AV News May 2024

In this Issue

Enhancing visitor experiences: the impact of AV technologies on attractions

Don’t let your audio equipment become a disruptive participant!

Smart buildings in a hybrid world

IDNS and partners donate audio to Rethink Rebuild Society

IDNS recently donated and installed a completely new audio system for a Manchester-based charity to cater for their community events and meetings. Rethink Rebuild Society (RR) is a Manchester-based charity working to improve the lives of refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants. Their work predominantly involves supporting Syrians in the UK, helping them become positively established within British society. We engaged with partners Audiologic and AV Plates, who donated products or provided us with a discounted cost on equipment, meaning we could install a free audio system at the Rethink Rebuild Society. The Manchester-based charity has since been using the audio system for their community events, ranging from conferences, meetings, music events, and private hires to cover their expenses at their site.

A spokesperson from Rethink Rebuild Society said, “This transformative addition has truly elevated our work, and we are endlessly thankful for IDNS’ generosity and support. Many thanks to the entire IDNS team for making a lasting impact!” To show their gratitude and appreciation for the work, the Rethink Rebuild Society visited us at our office in Bolton and presented us with an award.

Dave Shuttleworth, IDNS Managing Director commented: “We’re immensely proud to support the Rethink Rebuild Society and their brilliant work. Their efforts to improve the lives of refugees and help them become established within the Greater Manchester community are admirable. Delivering this project was a proud moment for all of us associated with IDNS, and I hope they continuously benefit from their new audio.”

Dave Shuttleworth, IDNS Managing Director: “We’re immensely proud to support the Rethink Rebuild Society and their brilliant work. Their efforts to improve the lives of refugees and help them become established within the Greater Manchester community are admirable.”

PMA Distributor Tracking Shows Steady Uptick in Hospitality TV

PMA Research (PMA), the worldwide market information experts on large displays, have published their latest sell-through tracking reports on large-format (32-inch and larger) flat panel displays being sold by leading North American distributors who typically serve commercial markets. As out-of-home entertainment spending continues to rise, hotel occupancy rates have jumped to pre-pandemic levels. That has fuelled an uptick in hospitality TV sales, as well as additional display sales for hotel lobbies and meeting rooms.

In March 2024, unit volume and revenues for hospitality TV sales were up by more than 20% compared with last year. Year-to-date, unit volume and revenues were up +15% compared to the first quarter of 2023. In addition, meetings, conferences and other in-person events are on the rise and expected to surpass 2019 levels in 2025. This has contributed to a surge in display sales including Direct-View LED sales, which doubled month-over-month in March. Certain all-in-one dvLED models are designed to easily move between hotel conference areas and banquet rooms.

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Midwich signs distribution deal with StageSmarts

PSCo and Sound Technology have signed an exclusive distribution deal with StageSmarts, the renowned manufacturer of intelligent power distribution used in touring, festivals, and prestigious venues all over the world. The full line up of intelligent power distribution solutions from StageSmarts is available through both companies in the UK and provides superior performance and protection for people and equipment. Engineered to handle the difficult loads and challenges of today’s events, StageSmarts has been the first choice of demanding professionals all over the world.

Steve Fay, managing director at Sound Technology, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome StageSmarts to our market-leading professional audio and professional lighting portfolios. We’re always looking at ways to support our customers in delivering successful events and adding the intelligent power distribution products into our mix means they can have peace of mind by protecting their equipment, the event, and their investment.” Stuart Holmes, executive director for solutions at PSCo, added: “We are excited to partner with StageSmarts and are always looking at investing in our portfolio to offer the right solutions backed by the high level of service and support that our customers have become accustomed to. With reliability and performance improving, there are so many possibilities using LED within events making it a great option. Thanks to StageSmarts’s power distribution – you can protect and monitor this exciting technology to deliver stunning visuals.”

With more than 70 years combined, PSCo and Sound Technology have extensive experience of

working in the live events market providing support, expertise, market-leading product lines including LED, lighting and audio, and state-of-the-art demonstration facilities in Bracknell and Letchworth Garden City respectively. Mats Karlsson, CEO at StageSmarts, commented: “We are very pleased and excited to be partnering with Midwich Group PLC for the marketing, distribution, and support of our products. The UK and Ireland are very important markets for us, and as demand has increased, we saw the need for a strong partner with good reach and resources. Midwich’s strong position in installed AV was also a key factor. We expect our recently launched Xi-series to be very well received there. Exciting times ahead!” Launched in 2017, StageSmarts’s products are available in more than 20 countries and have been used on thousands of events and shows, including its first systems being used by Phil Mercer and his team at Universal Pixels on tour with Radiohead, Depeche Mode, and Roger Waters’s massive ‘The Wall’ show.

Econocom launches an extensive recruitment campaign

Econocom, a sustainable digital entrepreneur and pioneer of the circular economy in Europe, today announced the launch of an ambitious campaign as part of the roll-out of its One Econocom strategic plan, enabling 100 elite sales agents to join the Group over the next three years. Today, Econocom has a major advantage linked to its business model: its network of sales agents. These self-employed entrepreneurs operate on behalf of the company and work daily with the Group’s customers. With the implementation of the strategic plan, the Group aims to increase its turnover from €2.8 billion to €4 billion over the next five years. To support this growth, Econocom is looking in particular to strengthen its sales team and its proximity to customers across Europe.

“For more than 40 years, Econocom has demonstrated considerable expertise in developing this independent sales force, which supports our customers over the long term,” says Jean-Louis Bouchard, Chairman and founder of Econocom. “Econocom is unique in that it is the only digital company to have introduced this model of sales agents who are independent business owners. It is a significant strategic force which offers candidates an exceptional opportunity to join a leading company in the sector while enjoying entrepreneurial independence.”

The aim is to attract salespeople with experience in Econocom’s business lines (hardware distribution, IT services, leasing solutions and recycling), who want to be part of an entrepreneurial project. This programme perfectly illustrates Econocom’s core values and fosters a long-term relationship of proximity and trust with its customers. “Thanks to its business lines and ecosystem, Econocom offers a very rich and unique playing field for its employees. A talented sales representative can further develop him or herself and indulge in their creativity to offer tailor-made

HOLOPLOT announces Chinese distribution partnership

Prime Connections International (PCI Group) has over 30 years of experience in Greater China’s expansive audio-visual industry, representing several established and well-known brands within the AV industry. The company has achieved and maintained remarkable growth, participating in major national and international projects. As part of its continuing push to bring its Matrix Array systems to the Asian audio market, HOLOPLOT announces PCI Group as its official distributor for China, Hong Kong and Macau.

The distribution partnership will see both companies enjoy significant expansion in not only the experiential and live entertainment industries but also fuel growth in speech-based applications, within the education and business sectors. PCI Group is uniquely placed to ensure HOLOPLOT’s innovative technology will meet the territory’s increasing demand for advanced audio experiences, pushing the boundaries of audio solutions for decades to come.

“HOLOPLOT is a perfect fit for a multitude of applications we serve,” says Jason Huang, PCI Group’s General Manager. “As a HOLOPLOT distributor, we can provide customers with transformative audio experiences that set them apart from the crowd. HOLOPLOT’s unique approach allows for unprecedented control over the direction and focus of sound resulting in exceptional audio quality and an increased level of audience engagement for clients across a broad variety of applications.”

Ryan Penny, HOLOPLOT Head of Sales agrees that the new partnership holds great promise for both companies. “The team at PCI Group are incredibly professional and experienced and are market leaders in the speech, experiential and live markets,” he says. “They are working extremely hard to meet the growing demands of Chinese audiences, who have a reputation as advanced technology adopters. We are excited to see HOLOPLOT expand in this market together with such a reputable and ambitious company.”

Alogside a growing demand for immersive audio experiences across various experiential and live entertainment sectors, China is seeing a rise in speech-based applications, as the country is the home to many large-scale conferences, exhibitions, and corporate events, as well as some of the largest transportation hubs in the world. PCI will introduce HOLOPLOT’s precise sound control and spatial audio technology, to cater to the growing demand for

advanced audio solutions that enhance the quality of presentations, panel discussions, and live performances, ultimately elevating the overall experience across both temporary and fixed applications. In education and training environments HOLOPLOT technology can significantly elevate audio delivery in classrooms and lecture halls improving the listening and learning experience. “Educational institutions are keen to provide immersive and engaging environments for learning, and HOLOPLOT technology will help to dramatically improve the quality in these establishments,” Mr. Huang continues.

PCI Group is visiting major industry exhibitions to share and discuss the prospects of HOLOPLOT technology within the AV industry. Prospective and existing PCI Group clients will also be able to experience HOLOPLOT technology at the PCI Group headquarters in Beijing where the company is planning to host training seminars in its brand-new, purpose-built spaces. Further opportunities to interact with the equipment will be announced over the coming months, with demos and roadshows planned across the country. “We are wholeheartedly enthusi-

astic about the opportunity to become a HOLOPLOT distributor,” concludes Mr. Huang. “With HOLOPLOT we will revolutionize the way sound is experienced and create lasting impressions on audiences.”

