IoT, drones and the cloud takes InfoComm to new levels

The audio-visual set turned up in record breaking numbers at this year’s InfoComm, held in Orlando, Florida with over 39,000 attendees from 108 countries. Driven by the quest for emerging technologies, attendees were exposed to the latest developments in AoIP ( Audio over IP), VoIP and wireless network-based solutions, IPTV, drones and signage solutions and how they are morphing into the new media matrix.

Despite heated competition in the technology  trade show arena,  the event held over June 13-19 attracted over a 5% increase in numbers over last year.

The keynote on the complexities of the Internet of Things, featured a panel with executives from Samsung, Crestron, Harman and Cisco, tackled issues including the growing prevalence of drones, and the sanctity of privacy in the age of IoT.  Crestron CTO, Fred Bargetzi noted “we sacrifice our privacy every day for convenience,” while Cisco’s director of operations, Global Customer Experience Center, Mike Walker discussed using the IoT to observe how employees move around the workplace for productivity, not spying.  The cloud was also a key issue as the host of the processors of sensor data and the applications that make use of all of the IoT data.

On the show floor, new to the exhibition was the Innovations Showcase, which displayed technology solutions from 20 new companies. The Unmanned Systems and Drone Pavilion attracted significant interest with attendees witnessing drones in action in an enclosed area, and briefings held in how the emerging technology integrates with AV systems and monitoring solutions.

Returning pavilions for 2015 included: Audio, Digital Signage, Lighting and Staging, Security, Unified Communications and Collaboration, and the Technologies for Worship Experience.

The show also featured an educational aspect with  the InfoComm University sessions which included 5,600 participants. Popular courses included Future Trends, Large Scale Projection Mapping, How to Build an App and Designing Classrooms that Deliver Exceptional Experiences. Other draw card events included the Solutions Summits on UCC and Digital Signage, attracting more than 1,300 delegates.

InfoComm International CEO David Labuskes, said “the marketplace strongly supports the InfoComm show, and we are grateful for the attendee support and for the innovative exhibitors who are committed to making InfoComm a can’t-miss event on the industry calendar.”