While the audio visual (AV) industry and the information technology (IT) field have had some overlap over several years (i.e. presentation tools such as Microsoft Powerpoint), the synergy between the two has become imperative rather than optional. Just as the world-at-large relies on programming and automation to make our day-to-day tasks faster, easier, safer, cheaper and able to do more; the AV industry, a key portion of the events and entertainment space, is able to effectively use IT to provide services and solutions that enhance these events.
Presentation Technology
A vital component of a large number of events is the delivery of presentations in various styles. The integration of IT allows for the integration of software-based core products which bring a rapidly expandable product inventory as opposed to hardware systems. This means that the AV vendor is able to invest in a powerful hardware platform, such as a high-end computer, audio console or video switcher, and as new software and updates become available, the platform is able to do more and therefore offer more to the meeting planner and the event. This can all be done for a cost lower than that of replacing the entire hardware device or the product ecosystem.
Additionally, a key tenet of modern IT development is the use of standards when it comes to interconnects and information-sharing. This allows for the integration of products from multiple vendors, permitting the AV partner to design solutions that draw from products that would best suit the client’s needs, rather than inadequate solutions that are selected just because they work well with each other. An example would be the use of digital audio and video distribution on a computer-based system that allows the presentation signal from a conference’s main space to be transmitted to any location, all while using the conference centre’s built-in IT network in real-time rather than relying on cabling running throughout the venue.
Another key aspect is cloud connectivity, which allows for anyone to present at an event remotely, or to broadcast to a much wider audience. Through the use of any network or video-conferencing tool, a presentation can be brought into a physical venue or virtual platform, allowing the presenter’s message to be experienced in real time at a variety of locations.
Event Technology
IT products are able to integrate into AV offerings by providing event-specific tools that both enhance what the organizer is able to offer attendees, exhibitors and sponsors, as well as by allowing the presenter to update their presentation based on who is in attendance. It also provides the ability for audience members to interact with presentations directly without having to rely on a limited number of microphones being passed around. Tools such as Crowd Mics and Slido integrate well into the AV support for a conference space, allowing the presenter and audience member to communicate back and forth during Q+A periods.
These products also allow the organizer to draw enhanced analytics regarding the meetings and sessions attended, by tracking these audience interactions to see which sessions provided the most value to attendees, allowing for progressively better event planning.
Also, the AV vendor can work with the event organizer in the set up of their event portal to allow for the rapid and secure deployment of post-event content such as recordings, interactive tools and follow-up messaging; creating a fully-integrated pipeline.
Creative Tools
One of the greatest assets that the AV/IT integration provides is a new palate of tools for event designers that was previously not available. These include creative visual elements such as fine-detail projection mapping and immersive audio through the placement of tightly calculated sound projection fields. They also include sound elements such as in-meeting and conference-wide interactive tools (such as way-finding signage) and building fully-featured web-based broadcast platforms that give remote participants as rich an experience as those served to in-person attendees.
Another high-value asset is the ability to use visualizers to fully build out a meeting space virtually, showing how the event organizer’s assets and creative elements would integrate into the space. This has proven to be a very effective tool for presenters to see how their presentations will come across, as well as for sponsors to see how visible their branding will appear to audience members. It also gives the organizers a great planning tool to optimize the attendee experience.
Working Together
The audiovisual and information technology fields have become inseparable, and will continue to integrate tighter as the technology matures and develops. AV-AMERICA strives to stay on the bleeding edge of this development to serve our clients the best-fit solutions for their conferences that keep every attendee engaged.
