The influence of AV technology on the retail and hospitality (R&H) sectors was already being felt more than ever before prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, with hybrid or omni-channel shopping, and immersive restaurants growing in popularity. The aftermath of Covid – as is the case across other sectors, enterprise AV in particular – added rocket fuel to end users’ desire to include more technology in their offers, in order to encourage customers back into bricks and mortar retail establishments, and with extra, tech-boosted incentives to tempt them to spend their hard-earned and often limited disposable incomes in hospitality environments. Our in-depth look at how immersive, experiential, and sustainable AV tech is revolutionising R&H – and is also having a massive influence on the design and build of retail outlets, bars, restaurants and even hotels – heads up this new June edition of Installation.
With InfoComm just over a week away, we take the time to preview this year’s show, with AI set to play a big part across the show floor. Smaller showcase events also feature in this issue. Peerless-AV’s annual Showcase, held at Lord’s cricket ground in London included a Sharp/NEC-organised, Installation-moderated corporate social responsibility forum; and a press preview ahead of AWE’s annual residential-facing expo at the AWE Show Apartment, in Epsom, saw the unveiling of exciting new AV tech.
Elsewhere this month, we look at cyber crime and the importance of security tech in AV; investigate a mini crisis in the festivals sector, following boom times post Covid; and ask why lighting remains something of an unsung hero across audio-video installations, and whether it’s actually ‘AV’.
This month’s contributed insights include the benefits of an optimised lifecycle network; the role of AV and immersive technology in education; growth opportunities for the digital signage industry; the use of AV tech in flexible learning; the importance of acoustics in the home; the role of software defined video networks (SDVNs) in the AV ecosystem; and a look at AV and interior design, as part of our R&H lead feature. Our Inside Track interviewee this issue is Annelies Kampert, vice president and general manager, Crestron Europe.
You can access the digital version of this month’s InfoComm-bound paper edition below.
