperate need of more space as well as new AV technology. When it came to specifying the AV equipment for the project, Warren Martin, UX design engineer at KONTEK said that Extron was the obvious choice.

The Variable team wanted AV that was far better, more reliable, and easier to use than in their previous location. “Having experienced those [AV] issues again and again, we knew the next time we moved that we were going to invest," said Kate Fenstermacher, associate director of operations at The Variable. "We were going to do it right." The Variable teamed up with Durham-based AV Integrator, KONTEK Systems, and began planning their move into the new space.

[Extron AV Solutions Help to Educate Business Majors]

“We chose Extron because Extron is one of the very few companies where I have no problem spec’ing a brand-new product," explained Martin. "They do their due diligence. Their boxes are quiet and small—and do their job.” 

Even with Extron and the other AV brands secured, there were several specific requirements that The Variable expected from the components and the system designs. In particular, they wanted to vastly improve their video conferencing capabilities. “When we moved into the Bailey Building, videoconferencing was huge for us—and this was pre-COVID," Fenstermacher said. "Thankfully, we had planned to make sure all our rooms were ready for videoconferencing, but especially our main conference room and larger conference rooms. The decisions we made early on allowed us to have those teleconferences seamlessly, and Extron AV in the room helped with all that.” 

The conferencing systems in the old building caused some confusion and frustrations. Working with KONTEK, they were able to smooth out all of these challenges and Extron Pro Series control systems, room scheduling panels, as well as NAV Pro AV-over-IP systems were all essential to the success of their new AV systems. “We know how to operate the [conference room] system, and we don’t run into all the challenges we had with our old systems," said Fenstermacher. "It’s a lot cleaner, as a set-up, than it was before.”

[Now Available: New Video Optical Cables from Extron]

Supply shortages and a time crunch present Pro AV challenges

The challenges in outfitting this new space mainly surrounded the timeline and working up against supply shortages as COVID-19 started impacting the project. “One of the key takeaways for us was the timing," Keith Vest, founder and chairman of The Variable, explained. "So much of this project was co-dependent on one another. If something wasn’t done in a certain order, then what followed couldn’t be done.” From their perspective, The Variable was thrown a lot of curveballs that confounded the construction. KONTEK came in fairly late in the game, so the AV decisions needed to be made in short order. Luckily, Extron was an easy choice. 

“Especially with COVID, and all the tariffs and shipping issues and timing our ordering, sometimes we were forced to make decisions before we wanted to,” Vest added. "Luckily, KONTEK was there to help smooth the waters. The peace of mind of having great AV, like Extron, certainly helped. They were the first choice and, even in these times, they were available.”

[Major League AV at Toronto's Rogers Centre] 

Extron TouchLink Pro helps enhance conferencing

Looping back to the conference room setups, the new rooms in the Bailey building were outfitted with Extron TouchLink Pro touchpanels. The main conference room had the TLP Pro 1025T 10-inch tabletop touchpanel and a custom UI, so intuitive that anyone entering the room could immediately use it. “Even though we don’t have everyone back in the building yet, if you are working from home and you jump on and see faces in our conference room, not just everyone with their own little cameras," said Fenstermacher. "It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference. These systems have eased the pain of being remote.”

Unique to The Variable’s office space is a large, two-floor, tiered seating area that acts as a large venue for presentations, social gatherings, and other activities. The Variable calls it the “Stadium.” “We invested a lot of resources, AV, and square footage into the Stadium," Vest explained. "We’ve had people come in here as visitors to the agency and they’ve asked, 'Can I schedule that for a meeting? Can I reserve that space for my own meeting?'" 

[SCN Top 50 Systems Integrators 2021] 

Multiple Extron NAV AV-over-IP encoders and decoders handle the video streaming tasks within the Stadium. Vest talks about how impressed visitors are with the AV technology there. They’ve been approached on many occasions about renting the Stadium out for community meetings and special events. “The AV works flawlessly,” Vest said.

Extron exceeds expectations

So how did the project turn out? According to The Variable, it exceeded expectations. Vest put it best, “Before we moved into this new space, we were constantly trouble-shooting our conference rooms, the projector or the phones. And the aesthetics of those rooms...we had extension cords going from the table to the ceiling. We had a camera sitting on a cardboard box—and you know I’m sure that looked good to the client on the other end. But now, we’ve upped our game. To be able to pop into one of our conference rooms and, with a minimal level of stress, be able to jump on a video call with a client—it’s a breath of fresh air.”

Before the show floor opened at InfoComm 2022, a variety of tours of Pro AV technology in action were taking place around Las Vegas. One of those is of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where guests can see an innovative hybrid learning design and a cutting-edge theater come to life.

RebelFlex is UNLV’s unique twist on the hybrid learning environment, which began its development roughly six months into the pandemic. With just three months to install and implement the technology, RebelFlex was up and running to very positive results. It is currently used in 73 rooms on campus—more than 60 of which are learning spaces with the remaining rooms for departmental use. 

[InfoComm 2022 Impulses: Trends and Technologies to See in Las Vegas] 

The InfoComm tour begins with guests split into two classrooms. They are brought together via Webex to experience what those in-person and remote learners see during the school year. A Vaddio PTZ camera is in the back of each RebelFlex classroom, enabling those at-home learners to have the same view as in-person. A WolfVision document cam at the podium enables teachers to bring whiteboards or presentations directly to the student with a simple press on the touchscreen. The classrooms are miked with Sennheiser’s TCC2 ceiling mics and teachers are provided with lapel mics in order to focus the sound on their voice, both of which are monitored by Sennheiser’s Cockpit. The Inogeni Share 2, Panopto lecture capture and a Crestron 8x8 AV switcher, processor and 10-inch touchpanel (monitored by Crestron Fusion) bring the RebelFlex experience together for a flexible synchronous and asynchronous learning experience. 

Teachers were put through a three-phase training program to learn the system. The training consisted of a pedagogical approach to engage remote students; what Andy Borts, instructional technology support specialist, called “tech prep 101” to familiarize teachers with Webex, touchscreens, microphones and other technological elements involved with RebelFlex; and lastly a hands-on phase to understand how the first two training sessions came together in real time. Thus far, remote learners appear to be more engaged than ever before and able to learn on their time.

[InfoComm 2022: Explore Pro AV Solutions and Trends for Audio and Live Events] 

Tour guests are then invited to a theater/classroom that, although heavily used for film studies, is more than prepared to handle general purpose learning in a fully immersive audio and visual experience. The state-of-the-art theater, which was revamped in just over 100 days, let guests feel the experience with a Dolby Atmos Cinema Processor and a 4K Barco Laser Digital Cinema Projector, which can easily change dimensions to accommodate 3D, theatrical movies or film class productions. Guest shouldn’t forget to put their 3D-glasses on as the whole experience is brought to life for tour guests with a 20-minute display on the 26-x 14.05-foot Stewart Filmscreen “Director’s Choice 300” screen, which was the largest of its kind when installed.

Before we head off to InfoComm 2022, take a look at the five stories that created a buzz this past week on the AV Network.

Major League AV at Toronto's Rogers Centre

Over the past few seasons, the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team has experienced an exciting transition. Younger, fresh players have taken the league by storm and the wins are mounting up. And as the on-field product improved, so did things behind the scenes. 

Part of a $200-million budget to renovate the Rogers Centre and surrounding area was focused on the technology in the team’s stadium. With the previous AV upgrades completed circa 2012, it was simply time for a reboot.

Read the fully story here.

SCN Hybrid World: Look Up, Listen Up with These 9 Ceiling Mics

Welcome to hybrid life, 2022. Whether you’re in the classroom or conference room, you now have to consider both remote and in-person participants. Having crystal-clear audio is more important than ever, with those calling in not wanting to miss anything their in-person colleagues have to say. That's where ceiling microphones and beamforming technology come into play.

Read the full article here. 

InfoComm 2022: Explore Pro AV Solutions and Trends for Audio and Live Events

InfoComm 2022 on June 4-10 (exhibits June 8-10) at the Las Vegas Convention Center will explore the Pro AV solutions that power live events in addition to the latest advancements in audio solutions. The show will feature an extensive lineup of leading solution providers across the trade show floor, a comprehensive education program, audio demo rooms, and tours of Pro AV applications around Las Vegas that highlight these vibrant Pro AV solutions.

Find out what's in store here. 