From left to right_ Ryan Penny, Head of Sales at HOLOPLOT with Jason Huang, General Manager, Tommy Ho Business Development Director, PCI Group LOWRES

Don’t let your audio equipment become a disruptive participant

If your AV equipment isn’t working for you, it’s working against you. Don’t let it derail meetings when it should be a supportive player. Chris Lyons of Shure Incorporated provides his insights.

With team members, contractors, vendors, and customers spread all over the globe, most meetings by necessity include a mix of people in the room and some joining from remote locations.

The AV equipment in the room can either ensure a successful meeting or it can obstruct communication in any of several ways. Poor sound quality is at the top of the list. Remote participants frequently complain about hollow sound, excessive room noise, mismatched sound levels, or poor interactivity that make it hard to carry on a natural discussion.

When any of these things happen, productivity is derailed and decision-making can be impeded. The equipment itself becomes a disruptive participant. Think of it this way: if one person in a meeting repeatedly prevented everyone else from being heard or understanding others, you’d probably ask them to leave.

“You don’t have to be an audio expert to have expert audio.”

Your audio system may be doing just that, and if so, it deserves to be kicked out. By producing poor audio, it is creating an obstacle that disrupts every meeting. Attendees are forced to spend extra effort trying to overcome the effects of bad audio, like asking people to repeat themselves, speak louder, move closer to the microphone, etc. In the worst cases,

they just give up and tune out. Good ideas never make it to the table.

Make audio work for you, not against you

But the audio system can act like a great meeting facilitator who makes it effortless for everyone to contribute their best ideas. The good news is that you don’t have to be an audio expert to get expert audio. The key is to choose audio solutions that can offer a consistent experience for users and a standardised approach to system management for AV/IT managers, and do it across the full range of room types and meeting styles within your organization.

This last bit reflects the reality that rooms come in different sizes, shapes, and configurations, and are often used for different purposes. While a mix of equipment from different brands can work, in reality it can be a burden when you figure the need to understand multiple configurations, control schemes, and firmware update procedures. Troubleshooting technical issues becomes more complex without a uniform standard, causing unnecessary delays in returning the room to active service.

How to build great audio

Recognising the vast diversity of rooms and use cases, Shure takes a building-block approach by offering three ceiling array microphones that deliver consistent audio in a variety of situations. They each have varying feature sets and performance capabilities, but all of them use a standardised configuration and firmware maintenance platform for easier management.

They all share Automatic Coverage technology, which automatically distributes microphone capture where it’s needed within a defined area. They all include IntelliMix DSP with echo cancellation, noise reduction, and automatic gain control to provide a well-balanced output mix. And they all feature certification with popular collaboration applications like Microsoft Teams and others for a guaranteed quality of service without the need for time-consuming adjustment and integration. But each one serves a unique niche.

• MXA902: The all-in-one solution for one-device rooms

In new rooms where there are no existing loudspeakers, the MXA902 Integrated Conferencing Ceiling Array is the ideal choice. Its array microphone and built-in loudspeaker provide consistent audio capture and reproduction throughout a 6 by 6 meter (20 by 20 foot) area, making it suitable for small and medium-size meeting rooms. One network cable carries microphone audio, loudspeaker audio, control sig-

nals, and PoE+ power for the ultimate in installation simplicity. The internal IntelliMix DSP includes all of the essential processing for superior sound quality, so the only thing to add is an audio interface like the ANIUSB-MATRIX which facilitates connection to a computer via USB or a hardware-based videoconferencing system via analog input/output.

• MXA901: The Perfect Companion to Existing Loudspeakers

The sleek, round MXA901 is an even more compact ceiling array microphone with the same coverage area and IntelliMix DSP as the MXA902 but without the built-in loudspeaker. It works very well in room upgrades where the existing loudspeakers will remain in place, and mates with the ANIUSB-MATRIX which provides analog audio connections for a hardware codec as well as a USB connection for a laptop in BYOD rooms. In larger spaces that require expanded coverage, multiple MXA901 units can be combined using the IntelliMix P300 audio DSP. The P300 automatically selects the MXA901 that is closest to the talker, which eliminates the hollow sound that can result from being picked up by multiple mics at the same time.

1. MXA920: The Flagship for Larger, More Complex Spaces

Many contemporary meeting spaces are large or incorporate flexible seating arrangements. Some have

glass walls (or no walls at all), concrete ceilings, or other architectural elements that make for difficult acoustics. In such rooms it is often more effective to have distinct coverage areas in specific locations, such as in front of a white board, at a lectern, or over each section of a U-shaped table. Other rooms require automated camera tracking driven by data from the microphone system. In some situations, it is desirable to have ‘voice lift’ to make it easier for people on opposite sides of a large room to hear each other, which requires microphone and loudspeaker coverage to be fixed in multiple zones. The MXA920 ceiling array microphone provides complete flexibility to define multiple coverage areas of different sizes, with a choice of either a mixed audio output or individual audio outputs that can be routed to specific loudspeakers in the room. It also delivers real-time coordinates for the location of every talker, which can be utilized by a camera control system to generate more accurate framing of the people talking. Multiple MXA920’s can be deployed in a very large room like a lecture hall and routed through the IntelliMix P300 processor or IntelliMix-Room DSP software running on a room computer.

From the back room to the board room, your audio systems should support engaging meetings that don’t waste time for managers or impede effective communication for users. Sub-par or overly complex equipment that drain your organization’s productivity and efficiency don’t deserve a seat at your meeting table.

Enhancing visitor experiences: the impact of AV technologies on attractions

From museums to theme parks, AV technologies play a crucial role in engaging, educating, and creating immersive experiences for visitors. Immersive and value-added experiences are found to increase visitor numbers, boost dwell time, and create additional revenue opportunities for the attraction. Let’s explore how attractions are utilising AV technologies. and check out some concrete examples of their transformative impact.

Do you remember the rush to enter the market for ‘people counting’ solutions during the Covid Pandemic? Back then, the purpose was to limit the number of visitors to a space or facility. How things have changed! Now, tourists and other attractions are deploying AV technologies to add value to attractions, making them more immersive, rewarding, and interesting with the intention of encouraging longer and/ or repeat visits.

Many of the current wave of technologies had their origins in retail, where the pandemic gave shoppers a shove towards online and away from ‘bricks and mortar’. In an attempt to make retail a ‘destination’ traditional retailer also played the ‘AV card’ to make retail more immersive and welcoming. Even the big names with high-end status needed to ramp up their offerings. Mulberry, for example announced its intention to implement new retail tech in its flagship London store. Burberry opened a Beauty Boutique in London’s Covent Garden. The boutique stocks the company’s extensive fragrance collections and make-up line. It features the Digital Runway Nail Bar which is said to offer a playful virtual experience for trying on the latest Burberry runway nail shades. By placing a

Burberry Nail Polish onto an RFID-enabled platform, customers can choose their skin tone and “virtually” experience the selected nail shade.

Enrichment

Attractions including galleries, museums and other cultural centres are confronted by similar problems to destination retail. They have a defined target audience with limits on the value to be derived from multiple visits to an attraction unless it can offer something ‘new’. While The National Gallery is unlikely to be able to refresh its collection with half a dozen new Rembrandts to encourage visitors to return for an additional visit, an AV or even AR-inspired virtual trip around the artist’s studio might well do the trip. This process of enhancing artifacts or locations with AV installations has already started. A number of institutions have integrated interactive touchscreen displays to provide visitors with enriched exploration opportunities. For instance, at the British Museum’s Egyptian exhibit, features touchscreens that allow visitors to virtually unwrap mummies, revealing insights into ancient burial practices and artifacts. This interactive approach enhances engagement by enabling hands-on exploration and access to detailed information.

Photograhy by Antony Jones/Getty Images for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Larger scale

Cutting-edge attractions like the Eden Project in Cornwall now use projection mapping to create immersive environments. Within the biomes, projection technology transforms spaces into lush rainforests and arid deserts, enhancing educational narratives about biodiversity and climate change. This immersive experience captivates visitors with vivid visuals and ambient sounds through enhanced directional audio systems, which fosters a deeper understanding of environmental issues.

Going forward attractions are starting to leverage AR and VR technologies to offer interactive and educational experiences. For example, the Natural History Museum in London features a VR encounter called ‘Hold the World’ Visitors can virtually handle rare artifacts guided by Sir David Attenborough. This use of VR brings distant worlds and ancient creatures to life, providing a unique and memorable learning experience.

In February, London launched its first official Formula 1 karting experience to the public. Situated beneath the iconic South Stand of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, this new F1 attraction is part of a 15-year strategic partnership between Formula 1 and Tottenham Hotspur.

Exclusive features of F1 DRIVE London include:

Steering wheels featuring an 18cm LED display, providing data and updates to the driver such as lap times, live race position, intervals, boost level, track safety information and flag status

•A ‘DRS’ (Drag Reduction System) button on the steering wheel, allows greater speed when close to the competitor in front

• Immersive in-kart audio, complete with sound effects taken from onboard recordings of the cars of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen, commentary from David Croft and Naomi Schiff, and live driving tips

Accredited by the National Karting Association, the attraction consists of three different track layouts inspired by the most iconic F1 circuits around the world. The tracks have been tailored for a diverse audience, from the ‘Future Stars’ track, set to ignite the passion of young drivers and inspire the next generation of F1 fans, and the ‘Sprint Track’ which ensures an engaging experience for racers of all abilities.

