Trade shows are always an exciting time in the AV industry — we’ve got the top minds gathered in a single space, showing off their new releases (in the case of manufacturers) and creative prowess (in the case of the media), while audiovisual integrators cram as much learning, networking, and partying as they can into five (or more) days. After a while, it becomes a blur. If you remember half of what you saw at the show as you deplane at your hometown airport, you’re not doing too badly.
Although ISE was in February and InfoComm took place less than two months ago, so much has happened in that time … We’ve got Windows 10, an appeal on the FCC’s net neutrality ruling, and the death of Hitchbot, the first casualty in what may someday be viewed as the launching point for the first human/robot war.
ISE reported record attendance and in 2016, expands to four-days. For KMB, it was our best show to date with each client reporting tangible success and all eagerly looking forward to next year’s show. Fast forward to June and the AV community once again convened, though this time Orlando was host city. Commercial Integrator recently quizzed the AV community on how much they remembered from InfoComm15. We don’t know how well the community-at-large did on CI’s pop quiz, but this blogger scored about 65. At least I got the important bonus question about Tom Leblanc and his new baby correct!
We bet the AV influencers who shared their top InfoComm15 highlights with us still remember the moments they listed below. Do you?
“AVNationTV’s AVTweetup – 200 AV Industry Influencers got together to share and network.”
– Adrian Cotterill, DailyDOOH“My top pick from Infocomm was Panasonic’s shaped projection on the Tesla. Six projectors creating moving images on a car; very cool. I had not seen anything like that before.”
– Chris Eberle, Senior Editor, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity; Display Editor, Tom’s Hardware US“Sony’s new VPL-GT270 laser 4K (4,096×2,160) projector really impressed me. Designed for entertainment applications such as theme parks, planetariums, museums and retail, the projector has three killer features: 20,000 hours of operational life, light output capabilities up to 5,000 lumens, and the ability to produce HDR and DCI color space standards. Sony says the projector will become available in Q1 2016. MSRP has yet to be determined.”
– Bob Archer, Senior Editor, CE Pro“Top pick. That’s tricky. Like selecting my favorite movie or book, it’s really about categories (favorite literary fiction, favorite non-fiction, etc.) So, I’d have to say that my TOP of the TOP Ed Tech AV at InfoComm15 was Kramer’s Collaborative Classroom.
“As a former college instructor, my ears are always attuned to higher ed AV & control solutions that make tech managers’ lives easier, as well as support 1) diverse teaching styles, 2) learning outcomes, and 3) active learning pedagogy. Kramer’s Collaborative Classroom hits that trinity. It’s scalable and full-featured, but at the heart of it is an intuitive classroom solution that any professor can use with very little training. Bonus: it’s completely wireless so there are no cables snaking out to each huddle table or pod.”
– Margot Douiahy, Editorial Director, AV Technology, EDUwire, Tech Manager Today
Looking Forward to CEDIA15
Although CEDIA Expo, the official trade show for the Custom Electronics industry, and InfoComm target different audiences, there is clearly crossover between the two, both in terms of manufacturers and attendees.
This begs the questions: How will Sony and Panasonic top their InfoComm displays with eye-catching applications for home technology enthusiasts? Will #AVTweeps raise the bar even higher with their social media presence during CEDIA 15? How will the #CEDIATweeps show their social prowess? How many #LiveInstall’ers will make the voyage? Ladies, will the #WomenOfInfocomm represent? Which products will “wow” us and what trends will emerge?
We’ll start collecting our CEDIA Expo Top Picks via Twitter and Facebook on the first day of the show, and we hope to see even more involvement from the AV social community. We loved reading the responses we received from the media, bloggers, influencers, and peers we’re honored to have as friends, we thank you for taking the time to answer.
It’s not too late to take part by sharing YOUR ISE and InfoComm Top Picks in the comments section.