Updated Daily: The Inside Track—Straight from InfoComm Exhibitors

AV Technology's Cindy Davis and SCN's Wayne Cavadi and Mark J. Pescatore caught up with exhibitors before they headed to Las Vegas to find out trends, topics, and products they were looking most forward to seeing and sharing. 

Find every Roadmap and InfoComm 22 Impulse here, updated daily.

BrightSign to Unveil New XC5 Media Players at InfoComm 2022

BrightSign, a global market leader in digital signage media players, announced that it will preview its forthcoming XC5 media players at InfoComm 2022 (booth N735). Show attendees will be the first to sneak a peek at BrightSign’s new hardware—the first new players unveiled by the company in nearly two years.

Find all the facts and features here. 

InfoComm 2022 on June 4-10 (exhibits June 8-10) at the Las Vegas Convention Center will explore the Pro AV solutions that power live events in addition to the latest advancements in audio solutions. The show will feature an extensive lineup of leading solution providers across the trade show floor, a comprehensive education program, audio demo rooms, and tours of Pro AV applications around Las Vegas that highlight these vibrant Pro AV solutions.

“The live events and audio communities have produced so much innovation over the past two years,” said Annette Sandler, director of live content U.S./Canada, AVIXA. “We are excited to bring these groups together for education and insights into how productions have evolved and the new technologies making this possible.”

[Executive Q&A: Back to Business at InfoComm 22] 

On Tues., June 7, Eboni Green, CEO of Mics to Messaging and Alexander Williams, CTS, CTS-D, technology director for Mics to Messaging, will present the session “Create Remarkable Hybrid Events Using AV, Social Media, and Messaging.” Green and Williams emphasize that the foundation to creating an amazing hybrid event experience is the strategic planning of on-site experiences that will be well-received virtually and provide sufficient ROI for event investors. Their session will focus on creating events that provide opportunities for connection, brand engagement and advocacy, and support strategic goals. 

On Wed., June 8, Troy Peters, CTS, vice president of marketing and business development for Video West, will lead the session “Show Calling and Stage Management for Live Events.” He will discuss the show caller’s role in directing an audiovisual experience with numerous moving parts. From managing the onstage talent, to the technical know-how, Peters will share how to engage with the on-site engineers, show producers, stage managers, and even the audience to design and execute the perfect live event.

[InfoComm 2022 Will Uncover Solutions and Trends Enriching Learning Space] 

Also taking place on Wed., June 8, is the session “Networked Audio Protocols and Use Cases.” A panel of experts who have worked to shape these protocols will discuss their intents, strengths, and technical implementation. They’ll also discuss the future of audio protocols, including how companies and organizations can work together to support openness, interoperability, and ultimately network convergence. The panel includes Dan Ferrisi, editor-in-chief of Commercial Integrator, Paul Zielie, CTS-D, CTS-I, solutions architect for AVCoIP, Scott Sugden, product and technology outreach manager for L-Acoustics, Kathryn Taub, vertical marketing manager for corporate and higher education at Audinate, and Andrew Starks, director of product management at Macnica Americas.

The session “Selecting Assistive Listening Technology” on Thurs., June 9, will be led by Dave Bertrand, national sales manager of Western U.S for Williams AV. He will address how an AV professional’s goal is to create meaningful user experiences, yet sometimes the impact of these engaging experiences is lost on people with hearing challenges. Bertrand will discuss the ADA standards that state that it’s the responsibility of public venues to ensure that everyone can equally participate in the venue’s offering. He will share how to select the right assistive listening technology to meet ADA requirements while creating an exceptional user experience. 

[AVIXA Officially Launches AVIXA Xchange, Connecting the Global Pro AV Industry]

In addition, the Technology Innovation Stage (booth W2247) will host free presentations Wednesday through Friday, spotlighting live events, audio, and other key pro AV solutions.

InfoComm 2022 will feature 10 audio demo rooms, purpose-built showrooms where attendees can experience different audio products away from the ambient noise of the trade show floor. Attendees will immerse themselves in the audio experience with product demonstrations, enjoy live performances from special guests, learn from the experts at top audio manufacturers, and discover what's next on the audio product horizon. The audio demo rooms are open Tues., June 7 through Fri., June 10. View the full schedule.

The Live Events Forum and Reception takes place on Thurs., June 9. This event is an opportunity for live events professionals to discuss the latest happenings and changes in the live events industry and mingle with peers.

[InfoComm 2022 Tours to Explore Las Vegas' Dazzling Pro AV Sights] 

In addition, a tour of Las Vegas nightclubs led by Gerardo Gonzalez, senior director, technical services for Tao Group Hospitality, will take attendees through JEWEL, Hakkasan, and Omnia to see how each showcases their style of audiovisual guest experiences, from automation to lights, visuals, and sound. Attendees will learn firsthand from the technicians that work with some of the top artists in the world. This tour is set for Wed., June 8 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional tours showcasing live events solutions will take place at Resorts World Las Vegas, Illuminarium Experiences, and Omega Mart. 

Roland announces the SR-20HD Direct Streaming AV Mixer, a powerful and portable audio and video switcher that makes it easy to deploy livestreaming in a business or organization with minimal training. It combines a video switcher, audio mixer, preview screen, recorder/player, and streaming encoder in one unit, simplifying the process and reducing user pain points. Presenters can stream directly to YouTube Live, Facebook, Twitch, or by RTMP to a CDN without the need for a computer, removing the risk of malware and other issues arising with computer-based streaming on enterprise networks.

Packed with advanced Roland A/V technologies, the SR-20HD has automatic functions that run in the background to eliminate dropped streams and help protect organizations from broadcasting inappropriate content. The Adaptive Bitrate function monitors the network connection and automatically adjusts the streaming rate to reduce interruptions due to bandwidth issues. A mobile phone with a 4G or 5G data plan can be tethered and used as the primary streaming connection or a redundant backup. The Safety Delay function buffers up to 60 seconds of video and audio, allowing users to switch to a still image or mute the sound if anything goes wrong.

[The Nine 2022: Meet 9 Pro AV Superstars] 

Roland SR-20HD Direct Streaming AV Mixer highlights:

• All-in-one enterprise solution for direct livestreaming without a computer
• Built-in encoders for transmitting two simultaneous livestreams up to 1080p/60 FPS
• Adaptive Bitrate function reduces freezing and dropouts due to bandwidth issues
• Safety Delay function to keep accidental moments from being broadcast
• Scene function for executing multiple tasks with a single touch
• Record streams directly to an SDXC card for archiving, editing, and distribution
• Ease workflow with Video Auto Switching and Auto Mixing functions
• Play sound effects, still images, and video sources from an SDXC card to enhance livestreams
• LCD monitor for checking video I/O and delivery status in real time
• Three video inputs: two HDMI and one USB video class
• Two HDMI outputs: Main and Preview
• High-quality audio mixer with eight input channels for mics and line-level devices

The question on every integrator’s mind is how to be securely profitable while ensuring they’re utilizing time and labor—their costliest resources—as effectively and efficiently as possible.

The Pro AV industry has a long heritage of ideating and building novel experiences that can take months to design, specify, install, and deploy. While there's still a place for those applications, the industry and its user base have matured. AV has become mainstream, with most installations focused on enabling essential daily functions, such as conferencing, audio playback, and presentation. 

[Viewpoint: Customer Service Can Make or Break Your Business]

In the past, almost every AV installation was an experience inspired and developed by an integrator who invested significant time and labor to plan and customize the solutions they’d use. For example, where there used to be one behemoth boardroom to outfit as a corporate showpiece, there are now hundreds of small meeting environments, each requiring scalable and easy-to-install AV solutions to meet an explosion of demand in the conferencing space. To that end, streamlined, dependable AV solutions are essential and productizing the experience has become increasingly important—the best AV solution is one that can be installed quickly and will function intuitively. 

[The Importance of Compelling UX Design in Corporate Installations]

In everyday applications of AV, whether it be in the corporate office, classroom, or even large venues and entertainment facilities, the values of standardization, familiarity, and dependable functionality are paramount. That point is underscored by the emergence of UC, where large platforms such as Zoom, Google, and Microsoft have embraced the idea that familiarity of experience trumps any other feature. These tech giants are in the business of meeting user expectations and assuring confidence through standardization, along with certifications to ensure compatibility and interoperability with third-party solutions. The most distinguishing feature reflected in their products is in creating an easy-to-use experience, so that whenever a user walks into a room, they can get to work without any interruption. 