Monitoring and measuring

While most of the solutions referenced here fall a long way short of the cost of half a dozen Rembrandts, they do have a cost which is often justified, particularly in public sector applications, by increases in visitor numbers or levels of engagement. Attractions employ advanced analytics to measure the impact of audio-visual elements on visitor satisfaction and engagement.

Technologies like ‘heat mapping’ and ‘visitor tracking’ enable theme parks to optimise crowd flow and identify popular attractions. Visitor feedback stations and online surveys collect valuable insights into which AV features resonate most with audiences, informing future exhibit designs and content strategies.

Collaborations between attractions and audio-visual technology companies drive innovation in visitor experiences. For instance, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London partnered with AR specialists to create interactive wand experiences based on the Harry Potter universe. This collaboration merges storytelling with cutting-edge technology, immersing visitors in a world of magic and wonder.

As audio-visual technologies continue to evolve, attractions are poised to deliver increasingly immersive and personalised experiences. Imagine zoos where AR overlays provide real-time animal information, or historical sites offering VR reconstructions of ancient

civilizations. The future holds limitless possibilities for attractions to seamlessly integrate physical and digital elements, captivating and educating visitors in unprecedented ways.

Conclusion

In summary, AV technologies are revolutionising visitor experiences by providing interactive, educational, and captivating encounters. Through innovative displays, immersive environments, and strategic collaborations, attractions are transforming passive observation into active participation, enriching visitor engagement and understanding of diverse subjects. This trend underscores a new era of experiential tourism where technology enhances authenticity and fosters deeper connections between visitors and attractions.

Immersive audio brings Ancient Ephesus to life

“The Ephesus immersive experience transports visitors through time,” says Carolina Vallejo, Creative Producer at Marshmallow Laser Feast. “The experience imagines life in ancient Ephesus. Audio is crucial to plunging visitors into that narrative. Technology is our medium. We create immersive experiences using the most innovative technologies. We’ve found that using L-ISA shortens our workflow, making it easy for us to create immersive soundscapes. The quality of the L-Acoustics speakers makes L-ISA technology the obvious choice.”

Composer and sound designer James Bulley created an immersive audio environment through extensive research with historical specialists. The cinematic soundtrack includes contributions from acclaimed composers like Thomas Newman (known for “American Beauty” and “The Shawshank Redemption”) and Nainita Desai (notable for “For Sama”). The narrative is brought to life by actors David Schofield (from “Gladiator” and “Pirates of the Caribbean”) and Olivia Williams (known for roles in “The Crown” and “The Sixth Sense”).

To bring it all to life, Turkish L-Acoustics Certified Provider Asimetrik worked with Marshmallow Laser Feast and Willi Klein, Application Engineer at L-Acoustics, to design a complete 360° configuration that provides an immersive sound experience for visitors as they make their way through the three different rooms of the Museum. The final configuration comprises 71 5XT speakers placed in the ceilings, on

walls at ceiling and body height, or on top of and at the base of several pillars covered in video screens. Twenty-eight X8 coaxial speakers are placed around the walls at ceiling height, and in the main room, a corner-mounted cluster of one A10i Focus and one A10i Wide provide extra power. Three KS21 and four SB15 subwoofers provide low-end extension, and the system is powered by 7 LA7.16i amplified controllers. “It was great working with the team at L-Acoustics,” says Vallejo. “They supported us in our creative process and ensured the museum’s team was trained and ready to support the system once the Museum opened.” For Asimetrik Project Engineering Manager Buğra Kezan, this project proves that technology is a great way to bring history to life. “We have been working with DEM Museums, and we introduced them to L-ISA immersive audio for their very first project. They were already dreaming of offering a new, immersive audiovisual experience at Ephesus. L-ISA was the perfect choice for this new kind of museum experience; it facilitated the creative workflow, was easy to integrate, and offered the best audio experience.” Now, after six months of operation, the decision has unequivocally paid off. The museum team has navigated without technical hiccups, and according to Kezan, the experience is the delight of visitors from around the world!”

Smart buildings in a hybrid world

In a market where unemployment is low and recruiting and retaining talent is challenging, employers must make their companies attractive to potential employees. Offering hybrid work flexibility is inevitably beneficial, but how can this be effectively implemented to satisfy both parties? Enter the ‘Smart Building,’ offered by AV and IT integrators through a wide range of connected solutions to their corporate clients. However, what exactly defines a ‘Smart Building,’ -mand what components are required to create a successful work environment?

What is a ‘Smart Building’?

Smart buildings use interconnected technologies to make the building more ‘intelligent’ and responsive, ultimately improving the performance of the people using the building. Other terms would be ‘automated buildings’, ‘intelligent buildings’, or buildings that are equipped with smart technology.

Smart buildings monitor performance in areas such as energy consumption, environmental conditions, occupancy, security, and equipment performance. They are designed to detect inefficiencies, diagnose possible causes, make automatic adjustments, and alert facilities management staff to issues that can be automatically corrected. Smart buildings obviously include hybrid meeting space with tools to help staff members communicate and collaborate more efficiently. This is the area of expertise for the audiovisual and IT integrator. It is no longer a case of just offering a good Skype or Zoom connection, a video conferencing system, and a nice soundbar. Hybrid solutions should add some more ‘intelligence’ to qualify for the denotation ‘smart’.

The hybrid workspace

So what is needed when implementing a hybrid workspace? In the evolving landscape of work, where office and remote settings, employers face

the challenge of meeting employees’ diverse needs.

Much like Maslow’s Pyramid of Needs, where physiological, safety, and belongingness needs are fundamental, smart buildings and workplace solutions still follow the essential needs pyramid for the initial three layers.

Primary is to provide a solid foundation for both office and remote workers to have a comfortable space to work. Secondly, the employee needs to feel that there is job security and balance. When discussions of hybrid solutions talk about monitoring the employee and data-driven metrics on performance, it might give the employee an uneasy feeling if they don’t know the bigger picture. Once the first layers are in place, the foundation for the hybrid workspace is created to foster true collaboration and performance monitoring to grow collectively.

Ensure a strong foundation

Creating an optimal workspace is crucial for both office and remote workers. This includes ergonomic furniture, proper lighting, and necessary equipment for both home and office settings. Prioritize health and safety by providing resources for physical well-being, regardless of where employees work. To encourage employees to return to the office, it’s essential

to make the experience compelling. This doesn’t always require significant investment; soft benefits can also make a difference. Rather than expecting immediate changes, plan initiatives over time and involve employees in the process to gain their commitment early on.

Smart office fundamentals might include:

• Offering state-of-the-art conference rooms with optimized audio, interactive displays, and advanced presentation tools to foster creativity and collaboration among in-office teams.

• Enhancing office workspace options by improving the work floor, minimizing audio distractions, providing quiet zones, and offering adjustable desks and seating. Dedicate spaces for informal social interactions, provide a designated lunch area, and ensure access to healthy food options.

• Establishing regular team meetings and departmental gatherings to promote team spirit and collaboration. However, avoid turning these gatherings into lengthy PowerPoint sessions focused solely on sales metrics. Instead, invest time in listening to employees and facilitating meaningful discussions. Technology can facilitate, but ultimately it is the right mindset that will make the most difference.

• Supporting remote workers by providing necessary tools and equipment. Ask for feedback from employees about their home office needs and offer a flexible budget to help create an optimal work environment. Of course, with remote work comes a responsibility from the employee to be predictable and deliver results. Make clear agreements with the remote worker about what is expected from both sides. Keep focus on the results to achieve and give some empowerment to get this done. If the results are not obtained, evaluate and discuss if more time in the office would improve the results.

Safety, work-life balance, and idea protection

Providing safety in employment, promoting work-life balance, and safeguarding your company’s ideas and knowledge are crucial aspects of fostering a productive and harmonious workplace environment. A smart building or hybrid workspace can be intelligently designed to gather various data points, including monitoring work-life balance indicators. It’s essential to leverage this data thoughtfully for mutual benefit, enhancing both productivity and well-being. For instance, analyzing demographic data of building occupants can aid in scheduling joint meetings during popular times, optimizing program efficiency. However, it’s important to avoid using data solely to

identify shortcomings or correct employee behavior, as this approach may end up demotivating employees. Rather than focusing on constant monitoring, which can lead to stress and reduced productivity, smart building technologies should be utilized to improve the physical environment to support employees in performing their best work.

Drawing a parallel from Dr. Seuss’s children’s book, “Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?”, where a bee watcher fails to improve a lazy bee’s work ethic despite constant monitoring, we learn that simply watching doesn’t address the underlying issues affecting performance. Adding more monitors only magnifies the situation but solves nothing. Focus on addressing root causes rather than relying solely on surveillance.

Instead of counting every keystroke or how long someone sits at their desk, use smart building trackers to figure out how the building itself helps employees do their best work. Is the meeting room stuffy and distracting? Is the office too cold, too noisy? By using this info, buildings can be improved to be more comfortable and help people work better. After all, happy employees are the most productive ones, just like bees that aren’t being watched all the time make the most honey!

