Companies want to put their best foot forward and offer polished, broadcast-quality experiences. Whether hosting internal or external events, they need technology that captures clear video, integrates multiple content sources, and enables seamless interaction between in-room and remote participants.
As hybrid events become the new standard for corporate engagement, organizations face a growing imperative: deliver seamless, broadcast-quality experiences that captivate both in-person and remote participants. Extron recognized this shift early, over a decade ago, with an event and training center in Anaheim. This year, the company set out to reimagine that flagship space—not just as a venue, but as a benchmark for the future of professional collaboration. The result, powered by a forward-thinking partnership with Panasonic, is a space that raises the bar for what’s possible in hybrid event production.
Extron’s global headquarters in Anaheim, California, houses several classrooms originally constructed in 2012. These spaces are used for a wide range of programs, including internal sales and technical trainings, multi-day customer events, and technology trainings, all led by Extron’s sales and marketing team. In addition, the team oversees the full event experience in the control room, from managing content on several large video walls, content and live production switching, to lighting integration, audio and music playback, and recording and streaming.
As the backbone for the redesigned space, Extron deployed their NAV Pro AV over IP encoders and decoders for distributing the video and audio signals, while replacing legacy camera technologies with 13 Panasonic AW-UE150 and AW-UE160 PTZ cameras. The flexibility of an AV-over-IP system paired with the Panasonic AWRP150 Remote Camera Controller and the Media Production Suite, give Extron’s production team the tools to manage everything from camera angles and lighting to live switching and streaming—all from a centralized control room.
“Cameras are key to getting in-person attendees and virtual viewers involved and interested,” explains Nick La Commare, Manager of Product Marketing at Extron. “Panasonic’s PTZ cameras deliver consistent image quality despite challenging lighting conditions in the space. The cameras’ dynamic range enables them to adapt to both bright and low-light areas while maintaining clear, balanced video.”
From a dedicated control room, one production team member uses the Panasonic Media Production Suite and a Panasonic AWRP150 Remote Camera Controller to oversee the automated camera tracking and switching. Meanwhile, a second person manages the array of video and audio routing needed. Leveraging the Extron control system, they ensure not only audiences see the correct content but that presenters have dedicated confidence views, complete with live production note overlays courtesy of the Quantum II video wall processor. An additional facet of video routing managed by the group is handling the Microsoft Teams workflows to allow remote participants to join in the events. Not only do they see the presenter, but through Extron’s video processing capabilities, they’re able to view multiple camera angles and content. In some cases, the remote participant even becomes one of the presenters in the room, adding to the complexity of signal routing that is simplified through thoughtful control system automation.
The cameras also enhance the presenter experience. Auto-tracking capabilities allow the system to follow presenters as they move across the stage, while zoom capabilities enable operators to quickly adjust framing without disrupting the flow of the presentation. Microsoft Teams is integrated into the workflow to bring remote presenters into the space, while the production team curates camera views that allow remote participants to interact naturally with the in-room audience.
Extron uses Panasonic’s Media Production Suite to centralize camera control, monitoring, and production workflows. This setup allows the team to efficiently manage multiple cameras, create and store precision presets, and ensure every shot is perfectly framed. The software integrates seamlessly with Extron’s control system, providing a unified production environment that keeps complex events running smoothly.
By leveraging Extron’s control and automation capabilities, the flexibility of AV-over-IP, paired with the power of Panasonic’s Media Production Suite and the RP150 Remote Camera Controller, the production team has reduced manual intervention during live events, minimized the number of operators required, and ensured consistent execution across internal and customer-facing productions.
“Quality and reliability were big factors in our decision to select Panasonic’s solutions,” said La Commare. “We can comfortably pair Panasonic’s cameras with Extron’s control system to seamlessly control the show. Dynamic camera pre-sets can be triggered automatically during event transitions, ensuring the show runs flawlessly from start to finish.”
Today, the Anaheim event space is a hub for collaboration and education. The heart of the system is Extron NAV Pro AV over IP, complemented by Panasonic’s reliable PTZ cameras, remote camera controller, and Media Production Suite, allowing the team to deliver high-quality hybrid productions that connect in-room and remote audiences while showcasing the possibilities of modern AV-driven collaboration.
La Commare and his team are exploring ways to enhance interoperability between Extron and Panasonic’s AV solutions. By enabling tighter communication between cameras, lighting, audio, and control systems, the team can further streamline operations and reduce the number of operators required to manage complex events.
For Extron, this is an expertise that extends past the walls of its own space as a model for how other companies can support training, collaboration, and outreach events far into the future. The live event industry is shifting from static experiences to immersive, accessible spectacles. That sets expectations that extend to the workplace, whether for group meetings and trainings or larger gatherings. What once may have been delivered via a whiteboard or Zoom is now designed to create connected experiences that extend far beyond the room itself, engaging participants regardless of time or place.
To future-proof workflows, organizations are investing in IP-based technologies that provide the flexibility to scale production capabilities, streamline remote management, and support evolving audience expectations. Extron is well acquainted with this shift from its own experience with technology classrooms and training demonstration spaces, where hybrid events engage in-room and remote participants.
