Adrian J Cotterill, Editor-in-Chief
In place of #InfoComm20 which was scheduled for June 13‑19 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the organisers AVIXA attempted to replace it with Infocomm 2020 Connected (June 16-18, 2020), their first-ever complete virtual InfoComm show which aimed to bring together AV professionals from around the globe. Here they would be able to learn about the latest products from top manufacturers, tune into keynotes and presentations on trends in technology and markets, and forge new relationships.
AVIXA’s Rochelle Richardson, CEM, Senior Vice President of Expositions and Events told us “When we made the decision to cancel the InfoComm 2020 show in Las Vegas, the AVIXA team was determined to gather the industry together for an immersive experience of learning, engagement, and networking in a virtual online event.” said The enthusiasm and participation for InfoComm 2020 Connected exceeded expectations and reinforced something we already knew – the pro AV industry is resilient. Our world is undoubtedly changing, and we recognize the need to be agile and change with it. While we anticipate virtual and hybrid to be a part of the conversation, we look forward to when we’ll return to the in-person event and everyone joins us for InfoComm 2021 in Orlando.”
Total registrations for InfoComm 2020 Connected came to 23,408, and 41% of attendees were from outside the U.S. The show featured 495 exhibitors, and views of the exhibitor showcases came to 53,433.
We are told that show’s sessions were highly viewed, totalling 59,662. There were 74 live sessions and on-demand presentations from 67 companies. Live sessions were presented for 11 hours each day from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. EDT to reach attendees globally. Popular topics included conferencing and collaboration; fusing space, technology, and content; trends that have emerged through the COVID crisis; higher education; and the state of the industry.
On Tuesday, David Labuskes, CTS, CAE, RCDD, CEO of AVIXA, delivered the keynote address on AV’s role in creating a post-COVID world that combines the best of physical and virtual experiences. He was then joined by Kate Wik, Chief Marketing Officer, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, who discussed the intricate safety measures the city is taking as it gradually reopens for business. The session also featured Sam Taylor, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Almo Professional A/V, who talked about the technology advancements and macroeconomic factors that have driven the pro AV industry’s evolution.
The AVIXA Women’s Council hosted its annual breakfast event on Thursday, June 18, with keynote speaker Sara Potecha, author of West Point Woman. She was one of the first women to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point. She discussed the competitive environment of the academy and the physical, educational, and mental challenges she experienced. Her talk centered on leading through crisis with character, competence, and composure. Many of those we spoke to, agreed that this was a truly special session and whilst we cannot say it was the best because no-one would have been able to see all that was going on, it was certainly our favourite!
‘Attendees’ seemed to embrace the virtual networking on offer during the three days; 1,117 exhibitor meetings were scheduled, and 14,277 chat messages were exchanged.
The InfoComm 2020 Connected virtual platform will remain live through August 21, 2020 for attendees to browse exhibitor showcases and view on-demand sessions.
#InfoComm21 will happen at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, June 12-18, 2021 with exhibits June 16-18, 2021.
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