FEATURE

Smart technology fosters cohesion

In addition to fostering an optimal work environment, prioritizing robust cybersecurity protocols, encryption technologies, and access controls is paramount to safeguarding corporate resources and personal information. This commitment to security extends to both the smart building infrastructure and remote work environments, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data to the benefit of both employee and employer.

A smart hybrid work landscape is all about defining how you want your employees to communicate with each other, creating an equal basis to start from, whether remote or on-site. A unified communication platform with instant messaging tools, file sharing, brainstorming tools, and possibly even virtual team spaces that bridge the gap between physical and virtual workspaces. This investment will continue to benefit the organization throughout the implementation of a smart hybrid office.

The role of AI?

The element of ‘smart’ is added through the use of AI in the tools. This is still in early phases, but there are some good examples out there where technology is used to add intelligence. Consider Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTR); this started to include some AI features like speech-to-text transcription and meeting summarisation in limited capacity as well as intelligence embedded in the microphone and camera to allow better presentation of the remote worker. Microsoft Viva Engage (previously Yammer) adds the employee engagement component.

Another alternative is Zoom, which has added AI functions with its Zoom Workplace, covering areas of communication, productivity, spaces, and employee engagement. These two are just examples of technology available, but the key is to consider what the teams need to structure their workflow and how to stimulate the use of the communication tools. This, of course, heavily depends on your business model. What is common throughout is the need to recognise the power of communication, point out good examples, create a culture of sharing and openness. No tool or smart building can do this without smart people giving attention to the change management required.

Last but not least on providing a smart hybrid collaborative environment – remember to apply the basic meeting essentials: create an agenda (including topics from participants), share objectives for the meeting, and desired outcomes. It is great that AI can now

take notes and allocate action points, but don’t use it instead of ensuring every meeting has chaired by a meeting facilitator. Ideally, provide training on meeting behavior so everyone is using the same terminology and meeting etiquette is respected by all participants. AI can support and enhance the outcome of the meetings, but it starts with providing the right basis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the vision of a “smart connected workspace” encapsulates more than just the integration of technology within physical buildings; it embodies a holistic approach to work that prioritizes the human experience. By recognizing the symbiotic relationship between employees and their work environment, organisations can create spaces that foster collabora-

tion, creativity, and well-being, whether employees are working in a traditional office setting, from home, or in other remote locations.

Embracing the concept of the connected workspace enables organisations to empower their employees, adapt to changing work dynamics, and thrive in the evolving landscape of modern work. Ultimately, the key is to strike a balance between providing the necessary tools for collaboration and monitoring while also respecting employees’ autonomy and privacy in remote work environments.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of the hybrid work era, the connected workspace serves as a beacon, guiding organisations towards a future where people and technology work seamlessly together to achieve shared goals and drive collective success.

Rue Parrish Guest writer

Q&A: Unified Support

AVN: Nice to meet you Mike (MN) and Chris (CB). Can you tell me a little bit about your background before we talk about the business?

MN: I’ve been in and around the AV Industry for over 30 years. In 1991 my career started as a service engineer at Reflex Ltd. Servicing Electrohome and BARCO projectors was my bread and butter, traveling to sites around the UK. Before long I was offered the Service Manager role, with a brief to monetise our service offering. Creating Maintenance contracts and extended warranty was my strength and, have a firm belief in doing the right thing right, first time every time. I learnt with and from some of the best in the business enjoying 10 years with Reflex. Following that, I have run operations for few companies including delivering AV on the largest superyacht built in the Netherlands. Following a spell at PSCO, I joined

AVN: Your business is called Unified Support and so what is the background to Unified Support and what do you do?

CB: Service, support, and client focus is in my blood, and I have had the privilege to see and understand how this works from both SI, client, and delivery personnel perspectives. Along the way, I have picked up my ITIL cert, CTS, CTS-I, photographic, broadcast, and electronic qualifications and have had membership in various professional bodies. I’ve even had the chance to give back to the industry helping in the creation of the AV foundation degree.

MN: Both Chris and I have delivered service and projects to massive organisations taking clear briefs and delivering accurately to client specifications. We believe in clients making the most out of their purchases, so we provide services to help clients achieve

this, be it staff, warranty services, installation, and particularly ongoing maintenance. We have been providing recruitment services to major clients over the last 18 months and our experience in all things delivery makes us a firm favourite for finding qualified, experienced, and suitable staff.

CB: That’s right, there was never a shortage of “Recruiters” e-mailing us piles of CVs, but their total lack of knowledge around the industry and specifically the “Technical” nature of the roles and the personalities required. To deliver the specifics to clients effectively meant wasting a huge amount of our time wading through CVs that were of absolutely no use to us. We realised that there was a massive opportunity to create a more “Qualified/Technical” Recruitment company for the AV & IT Industry, focussed on end user requirements.

AVN: How long has Unified Support been going then?

MN: We started in January of 2021. The main focus of the AV Industry is on hardware sales, and we saw the opportunity for supplying quality services that allow companies to expand and contract to support their workload. Soon enough people started asking us to find staff for both permanent and contract opportunities; to provide support for specific projects; to deliver whole projects and even ongoing manufac-

turer warranty services. The reason people came to us was because of our experience in delivering services. Look around the industry: See how many recruiters have practical experience in delivering onsite services, service engineering and installations?

AVN: There are lots of “Recruitment Companies” operating in the AV and IT markets - what makes Unified Support different?

CB: The main differences are, firstly, that we personally qualify all our candidates, not just in terms of their paper qualifications, but their “on site” experience. Because we have run both teams and projects, on behalf of clients and as SI/outsourced providers we know exactly what skills are required for the particular client. For installers there are huge experience and skill differences between installing a large LED wall, to simply whacking a TV on the wall with a Soundbar. This influences the cost and skills required for each project. Supplying onsite staff and support requirements, we understand both the technology and end client environments and so, we can perfectly match the skill sets to the individual project or role and the client’s budget.

MN: We differentiated ourselves on the basis of skills and price. Having worked with the people and the clients who are looking for staff, we are qualified to give

real life advice based on experience. Our clients are talking a language we understand and have experienced. There is a particular difference for an Onsite technician who operates in a corporate or a legal environment and we know that. The same applies to Installation, Project managers, and Field Service staff. That means our clients get fully experienced and qualified candidates quickly. We also saw in our previous experience that the rates charged by recruitment companies were huge. Supporting big back-office machines and staff along with expensive offices. We keep or overheads to a minimum, passing that benefit directly to our clients.

AVN: What benefit does this differentiation offer the AV & IT Industry?

CB: The biggest benefits come in the form of saving an awful lot of time and money. With Unified Support, we have a large pool of technically qualified wide ranging AV specialists on our books. We know a vast proportion of them personally and when we do not, we get to know them. So, we save a huge amount of time matching the candidates perfectly to the role, project, or client. Our fees are also significantly less than those of a “normal recruiter” and so put those two factors together and there is a massive financial benefit to the Industry.

NM: I feel the other key factor is the ability for the industry to expand and contract when required. For integrators to be most effective on both service delivery and installation, it is vital to have the chance to call on resource as when they need it and not to be overburdened with unnecessary overheads for the rest of the time. This is where we step in to assist with contract staff over flexible periods from a few days to a few months. This removes the headache of searching for budget outside of projects to justify a hire. It’s about flexibility of thinking alongside the flexibility of staffing.

AVN: How do you ensure the reliability and safety of the candidates you put forward for these short and longer-term projects?

CB: As we like to know all our candidates personally, we are able to vouch for them and to expand on their experience and personalities above what is printed on their CV. Between us we have worked with many of them on previous projects or supporting different clients ourselves. However, all our staff are also certified to meet our clients’ needs.

AVN: Do you only supply staff into the UK or outside as well?

MN: Our business started with sole focus in the UK, but we recognise the reach of clients across Europe. As we expand, we are using our experience of delivering across Europe and even within the US to help our clients as required.

AVN: There are plenty of other companies “sub-contracting” in the AV Space, and so what makes Unified Support different to those other companies?

CB: The biggest difference is that we don’t deal with End Users directly. All the other companies we know in this industry who sub-contract, also deal with End Users. Therefore, there is always that concern that the sub-contractor could end up taking an End User direct. With Unified Support, you simply don’t have that concern.

AVN: If any of our readers want to know more about your services, how do they contact you?

MN: We have a freephone number 0800 107 4527 which is manned Monday-Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm UK time or simply contact us directly on info@unified-support.co.uk There is more information on what we do and some of the services we offer on our website https://unified-support.co.uk/. We are experi-

enced and flexible to easily expand and contract to meet most clients’ needs.

AVN: What about any installers or AV professionals out there who are looking for work?

CB: We have expanded quickly the past 2-3 years and so definitely contact us whatever your level of AV experience or specialism if you are looking for either a short-term or long-term role. We have a number of full-time vacancies available right now and also some shorter-term projects.

AVN: Great to speak to you both and understand more about this fascinating business.

MN & CB: Many thanks!

