It's no gamble: Architects and building industry professionals heading to Las Vegas June 14-20 (exhibition June 18-20) for InfoComm will see thousands of new audiovisual products from more than 925 exhibitors.
The exhibition includes technology demonstrations of video display and projection, digital signage, conferencing, lighting, staging, and audio products and systems. The educational conference offers more than 350 courses ranging from 3-day in-depth sessions to 90-minute seminars.
Organized by the association for the professional audiovisual industry, InfoComm International, InfoComm 08 is expected to bring together more than 32,000 commercial and professional end-user attendees from 90 countries.
With opportunities for training and professional development, along with demonstrations, special pavilions, and exciting events, InfoComm 08 will fill more than 475,000 net square feet, making it the biggest Information Communications Marketplace to date.
Why Should Architects Attend?
InfoComm enables architects to see more than 10,000 AV products in applications across the vast show floor. It is a great place to meet, in one location, the systems integrators of the equipment used in designs, independent design consultants, and technology manufacturers with their newest product releases. It's also a place to network with prospective clients.
Architects can earn AIA credits from a variety of classes. InfoComm is also the place to learn more about its Certified Technology Specialist program, which was recently accredited by ANSI. Architects are increasingly specifying the CTS credential when issuing bids.
InfoComm and the National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA) have also arranged AV technology tours of the Cirque du Soleil "O" show at the Bellagio, "Phantom of the Opera" at the Venetian, Cirque du Soleil "LOVE" show at the Mirage, the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, House of Blues, and a digital signage walking tour.
Conferencing and Telepresence
InfoComm 08 is packed with integrated collaborative conferencing application demonstrations. Attendees can visit The Unified Collaborative Conferencing Pavilion, where InfoComm and the Interactive Multimedia & Collaborative Communications Alliance (IMCCA) showcase companies offering solutions in video, audio, data, and web conferencing technologies. The HD Conferencing & Telepresence Showcase allows attendees to experience this hot technology firsthand and learn about the latest in HD conferencing and telepresence systems as leading companies demonstrate their products.
New this year is a full-day program: Telepresence @ InfoComm. Technology is rapidly addressing the need for virtual "in-person" meetings for corporate, government, education, entertainment, manufacturing, and healthcare markets. In this class, telepresence manufacturers will discuss present and future applications of telepresence technologies and services, and users will share case studies. Participants will learn how to capitalize on the latest high-end audio and visual communications that make "being there" a reality.
Digital Signage
Digital signage is growing at 10 percent per month. With more than 1 million digital signs expected in North America by 2009, the financial services, government, education, retail, healthcare, and transportation sectors are implementing digital signage to deliver information, live and on-demand video, and more to key audiences. InfoComm 08 offers a place to see digital signage solutions in its Digital Signage Pavilion and take classes from industry experts.
InfoComm is also featuring a Digital Signage Application Showcase, now in its second year, designed to educate attendees on industry-specific applications using digital signage. Attendees will be immersed in realistic environments featuring fully functional digital signage applications. The showcase also includes an area dedicated to the future of digital signage.
InfoComm offers classes from top experts in the digital signage field. Digital Signage—content is King offers an understanding of what is "good design" and "poor design." Best Practices for Digital Signage gives selection criteria for choosing signage software and discusses which features are a must for everyone.
For the first time, InfoComm is partnering with the Strategy Institute to offer a 2-day Digital Signage Technology Summit. This preshow program will help attendees implement emergency, security, training, and entertainment systems capabilities; determine the best technology applications for their needs; evaluate vendors and choose the right partners for success; deliver systems interoperability and scalability; and plan rollouts effectively, from pilot stage to implementation.
Pavilions, Galleries, and More
In addition to the Unified Collaborative Conferencing and Digital Signage pavilions, others focus on audio, lighting, and staging. The Technologies for Worship Pavilion features integrated solutions for the house of worship market, while EduComm's Tomorrow's Classroom Today Pavilion enables top companies to present their visions of the classroom of the future. It's a chance to experience products, interact with company representatives, and learn how to design the same classroom for clients. The NSCA Electronic Systems Pavilion is new this year, bringing life safety, data, security, paging, and nurse call technology solutions to InfoComm.
There will also be a System Programming & GUI Design Gallery. The participants showcase their interactive touchscreens, ensuring it is appropriately integrated while enabling the end-user to easily navigate the system.
Architects might like the Large Venue Display Gallery, which has larger-than-life HD display and projection solutions in one location. In its sixth year, this event presents projection and display solutions for venues such as sports arenas, concert halls, and entertainment centers. Technical engineering support, source material production, and project management are also provided.
Courses, Sessions, and Seminars
Education is a cornerstone of InfoComm 08, with sessions covering the full range of the audiovisual and information communications industry. InfoComm Academy has expanded its lineup in response to industry trends to include new classes in Green AV, LEED 101, AV Integration for Secure Facilities, and Tips for Great Sound in Conference Facilities.
The academy will hold a 3-day Institutes for Professional Development (IPDs) prior to the show. Attendees can enroll in one of 17 IPDs such as Lighting for Videoconference and Presentation Spaces, Principles of Applied AV Design, Project Management for AV, and Videoconference: Applications, Trends, and Technology.
An annual special event, Super Tuesday features nine 6-hour workshops of intensive instruction. New Super Monday sessions include LEED 101, Design Master Class, Wireless - What's Next, and CAPM Prep. Returning sessions include Introduction to Collaborative Conferencing, Technology Trends, and AV Best Practices.
InfoComm International is again teaming with University Business and District Administration magazines to hold EduComm June 18-20, offering AV/IT educational offerings for higher education and K-12 professionals.
Registration information is available at www.infocommshow.org.
InfoComm International® is the international trade association of the professional audiovisual and information communications industries. Established in 1939, InfoComm has 4,500 members, including manufacturers, systems integrators, dealers and distributors, independent consultants, programmers, rental and staging companies, end-users, and multimedia professionals from more than 70 countries. InfoComm is a resource for AV market research and news. Its training and education programs, along with its separately administered Certified Technology Specialist (CTS®) and corporately administered Certified Audiovisual Solutions Provider (CAVSP®) company credentials, set a standard of excellence for AV professionals. InfoComm International is the founder of InfoComm, the largest annual conference and exhibition for AV buyers and sellers worldwide. InfoComm also produces trade shows in Europe, Asia, and China.
More information is available at www.infocomm.org.
