Time can be tight at tradeshows so we’ve rounded up a selection of must-do events and activities at InfoComm 2019.
Emerging Trends Day
Analysts, integrators, end users and technologists will examine the forces impacting pro AV, from internet protocol, to disruptive audio and video, to unified communications and collaboration and its impact on how companies work.
“The Emerging Trends Day speakers have seen first-hand how new technology is playing out in the real world and can tell InfoComm attendees about the change that’s coming, the challenges, and the possibilities this technology unlocks,” said Rachel Bradshaw, director of program design, AVIXA. “This event arms attendees with the informed questions they need to ask on the InfoComm show floor.”
IP is expected to feature heavily throughout the day, which will also include an exploration of the shifting world of display technology and discussion around how UCC has become more about workflow than technology and what that means for integrators and users.
Emerging Trends Day will be held on Tuesday June 11.
AV Tech Tours
The ever-popular Tech Tours are returning to InfoComm with attendees being given the opportunity to enjoy a behind the scenes visit to the Orlando Science Center and the University of Central Florida. At the Science Center, the lead exhibit tech will guide you through the museum’s exhibits and itsuse of technology and audiovisual equipment. You’ll see how the museum uses projection mapping, how the dinosaurs come alive for the holidays, and get a feel for some of the challenges and creative workarounds the team employs. At the Universwity of Central Florida, you’ll be able to tour the vast campus to see the newest classroom designs and other high-tech spaces. As you explore UCF, you’ll discover how they keep up the pace of continuous improvement while centrally managing it all.
These tours sell out every year so make sure you pre-register as early as possible.
AVIXA Women’s Council Networking Breakfast
The AVIXA Women’s Council, a global community for supporting and empowering women in the AV industry, will host its annual breakfast event at InfoComm 2019, on Thursday June 13, with keynote speaker Christine Schyvinck, president and CEO of Shure. At the breakfast, Schyvinck will discuss attracting and retaining women in the audiovisual and technology industries.
Schyvinck said: “Our industry needs to have more discussions about reaching women at a younger age – about junior high age – to show them what a career in technology looks like. At the Women Council’s breakfast, I’ll talk about how to get young women engaged in the AV industry, and I’ll also talk about diversity overall in the workplace – why it’s important and how it delivers results and satisfaction.”
Center Stage
Situated in booth 3161 in the Exhibit Hall, Center Stage will play host to a wide array of speakers throughout the show. Conversations are designed to explore the role of AV in creating a better-designed world, with subjects covering everything from creating immersive experiences for esports arenas through to supporting and connecting student communities with AV. Free to attend, Center Stage will welcome representatives from big firms and brands, such as Gensler and Google, and creative studios, such as Vita Motus and Quince Imaging.
On Wednesday and Thursday, Center Stage will host Meet the Experts sessions, where attendees will have the opportunity to network with the speakers and ask questions.
TIDE Conference
Combining technology, integration, design and experience, the TIDE Conference provides an opportunity to share the stories behind engaging interactions for entertainment, museums, events, brand launches and retail environments that weave content, space and technology into incredible customer experiences. Speakers lined up for this year’s event, which is held on 11 June, include Jeff Day, president, North of 10 Advisors, Srinivas Rao, chief creative instigator & founder, Unmistakable Media and Mary Franck, senior interaction designer, ESI Design.
AVIXA Foundation 5K Walk/Run
If you fancy a more exhilarating start to your day on Friday June 14, AVIXA is hosting a 5K walk/run at 07:00. All proceeds will go to the AVIXA Foundation, a non-profit organisation operated by AVIXA. The Foundation has recently begun developing global campaigns and programmes to increase the awareness of AV as a career and develop the next generation of the AV professionals, while fostering enablement of potential workers through skills training, scholarships and school support.
Pre-race registration is $35, the onsite price is $45. Discounts are available for teams, students and children – the event is family friendly and you don’t need to be an InfoComm attendee to participate.
Bart Kresa Sviatovid
If you didn’t see the world premiere of this at ISE in February, make sure you don’t miss your chance to enjoy award-winning master projection designer Bart Kresa’s new sculpture, Sviatovid. Inspired by both a ninth century Slavic deity and a medieval sculpture of the same name, Sviatovid is a 15ft tall faceted totem.
AV Career Day
Friday June 14 is AV Career Day. Taking place in rooms W311A, W311B, that day will host students, educators and community organisations for a day of exploring AV careers. The day is made up of several components: speed networking sessions; an AV Tech Challenge where students get to explore the trade show floor; and AV skills practice sessions where students get hands-on training.
Further networking and career talk can also be enjoyed at the Young AV Professionals Reception on Thursday June 13 at 16:00 on the AVIXA booth.
Diversity in AV Reception
Held on Friday 14 between 13:00 and 14:00, this free to attend event is designed to promote AVIXA’s aim of ensuring everyone feels welcome in the AV industry. Taking place on the AVIXA booth, pre-registration is not required. AVIXA’s Diversity Council will also be hosting a panel discussion on unconscious bias in room W309AB on Tuesday at 15:00.
Audio Demo Rooms
Running from Tuesday to Friday, more than 20 audio manufacturers will be demonstrating their latest equipment in the Audio Demo Rooms.
Located near Hall D in rooms W221, W222, W223, W224, W225, W230, W231, W232 and W240 of the Orange County Convention Center, the rooms will feature demonstrations from d&b audiotechnik, K-Array and L-Acoustics to name just a few, offering the opportunity to hear the kit in act away from the noise of the showfloor. Sessions are free to attend.