HOLOPLOT X1 in orbit with immersive experience

It is a year since Lightroom, a performance space in the heart of London’s King’s Cross, opened its doors. The Moonwalkers is the latest experience at the London venue, following the highly successful David Hockney show, ‘Bigger and Closer’ (not smaller and further away). Recreating the awe and majesty of space travel for The Moonwalkers takes a special team of creatives with some excellent technology at their fingertips. The HOLOPLOT X1 Matrix Array is just the system to transport audiences ‘out of this world’, showcasing the impact of its powerful software

toolset on the creative workflow and audio quality. This new production is narrated and co-written by Tom Hanks and includes original NASA audio. The score is composed by Anne Nitkin and was recorded at Abbey Road Studios with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. When your source material is this exquisite you need a sound system that can do every single part of it justice, to create “a different kind of acoustic feeling,” as Tom Hanks said in a recent interview. “There’s 1,000s of speakers here, and when the music begins, it’s not coming from a particular source, it’s coming from everywhere around you. And that too, ends up being this one-of-a-kind physical experience that very quickly becomes an emotional experience.”

Ensuring an immersive and engaging experience for all audience members within the reverberant concrete space that is Lightroom is no small task. Sound designer Tom Hackley explains his excitement at using Lightroom’s HOLOPLOT X1 system and why nothing else could have done the job. Creating a truly immersive experience for the audience requires innovative and seamlessly integrated technology. X1 in Lightroom is permanently installed and completely invisible, blending into the existing infrastructure of the building. The system’s software capabilities make it highly flexible and nothing in its physical configuration needs to be changed to design the audio for

a new show. So, when The Moonwalkers took over residency, the hardware remained, whilst the sound design changed dramatically, using the HOLOPLOTs software ecosystem.

“If this were a point source system, you would physically have to move the speakers,” Hackley reveals. “It would take much more time and you could be fighting for space to hang them. With the Holoplot systems, everything is done in the software, it’s instant and once rehearsals started, it was a huge help to brainstorm when Tom [Hanks] wanted to try out ideas in the space. When I first got involved with Lightroom I had thought, ‘please don’t make me use a system that I’ve never experienced!’. I was also concerned that we wouldn’t be able to deliver the same experience to every position in the room, that there would have to be compromises. But actually, you hear everything everywhere. It wasn’t long before I was thinking, ‘thank goodness we’ve got Holoplot, because I couldn’t have done it with anything else’.”

Hackley discovered enormous benefits, not only in the dynamic capabilities of the system, but also the creative possibilities. “X1 is hugely impressive, both in terms of volume and definition,” he says. “We go from a rocket taking off, the loudest sound known to man, to a complete lack of sound in the silence of deep space. The frequencies X1 has to deal with are vast; there’s infrasound, not only when the rocket takes off, but when we have boots on the moon, and then you add the symphony of the orchestra playing at the same time; it’s gigantic and dynamic.”

Unlike traditional techniques, the 3D Audio-Beamforming technology employed by HOLOPLOT allows sound designers much more control over the sound and the freedom to experiment, as Hackley found. “I can move sound within the space, but also send sound back beyond it,” he explains. “In terms of an immersive sound experience, Holoplot is at the forefront; you aren’t only putting the audience within the sound, you’ve got the facility to push sound beyond the audience, which feels kind of alien. I haven’t experienced that dramatic effect in other systems, especially when it comes to audio image placement, and we would never have been able to do some of the spot effects with traditional line array or point source boxes.”

A show as exciting and high profile as The Moonwalkers is destined for more venues. Lightroom’s creators, 59 Productions, have recently opened a new Lightroom in Seoul, South Korea, and there are plans for more. How does a show like this transfer? “We’ve already been out to prepare the show for Seoul,” Hackley says. “The interior of the venue is very similar to London, but it’s purpose built so we have more positions for speakers and there

have been some additions. We’ve upgraded to two MD80-S with two MD96 arrays in the equivalent north and south sections, together with four arrays fixed as single pairs within the East and West walls, so it isn’t a case of transferring it exactly, there are tweaks. Even so, it sounded great straight out of the box, but with Holoplot’s Plan software, I could already make any changes I needed to before I arrived.” This has been a journey of discovery and one that Hackley is very glad he made. “Holoplot X1 is completely different from anything I’ve used before,” he concludes. “I think I’m going to really struggle using anything else for a project like this.”

Italian hip-hop duo first to offer immersive experience

“Aside from putting a bit of a flag on a new technology and being able to say that we did it first, we know now that our investment, rather than being on fireworks on the stage, is more about the quality of the sound and the music,” says Frah Quintale. Italian hip-hop duo Coez & Frah Quintale are first to tour with L-Acoustics L Series and L-ISA. Coez & Frah Quintale are one of the most exciting acts on the Italian music scene. Both artists have forged successful solo careers, blending poignant songwriting and hip-pop beats to

create a distinct style all their own. Together the pair released an album, Lovebars, which they supported with a national tour, selling out arenas throughout the country. Embracing the absolute latest in technology, the duo adopted immersive audio for their live shows via L-ISA spatial audio technology and did so by pairing for the very first time with L Series, the very latest in line array technology.

Compact, lightweight, and using up to 60% less material to build, the L Series is designed to occupy 30% less space than other products capable of the same output, minimising trucks on the road, and lightening the carbon footprint of the tour. For Coez & Frah Quintale, the opportunity to offer an immersive experience to their fans enabled them to create an intimate environment in what was a significant step up for the pair in terms of venue size. “I was a little afraid of the size of the arena, because other shows I’ve seen in my life, they could be a little cold,” Frah notes. “This system allowed us to create the vibe and the atmosphere of a smaller venue, on a bigger level.”

Sound Designer Valerio Motta, who worked with the artists to help them adopt both L-ISA and L Series, agrees. “The use of L-ISA was a huge upgrade in terms of spatialisation, focus, sound impact and sound definition. Adding L Series was the icing on the cake. L2 is a huge advance in many ways: smaller footprint, easy to rig, and lighter weight which is

crucial when you are using several hangs in an immersive configuration.” “In many ways, L Series was developed with L-ISA in mind” explains Tom Laveuf, Application Engineer at L-Acoustics. “L Series was designed for rapid deployment and lower margins for error. It’s also unobtrusive, integrating discreetly into the set. Combine that with vast advancements in the quality of concert sound reinforcement, and these features make it more feasible for our industry to adopt L-ISA technology for live sound… which is the way of the future.

“Coez and Frah Quintale are hip-hop artists with a very reactive audience, and the most important aspects of the genre are the vocals, and the beat. It was obvious to me that the whole of the audience was unified in the experience, you could tell that every fan was hearing, and feeling, the same things,” Laveuf continues. The 5.1 Scene System, provided by L-Acoustics Certified Provider AgorÀ, was comprised of five hangs of two L2 over one L2D, with eight KS28 subwoofers in two hangs of eight flown behind the central L2/L2D hang. Twenty-four K2 were used as out-fills, while 14 Kara II on the stage lip provided spatial in-fill. Six further KS28 were placed in two left/right ground stacks in front of the stage provided the extra punch necessary for a hip-hop audience. LA7.16 and LA12X amplified controllers drove the whole system.

The added sense of intimacy brought to the tour by the L-ISA technology is something that Motta was keenly aware of. “Coez & Frah Quintale found a connection with the audience that allowed them to experience the shows at another level,” he explains. “The front of house engineer was able to spatialise the mix and immerse the whole of the audience in the same experience.” Coez & Frah were so engaged in the choice of an L-ISA immersive experience that they took time out of their show to explain the technology to their fans every single night. “They themselves felt the difference and wanted their audience to understand it. I believe they also feel that it is the way of the future, and that this is simply a better way to experience live music,” concludes Motta.

Cregagh Presbyterian Church puts its faith in Kramer AvoIP

technology

Kramer has announced that its range of solutions has played a leading role in a major AV upgrade programme to create “a beacon of modernity” inside the historic Cregagh Presbyterian Church, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Located on Cregagh Road, midway between a busy shopping area and a residen-

tial neighbourhood, the spectacular Christian Church has been at the heart of the community for over 110 years. A warm and welcoming environment for people of all ages, its large open spaces provide a place for a range of daily worship, weekly and other special activities and events throughout the year

Saved from the wrecking ball in 2013 following a ‘Save Cregagh Church’ campaign – with approximately 90 per cent of the bricks replaced at a cost of close to £1 million – the Church continues to thrive, with audio-visual technology playing an increasingly important role in the experience for its congregants. However, as a multi-building (2), multi-story complex, with six different rooms for different functions, the church’s existing AV system had become outdated and restrictive to its evolving needs for today and in the future, with flexibility, interactivity, and remote attendee access, all key to its ambitions.

Cregagh Presbyterian Church turned to Rea Sound AV – a specialist in delivering professional audio, lighting and visual equipment to houses of worship – tasked with transforming the Cregagh Presbyterian Church into a seamlessly integrated and technologically advanced space, in the most cost-effective manner. To bring the Church’s visions to life, Kramer was

the stand-out manufacturer of choice for Rea Sound AV. Roger McMullan, Director of Rea Sound AV, commented: “We’ve partnered with several churches similar to Cregagh Presbyterian and worked with Kramer for a long time on many projects, so we know the quality of its products and the ease of control and flexibility it gives to ensure projects like this were successful.”

