A Return to InfoComm

Ah, the summer trade show season has begun. As InfoComm kicks off next week, there’s so much I’m looking forward to – but I’m mostly excited to experience the show as an attendee, rather than an AVIXA employee.

InfoComm has a special place in my heart. Not only was I once the Marketing Manager for AVIXA, responsible for attendee acquisition for the show, but InfoComm was also my first AV trade show and my first time seeing and interacting with such a vast amount of pro AV technology in one place. I remember being in absolute awe when I walked into the exhibit hall for the first time in 2015. It was truly spectacular to see the show floor in all its glory.

During my time with AVIXA, I worked on 7 shows. Lots of blood, sweat, and tears. And So. Much. Walking. Seriously, the AVIXA team deserves a lot of credit for the mileage they accumulate working that show. But now, working at Caster, I get to experience InfoComm for the first time as an attendee (and do just a little less walking).

InfoComm plays an important role for pro AV media – it’s a chance for press to see manufacturers’ products and experience them in person after reading about them all year. There are product-launches-a-plenty, and seeing the products in person is the best way to learn more about them. It’s also a chance to meet and network with thought leaders in person and knowledge share. When you leave a trade show like InfoComm, you walk away with great insight into the trends that will shape the pro AV industry for the next year and years to come.

I know there are many of you who have attended InfoComm before, maybe even more times than I have, so I will spare you on providing tips, but here’s what I’m looking forward to most this year:

Thought Leadership

• Network Evolution for Real Time Audio – June 13 | 1:30 p.m. | Room W311EF
  The Caster team has helped facilitate this amazing line-up of audio pros. The session will be a terrific discussion on network convergence and how media networks in pro AV systems will evolve in the near future. Moderated by the incredible Dan Ferrisi, Editor-in-Chief of Commercial Integrator, the panel will feature Henning Kaltheuner of d&b audiotechnik and representing Avnu Alliance/Milan; Kat Taub from Audinate representing Dante, Andrew Starks from Macnica Americas representing AIMS Alliance and the IPMX standard, and Nicolas Sturmel of Merging Technologies, representing AES67.
• Trend Forecast: Enterprise IT – June 14 |11:30 a.m. | Technology Innovation Stage
  Our very own Rachel Bradshaw, Vice President, Account Services at Caster, will be moderating a panel that will explore network convergence and the path towards unified, data-driven AV/IT management and the implications for enterprise IT pros. That is a stacked panel that you won’t want to miss.Panelists include Mehryn Corrigan, WW Channel Sales Lead, Teams Rooms from Microsoft, Nyere Hollingsworth, Senior Manager, Collaboration and Productivity from Grainger, Frank Padikkala, CTS, CTS-D, MS, Technical Sales Engineer with Audinate, and Jennifer Steinhardt, Associate AV Designer from Shen Milsom & Wilke on the Technology Innovation Stage.
• Diversity & Equity in the Modern Workplace: Intentional Leadership – June 14 | 1:30 pm | Technology Innovation Stage
  Being intentional about inclusivity is critical to the success of an organization and it starts with leadership. The AVIXA Diversity Council focuses on fostering inclusiveness through diversity and building equity in the workplace by empowering people to be engaged. The session will focus on promoting DEI to build a productive and happy workforce.

Networking

• Morning Yoga – June 14 | 6:30 a.m. | Hyatt Regency
  I’m a spin girl at heart, but a morning yoga session is my jam and a great opportunity to get up and get moving before the show. This event didn’t exist when I worked for AVIXA but I think it’s an awesome idea — really looking forward to it!
• AVNation TweetUp – June 14 | 4:00 – 6:00 pm | W304C
  If there is one networking event you make it to – it should be the AVNation TweetUp. It is finally a chance for us #avtweeps to see each other in person and who doesn’t love a reunion? The room is usually PACKED. There’s lots of folks who I’ve met via Twitter this year that I’m looking forward to finally connecting with. Hope to see you there!
• AVIXA Women’s Breakfast – June 15 | 7:30 AM | W415AB
  I’ve had the pleasure of attending this event in the past when I worked for AVIXA and it is a really fun event – so many brilliant minds in the room sharing their experiences in the pro AV industry. The speakers are always passionate and inspiring and I’m looking forward to hearing Dr. Tarika Bennet, CEO of Girls Who Code, speak.
  

Product Launches & Demos

• Crestron – Booth #2501
  Just inside the Hall B entrance (where the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony takes place), you’ll find the Crestron booth. The Crestron booth will showcase the largest expansion of their digital workplace portfolio for enterprise, education, government, and other spaces including the Crestron Desk Q and Crestron Desk Touch for desk scheduling, Crestron Flex Pods, and the Crestron Videobar 70. There will be a ton of products to see and demo – be sure to stop by.
  
  
• SurgeX – Booth #3001
  Caster client SurgeX will be showcasing its new power intelligence solution and other brand-new tools for power quality assurance. Stop by their booth for a demo.
  
  
•  Milan Updates & News
  Throughout the week, Avnu Alliance and several of its member companies will be hosting presentations on updates to the Milan product ecosystem and a Q&A with Milan members. Plus, each session will have a demonstration of their Milan technology.
  • Wednesday, June 14
    4-5 PM | L-Acoustics Audio Demo Room | W320
  • Thursday, June 15
    11AM – 12PM | d&b audiotechnik Audio Demo Room | W230D
    5-6 PM | Meyer Sound Audio Demo Room | W231ABC
  • Friday, June 16
    2-3 PM | Adamson Audio Demo Room | W224G
• Avnu Alliance/Milan Members
  Here’s a list of Milan members who will be showcasing Milan technology in their booths:
  • Adamson Systems Engineering – Booth 5569
  • Analog Devices – Booth 3795
  • Avid Technology – Booth 5483
  • BIAMP – Booth 3400
  • d&b audiotechnik – Booth 5561
  • DiGiCo – Booth 5760
  • DirectOut – Booth 5650
  • L-Acoustics – Booth 5751
  • Luminex – Booth 5473
  • Meyer Sound – Booth 5143
  • Microchip – Booth 5487
  • Netgear – Booth 3723
  • Niveo – Booth 2733
  • RCF – Booth 4971

So, have I packed my bags yet? Nope. However, my show shoes are worn-in, my anti-humidity haircare routine is set, and I’ve got my show-floor snacks ready — and is there really anything more important than that?

See you next week!