- FAIRFAX, VA-InfoComm International recently sponsored a slew of events nationwide for its first annual AV Week, spotlighting the role of AV professionals who stage events, amplify music and speeches, and design and integrate sound systems and displays into public spaces from hearing rooms and boardrooms to campuses and control centers. From Oct. 22-28, InfoComm looked to its members to facilitate these activities spotlighting the industry. While the intention of AV Week was not to generate sales but raise awareness of the industry, a few members did report sales interest with customers that attended.
AV manufacturers provided insights regarding AV in higher education at an event hosted by the University of Arkansas Medical Services. InfoComm executive director Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D. moderated the panel.
Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D., executive director, InfoComm International explained, "We were very pleased, we had 30 events in 15 different states. Our members suggested AV Week to communicate their activities to the public. We saw a lot of energy this first time out. And a lot of manufacturers saw the opportunity to have an event and invite their customers."
Highlights included a panel of manufacturers' executives discussing "AV's Value in Education and Life-Long Learning," led by Lemke at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Panelists included: AMX's executive vice president Scott Norder, Biamp's VP of sales Ron Camden, MediaPointe's chief technology officer Michael Walker, and Shure's director of strategic planning and integration Sandy Schroeder. Several other colleges and universities connected to the panel event to give faculty and students on their campuses a live view of the discussion.
Other events included MLS Chicago Fire's foundation, FireWorks for Kids, pledging to match ICIF scholarships that are awarded to an Argo High School student, an award given to Orlando's Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Miami Children's Hospital for using AV technology to help save lives; and participation in Careerbuilder's Career Fair in Washington, DC.