Working in partnership throughout, and after gaining a deep understanding of the church’s needs for today and for tomorrow, a range of Kramer’s multi-award-winning solutions were implemented to create an intuitive control system to enhance the church’s audio-visual capabilities while integrating smoothly with its existing infrastructure. To achieve this, a customized Kramer SL-240C room controller – with PoE – was selected to provide a scalable and flexible central control unit. Running on Kramer Control – Kramer’s user-friendly and highly agile, cloudbased, end-to-end enterprise AV control system –providing full visibility and full control of all devices in all rooms, be it scalers, video displays, audio amplifiers, Blu−ray players, sensors, screens, shades, door locks, and lights.

With simplicity of use key to the Cregagh Presbyterian Church’s ambitions, Kramer Control provides an intuitive interface for church committee members

to operate the system effortlessly, with no need for a technical background. Adding further familiarity, all this is now controlled using an Apple iPad, allowing the church committee to easily share inputs throughout the building, including the church hall, creche, and other rooms. This allows the congregation to participate in services from anywhere using existing televisions and projectors, with the audio and picture perfectly in sync. Additionally, it enables engaging AV experiences for other communal events the church hosts.

Completing the set-up, multiple Kramer KDS-EN7 AVoIP encoders and Kramer KDS-DEC7 decoders - – Kramer advanced transmitters and receivers for seamless streaming of 4K video signals via Ethernet over copper cable – were selected to handle input sources.AV signals are transmitted over IP, using NETGEAR AV Line Managed Switches. Since installing a comprehensive Kramer Control solution, Cregagh Presbyterian Church has been enjoying a smooth and reliable user experience. The sophisticated control layout Rea Sound designed and deployed ensures the system can manage multiple audio and video inputs, with fast and smooth switching. With its technologically advanced AV capabilities, the Church provides an immersive and captivating experience for both in-person and remote attendees, enriching the worship experience and helping extend the church’s reach to more congregants. Roger added: “Kramer Control met the requirements of the client, with ease of use and reliability from day one. But most importantly, it provides confidence every Sunday or mid-week service, knowing everything will just work. The audio-visual environment was further enhanced by installing a cutting-edge projector, carefully selecting displays to match the church’s aesthetics, reconfiguring client displays, and upgrading streaming services,” he continues. “We’ve received very positive feedback from Cregagh Presbyterian Church. They love the system. They even have visits from other churches interested in seeing what they succeeded in doing. Today, the church is a beacon of modernity and technological advancement, offering an enriched worship experience to its congregation.”

Super Bowl LVIII halftime show: behind the scenes

When they were kids, Bobby Ross and IZ Avila would play with their father’s Minimoog. The Avila Brothers, having grown up and made their mark as a Grammy-winning, hit-making production and song-

writing team, sat down with Moog Music to talk about their journey to the recent Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show with Usher. The Avila Brothers have worked on live shows and records with Usher for years, most recently on his residency at Ceasars Palace in Las Vegas. Alongside production team members Lil Jon and Kronic, the brothers helped craft some of Usher’s greatest hits into a 12-minute-plus performance in front of the biggest audience of any of their careers.

At the Super Bowl Halftime Show, Bobby Ross Avila was on stage with Usher and a long list of guest stars: “I just know, when I’m onstage and that camera hits my setup, I have Moog right there with me. For me, that’s the perfect marriage; not only just onstage but just a part of the creative process. It doesn’t get any better.” — Bobby Ross Avila. As producers, songwriters and musicians — Bobby plays keyboards and guitar; IZ plays drums and is a DJ — The Avila Brothers have collaborated in the studio and on stage with some of the biggest names in the business. They worked on Grammy-winning, multi-platinum hit albums by Usher, Mary J. Blige and Chaka Kahn. The brothers have worked with Janet Jackson, Gwen Stefani, Missy Elliot, Mariah Carey, Patti Labelle and Earth Wind & Fire, and partnered with super-producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The Avila Brothers have also written and produced original music for numerous feature films.

Whether he is recording or playing live, Bobby always has his Minimoog within easy reach: “I always have my Moog with me. That’s just in my DNA. It’s never going to change. And to know that music is still alive in a company like Moog, that means a whole lot.” — Bobby Ross Avila

Sanus EMEA appointment

Sanus is expanding its sales division to help drive growth opportunities in the key EMEA region. Gavin Gregory joins the company in the role of EMEA sales manager – consumer, to focus on the international business development programme, within a reorganised sales division. Gregory, who takes up his position with immediate effect, has over 25 years’ experience in the consumer electronics industry, latterly responsible for all UK and Ireland sales and marketing activity for a major producer of AV accessories. He brings a wealth of commercial aptitude, product and customer knowledge to the role.

He will support Dean Carroll, international sales director - consumer, in the development of the business through account management of key customers and onboarding of new partners. “I have admired Legrand AV as a business for many years, as their core values and ethos align with my own,” says Gregory on commencing his new role. “The opportunity to represent the Sanus brand and support the team with their continued success is an exciting opportunity that I am looking forward to undertaking.”

Dean Carroll adds his thoughts, “I am delighted to welcome Gavin to the team. As we expand our international presence it is hugely important we don’t lose focus from our core markets or channels. With Gavin’s wealth of experience, knowledge and network base, I am confident that along with the team restructuring, we can continue to lead in Premium AV Mounting Solutions in consumer and residential.”

Ushio appoints Takabumi Asahi as CEO Christie

Ushio Inc has announced the appointment of Takabumi Asahi as chief executive officer of Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. Effective April 1, 2024, Asahi will assume his new role, succeeding Koji Naito. Asahi previously held the role of managing executive officer and chief financial officer, Ushio.

He has held positions of increasing responsibility since joining Ushio in 2017 as deputy general manager. Previous to Ushio, Asahi worked for Oki Electric Industry, a Japanese information and communications services company, where he acquired global business management experience in various cutting-edge technology fields, including semiconductor, information and telecommunication technology, as well as office automation. Asahi holds an engineering degree from Japan’s Chiba University.

Asahi brings over 30 years of experience to the role, with a commitment to moving forward Ushio’s mission to promote the use of light as illumination and energy to support human well-being and societal growth through technology. “As we work towards our mission of becoming a light solutions company, I am committed to Ushio’s focus on creating businesses with greater social value,” says Takabumi Asahi. “I’m excited to continue Christie’s important work in developing exceptional experiences for its customers and lighting the way to a sustainable, brighter future for everyone.”

Sanus is expanding its sales division to help drive growth opportunities in the key EMEA region. Gavin Gregory joins the company in the role of EMEA sales manager.

Ushio Inc has announced the appointment of Takabumi Asahi as chief executive officer of Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc.

PPDS appoints Jan Van Tieghem as director of technical sales support

PPDS has announced the promotion of experienced AV engineer, Jan Van Tieghem, as its new Director of Technical Sales Support. Based in Ghent, with an EMEA remit, Jan is one of the most qualified and skilled professionals in his field, with an AV career spanning more than 20 years, 15 of which have been devoted exclusively to supporting the evolution, development, and success of Philips Professional Displays on a global scale.

A loyal, long serving and valued team member, Jan’s association with Philips first began in 2006 when he joined the company as a System Validation Engineer. Since then, Jan’s knowledge and skillset have continued to expand and evolve through a number of important team leadership positions, supporting PPDS’ strategy to deliver total solutions across the market verticals and through the full spectrum of display solutions. Previous roles include Field Application Engineer (2011-2014), Customer Support Engineer

Hospitality TVs (2014-2021), Functional Manager Customer Support (2021-2024) and, most recently Interim Technical Sales Support Director in the US. Jan will now lead support teams across all PPDS product ranges – digital signage including ePaper, interactive displays, videowalls, dvLED, and professional TVs – located in the company’s innovation centre in Ghent, Belgium, and throughout all regions in EMEA, including Benelux, CEE, DACH, France, Iberia, Italy, the Nordics, SEE, and UK and Ireland. As Director of Technical Sales Support, Jan’s key responsibilities will include supporting B2B sales activities (pre- and post-sales), working with new and existing partners for final validation of new software releases on all product platforms, ensuring EMEA market compliance, and assisting customers in delivering hands-on, live, and video training for seamless and successful installation and project outcomes. Reinforcing PPDS’ unparalleled commitment to partners and customers, Jan and his team will also provide dedicated support for customers in mastering the application of PPDS’ products, services, and solutions; assisting with integration for projects; defining best configurations for tailored needs, simulat-

PPDS has announced the promotion of experienced AV engineer, Jan Van Tieghem, as its new Director of Technical Sales Support. Based in Ghent, with an EMEA remit, Jan is one of the most qualified and skilled professionals in his field.

ing and testing customers setups, and solving any interface or compatibility issues. Discussing his new role at PPDS, Jan said: “I am hugely excited to have been given the opportunity and responsibility to lead the EMEA Technical Sales Support team. The transformation and growth of the business over the past 15 years have been extraordinary, evolving from a traditional manufacturer of displays to one that now offers one of the industry’s most complete choice of total solutions, with software – developed in-house and with third-party providers – now a key strategic focus. We will continue to build upon the achievements of the team and work hard to ensure we lead from the front to bring the world’s best support and solutions to our partners and customers. It’s a great new challenge and I’m very much looking forward to the journey ahead.”