From the AV manufacturing perspective, if standardization is the benchmark, then it needs to be a simple task for integrators to make their profit. They need vendors who can supply products that cover the entirety of the solution and intuitively integrate. In a huddle room, for example, the conferencing system should be engineered with the integration experience in mind, delivering one that is simple, fast, and incredibly reliable. 

When Biamp was acquired 2017, we did so with the goal of becoming a full line provider for our customers. Since then, we’ve built a comprehensive solutions portfolio packaged and ready to go for integrators. In addition, many of our products now include Biamp Launch—the automated deployment and tuning technology found in our Parlé, Devio, and TesiraFORTÉ X product families. Biamp Launch ensures that once a device is plugged in, the setup and tuning process is as simple as pushing a single button. 

Biamp has taken this approach toward simplifying the install a step further with our bundling options. After all, the time spent specifying products is just as much a part of the integration experience as the physical installation. Now, integrators don’t have to speculate on which of the thousands of products available from Biamp work together. These modular bundles make it easy to specify, buy, install, and set up. Easy means fast, and fast equals more profit. And because the integrator can purchase from one vendor, there’s no hassle and no question where to go for support. 

[EXCLUSIVE: Biamp’s Rashid Skaf is Going to “Kick A$$” in the UC Space]

Biamp has invested in bringing solutions to market that reflect this trend and reduce the time-consuming and costly complexities associated with installation. We have systematically developed and introduced entirely new families of products, such as Parlé audio and videoconferencing bars, Vidi professional-grade conferencing cameras, and Impera and Apprimo control systems to create complete solutions for our customers—integrators and end users alike— so they can meet the challenge of global deployment head on. 

All signs point to a continuation of mass AV as opposed to customized AV. We’re beginning to see technology deployed so broadly that it has become a table stakes expectation for almost every room in every company or organization. This is great news for the industry. The volume will continue to increase. 

While the margins on each job will get a little more snug because there’s going to be more commoditization, it’s going to be offset by integrators having these repeatable and dependable solutions at their disposal. We’re going to see a mix of a high volume set of baseline business, with a frosting of the really cool installations that everybody uses as their show pieces. As a vendor, we will continue to develop and produce complete, turnkey solutions to cover those daily AV applications, while also providing the tools integrators require for complex, showpiece projects. 

[Biamp Roadmap 2022]

One of the exciting aspects of the AV industry is that it covers so many different applications. In the past, integrators needed to be magicians who, at every installation, pulled a rabbit out of their hat to achieve a one-of-a-kind AV experience. Integrators excel at delivering that value add, and while that's still an incredible asset in many arenas, it’s not necessary for every AV installation. Today, it pays to deploy that level of tailored technology more judiciously. Often, with the mainstream use of AV, repeatability, and simplicity—not novelty—is the answer. And now, it’s easier and more profitable to perform magic.

Hall Technologies is appointing two new manufacturers' reps in the Rocky Mountains, Northern California and Nevada. CB Electronic Marketing and Western Rep Associates announced the addition of Hall this week as part of its offerings. CB Electronic Marketing will represent Hall in the Rocky Mountain regions of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Idaho, while the northern regions of California and Nevada will be covered by Western Rep Associates.

[Mizzen Marketing to Represent Hall Technologies in TOLA Region]

"We're happy to expand upon our growth strategy into these regions with the appointment of CB Electronic Marketing and Western Rep Associates," said Hall Technologies CEO Jason Schwartz. "Between the two rep firms they have over 55 years of combined AV experience that align with our sales goals and help us gain more opportunities in these territories. Both firms offer complementary lines that will elevate projects with a comprehensive solution. Working with the rep channel has been a great model for Hall, and we will see continued growth because of these relationships."

[Hall Technologies Hires Two Marketing Powerhouses]

"We are looking forward to working with Hall Technologies to increase awareness of their innovative products to the Northern California AV Community," said principal of Western Reps Dave Herget. "Hall has a long and well-deserved reputation for creating affordable, reliable products that help solve the real-world workflow challenges that occur in a professional AV environment. It will be a great story to tell."

[Hall Research Is Now Hall Technologies]

"I'm impressed with their roadmap as well, but what's really unique about Hall is their mission to reimagine the way people live, work and play with their catalog of solutions," said CB Electronic Marketing president Larry Bickford. "I think their collective and holistic approach to enhancing products and being customer centric is what made this partnership most appealing. Our Rocky Mountain clients will soon be introduced to a great technology portfolio."

What’s next for Pro AV? Find the answers at AVN2, a free, one-day virtual experience from AV Network and AVNation on Tuesday, April 5. 

The program begins with AVNation Media’s Tim Albright, who will host a fireside chat on the “State of the Supply Chains.” Later in the day, AV Technology’s Cindy Davis will lead the “Supply Chain Roundtable,” as industry experts consider the current issues and discuss solutions. 

Albright will also lead “Better Business Practices for Pro AV,” a look at how companies trying to recover from the last two years can succeed over the next two years. Plus, Mark J. Pescatore from Systems Contractor News will host “Improving the User Experience,” which will explore design success stories…and failures. 

Other sessions throughout the day will address cloud technology, distance learning, digital signage content management, audio installations, and more. AVN2 will bring the Pro AV community together through advanced virtual networking and an exhibit hall packed with the technologies you need to do your job today and tomorrow. 

AVN2 is for professionals working across the Pro AV ecosystems, including integrators, consultants, technology and IT managers and vice presidents, audio visual integrators, installers, architects, technology design practitioners, CIOs, CTOs, and all staff involved in Pro AV technology decisions. 

Why Attend AVN2?
• Learn about Pro AV/IT technologies from leading experts.
• Connect with the most important Pro AV brands and network with more than 1,000 industry professionals.
• Earn AVIXA Rus for CTS, CTS-D, and CTS-I holders.

For free registration and more information, click here.

There are many hidden safety factors to consider while companies are trying to get back to “normal.” The pandemic caused layoffs and complete company restructuring that was never planned or imagined. Tough decisions were made to let staff go as shows were cancelled and revenue dried up. Warehouses full of millions of dollars in equipment have laid dormant waiting to be used again.

Now, almost two years later, we are trying to gain operational traction, overcome challenges, and come back stronger. These safety considerations aren’t about making sure you have an adequate amount of cable ramps or that fire exits are clearly marked. This is about gear inspections and certifications, staff training, and mental health. It sounds like an odd list of safety concerns, but they are all more important than ever.

New Inspections, New Training

As events have picked up speed over the last few months, it’s hard to believe gear has sat on shelves for more than a year. There’s a common misconception that you can dust off everything and it will work like it did before, but that is not necessarily the case. Equipment that was once used daily and inspected by a warehouse team hasn’t been turned on or used in quite some time. Batteries have died and chain motor grease has dried up.

[Viewpoint: Customer Service Can Make or Break Your Business]

The highest priority with equipment should be updating expired inspections and certifications. Per ANSI standards, any chain hoist that has not been operated for a period of a year or longer should be removed from use until it can be fully inspected, and all aerial lifts must be inspected no more than 13 months from the date of the last annual inspection. It’s best to start planning for yearly inspections as early as possible. There are shortages with parts, and lead times can be long with limited staff facilitating inspections.

Back in 2019, companies had freelancers, full-time staff, and contractors to keep events moving, but many of those teams no longer exist. Companies are having to start over with a fresh roster; some staff were laid off, several have moved on to other jobs, and a few have left the industry completely.

This is a time of rebuilding. Every company should see this as the opportunity to improve their safety and training policies. Company handbooks should be updated or created to reflect updated COVID-19 policies, along with any new procedures that may need to be implemented. Safety trainings are often overlooked, but if you’re planning to bring in new staff or just bring back old staff, it’s most likely they’ll need refresher courses in first aid, CPR, and company safety protocols.

Mental Health Management

Mental health should no longer be portrayed as a stigma because statistics are proving that it is more common than some might think. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2019 nearly one in five adults in the United States were living with a mental illness. Today, those numbers are considerably higher, with some studies showing that as many as 80 percent of Americans are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, or isolation. Combined with understaffed companies and individuals covering multiple positions, you are setting your team up for burnout and turnover.

It’s imperative that companies invest in their employee’s well-being. Resources should be provided to staff—Behind the Scenes Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative is a great place to start. There’s a large list of U.S. and Canadian resources including suicide prevention information, an entertainment industry therapist finder, and even mental health first aid training.

[Exertis Pro AV, Hampstead Health Team Up on Patient, Team Safety via Contacta Bridge Bar System]

Company culture should support mental health and create an inviting work environment where people feel empowered to speak up when they or someone they know are struggle with their mental health. Staff should be provided more flexibility to their schedules to take time for themselves. And managers need to advocate for mental health, because it will foster a safe and supportive environment for employees.

