InfoComm 2022 takes place from June 8-10 (education and conference sessions June 4-10) at the Las Vegas Convention Center. From installation to communications, audiovisual technologies and streaming, all the way to collaboration and education platforms, InfoComm 2022 promises to have an expanded scope, as industry-leading solution providers, and innovative manufacturers reflect evolving technology trends. audioXpress is an InfoComm official media partner.
Just a few weeks after Integrated Systems Europe, InfoComm is a once-a-year opportunity for the North American market to see new products and grow professional networks. And this return to trade shows takes place in Las Vegas, where this event is always much more audio oriented, given its direct support from the NSCA (National Systems Contractors Association). At InfoComm 2022, visits will be able to find pavilions specific for Audio, Digital Signage, Events and Entertainment and Conferencing and Collaboration – plus all the big brands they expect to see at InfoComm.
And unlike at ISE in Barcelona, all the major professional audio brands will be showing stunning demonstration rooms with their latest products in practical working conditions – all happening at the same Las Vegas Convention Center location! A unique opportunity to listen to the latest immersive audio solutions, active acoustics, and see the difference new sound reinforcement designs can make. An essential component of the InfoComm trade show.
Not to forget, that leading to the InfoComm show in Las Vegas, ALTI Expo 2022 – the conference and showcase promoted by the Audio & Loudspeaker Technologies International (ALTI) Association is set for June 5–6 at the South Point Hotel and Casino, also in Las Vegas, NV. As planned, it offers great technical presentations and quality networking with professionals in the loudspeaker industry and the related signal chain.
Presentation Technologies
Expanding from the core focus on installation solutions, this year’s InfoComm 2022 show will also explore the thriving world of content, production, and streaming solutions. The show will feature more than 20 education sessions and 150 exhibitors focused on content creation and delivery solutions. On the InfoComm 2022 trade show floor, visitors will find solutions for streaming, networking and storage, all the way to signal routing and switching solutions.
An exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Illuminarium Experiences will showcase how cutting-edge technology brings a first-of-its-kind, fully immersive experience to guests using techniques from traditional motion picture production and virtual reality combined with interactive features that facilitate the experience of the real world, all without wearable hardware. Led by Calum Pearson, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Illuminarium Experiences, this tour takes place Wed., June 8, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Additional tours showcasing content, production, and streaming solutions in the real world will take place at Arcadia Earth, Las Vegas Nightclubs JEWEL, Hakkasan, and Omnia, Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart and AREA15, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
“The streaming boom has accelerated in recent years and more and more audiovisual technologists have been tasked with delivering solutions for an array of industries, from education to performance venues,” says Annette Sandler, Director of Live Content U.S./Canada, AVIXA. “InfoComm 2022 is excited to provide a platform for audiovisual professionals to learn about the trends and see solutions up close to enhance their content and production strategy.”
The session “Media Servers vs. Screen Switchers” on Wed., June 8, will address the age-old questions: do I need a media server for my event or a screen switcher? Or both? Kevin Ring of Nationwide Video will discuss the relevancy and use-cases of both and help attendees determine the appropriate gear needed when planning an event.
On Thurs., June 9, the session “Intro to Live Streaming Design for Performance Spaces” will feature a panel of experts who will break down the basics of creating and operating a professional live streaming system for small and medium venues. They’ll discuss camera and microphone selection and positioning, various infrastructure approaches, options for controlling the stream, adding production effects, and much more. The panelists include Paul Richards of HuddleCamHD and PTZOptics, Alesia Hendley from Audinate, Rebecca Sullins from ProMedia Audio Video, Rachael Harris from American Express, and Jim Bask of Broadfield Distributing.
In addition, Jesse Miller, CEO of Midtown Video, will lead the workshop “Streaming with Remote Guests” on Thurs., June 9. Attendees will learn tips and techniques to make productions stand out for quality and cohesive storytelling when guests appear from remote locations. Topics will include audio mixes, video encoding and delivery methods, general conferencing software like Teams and Zoom, and manufacturer-specific platforms.
Enriching Learning Spaces
InfoComm 2022 will also examine how professional audio and video solutions continue to drive the ever-evolving learning space, now that remote learning is front and center. The show will feature a vast program of education sessions and leading solution providers across the trade show floor focused on enhancing the teaching and learning experience. There will also be an expert-led tour of learning solutions on the trade show floor in addition to a tour of real-world pro AV applications at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
“Learning technology managers are at the forefront of experimenting with new applications for collaboration and teaching technologies,” adds Annette Sandler. “InfoComm 2022 has a compelling lineup of technologists ready to share their experiences adapting to a new education landscape over the past two years.”