Martijn van der Woude, VP Global Marketing and Business Development at PPDS, added: “Jan is a long-serving and highly respected member of the PPDS team, who has shown throughout his career unwavering commitment and professionalism to deliver on the company’s ambitions. Jan’s natural team leadership skills, together with an unparalleled knowledge and experience of Philips Professional Displays, make him the ideal candidate to lead our team into the future. I wish Jan every success in his new role.”

Onemedia appoints Scott Pollard as Account Director

Onemedia, has announced the appointment of Scott Pollard as Account Director with immediate effect. Pollard brings over 20 years of experience in the pro AV channel to onemedia, with roles including Technical Director at True Colours, Project Director at Midwich and, most recently, Regional sales Manager (UK & Ireland) for Mersive Technologies. With such a wealth of experience in the AV industry, Pollard is relishing his new, pivotal role: “This is a very exciting time for onemedia and I am delighted to add my experience to the team”. He adds: “From my past roles, I know them very well and, as well as reuniting with some highly respected industry leaders, it’s great to get the opportunity to expand onemedia’s ‘in room’ technology offering, following the recent announcement of the company’s distribution agreement with Rethink AV. With a strong focus on a total technical solution, I look forward to applying my experience to onemedia’s growth ambitions.”

Scott will also be responsible for working with onemedia’s Systems Integration partners and AV Consultants, to design best-in-breed solutions using oneme-

dia’s portfolio of Audio Visual & Workplace products and services. Chris Wood, onemedia’s Sales Director commented: “We warmly welcome Scott to our expanding team. Appointing someone of Scott’s experience and calibre is great news for onemedia but, more importantly, for our Systems Integration partners, who will benefit from his unrivalled product knowledge when delivering technical solutions.”

Onemedia, has announced the appointment of Scott Pollard as Account Director with immediate effect.

CrimsonAV has announced the appointment of Matt Sulkowski as their new National Sales Director - dvLED.

With an impressive background in sales and account management spanning over two decades, Matt brings a wealth of experience, energy, and expertise to his new role. Originally from the Pittsburgh, PA area, Matt’s passion for sports trivia and his extensive sneaker collection mirrors his dynamic approach to sales. Having grown up in Latrobe, PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Matt developed a fervent loyalty to Pittsburgh teams and the University of Michigan. His journey eventually led him to St. Petersburg, FL, where he currently resides with his girlfriend, nurturing his love for travel and spending quality time with friends.

With a career marked by successful client relation-

ships and strategic account management, Matt is poised to make significant contributions to CrimsonAV’s LED Experts Group (www.ledexpertsgroup. com).”I am thrilled to join CrimsonAV and collaborate with such talented individuals,” says Matt. “My aim is to leverage my experience to drive the LED sales division to new heights.” Matt’s appointment underscores CrimsonAV’s commitment to delivering unparalleled service and innovation in the ProAV industry. His leadership will undoubtedly strengthen the company’s position as a leading provider of custom mounting solutions and dvLED solutions. “We are delighted to welcome Matt to the CrimsonAV family,” says William Bear, VP of Sales and Marketing at CrimsonAV. “His extensive sales experience and passion for customer satisfaction make him the perfect fit to lead our LED sales division. We look forward to his contributions as we continue to expand our market presence.”

CrimsonAV has announced the appointment of Matt Sulkowski as their new National Sales Director - dvLED.

Steen Tychsen appointment bolsters Genelec’s sales team

Genelec has announced the appointment of industry stalwart Steen Tychsen to the position of International Sales Manager, with responsibility for SE Asia, Eastern Europe and Canada. With over 25 years of professional audio experience in a succession of senior roles, Tychsen brings with him a deep knowledge of the industry – helping to further strengthen

Genelec has announced the appointment of industry stalwart Steen Tychsen to the position of International Sales Manager, with responsibility for SE Asia, Eastern Europe and Canada.

Genelec’s sales operation in these key global territories. Tychsen’s previous high-profile roles at both DPA and Neumann have given him extensive experience of overseeing sales and business development in both EMEA and the US – and demonstrate a strong track record of implementing strategies to maximise revenue and productivity, and proactively developing regional partners.

“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to represent a brand synonymous with excellence in audio technology,” comments Tychsen. “Genelec’s commitment to innovation and superior sound quality aligns with my passion for delivering exceptional experiences to customers around the world. As I take on this role, I feel a mixture of excitement and responsibility, and I see it as an exciting challenge to drive growth and expand Genelec’s presence in global markets.”

Genelec International Sales Director Ole Jensen adds: “I’m delighted to welcome Steen to the team at a really exciting point in our global development. With the new UNIO Monitoring Platform helping to drive growth in the Studio segment, and our ever-increasing profile in the AV and Home Audio markets too, the need for a strategic, customer-centric focus has never been greater. Steen’s experience will be truly invaluable in helping us achieve our ambitious goals for the future. “Finally, as Steen assumes his new role, I’d also like to pay tribute to my sales colleague Jukka Latva-Hakuni, who has previously been managing the SE Asia and Eastern European territories,” concludes Jensen. “Jukka is about to start enjoying a very well earned retirement, and on behalf of the whole company I’d like to thank him for his years of dedicated service to Genelec.”

Enterprise IT program returns to InfoComm

After the successful enterprise IT programming at last year’s InfoComm, enterprise IT will make its return at InfoComm 2024, this June 8-14 (exhibits 1214) at the Las Vegas Convention Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year’s program will feature a new two-day AVoIP Foundations workshop, plus education sessions on topics such as IoT solutions, IT and AV system design and integration, network design, and more, as well as a meetup and a show floor tour focused on enterprise IT.

“A baseline professional AV skillset today requires some basic IT competencies, and the same can now be said about IT technicians needing, at minimum, to know how to manage AV on a network plus some aspects of how AV works in a physical space,” said Annette Sandler, Senior Director, Live Content, U.S./ Canada, AVIXA, producer of InfoComm. “InfoComm 2024 will offer an essential training ground whether you are an IT tech seeking knowledge of AV systems or an AV tech working on IT systems.”

In the session “Combining IT and AV” on Wed., June 12, Keri Manasa of Legrand AV will present an overview of the market impact created by the explosion of AV over IT, cloud, and IoT solutions. The session will also explore elements of shared networks, VLANs, network management, and other developments set to impact future IT and AV system design and integration. Also on Wednesday, Laurent Masia of NETGEAR AV will lead the session “How to Design an AV over IP Network” to discuss the challenges, best practices, and solutions for designing a successful multi-switch AV-over-IP system.

On Thurs., June 13, the session “Documentation and Coordination Strategies for Network Design” will provide a high-level approach to understanding coordination points between IT, AV, and the design team. Jenn Steinhardt of Shen, Milsom & Wilke will lead this session. Also on Thursday, Frank Padikkala of Audinate will demystify the fundamentals of unicast and multicast transmissions and explore the world of content distribution workflows and industry best practices in “Unicast and Multicast: Maximizing Efficiency in Content Distribution.”

InfoComm will host a show floor tour led by Jose Mozota of Freman Solutions on Wed., June 12, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., focused on key developments in networking and cloud technologies. In addition, AVIXA Xchange Live (booth W2847) will host enterprise technology managers for an IT meetup on Wed., June 12 at 10:00 a.m. The Technology Innovation Stage (booth C8676) will present a trend forecasting session on enterprise IT on Thurs., June 13 at 11:30 a.m., with a focus on how technology managers are incorporating AI into their IT workflows.

InfoComm has teamed up with Object Management Group to present Transform! @ InfoComm 2024. This new conference and exhibition will showcase innovation that enables digital transformation. Learn

After the successful enterprise IT programming at last year’s InfoComm, enterprise IT will make its return at InfoComm 2024, this June 8-14 (exhibits 12-14) at the Las Vegas Convention Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada.

AVIXA announces the launch of InfoComm América Latina

AVIXA has announced the launch of the professional audiovisual trade show InfoComm América Latina. The first edition will be held in Mexico City from October 22 to 24, 2025, at the World Trade Centre Mexico City. InfoComm América Latina will bring together the professional audiovisual industry – from manufacturers to integrators, distributors, and end users – to showcase the latest technology, explore trends, offer professional training activities, and generate networking spaces. At the show, attendees will see the technological advances of global brands and emerging solution providers focused on audio, video, content production and streaming, conferencing and collaboration, digital signage, enterprise IT, and technologies for education, live events, and entertainment.

“Mexico has an audiovisual industry that is constantly growing and is a leader in Latin America. By the end of 2024, we expect the Mexican market to

Registration

To register for InfoComm 2024, visit www.infocommshow.org.

achieve revenues of US$3.036 billion and maintain a compound annual growth rate of 5.42% through 2028. These figures reflect the extraordinary work that companies and professionals are doing to provide the technology solutions customers require,” explained Rodrigo Casassus Coke, CTS, Senior Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “Members of this industry deserve a regional trade show with the quality of InfoComm, and we are proud to announce that they will have it very soon.” [The show will be produced with the high-quality standards and extensive experience that AVIXA has as an organizer of exhibitions and conferences, one of the various activities performed by the association to promote the development of the industry worldwide.