While this only scratches the surface of safety factors to consider as events come back, they are key to providing a safe and solid foundation for your company to succeed—and keep your employees happy. The industry is cautiously optimistic after 20 months of this pandemic, but we have a long way to go before we are back to full speed. Getting ahead of gear inspections, certifications, and training, as well as providing mental health resources to staff, will ensure that you and your company are invested in the safety and well-being of the entire team.

AVIXA’s Pro AV Business Index shows the positivity of rapid growth observed in October continued in November, as the AV sales index (AVI-S) maintained its high level. At 64.6, the November AVI-S was just 0.5 points below the 65.1 observed in October. The bottom line for both months is rapid growth that’s comfortably above historical norms. For historical comparison, in November 2020, the AVI-S was 9.9 lower at 54.7 (which was then the highest level since the start of the pandemic). In November 2019, the AVI-S was 2.8 points lower at 61.8, and it was 3.1 points lower at 61.5 in November 2018. The two most commonly cited challenges were—as usual in the second half of 2021—COVID-19 and supply chains. In a welcome signal of normalcy, many commenters also pointed out typical seasonal factors, such as an end-of-year spending push or a quiet season due to the approaching holidays or winter.

Omicron is the top concern on most minds now as uncertainty about the new variant’s severity and ability to evade existing immunity spurs fear. Equity market data suggests that the concern for business overall is not too significant. As of Tuesday, Dec. 7, the S&P 500 was less than 0.5 percent below its level prior to the announcement of the omicron variant. International markets were weaker, but even those were less than 2 percent below their level immediately prior to the omicron announcement. This doesn’t rule out concern, but it is real-time data that directly contradicts fears that omicron will have a substantial adverse effect on business overall.

AV employment continued to grow in November, though at a modestly slower pace than in October as the AV employment index (AVI-E) eased from 62.0 to 59.1. A common thread in comments has been about workers leaving the AV industry. Currently, AV recovery lags behind overall GDP recovery due to our industry’s reliance on in-person activity, so it is to be expected that workers would seek their fortunes elsewhere. Such shifts have been seen within the AV industry, as shown in AVIXA’s labor market research in the second quarter Macroeconomic Trends Analysis (META) report. That research, “Schrödinger’s Labor Market,” showed that our industry had diverged into haves—generally, those facilitating remote connectivity—and have nots—those in in-person centric industries such as live events and hospitality. The omicron variant adds further uncertainty to when the full in-person return will happen. Still, when it does, you can expect to see tough competition for workers as recovering sectors seek to pull workers back from other areas of the AV industry and from other industries entirely.

The Pro AV Business Index report is derived from a monthly survey of the AVIXA Insights Community, a research community of industry members that tracks business trends in commercial AV. The report comprises two diffusion indexes: the AV Sales Index (AVI-S) and the AV Employment Index (AVI-E). In each case, an index above 50 indicates an increase in sales or employment activity.

Visit www.avixa.org/AVindex to access the free monthly Pro-AV Business Index reports and learn more about the methodology. For more information about joining the AVIXA Insights Community, visit www.avixa.org/AVIP.

The New Year is just around the corner, and what a year it’s been for not just our industry but society as well. I for one am thankful – and looking to make 2022 the best year ever.

New Year’s resolutions date back more than 2,000 years to the time of the Roman Empire, so this tradition is nothing new. However, I truly feel that we are in need, as a society, for some humility, kindness, and love to take precedence in all our lives. This can easily transcend into the culture and business of the pro AV industry.

Let’s think about that. We have interactions with our co-workers, clients, and management. We communicate for a living, and on many different levels, we help others communicate with other people.

Client Considerations

During our various personal interactions, how well do we communicate with our own clients? I recently read a post on communication that discussed some different ways you listen when you are talking with someone. Are you listening so that you can give them a reply, or are you listening to them to learn something so you can give them a solution? I can tell you that I’ve been on both sides of that coin, especially when I was younger.

Here’s a quick example. Many years ago, I was new to a technology consulting firm. I was assigned a courthouse in the middle of the project, not because I was the right guy for the job, but because the AV guy could not stand talking to the architect because he was so long winded.

I put on my really listening hat. They weren’t kidding; I don’t think any call I took from him (and I took them all) was under 20 minutes. But I really listened. You know what? I learned a lot from him and did the job.

A year later, after that job was complete and I was back out on my own (story for another day), the architect was so impressed with working with me that he recommended me for his next courthouse project. It was more than $1 million of AV. When I bid on it, against my previous company and others, I got the job. Imagine that.

[Top Integrators 2021: Technology Trend Predictions for 2022]

How about a New Year’s resolution to really listen to what your clients are saying? Instead of just replying with your typical answer, take a minute to digest what they just said, thinking about their needs and wants, and answer with a relevant solution.

Workplace Interactions

Interacting with co-workers is often a challenge. While not all voice their opinions, all have them, and many are still on edge as we continue to deal with a worldwide pandemic. In these sensitive times, being aware of the feelings of your co-workers is an important and required skill.

Make a resolution to think about how you interact with your co-workers. When confronted with a conflict or if you feel personally attacked, you may have a habit of adding fuel to the fire and taking a defensive position with your words and/or actions. This resolution is an opportunity for you to develop self-control and personal growth. Let’s all resolve to take greater care before we say or do something. If it has no benefit to anyone but yourself, keep it to yourself.

While an immediate need for getting along with management would be to stay employed, there are other benefits. For example, if you decide to leave, it’s best not to burn any bridges. Plus, in our merry-go-round of employers and employees in this industry, you never know if you are going to end up back where you started.

While a plethora of resolutions come to mind, as I have worked for numerous managers and executives, one resolution stands out for me: Pick and choose your battles. This translates to balance, something I have been stressing for years. Avoid extremism; restraint and common sense should be the order of the day.

If you have a job, you will come into conflict with your superiors to do (or not do) or say (or not say) something. Think before you act, be it words or actions. Let’s all resolve this New Year to pick and choose our battles, and not be too quick to jump into something you can’t undo.

Best wishes to you and yours in the New Year, and good luck with your resolution(s)!

When Thompson Rivers University determined it needed more space for its expanding nursing program, the Chappell Family Building for Nursing and Population Health was built on the campus in Kamloops, British Columbia. TRU worked with McSquared System Design Group, Inc. and AVI-SPL to deploy a fully functional installation that includes an array of Extron products.

Each instructional and meeting space includes an AV presentation system with wireless functionality. The rooms are linked over an extensive Extron NAV Pro AV over IP transport system that distributes HDMI and audio signals throughout the 49,000-square foot multi-disciplinary building. The installation provides seamless compatibility with current teaching modalities, equipment, and systems—and is designed to support future requirements just as easily.

[Extron, Somfy Partner to Integrate AV, Environmental Controls]

Once commissioned, the Extron NAV, AV presentation, and control systems at TRU’s facility accommodated the needs of the nursing program, plus support expansion of the outside post graduate paramedic and firefighter training programs. The design proved successful over a year-long pilot validation process.

“Design validation protects against using the client’s project as a testing platform, and Extron’s NAV Pro AVoIP and Pro Series control systems tested true,” said Marcel Schoenenberger, principal consultant, McSquared System Design Group, Inc. “NAV supports the medical training scenarios seamlessly and reliably on the converged network with no noticeable latency or signal degradation.”

[Extron, Twitch Collaborate on Interactive Meetings at Twitch HQ 2.0]

An automated manikin at each lab training station simulates illnesses and realistic responses to treatment, along with a wide variety of medical equipment and alternative sources, displays, and an augmented reality system. Activities can be recorded and/or streamed over the university’s network. Systems are operated using a Pro Series control system programmed using Global Scripter, Extron’s Python-based development environment. A TouchLink Pro touch panel and a tablet at each station provides the same GUI and functionality as the touch panel located in the control room.

Using GlobalViewer Enterprise, TRU’s support staff can monitor, control, and manage system resources from a remote location. The NAV and control systems, along with additional Extron products, successfully support the many labs and classrooms, as well as seminar, research, and collaborative study spaces, throughout TRU’s new building.