On Wed., June 8, the session “How the University of North Carolina’s Reece Innovation Lab Used AI to Enforce COVID Polices will share how UNC partnered with Lenovo and Intel to rapidly design and deploy masks and social distancing detection signage. Steven King, Professor of Emerging Technologies and Immersive Media at UNC, and Balaji Srinivasan from Intel will be joined by Megan Dutta, Editor in Chief of LAVNCH CODE, to discuss the use of the Health Greeter Kiosk — from the innovation process to deployment — and future possibilities for responsive and interactive digital signage using computer vision.
On Thurs., June 9, Jodie Penrod, Senior Director of Technology for Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, will present the session “Using Classroom Technology Design to Create an Equitable HyFlex Learning Experience.” She will highlight the design of learning space technology to support an equitable experience for both physical and remote students to achieve an optimal level of learning. Penrod will also discuss the importance of designing a HyFlex space that allows the instructor to focus on pedagogy instead of complex technology.
On Wed., June 8 at 10 a.m., Joe Way, CTS, Director of Learning Environments for the University of Southern California, will lead a 90-minute show floor tour of the latest products and solutions for delivering enhanced learning experiences. Tour participants will visit cutting-edge startups and hear about innovative ideas from some of the market leaders.
InfoComm 2022 will also host tours of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where attendees will experience the university’s hybrid learning classroom solution, RebelFlex. This solution allows instructors to teach a face-to-face class simultaneously with remote students. The tours will also explore the Flora Dungan Humanities building’s 254-seat theater/classroom featuring a Dolby Atmos immersive audio experience and a 4K Barco cinema laser projection system. Frank Alaimo, CTS-I, DMC-E-4K, Senior AV Systems Specialist at UNLV, will lead two tours: Tues., June 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
In addition, the Technology Innovation Stage (booth W2247) will host free presentations Wednesday through Friday, spotlighting learning solutions in addition to other critical professional audio and video solutions.
Conferencing and Collaboration
And following already noticeable trends before the pandemic, InfoComm 2022 will explore the conferencing and collaboration solutions that power remote and hybrid work styles, learning environments, and more. The show will feature more than 25 sessions and nearly 200 exhibitors focused on the products and solutions needed to deliver seamless conferencing and collaboration experiences, from meeting room booking hardware and software, and team collaboration apps, to video conferencing hardware and software.
“The future of the corporate workplace is top of mind this year as companies experience the impacts of returning to the office after two years with a remote workforce,” explains once again Annette Sandler. “For InfoComm 2022, we’ve assembled top technologists, engineers, designers, and end users to share what solutions are working for them and what changes are needed to move conferencing and collaboration forward.”
On Tues., June 7, the session “Conference Room Refresh to Support Hybrid Work” will address how legacy video conference environments don’t adequately support hybrid meetings since they were built for a time when video calls were room to room. Andy Howard of Howard & Associates, Nia Celestin from DTEN, and Irwin Lazar of Metrigy will discuss the variety of technologies and design methodologies that can improve the meeting experience for both the in-room participants and remote participants.
The session “Why Meeting Equity is the Lifeblood of the Hybrid Workplace” will explore how office, home, and mobile environments all play a role in creating inclusive meetings, in addition to factors such as language, height, hearing disabilities, and more. Today’s leaders are focused on navigating the territory of hybrid work and searching for ways to create a positive, productive workplace and a sense of belonging for employees. This session will examine the innovative and clever use of technologies in delivering an inclusive and immersive meeting experience with the overall goal of meeting equity. Join this session on Wed., June 8, featuring Mansour Brek of X2O Media, John Burnett from Pexip, Rony Sebok from Crestron, Derrick Kelly from AVI-SPL, and Stijn Henderickx from Barco.
On Thurs., June 9, the session “Voice of the End-Users – Envisioning Successful Hybrid Solutions” will address how we are living in a time with an abundance of tech innovation and tools that enable new ways to connect. However, many of us are still working in conference rooms where we can’t connect, and meetings are viewed as a waste of time. In this session, Kay Sargent from HOK, Monique Rezaei from Microsoft, and Casey Carlson from Deloitte will discuss the need to embrace these new tech tools to enhance and support meaningful human interaction.
In addition, the Technology Innovation Stage (booth W2247) will host free presentations Wednesday through Friday, spotlighting conferencing and collaboration solutions in addition to other critical professional audio and video solutions.
As the promoter of InfoComm, the AVIXA association is committed to the health and safety of exhibitors, attendees, partners, and staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic. All InfoComm 2022 participants must provide proof of full vaccination or a COVID-19 negative PCR or rapid antigen test. Digital or physical documentation will be accepted. AVIXA will follow the CDC mask recommendations for InfoComm based on the latest data using the Know the COVID-19 Community Levels resource tool to determine low, medium, and high levels. The AVIXA team will continue to monitor recommendations from local health authorities, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and communicate any updates to health and safety protocols to show participants. For the most up-to-date information on health and safety, visit www.infocommshow.org/health.
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