Alice Chambers |
The merging of broadcast technology and audiovisual (AV) solutions is transforming how organisations across industries communicate with and captivate their audiences, according to the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA), which has embraced broadcasting at its own trade shows.
“The convergence between broadcast and AV technology is happening at lightning speed right now,” says Samantha Minish, vice president of content delivery at AVIXA. “Corporations have realised the power of tying broadcast production capabilities with their collaboration efforts – studio technology is one of their top five areas of investment, according to AVIXA’s quarterly Market Opportunity and Analysis Report.”
AVIXA hosted its first AVIXA TV Studio at InfoComm 2024 to highlight the benefits of bridging broadcast and AV technologies. From podcasts and marketing content to virtual keynote stages, the studio showcased a variety of solutions for broadcasting, ranging from turnkey setups to advanced customisable studio options. For many organisations, these live demonstrations offered a glimpse into what is possible.
“It’s critical to be able to see working solutions that are both feasible and inspirational,” says Minish. “The AVIXA TV Studio is designed to do just that, whether you’re considering starting a podcast, creating marketing content or delivering a global keynote from a virtual stage.”
However, adapting broadcast technology to a trade show environment is challenging.
“We had to consider how to balance the temporary nature of trade shows with high-quality production capabilities,” explains Minish. “But these same challenges exist with corporate applications as well. Many businesses do not have the luxury of a purpose-built space to create and broadcast content.”
At InfoComm, AVIXA tackled these challenges by partnering with key industry players.
“We added a virtual stage and augmented reality elements by working with Ross Video and cranked up the professionalism with partners like Shure, Ikan and Sharp NEC,” says Minish. “These innovations not only enhanced the event but also demonstrated real-world applications that companies could adapt for their own needs.”
The hands-on workshops at InfoComm 2024 turned curiosity into confidence for attendees. “Often while we’re creating content in the studio, we have a crowd – but they’re almost always clustered behind our production crew,” says Minish. “This is an industry that wants to ‘nerd out’ with you by seeing how you set up and operate.”
Workshops were intentionally intimate, allowing attendees to explore the technology up close. “Rather than just pointing at the technology, we were able to actually walk them behind the desks, into the storage area and across the set,” says Minish.
Following a positive response from attendees at InfoComm, AVIXA plans to expand the studio model for future events like Integrated Systems Europe 2025, which will showcase new partnerships and additional focus areas like podcast production. “We’ll be demonstrating the versatility of solution options,” says Minish. “We’ll have the anchor desk and virtual stage green screen present again. We’re centring the whole experience around our production crew and technicians because audiences really want to see how the magic is made. Whether you’re starting small, or you’ve got a ‘blank cheque’ budget, you’ll see something for you at the AVIXA TV Studio in Hall 8.1.”
The AVIXA TV Studio at InfoComm 2024 aimed to show attendees the benefits of bridging broadcast and AV technologies
While trade shows offer vibrant, high-energy opportunities to highlight innovations, it is also important to offer organisations learning opportunities year-round to help them understand the potential of broadcast technology. AVIXA’s permanent broadcast studio in Fairfax, Virginia, USA, serves this purpose.
“Trade shows will always be incredible places for engagement and learning, but it simply can’t be the only time we connect, create, engage or learn,” says Minish. “Together with our partner Ross Video, we’ve developed a production solution that rivals some of those used by media entities, all from existing infrastructure. One key use case for this studio will be the continued development and updates to our educational courses, which are utilised by AV professionals around the world, serving as a backdrop for virtual classes.”
The studio is also a hub for creative projects like podcast series How’d They Do That? and AV Explains, which break down complex concepts of AV technology in engaging ways.
“One of our key responsibilities is to grow the diversity of voices in the industry, whether we develop the rocket ourselves or whether we fuel and boost rockets to help others reach new heights,” says Minish. “We can highlight voices and trends from around the globe, from multiple key verticals and diverse backgrounds. We can, so we must!”
Discover more insights like this in the Winter 2024 issue of Technology Record. Don’t miss out – subscribe for free today and get future issues delivered straight to your inbox.