 ACT Entertainment, the newly formed entity borne from the merging of the ACT Lighting and RHC Holdings families of companies, is exhibiting at InfoComm 2021(Booth 5753) under its new branding for the first time. With a long heritage in several key markets, such as pro AV, installation, broadcast, touring/live, retail, house of worship, film and television, and industrial markets, ACT Entertainment has streamlined all its brands into a collective, market-focused approach. In recognition of this new business objective, the company will be showcasing its recently launched Just Networking brand, along with MA Lighting, ProCo Sound and Ayrton products, at the show.

The new Just Networking brand is a streamlined, plug-and-play remote control system for audio and video. Comprised of a simplified hardware device, known as the.Bridge, and a unique software solution, the.Platform, Just Networking offers the integrity of advanced networking in an easy-to-use format that's ideal for users of all skill levels. With the software-based functionality of the system, everyone from individual theaters to large rental houses are afforded a wide array of remote-control capabilities.

MA Lighting is best known for its grandMA series of products. In the time since the last InfoComm Show, MA Lighting has unveiled several new grandMa3 series products, the most recent being the 19-inch grandMA3 onPC rack-unit, which is ideal for fixed installations such as theaters, studios, theme parks and other architectural projects.

An audio interface brand, ProCo Sound products range from simple guitar and microphone cables to complex Dante-compatible digital platforms and facility distribution systems. In addition to the standard ProCo products, custom solutions are also available.

Specializing in LED lighting solutions for the entertainment and architecture industries, Ayrton products combine technology and design to harness creativity. In the time since the last in-person InfoComm, Ayton's new product launches include the Karif-LT beam-spot luminaire, Domino multi-function luminaire, Eurus miniature luminaire and Perseo Beam.

The What: A new range of Sony's electronics products used for professional audio-video (AV) applications, including the new XVS-G1 4K Live Production Switcher, is powered by Xilinx's field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and adaptive system-on-chip (SoC) devices. Together, the companies' cutting-edge technologies are making possible the capture and broadcast of live events worldwide.

The What Else: The Xilinx Virtex UltraScale+ FPGA with High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) plays a critical role in the new XVS-G1 video switcher, which inherits features and capabilities of prior models while adding cutting-edge technology for enhanced visual processing of live events with a maximum capacity of 24 4K UHD channels. The Xilinx device's embedded HBM controller and high-performance transceivers enable high-speed processing at high resolution 4K with wide color gamut, and high dynamic range at ultra-low latencies. This will be the first broadcast video switcher to be deployed for live sports and live events using Xilinx's HBM technology.

In addition to the new switcher, Xilinx devices are being used in a wide range of Sony's professional solutions, including:

•VENICE full-frame digital cinema camera

• FX9 full-frame 6K sensor camera

• BVM-HX310 31-inch 4K TRIMASTER HX(tm) Professional Master Monitor

• HDC-5500 three 2/3-inch 4K CMOS sensor portable system camera and the HDCU-5500 Camera Control Unit

The Bottom Line: "Xilinx technology has helped us improve the real-time processing and routing of video and audio in our new XVS-G1 switcher," said Koichi Yamanaka, Senior General Manager, Media Solution Business Division, Sony Corporation. "We use Xilinx devices because their architecture gives us flexibility, allowing us to customize and update capabilities to align with the rapidly-changing market needs as well as the specific product needs of our customers."

Life is nothing if not a constant series of transitions. I’m currently watching it with my young children, who are moving between life stages faster than I can believe. When my oldest was born, it seemed to me like he’d be a baby forever. It wasn’t long before he became a toddler ... and then he began to talk and our lives changed. A few short years later and he’s a 6 year old who can easily convince you he’s a young man.

He made the transition from toddler to boy right in front of my eyes, yet it still surprises me daily. I often still think of him as an adorable baby, or an entertaining toddler who kept us on our toes. I’m told that the next 10 years will go by even faster, and I’ll hardly notice as he transitions from pre-teen to teenager to driving age incredibly fast. I don’t think I’m alone as a parent hoping time will slow down a touch so I can enjoy every moment.

[ The Integration Guide to Houses of Worship ] 

If you’ve stuck with me this long, you’ll be wondering what this has to do with technology. I’ve been reflecting on transitions recently as we’ve watched so many of our house of worship clients struggle with evolving their businesses in the face of a world-upending pandemic. That’s really what transitions are: the changes that happen as a situation evolves.

Last year, like businesses in every other industry, houses of worship had to navigate the transition to providing services virtually via online platforms. And then they had to figure out how to accommodate the needs of parishioners gathering in person without slighting those worshiping virtually. Many struggled, some failed, and a select few downright excelled.

[ Getting Started in House of Worship Integration ] 

It was the most exciting time I’ve seen in the house of worship market in years.

Facilities that didn’t already have a broadcast or digital platform had to build one from scratch in a time when both virtual worship expertise and inventory were scarce. Delivery systems evolved from simple iPhone video to “legit solutions.” You’ll notice the air quotes, and I really want you to image my face as I say “legit solution.” That look I’m giving you is extreme doubt about the quality of the aforementioned “legit solution.” Let’s go with “workable solutions” instead.

Most of these solutions were expected to be temporary. Heck, most of the solutions that even professional integration firms provided were hamstrung by product scarcity and limited budgets with expedited timelines. It’s sounds like I’m throwing the industry under the bus—and I might be, but only a little. The COVID-19 pandemic created a just-make-it-work situation for most, but the ingenuity of most integrators was something to behold.

[ Streaming Helps Houses of Worship Reach Congregants at Home ] 

But if we’re being honest, there are a bunch of facilities that are still trying to work with the temporary solutions they cobbled together in April of 2020. And that’s not necessarily terrible, but by now most facilities have transitioned to servicing both in-person and remote congregations, often simultaneously. And they’ve made this transition using those temporary solutions. They certainly don’t want to give up on their remote congregation, but they can’t have a camera in the center aisle 15 feet away from the speaker while there are people in the pews.

So where has our industry been? Many church executives finally realize the value of supporting digital environments for their congregations, and we haven’t been there to help them plan the transition that will allow them to supply a better streaming product. MacGyver or not, at some point you have to move past chewing gum and dental floss.

[ What Streaming and Spacing Means for Audio in Houses of Worship ] 

Every HoW facility I’ve talked with in the last few months has been discussing boosting production value and/or upgrading to a more volunteer-friendly production solution that can help them grow their digital congregation. When I ask who they’ve talked to or if their integrator has reached out, I’m hearing what I expected—crickets.

Integrators have an opportunity to really prove our value to the HoW community—and other markets—by helping them transition to permanent installed options. But we’ve got to reach out and talk to our clients in this space and not assume they are satisfied with the ad hoc solutions they put together more than a very long year ago. This market is ripe with opportunity—even more than in the SD-to-HD transition decades ago. We can help, but we’ve got to get back to church.

Click here to read more stories from the September 2021 issue of SCN.

More by Matt D. Scott

My Experience: Evolve or Languish • If you don’t learn to evolve into this new experience-focused space, you’ll slowly lose your market share.

Goals • Matt D. Scott discusses setting—and achieving—goals for the new year.

Belgium-based Luminex Network Intelligence has entered into an exclusive distributor partnership with A.C. Americas, effective Monday, September 21, 2021.

As a part of this agreement, A.C. Americas will now exclusively distribute Luminex products in North America through its two sales divisions: A.C. ProMedia and A.C. Lighting Inc. A.C. ProMedia will focus on the professional audio-video markets and A.C. Lighting on the lighting markets. Luminex products provide install and Pro AV market solutions for data distribution and networking. Luminex products include GigaCore switches, LumiNodes, LumiSplit, as well as the Araneo software tool that provides a complete graphical overview of a Luminex network, showing connections, data flow and problems in a simple, clear and graphical manner to assist customers in working with the products.

As a key component of Luminex's North American business plan, A.C. ProMedia was established to distribute state-of-the-art products and solutions aimed at the commercial and Pro AV installation markets. A.C. ProMedia carries brands such as AUDAC, Harvey, Luminex, Chroma-Q, PROLIGHTS, LumenRadio and Prolytek. 

Luminex AV products can now be found through A.C. ProMedia. Representation is available across the U.S. to assist clients. Find local contacts through the A.C. ProMedia website or by contacting Franck Fabry, VP, Sales at sales@acpromedia.com or by calling 1-855-324-9354.

AVIXA has put together a rich education program focused on pro AV design and integration that will be part of InfoComm 2021, which takes place Oct. 23–29, 2021, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The program will explore key factors influencing design and integration, from the pandemic to inclusivity.

