Commercial Integrator August 2022 - 22

COVER STORY InfoComm '22
A LAUNCHPAD
FOR THE FUTURE
From practical virtual reality to the rise of hybrid, the #avtweeps
community had much to experience...and much to celebrate.
By Dan Ferrisi
IT HAS BEEN SAID by some that
InfoComm '22 was " the show that we
needed. " As a member of the #avtweeps
community and a keen observer of commercial
AV conversation, I can't think of
more apt words to describe the week that
we all spent in Las Vegas.
Granted - earlier this year, other largescale
shows (CES, NAB, ISE) staged successfully,
drawing tens of thousands to gather in
person. However, following on the heels of
last October's InfoComm '21 - a pandemic-delayed
show that attracted only 7,335
attendees - this year's exposition, which
drew 19,681 show-goers, represented a
return to strength and a fantastic launchpad
for the rest of the year. The days might
have been very long, and people's legs
might have been aching aſt er traversing the
distance between the West Hall of the Las
Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) and the
North Hall, but #avtweeps leſt InfoComm
feeling energized, inspired and better connected
to our tight-knit community.
22
All About the Community
In my own conversations about InfoComm
'22, a common theme has emerged:
Although the technologies on the show
fl oor were extremely impressive, those who
attended derived the most benefi t from the
networking and mind-sharing occurring
throughout the week. Indeed, on the AV+
podcast that launched June 17, David Maldow,
founder and CEO of Let's Do Video,
said those factors are what bring him to the
annual show. " That's a big reason why I'm
there, " he stated. " I talk to people on video
all the time, but it just seems like there are
some conversations that don't happen until
you're in person. So, it's defi nitely not just
'a nice thing.' It's an important thing. It's a
valuable thing. "
David Danto, director of emerging technology
with the IMCCA, as well as director
of UC strategy and research with Poly,
agreed with Maldow, arguing that our community
has become the real seat of power.
" The community that has built up in the
Commercial Integrator AUGUST 2022
AV and the collaboration space online...is
almost even bigger than the show, " he declared.
" It's also just this fodder - this base
- for the community to get back together
with each other, and everybody loved it. "
In sum, Danto added, " The idea that we've
now built a real community, and people
feel that sense of community which comes
around the show, is probably something
very special. "
One hallmark of the #avtweeps family is
how welcoming and inclusive it is. Commercial
Integrator's own associate editor, Amala
Reddie, attested to that personally on the
AV+ podcast, sharing perspective on her
fi rst InfoComm experience. She talked about
her initial visit to the press room, where Joé
Lloyd, senior director of communications for
AVIXA, welcomed her with a big smile and
a warm hug. " That made me feel more at
ease, " Reddie said. She alluded to the fact
that InfoComm occupied such large halls,
while also referencing the throngs of people
and the massive exhibits, calling all of it
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