InfoComm is back (sort of)
The most common comment both last week and this about the annual AV show was it was as good or better than before the pandemic. While I understand the sentiment, I'm not entirely certain I agree.
There are things that AVIXA has within their control. Networking events, education, and the overall vibe of the experience. On this side, it was certainly one of the best shows I've attended in the last decade. Where the show felt a bit flat was in the booths.
There were very few new or innovative technologies that were introduced during InfoComm 2024. Small iterations? Sure. Showing off something already shown at another show? Absolutely. Brand new that you were calling your boss about? Not so much.
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That is more a sign of the maturing of the industry than a knock against the 800 some odd exhibitors. It's ok. We're growing up. And that happens. Display makers are demonstrating partnerships with software. AV over IP protocols are showing real value. Control companies are playing nice with everyone.
I am not saying "everything that can be invented has been invented". Not by a long shot. Sometime in the next few years, a company will land on the show floor of InfoComm and Wow us again. It'll be magical. Until then, expect the exhibitors to give us incremental evolutions of their products that solve a specific problem or two. Just like in the mobile, IT, and software space, most of those annual shows have matured into incremental improvements year over year.
InfoComm 2024, the show, was the best I have attended in a long time. It was worth the time and investment to hang out with the best in the AV industry. And I'm already looking forward to Orlando next year. AVIXA really has turned a corner post-Covid. We just need to recognize that AV, as an industry, has matured. That's actually a good thing.
Vice President of StarBoard Solution GmbH
9 个月Totally agree. While there wasn't anything particularly new or exciting, the conferences were indeed impactful and powerful. However, in such a mature market, it's questionable if the longevity of trade shows will hold up unless something new and fantastic emerges. The higgledy-piggledy trek from West to Central Hall didn't help the free flow of people; generally, Central Hall attendees stayed put and vice versa. It's a real pity because Orlando was far better organized in terms of design. I loved the engagement and believe networking is vital. It's a big question whether these events will eventually shift to more networking-focused conferences versus traditional exhibitions, where the ROI may not make sense in the years to come. Without new innovations in both hardware and software, the current software advancements alone aren't enough to draw the crowds indefinitely!
IoT, Control Systems, Systems Integration, Automation and Product Development Expert
9 个月I understand the personal contact at events like this but truthfully, I get far better content from conferences online. It sucks honestly because I do appreciate attending Lee shows, but I’m not sure it makes any sense anymore.
Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Pratt Community College, Pratt, Ks.
9 个月Having lived in Las Vegas, it is near and dear to my heart. With that said, this was one of my worse trips to Infocomm in Las Vegas. While West hall was bustling per normal, the Central hall seemed way off. I spent the large majority of my time in Central hall, it was super hard to find the booths I set out to see. Spending time looking for particular products instead of time i actually spent using the map was annoying and not something I remember from any other show. Hopefully when the construction is done these things will be remedied. Lastly, I do not remember Las Vegas being so expensive. It has never been "cheap," but I ate better and spent less money in Orlando last year. One pleasant surprise was visiting a company who has a new office down from the convention center. Finally I could see all of the major players in one time frame. Hope to see you next year. Thank you Tim for sharing the knowledge and keeping the community in the know.
Writer, Speaker, Journalist
9 个月And here's the list of the first AVNation Media AV Buyer's Club Top Ten of InfoComm - https://www.avnation.tv/2024/06/21/avnation-av-buyers-club-top-10-at-infocomm-2024/
CEO @CharBett Strategies & Founder @ProAVCourses.com ? Women in AV Podcast Host ? Board Member | Rosie Riveters Explores Pro AV ? CI 40 under 40 ? 2023 AV Pro of the Year Nominee
9 个月I agree. Even when I asked other people if they’d seen anything spectacular- hoping I’d missed something great on the show floor, no one had a memorable response. In fact they all had to pause and think- BUT THATS OK. The conversations and relationships that were fostered this year was reminiscent of the small InfoComm in Orlando, 2021, but at scale. That, to me, made the week worth it. …the Sphere Experience helped too ;-)