“AV experiences start with insightful designs, and InfoComm 2021 is offering a variety of perspectives to enhance your design and integration toolbox,” said Annette Sandler, director of live content U.S./Canada, AVIXA. “A theme that’s woven throughout this program is the importance of designing for all. These sessions will challenge the way you approach design to create a better AV experience for everyone.”

Redesigning the Virtual Healthcare Workspace During a Pandemic

The session “Redesigning the Virtual Healthcare Workspace During a Pandemic” will explore how Mass General Brigham healthcare system’s collaborative media department and its teleconferencing, streaming, hosting, and remote work tools became critical overnight. Bo Toof, senior video producer and streaming specialist at Partners HealthCare, will share success stories, including a high-visibility livestreamed Harvard Medical Grands Rounds presentation and interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAD).

Getting Real About Inclusive Design

In the session “Getting Real About Inclusive Design,” Bren Walker, partner and principal of integrated systems at Kirkegaard, will discuss the key principles of inclusive design, the relationship between diversity and inclusive design, how inclusive design relates to universal design and accessibility, and the ROI of inclusive design. The session will look at how Microsoft and the University of Cambridge’s Inclusive Design Toolkits have been used in real-world situations, as well as a case study of inclusive design principles on AV systems design projects for performing arts and education projects.

How Strategy Defines Workplace Content Design and Implementation

Emily Conrad, co-founder and president of Tessellate Studio, and Rachel Casanova, senior managing director of Cushman & Wakefield, will present the session “How Strategy Defines Workplace Content Design and Implementation.” Conrad and Casanova are collaborators defining a holistic workplace experience with a goal to create office spaces people want to go to every day. In this session, they will offer an overview of the process that shapes their experiential projects and detailed techniques and technologies they employ.

InfoComm is giving our readers a free Exhibit Hall pass to the show! Use VIP Code “FUTURE” to redeem your free pass. Click here to register.

For the latest show updates, visit our InfoComm 2021 hub.

Sony Electronics has announced a program to enhance the power and interconnectedness of its professional AV solutions through alliances with leading hardware and software providers. 

Sony says that its “Collaborative Alliances” program will allow it to offer even more compelling capabilities by providing integrated solutions through alignment with industry leaders among a variety of categories and applications.

In order to effectively represent the wide-ranging partner ecosystem, Sony will prioritize its focus on integrating and optimizing hardware and software solutions that meet the needs of channel partners, resellers, integrators and consultants serving corporate, education, government, healthcare, faith, retail, entertainment and transportation verticals—and ultimately end users. 

“By working collaboratively with the best and most innovative brands in the pro AV space, we’re approaching each alliance as an opportunity to combine our collective strengths and expertise to become a powerful community,” said Theresa Alesso, Pro Division president, Sony Electronics.  “As we seek to enhance the functionality and increase the interoperability of Sony’s industry-standard AV technology, we’re enabling our community to use impactful digital signage, video collaboration and unified communications platforms to engage customers in an even more dynamic and connected manner, while offering our users valuable, all-inclusive and cost-conscious solutions for a range of scenarios.”

One recent partnership, with interactive specialist TSItouch, brought infrared multi-touch technology to Sony’s BZ40H series BRAVIA 4K HDR displays.

Learn more about Sony’s Collaborative Alliances program and participants at pro.sony/alliances.  If you’re interested in exploring a potential alliance,  contact pro.info@sony.com.

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.

In response to the quarantine imposed by the COVID-19 crisis, many companies have begun offering virtual training programs both for their products and for AV skills and practices in general. Some vendors have also opened up their regular online classes for free, allowing industry members to learn while in lockdown.

Year-Round Pro AV Education Resources

Advanced Systems Group Remote Control Interview Series

Anixter University

AtlasIED Training and Education

Atlona Training Portal

AVIXA Online Training

Christie University

Extron Online Training

Harman Professional University

Kramer Academy

L-Acoustics Trainings

Lea Professional Online User's Guide

Lectrosonics Wireless Side Chats

Meyer Sound Webinar Archives

Netgear Academy

Planar Academy

PSNI's Re-Define Your Classroom 

QSC Online Training

SDVoE Academy

Shure Pro Audio Certification

Vanco Training Center

Xilica Certified

The market for professional audiovisual solutions and services in the Americas will grow to more than $112 billion in 2024, from $89 billion in 2019, according to AVIXA, the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association. The growth is reflected in updated forecasts now available in AVIXA's 2019 AV Industry Outlook and Trends Analysis (IOTA) Americas Summary. Although the robust market bodes well for the region, forecasters expect the Asia-Pacific (APAC) market to surpass the Americas, reaching $90.6 billion in 2019 and $127.6 billion in 2024.

"Despite APAC's rise to the top spot as the largest region for pro AV revenues, the Americas remains a vibrant market," said Sean Wargo, senior director of market intelligence, AVIXA. "Conferencing, collaboration, and digital signage solutions dominate, thanks to continued investment by a variety of customer types. Even corporations, which may be shifting to a more cautious capital expense approach, continue to invest in technology to facilitate remote employees and promote their brands. Overall, growth in pro AV may temporarily slow in the Americas, but that growth will be steady through 2024."  

According to IOTA Americas, the largest solution segment in North America is streaming media, storage, and distribution (SMSD), with $20.6 billion in revenue in 2019. The U.S. SMSD segment amounts to $18.7 billion in 2019, while the Canadian market is nearly $2 billion. Although the North American SMSD market is more than 13 times larger than the South American market, South America is set for faster growth. SMSD's strong numbers reflect large investment in back-end systems to support content distribution and control.

Consistent with worldwide trends, the pro AV video projection market in North America is set for a steep decline in the coming years, with revenue dropping to $1.9 billion in 2024 from $3 billion in 2019. South America will follow suit, with revenue falling to $1.2 billion in 2024 from $2.1 billion in 2019. Pro AV users in the region are turning away from projectors and toward larger-sized flat-panel displays due to displays' falling costs and less complex usage requirements.

The IOTA series of reports are produced by AVIXA in conjunction with IHS Markit, a noted insights and intelligence firm. The research methodology includes manufacturer inputs, both in the form of qualitative and quantitative guidance on the size and growth within various product categories. Interviews and further data collection among distributors, integrators, and end users helps determine the segmentation of products into solutions and markets. The research methodology also helps verify the flow of product, any commensurate markups applied by suppliers, and value-added services sold. The combined methodological approach makes IOTA the most comprehensive and representative report on the total pro-AV channel on the market today.

The 2019 AV Industry Outlook and Trends Analysis (IOTA) is published as a series of reports, including one global and three regionals. The Americas, APAC, and Global reports are available now to purchase, with discounts for AVIXA members. The IOTA Europe report will be available soon. For more information, visit avixa.org/IOTA.

Launched two years ago at ISE 2017 with the goal of standardizing the adoption of Ethernet to transport AV signals in professional AV environments, the SDVoE Alliance has grown to 40 member companies shipping 158 products. In addition, more than 300 SDVoE Certified Design Partners have been trained and certified. Member companies are poised to deliver upwards of 150,000 AV endpoints in the coming year. Deployments in education, healthcare, enterprise, entertainment, government, and military environments are ongoing and many new products are set to reach production volumes in 2019.

“Heading into ISE 2019, we are thrilled to be having such a profound effect on the industry,” said Justin Kennington, president of the SDVoE Alliance. “Designers, integrators, and end users are embracing the more open and standardized approach to signal management offered by SDVoE. We can clearly see that the days of dedicated matrix switchers and proprietary AV over IP are numbered!”

At ISE 2019 (Amsterdam, Feb. 5-8), demonstrations on the SDVoE Alliance stand 3-B150 will attempt to prove that SDVoE matches the quality and latency performance of the best matrix switches and that SDVoE offers advanced AV processing capabilities no other matrix can provide. Furthermore, demonstrations of SDVoE products from different manufacturers working together will be shown. In addition, a series of in-depth training sessions and case study presentations will be offered on Wednesday, Feb. 6 in room G109.  

All AV distribution and processing applications that demand zero-latency, uncompromised video can benefit from SDVoE technology, which provides an end-to-end hardware and software platform for AV extension, switching, processing, and control through advanced chipset technology, common control APIs, and interoperability. SDVoE network architectures are based on off-the-shelf Ethernet switches thus offering substantial cost savings and greater system flexibility and scalability over traditional approaches such as point-to-point extension and circuit-based AV matrix switching.

