It’s that time of year again. Hard to believe that InfoComm 2019 is just around the corner at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida in June.
InfoComm is the largest professional audio-visual trade show in North America. With 1,000 exhibitors and an estimated 44,000 attendees from 110 countries, InfoComm is once again showing us that producer AVIXA continues to expand its professional development and certification, as well as a superb showcase for the latest technology.
Read on for facts, news and tips for your visit to the OCCC!
- My first InfoComm…
- … to InfoComm 2019
- Turning up the audio
- What's new this year?
- Some stats
- Orlando – be prepared!
My first InfoComm…
It was hot! Not so much the technology, but the climate. I was in Dallas for the 1998 show and with temperatures around 95°F and the air-conditioning switched off, it was not a great deal of fun rigging our booth. That said, I seem to remember the show being highly successful and rewarding. People didn’t rely quite as much on the internet for their product information – they had to come and see it for themselves. Networking with colleagues was as important then as it is today too.
What has changed today though is that we are not shipping anywhere near the number of pallets of brochures, cut sheet and general information packs out to the shows now. Badge scanning and QR codes are the way forward.
… To InfoComm 2019
So how has the show progressed from those early, sweaty days?
The 2003 show had just under 20,000 visitors. According to show producer AVIXA, last year's InfoComm visitors came from all 50 United States and 108 countries; 20 percent of attendees were from outside the U.S. The show’s 964 exhibitors anchored a massive expo that spanned 550,000 net square feet of exhibits, demo rooms, and special events space, making it the biggest InfoComm ever. A whopping 94 percent of the 2018 exhibit space was rebooked for InfoComm 2019 in Orlando which, they say, is a new record.
Other notable news from the 2018 InfoComm show:
- 540 attendees took part in AVIXA’s three-day training sessions before the show opened — another InfoComm record.
- 188 professionals passed a Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) exam at InfoComm 2018, bringing the total number of CTS holders to 11,901.
- 3,114 attendees registered for AVIXA’s Seminar and Workshop Package at InfoComm 2018, nearly 20 percent more than the last time the show was held in Las Vegas (and this year there are some 130 new sessions scheduled!)
Turning up The Audio
In previous years I had heard some criticism from visitors that there were not enough professional audio vendors being represented at the show. AVIXA have looked to remedy this and judging by the number of booths there will be in 2019, I don’t think that anyone could say that this has not been addressed.
In so many working situations, audio has often played second fiddle to the display technology and it’s nice to see that the balance has now been redressed somewhat, as it’s such an important part of the whole meeting room or event experience. There are also more audio demo areas, both on manufacturers’ booths and in specially set up areas within the Orange County Convention Center.
More attention is now being paid to room and venue acoustics and there are a larger number of vendors that are able to demonstrate techniques such as audio masking and reduction of reverberation time within a specific space.
Take a peek at Commercial Integrator's pick of eight audio booths for some tips.
WHAT's New This Year?
1. The opening reception is free for all attendees on Tuesday evening at a new location: Pointe Orlando. Read more about the reception here!
2. Visit the Sviatovid display by BARTKRESA Studio. This unique 360-degree projection-mapped sculpture is inspired by the 9th century Slavic god, Sviatovid. The installation (which teams Dataton WATCHOUT and Panasonic projectors) debuted at ISE earlier this year and was displayed at The Centre for the Meeting of Cultures in Lublin, Poland. Head to Hall E of the Convention Center to see the US premiere of the sculpture. There's a lounge area there too, so you can take the weight off your feet and just contemplate! Read more about the 15 ft sculpture and its journey in this article in Livedesign.
3. There are 4 AVIXA Members-Only Sessions which are worth looking out for:
- Diversity in AV: Overcoming Unconscious Bias
- Young AV: The Future of the Industry on the Industry's Future
- Mentor Workshop
- Women in AV and IT
4. The TIDE conference is co-located with InfoComm at the Orange County Convention Center. TIDE (Technology, Innovation, Design, Experience) is a conference for creators of integrated experiences. The conference looks at engaging interactions for events, museums, brand launches and more where content, space and technology become incredible customer experiences. Read more about the TIDE conference here.
5. New Center Stage Sessions. "Dynamic conversations featuring leading thinkers and practitioners from the fields of entertainment, events, education, retail and hospitality." The idea is to examine the role of AV in creating a better designed world. Highly recommended! More about Center Stage sessions here.
It's orlando – be Prepared
The weather in Orlando can be beautiful in June, but you can always expect to be on the receiving end of a late afternoon downpour. Best to pack a waterproof. AVIXA are currently running a series of videos on their Twitter feed to show you how to get the best out of the show. You can follow them @InfoComm and by using the hashtag #InfoCommTips you’ll be able to pick up the latest hints and tips.
Get free entry to the show with Dataton's invite code: DAT816
The InfoComm show will be located at:
Orange County Convention Center
West Building
9800 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819 USA
Conference: June 8-14, 2019 • Exhibition: June 12-14, 2019
More reading from AVIXA: How to prepare for InfoComm 2019
