There are many important aspects you must keep in mind when beginning a major digital media installation. Hours are spent analyzing the best products to use and the right content management system to install, but the most important element has always been the user experience (UX).

Every element that goes into the install is chosen with that in mind. Will this placement be best to engage with the end user or consumer? Will this content grab the consumer’s attention? How can the user engage directly with the technology? With advancements in UX happening rapidly, it’s hard to keep up with all the different trends.

This Thursday—September 27—I will be discussing this exact topic at the SCN Think Tank in Jersey City. Here's a sneak preview of some of the trends you can expect to hear more about later this week.

Finding the right balance between content and technology can be tricky. A digital display is nothing without the right content to show off the display’s quality and engage with the user. So much focus is now being placed on creating the right content to fit the digital display network. A great example of this is at Westfield World Trade Center on the 4mm LED display in the East/West Concourse. The display measures 280 feet and visitors walk along aside it as they travel throughout the complex. At times you can see cars traveling down the canvas or people walking alongside the viewers, utilizing the canvases length to its advantage.

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are constant buzz words you hear throughout the industry. This technology is still more of a spectacle than part of the UX , but slowly you’ll start to see more and more instances of it as the tech improves. One day, you may be able to swipe up to visually browse plates of food you are interested in on a menu before you order or sit in a car you want to purchase and test drive it without ever visiting the lot.

Responsiveness is now expected of most technology. Everyone has a device in their pocket that allows them to do anything imaginable with the click of a few buttons. This same type of responsiveness is now becoming expected of digital signage technology. We see this successfully deployed in a variety of settings, like shopping malls and fast food restaurants, and I think the possibilities are continuing to grow. The key with this type of technology is speed. Without it, engagement is loss and distrust in the technology is something that is hard to overcome.

Want to continue the discussion on UX?

Don't miss the "What's Next for the UX?" discussion on September 27 at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ.

Register for free using code "SCNGuest" at https://www.scnthinktank.com.

The SCN Think Tank is right around the corner, and I for one, am stoked. Here are my top five reasons why you need to attend.

1. All of your friends will be there.

The Think Tank will be packed with top integrators, consultants, and experience designers. And they're there to meet you. Everyone is there to learn and share their tips and tricks on bringing AV to the next level.

2. You'll make new connections.

The Think Tank is co-located with the AV/IT Leadership Summit, the must-attend event for CIOs, CTOs, and in-house AV managers. They'll be plenty of time for you to network with those attendees—you can't afford to miss your chance to mingle with power players from companies like United Airlines, Google, Indeed, Rutgers University, and more.

3. You'll walk away with a better understanding of the future of pro AV.

Want to know what the pro AV market will be in one, three, even five years? You won't want to miss The Future of AV panel at 1 p.m. You'll get a sneak peeks of new technologies and how they apply to the market directly from leading AV manufacturers like Barco. And, no, this won't be a product pitch—they'll be talking about the overall state of the market and how trends will shape their product roadmaps.

4. You need AVIXA RUs.

Let's face it—you need those AVIXA RUs to keep your CTS certification. People who attend the full day of education will receive 5.5 RUs. Kill two birds with one stone—get actionable info to take back to your job and renew your certification.

5. You'll see AV technologies in action.

We're ending the day with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Liberty Science Center's AV systems. Led by the venue's AV team, you'll hear about how they chose the technology, challenges they face, and how it enhances the visitor experience.

If that doesn't convince you, I don't know what else will. Well, maybe I have one more thing—IT'S FREE! Use code "SCNGuest" for admission on me.

See you September 27 in Jersey City!

REGISTER NOW: https://www.scnthinktank.com/tt-jerseycity2018/begin

Dr. S. Ann Earon, president of 35-year-old consulting practice Telemanagement Resources International (TRI) and the “Godmother of Conferencing and Collaboration” is set to keynote the SCN Think Tank and AV/IT Summit on Sept. 27 at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ.

AVN: What is your current position and how did your background prepare you for your role?

Dr. S. Ann Earon: I am the president of TRI, a management consulting firm I founded in 1982. When I started working for the telephone companies—New England Telephone and AT&T—in sales, I was given the portable conference telephone as the product I needed to know from the time it was engineered to the time it was sold and installed; this was AT&T's first commercial offering in the conferencing space. Later, I was asked to be part of the introduction of Picturephone Meeting Service, AT&T's first offering in videoconferencing. Both of these roles helped prepare me for my current role. I am known as the “godmother of the conferencing and collaboration industry,” not the grandmother! I started with the technologies before there was a recognized industry, and was very involved when the industry started in 1982 with the first commercial offering of videoconferencing, which only the federal government, aerospace industry, and telephone companies could afford.

AVN: How did you get involved with the IMCCA?

AE: The non-profit IMCCA was founded in 1998 when 14 founding vendors felt it was important to put up money to have a non-profit association; I am the founding chairperson. Carol Zelkin, who had recently sold Optel, was asked to be the paid executive director. I was asked to be the chairperson because [they told me] "You know everyone in the industry, are an impartial third party, and have a big mouth." I held that role for seven years; after that, I told the board of directors we needed to start rotating chairpersons or the association would only be known as the Ann and Carol show. I currently serve on the executive committee of IMCCA and am responsible for all programming at our shows.

Key Takeaways

Who? Dr. S. Ann Earon, founding chairperson of the IMCCA and president of TRI, will deliver a keynote speech at the SCN Think Tank and AV/IT Summit on Sept. 27 in Jersey City, NJ.

Why? Earon is the “Godmother of Conferencing and Collaboration,” and will give attendees the inside scoop on the state of UCC.

Now What? Sign up for the SCN Think Tank or AV/IT Summit to meet and learn from Earon and other top speakers like Manolo Almagro, Hope Roth, Leonard Suskin, Charmaine Torruella, and more.

AVN: What is the greatest challenge you see in the world of UCC today?

AE: The greatest challenge in the world of UCC today is the same challenge we have had with all technologies and nomenclature: We have to be sure users understand the value of each technology, when to use each type of technology, and how the technologies positively impact their organizations. Pushing technology is not the answer—the answer is to make each technology a necessity in the minds of users, not just a nicety.

AVN: What advances did you see at InfoComm that can help move UCC forward?

AE: The primary advance I saw at InfoComm was that vendors are now focusing on users—manufacturers are starting to get the importance of the user experience and are emphasizing how their offerings meet user needs. Each year InfoComm, vendors introduce new technologies, which helps propel the industry forward; but, to me, the importance is finally recognizing the need to demonstrate the benefits and applications of these technologies, not just the features.

Integrators and Consultants: reserve your spot at the Jersey City SCN Think Tank.

Tech Managers: reserve your spot at the Jersey City AV/IT Summit.