For the second year in a row, Ingram Micro has named LG Electronics Business Solutions “Pro AV/Digital Signage Partner of the Year.” The award celebrates the increasing demand and brand awareness within the IT channel for LG’s industry-leading digital signage solutions in 2018, according to Ingram Micro.

“We are honored to present the Pro AV/Digital Signage Partner of the Year Award once again to LG for going above and beyond with Ingram Micro to better serve the needs of our channel partners and help their end-customers achieve their business goals faster and with greater engagement and accountability,” said Jennifer Anaya, vice president, marketing, Ingram Micro.

LG offers the industry’s broadest array of digital signage display technologies, led by unique LG OLED screens in various configurations and LG Ultra Stretch displays. The award-winning lineup includes LG OLED Wallpaper, In-Glass Wallpaper, Video Wall, Open Frame and Dual-View Curved. The proprietary LG OLED technology delivers awe-inspiring picture with perfect blacks and incredible color, even from wide viewing angles, unlike any LCD/LED display can deliver.

From a family of desktop displays that feature LG’s 21:9 IPS format to advanced videowall displays to one of the broadest 4K UHD portfolios in the market (with models ranging from 49- to 98-inches) LG caters to the varied needs of the dynamic digital signage market – even offering Indoor LED display solutions, including 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm pixel pitch displays for a variety of installations, including retail spaces, sports stadiums, transportation hubs, and hospitality applications.

“This special recognition by Ingram Micro underscores LG’s focus on providing innovative digital signage solutions that are highly functional and that drive business,” said Clark Brown, vice president, digital signage, LG Electronics USA Business Solutions. “We are proud to collaborate with Ingram Micro to continue to expand the U.S. digital signage and Pro/AV markets with advanced solutions developed with the end-user top-of-mind.”

Brown said LG also is proud to be included in Ingram Micro’s new Business Transformation Center, which was developed as a destination for their partners to learn about and experience technology solutions and to leverage those solutions to transform their business from product-centric to solution-centric. Key LG products featured in the center include LG OLED Wallpaper commercial displays, video wall displays, touch displays, 88- and 86-inch Ultra-stretch display, medical monitors, cloud monitors, and LG gram laptops.

Yamaha Corporation of America, Professional Audio division, has appointed of Dobbs Stanford as the representative for Yamaha Commercial Audio and NEXO products in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and western Tennessee effective Oct. 1. In addition, the firm will distribute the well-known and fast-growing Yamaha Commercial Installation Solutions (CIS) product line in the same territory.

“Dobbs Stanford is one of the country’s very best representation firms and we are delighted to welcome them to Yamaha and NEXO,” said Paul Furtkamp, director of sales, commercial audio and NEXO products. “Working in close partnership with our own district managers, we expect that this powerful team methodology will yield even greater results for us in the south central U.S.”

This approach to the market will focus solely upon the commercial channel and Dobbs Stanford will represent an array of Yamaha and NEXO products including: Yamaha Installation Series speakers; Yamaha amplifiers; Yamaha portable pro audio products; the full line of NEXO speaker systems; Yamaha network switches, and the thriving Yamaha CIS product lineup. Yamaha commercial audio mixing systems such as the RIVAGE, CL, and QL Series will continue to be represented solely by the Professional Audio Division’s district managers.

“Yamaha’s excellent technology and execution has taken the company to the top of every market they have addressed,” said Brian Adams, VP of Dobbs Stanford’s Professional Products division. “Dobbs Stanford is excited to represent the Yamaha Professional Audio Division.”

“Dobbs Stanford has always worked to represent companies that provide excellent service and profitable brands for our dealers,” said Fred Dobbs, president, founder, and owner of the company. “I’m certain that Yamaha and NEXO will prove to be a perfect fit for both our team and our dealers as the marquee for professional audio products of the future.”

Stampede invited several hundred manufacturer partners Tuesday to its 2018 U.S. Vendor Summit in Buffalo, NY, where the company assured attendees of new parent DCC Technology Group's commitment and resources.

“Our collective ability to imagine, design and manufacture complex products and systems solutions that deliver amazing customer experiences across all of the vertical markets we serve is our single biggest advantage as an industry,” said Kevin Kelly, Stampede president and CEO. “And now, supported by the capital, resources, and commitment of DCC, Stampede is ready to become your one-stop, one-call global gateway to all of the unfolding opportunities being created by this new era of commercial experiential AV.”

Gerry O’Keefe, managing director of the distribution arm of DCC’s Technology Group, emphasized that DCC acquired Stampede because it had established the initial framework for a global distribution solution. “On its own and through its acquisition of Just Lamps, Stampede went further than any other company in Pro AV distribution,” he said. “With our investment of capital and additional resources, Stampede can now scale globally. The combination of Stampede and Exertis distribution is going to create unprecedented new business opportunities for our vendors, resellers and end-user customers.”

O’Keefe said that DCC is a £14.3 billion revenue, London Stock Exchange listed (LSE) international sales, marketing, and support services group that employs 11,000 people in four divisions operating in 17 countries.

O’Keefe told attendees that DCC does not approach acquisitions “as an opportunity to acquire and strip out assets. Rather, we view acquisitions as building blocks to a global solution that is bigger and better than the one we had in place before the acquisition. We really do believe in the power of our people and their ambitions. Our goal is to create a better global pro AV business through Stampede, one that adds value to our vendors and resellers. We are not interested in chasing profitless commodity business opportunities.”

According to O’Keefe, the world is changing in terms of what people want from distribution. Historically, distributors operate country by country. “Today, however, the companies we represent want a faster way to reach more of the world more cost effectively," he said. "We are focused on creating these global solutions for our customers.”

Building upon the current market success of Stampede is going to be a lot easier now that the traditional capital constraints Stampede faced are eliminated. “As an independent company, Stampede had record-setting sales years in 18 of its 20 years,” Kelly said. “In 2017, our overall sales grew by 22%. Constrained by capital, we literally could not leverage all of the opportunities presented to us and we still grew by 22%. Now this will no longer be the case.”

Kelly told manufacturers to expect a lot more from Stampede going forward. More financial strength. More opportunities to expand business globally. More local and regional marketing programs that cover more of the marketplace. More robust product portfolios and inventories in the field in more warehouse locations. More sales offices. “And, yes, more acquisitions,” he said. “We are actively looking to acquire trade distributors who share our values. Consolidation will continue to be a dominant trend in our industry. Let your other trade distributors know that Stampede is open to additional acquisitions that will further enable us to better serve our customers.”

The two-day 2018 Stampede U.S. Vendor summit combined a round the clock schedule of presentations, work sessions, manufacturer exhibits, 1:1 sales meetings and social, team-building events into one powerful and unforgettable experience. A highlight of this year’s event was a “Meet the DCC Exertis Team” panel discussion that featured senior DCC management who fielded questions from the audience on a range of topics that directly impact their business.

Kelly told attendees that, at the end of the day, Stampede was still very much Stampede. “We built this company together, one customer at a time, one relationship at a time, one deal at a time," said Kelly. "Its been a very personal journey every step of the way. At times like this, there may be a concern that some of these values will change.”

“Clearly things have changed, and in ways that will directly benefit your business. We are part of a much bigger enterprise,” Kelly said. “My commitment to you, however, is to continue to work with you the same way we always have. You are always one phone call away from a solution! At the end of the day, we are still Stampeders!”

Previous iterations of the Young Living event relied on projection mapping with LED accents to bring an arena stage to life. In 2018, its production company ditched the projectors in favor of a custom, visually stunning and all-LED buildout.

A worldwide marketer of life-changing products infused with the benefits of essential oils, Young Living in 2018 brought together more than 30,000 passionate members from around the world for what has become its annual high-energy and dynamic celebration filled with inspirational speakers and live entertainment.

Needing a show foundation that could deliver a one-of-a-kind attendee experience, Young Living’s events team once again collaborated with the design specialists at Cornerstone Technologies, who created a custom LED stage floor, with video supplied by Elite Multimedia Productions.

“We’ve worked with Young Living on their International Conference for the last 10 years consecutively and we have been involved with their organization for almost 13 years in total,” said Chad Fraughton, Cornerstone co-founder and executive producer for the Young Living event. “In years prior at [Salt Lake City’s] Vivint Smart Home Arena, we had always relied on projection mapping for the stage with LED video elements complementing the design. This year, rather than do a hybrid of image mapping and LED, we wanted to develop a completely custom and cutting-edge design worthy of the production.”

Knowing they wanted to take the event design in a new direction for the 2018 convention, Fraughton and the team at Cornerstone began to conceptualize how this could be done. In a production with a multitude of different video elements, providing a unique system to display crisp and clear imagery was a high priority.

