InfoComm: The Mother of All Reunions
New products are great, but many attend InfoComm to catch up with each other. And when they’re done there, PRO AV has a new online place they can hang out.
My calendar for InfoComm 2010 looks like the big book of AV, distributor Stampede’s excellent AV product catalog. It’s full of manufacturers with whom I’ve agreed to meet and go over their latest systems and solutions. And I’m looking forward to every one of those meetings. Maybe you’ve got more than a few vendor appointments, too. But more so than any trade show I’ve attended in any other industry, InfoComm is about more than stuff. When I ask AV integrators, installers, and consultants about their plans for the show, most cite their other obligations—teaching, learning, meeting old friends and colleagues. (Ask the Pro AV Editorial Advisory Board how hard it was to schedule a meeting at InfoComm they could attend.)
People say they go to InfoComm because it’s the one chance they get all year to compare notes with other AV companies and learn new things. Last year at this time, the industry had finally succumbed to the struggling world economy. Attendees were nervous. Which is one reason this year’s InfoComm should be fascinating. Many firms report being as busy as ever. InfoComm is back to predicting one of its biggest shows ever and has rolled out a slew of new features for 2010, such as 3D education, a sustainable products showcase, and a new digital signage conference (see InfoComm).
We at Pro AV hope that when InfoComm ends, the discussions and comaraderie among AV pros will continue in our new online community. Pro AV Connect (community.proavmagazine.com) is meant to be your water cooler, bulletin board, and social networking site all rolled into one. When you join, you can become a blogger, post photos and video, chat online, or just discuss topics relevant to your work.
Give it a try. It will be like connecting at InfoComm every day of the year
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