“AVIXA began producing professional AV events nearly 80 years ago, starting a conference in 1946 under the banner of the National Association of Visual Education Dealers (NAVED). Today, we’ve el-

EVENTS

evated our efforts to a global scale, hosting shows across multiple continents,” said Rochelle Richardson, CEM, Senior Vice President of Expositions and Events at AVIXA. “As the pro AV industry continues to thrive, there’s a growing need for platforms where professionals can convene. We are excited to bring InfoComm América Latina to Mexico City in 2025, further expanding our reach and impact.”

InfoComm América Latina will offer a large exhibition floor where companies present their products, solutions, and services, a robust educational program segmented by technology solutions, an audio experience area, and spaces for exchanging ideas and business opportunities. Due to the versatility of its spaces, available services, and central location in Mexico City, the World Trade Centre Mexico City is the ideal venue for this event. AVIXA will have the support of a strategic supplier, Musitech Ediciones y Eventos, organizer of Sound:Check Xpo, whose team will be responsible for the logistics of the event and services to exhibitors.

The educational program will offer thematic conferences for those seeking to strengthen and update their knowledge in different industry areas. In addition, manufacturers will have a space to host training courses related to their technologies, products, and services. Congreso AVIXA will also be part of Info-

Comm América Latina activities. The program, focused on executives and managers, will include topics of business management, business development, sales, marketing, and human resources. The format will be hybrid to allow the participation of industry members who do not travel to Mexico City.

The event will also feature AVIXA Xchange LIVE, an in-person activation of the AVIXA Xchange online community, to promote the exchange of experiences, networking, and meetings between professionals from different industry sectors. InfoComm América Latina joins a portfolio of trade shows and conferences produced by AVIXA and its partners, including InfoComm (Orlando and Las Vegas, U.S.); InfoComm China (Beijing); InfoComm India (Mumbai); InfoComm Asia (Bangkok); Integrate (Sydney, Australia); and Integrated Systems Europe (Barcelona, Spain).

“AVIXA serves as a catalyst for market growth and a hub for the AV professional community and our shows are the physical manifestation of those two missions. They provide the environment for new solutions to be seen, evaluated, purchased, and implemented at a much faster and more efficient rate than any other mechanism,” said David Labuskes, CTS, CAE, RCDD, Chief Executive Officer of AVIXA. “Mexico City will experience this all with InfoComm América Latina in October 2025.”

Keynote: Michel Bouman | EMEA Solution Specialist Lead Teams & Devices | Microsoft

Panellist: Greg Jeffreys | Founder & Co-owner | Visual Displays

Topic: “Latest trends & what to look for when deploying Teams Rooms, including insights into integrating Copilot and GenAI”

The AV Showcase 2024: latest news!

Key notes on the show floor

This year, the education sessions will take place live on the AV Showcase show floor. Free to attend, these keynotes will offer AV Showcase visitors the opportunity to hear from industry-leading experts plus have the chance to claim one AVIXA Renewal Unit (RU) per session. The programme is confirmed as follows: Day 1 – 14th May, 10.30-11.30

Day 2 – 15th May, 10.30-11.30

Keynote 1: Ben Barnard | Regional Manager | AVIXA UK & Ireland

Topic: “ISE Takeaways and Future Trends”

Keynote 2: Sarah Cox | Founder & Managing Director | Neutral Human & Co-Founder of Framesync

Topic: “XR, Virtual Production & Hybrid Events, it’s all Linked”

After the presentations, visitors have freedom to explore the Showcase where they can meet and collaborate with over 40+ exhibiting brands.

EVENTS

What’s new on the Show Floor?

Barco

ClickShare Bar Pro is a premium, carbon-neutral, all-in-one video bar that enables engaging, effortless wireless conferencing in medium-sized meeting rooms with any videoconferencing platform. Thanks to its advanced AV capabilities (dual screen, 4K content sharing) and interactive features (touchback, annotation, blackboarding), it enables crystal-clear audio, sharp views and enhanced interactivity for meetings where all participants feel heard and seen. This solution offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing IT Managers to easily equip their meeting rooms. Paired with a 5-year warranty, the bar overall reduces the Total Cost of Ownership by consolidating all collaboration, audio and video functionalities into one powerful device.

Dante

Description automatically generatedShowing the latest developments across audio, video, management and control, the Dante booth at the AV Showcase is the place to experience the transformation of Dante to a complete AV-over-IP platform. Visitors can expect to get hands on with Dante Domain Manager, Dante Controller, Dante Managed API and Dante AV, find out more about Dante Connect (cloudbased broadcast) and take a look at Dante Director (a cloud-based SaaS app for Dante device management). Dante enabled products will also be on show with many current partners - pick up a map from the Dante booth for a more details.

D-TOOLS

D-Tools will be showcasing two solutions at Lord’s. D-Tools Cloud and D-Tools System Integrator™ (SI). Cloud is an easy-to-implement, web-based, end-toend business and project management solution that empowers system integrators to communicate more effectively and operate more efficiently, ultimately leading to a stronger bottom line. SI is a robust software solution that streamlines critical end-to-end business processes for larger projects, from estimation to system D-Tools Cloud Logodesign, documentation, installation, and field service management.D-Tools SI

LG

Be among the first to witness LG Business Solutions’ groundbreaking LG MAGNIT All-in-One 136’ solution debut in the UK, at Peerless-AV. Featuring MicroLED Technology, LG MAGNIT delivers unparalleled visual precision, powered by micro-LED chips

for stunning detail accuracy and precise light control, ensuring crystal-clear imagery. With innovative Chip Transfer and Surface Treatment Technology, it guarantees uniform whites and reduced colour distortion from any angle, providing true-to-life viewing experiences. Versatile and sleek, the LG MAGNIT AIO seamlessly fits into multiple environments, from corporate lobbies to virtual production spaces and luxury living areas. Visit LG at the Peerless-AV stand for an immersive showcase.

NETGEAR AV

NETGEAR AV introduces its Managed Switches, purpose built for AV, at the AV Showcase. The M4250, M4300, M4350, and M4500 series switches feature the innovative NETGEAR AV OS™ interface, streamlining configuration with template-based simplicity backed by 200+ AV manufacturer certifications and pre-configured AV profiles. Unlike traditional switches, the AV-centric interface eliminates complex IT jargon, empowering broadcast and Pro AV integrators with an intuitive workflow. The M4350 series of-

fers enterprise-grade hardware with redundant power supplies and PoE up to 90W per port. Supported protocols include AVB, Dante, AES67, and more, with SMPTE ST 2110 compatibility on select models. Simplify your AV installations with NETGEAR today.

Sound Control Technologies

SCT is a global manufacturer of integrations kits for more than 45 different manufactures of video conferencing technology allowing seamless integration of the camera or table connectivity. Power, signal and control is passed up to 100m on CAT cable, allowing installations to be quick, efficient and above all reliable. As a development partner of Cisco and HP/Poly we can provide integration kits for all current video conferencing solution, including mounts and dedicated cable packs. All with 3yr advance replacement warranties for complete peace of mind.

Sony

‘This year, we are thrilled to showcase our latest and most impressive Professional Display technology. Our flagship 98BZ53L BRAVIA Professional Display series features Sony’s unique Deep Black Non-Glare Coating, offering dynamic visuals and remarkable contrast even in the most challenging lighting environments. Our Crystal LED walls deliver breathtaking images with unparalleled brightness and clarity for unforgettable visuals on any scale. Additionally, our TEOS workplace management solution streamlines room bookings and facilitates seamless collaboration, enhancing your corporate workspace. Experience innovation at its finest and create spectacularly immersive viewing experiences with our cutting-edge displays and solutions.

UNILUMIN

UNILUMIN UK will be presenting two products in three separate displays – The AIO UTV-SC 108” mobile display for boardroom and educational applications. Also, two versions of the UminiIII COB product in 0.9pp and 1.2pp very much aimed at high end professional applications such as auditoriums, home theatre, corporate advertising, boardrooms, control rooms, exhibitions, museum and industrial design.

FUTURESoftware will be presenting their Collaborative Touchscreen System COLL-IN (Collaborate Intelligently) which is designed for training, presentations and staff collaborations and gives you the ability to display multi layers of information at any one time.

Videri

Making its debut this year, Videri will demonstrate its digital signage platform built for new spaces and unusual places. Integrating CMS, device management, analytics and an open platform, Videri will show how it removes the limitations of traditional digital experiences. On hand will be the highly recognizable Q - the display that famously fits behind the bar, in luxury and flagship retail and in hospitality; the Spark Series, Videri’s latest generation hardware; Wireless Orchestration and Portal3. Videri will introduce you to infinitely differentiated digital for locations where traditional digital doesn’t fit.

Registration

Visit the event page to register: https://eu.peerless-av.com/pages/the-av-showcase