“We really wanted to start the design with strong imagery on the stage floor so that attendees could have a more intimate feeling in the arena setting and be more connected to the media and the presenters,” continued Fraughton. “The idea for the LED video floor started around some of the more hybrid designs that we had done in years past, and with just under 3,000 unique video looks in the show, we needed strong visual content that would allow the messaging to drive the design.”

With the idea of placing LED video directly onto the stage floor now moving forward, the physical layout of the video surfaces needed to be finalized. Remaining dedicated to providing a design that was truly one-of-a-kind, Cornerstone developed a series of circular video surfaces which would be placed across the stage.

“The main stage was comprised of a 50-foot LED video circle and then the surrounding areas included 30-foot, 20-foot, 15-foot, and 10-foot video circles as well,” explained Fraughton. “To do this, we created circular stages that provided the foundation and once we had the foundation in place, our scenic department built square frames used to attach the LED video panels. We then we did a white marley cut-out that masked each of the video areas, which allowed us to illuminate the stage from above.”

When it came time to actually install the design, Cornerstone knew that a smooth and efficient load-in would be crucial to the event’s success. With time not on its side, the team at Cornerstone took a bit of inspiration from the concert touring industry so that it could quickly install and begin programming for the show.

“We basically had 72 hours to load-in, tech the design, and be ready for show,” said Fraughton. “It was pretty fast and furious, so we had a lot of our systems built around the idea of a touring design and ready to be a plug-and-play solution. Creatively, we treated the design mask as one giant image and then programmed the circular images within the mask. With the aggressive nature of the content we were trying to display, this really gave us a greater ability to manage the time and resources to be more effective with what we were looking to deliver.”

It was imperative for all of the technical solutions Cornerstone employed to work in concert for a cohesive result. With the video being placed directly on the stage floor, the performance of the LED panels provided by Elite Multimedia Productions were put to the test.

“LED video was definitely the right choice for this application as it was able to stand up to the 125 3000K moving lights that we had flown in the rig,” added Fraughton. “Being in an arena setting also meant there was also a lot of ambient light. The power of the FLEXLite Plus provided the ability to place the video elements into the stage floor and still give us the visual impact we originally envisioned.”

As the 2018 Young Living International Convention kicked off with a split general session for approximately 30,000 attendees, Fraughton was eager to gauge the audience response to the LED stage design. Knowing the amount of work it took from everyone involved on the project, he was happy to hear the glowing responses from both attendees and technicians.

“The comments that were most overwhelming from the attendees and the technical support staff were that this was one of the most elegant stage designs they’d ever seen,” concluded Fraughton. “It was beautiful and polished, and almost looked like it was on an acrylic extrusion with beautiful lines. When you look at big shows like this, and you understand the dynamic of what all is involved, having reliable products and technicians like those at Elite Multimedia Productions is critical to the demands of the show, and the final product was truly beautiful and refined.”

Hammonton, New Jersey-based Lienau AV Associates has now become one of the latest independent manufacturers’ representative firms to join the Group One Limited network. Servicing four of the U.S. distributor’s pro audio brands—DiGiCo, KLANG, XTA, and MC2—the newly appointed company is reporting directly to Group One VP of Pro Audio Matt Larson, who made the announcement.

Originally founded by Charlie Lienau in 1948, the company has been "handed down” to its employees for three generations. The current trio of partners—Chris Hutnick, Tom Macri, and Domenic Troilo—assumed ownership of the firm three years ago and today manages a team spanning eight offices covering from Virginia to Maine.

Although Lienau AV Associates covers the Mid-Atlantic, Metro New York and New England regions for a variety of manufacturers, the company is specifically servicing New England for Group One, with Lienau’s Alex Shillo serving as DiGiCo’s primary point of contact within its organization.

“The Lienau team is comprised of guys with substantial real-world production and integration experience and whose work ethic and integrity are rivaled only by their passion for the technologies and brands they represent,” said Larson. “They’ve spent the past 70 years building trust with the right customers and introducing them to the right solutions from their manufacturer partners, and I know that they do their best to honor that trust every day. We’re very pleased to welcome them to the Group One family.”

“I remember working on an SD8 seven or eight years ago and thinking, ‘Man, this thing sounds fantastic’,” said Hutnick. “I hadn’t had an experience like that with any other digital console to that point. Being able to represent a product you truly believe to be the best in its class is an absolute privilege. In recent years, I’ve participated in various showcase events around the territory where Matt Larson was representing DiGiCo, and his enthusiasm for the brands was just infectious. It’s really refreshing to be working alongside people as passionate about the products as we are.”

The What: Optoma announced availability of the W330UST and EH330UST, the company’s newest ultra short throw projectors designed for smaller professional spaces.

The What Else: These projectors feature 3,600 lumens and a 20,000:1 contrast ratio, producing super bright and large images from inches away. Both projectors feature a PC-free image viewer and document reader, which allows for convenient connectivity with USB storage-devices, while LAN display supports connectivity with up to four simultaneous computers. In addition, the W330UST and EH330UST offer wireless presentation and display capabilities with HDCast Pro functions for Android, Mac OS and Windows devices. These projectors also feature auto keystone and four corner geometry correction, and offer robust connectivity options, ensuring maximum flexibility for a range of installation needs.

The Bottom Line: The Optoma W330UST and EH330UST are now available at an estimated street price of $1,299 and $1,599, respectively, through Optoma authorized dealers and distributions including CWD, Connection, ProjectorPeople.com and Visual Apex.

It’s no surprise that one of the biggest killers of hardware is heat. Long-term, excessive heat will reduce the lifespan of just about any PCB (printed circuit board).

What’s less understood are best practices for protecting equipment from heat and limiting the ruinous effects of high temperatures on AV. But keeping it cool as resolutions increase requires much more than adding fans into chassis design. The pro AV industry needs a new paradigm.

High Heat Means High Cost

Step one in limiting the damage of high heat: think about power. Do everything that you can to reduce the power that generates heat, and then remove the heat you do generate.

Here's an example: at Datapath, we are dedicated to reducing power to minimize heat. We think about chipsets, scrutinizing what’s required and incorporating lower-power chipsets to minimize heat generation. And when those chipsets need over a dozen separate power rails, efficient power supply design makes all the difference.

We perform various oven tests with an empty product chassis to understand exactly how airflow works. It is quite common that the location of a certain board will influence airflow. What we have discovered is that venting and piping can improve airflow dramatically; insight from our extensive testing has inspired the design of the Datapath VSN Micro line of video wall controllers.

What’s more, we control every element of our solution, from the backplane to the power supplies, to the chassis shape and airflow, and we can optimize graphics processing units (GPUs) for the best performance.

Don’t Think Like a Gamer

If you attempt to use general-purpose, off-the-shelf commercial products for video walls, you won’t get a fraction of the number of outputs that our expandable range of VSN expansion chassis offers. The power drawn would be far too high. That’s one of the reasons we focus on flexible solutions using our video capture cards and graphics cards. Using scalable PCIe technology, an expansion chassis can be added to the master system to provide additional PCIe slots allowing for uninterrupted communication between any device in any slot. Full gen-locking can be achieved between outputs within the whole system without the need for additional cables.

Think about a gamer's graphics cards. They often drive much the same resolution as our wall controller outputs, but we don’t need that massive 3D engine to draw flat video. We maximize what matters. We have our own custom-built cards that allow for various configurations that lower the power without sacrificing quality.

AV Over IP and Power

There’s another significant trend in pro AV: the desire to move power supplies and power sources away from the display to get the heat away from the wall and into equipment cabinets. Many vendors and IT directors are taking this approach.

As resolutions per output increase, however, from SD to HD, to 4K or 8K, how do you move signals in efficient ways, and when does cabling become an issue? As we start to think about moving 4K over HDMI or DVI cables, AV over IP becomes an increasingly appealing alternative. This is where 10Gb Ethernet enters into the conversation. IP allows you to go greater distances, and doing this over fiber saves power. With 10GbE as the backbone, you can place equipment in better spaces and continue to scale across a facility or campus. This approach is also helpful with noise distractions. I believe that 10GbE will evolve quickly especially as 4K becomes a more common format.

Focus on Fiber

Fiber is another notable cabling and infrastructure trend as we evolve into the 4K era. While it was prohibitively expensive even four years ago, as prices drop we should see the interest in fiber tick up.

John Storey is the Hardware Director of Datapath.