Nearly 40,000 professional audiovisual buyers and sellers from more than 100 countries gathered at the Orange County Convention Center June 13 to 19 for InfoComm, the largest annual conference and exhibition for the industry. Attendance increased 5.6 percent over 2014. The focus of the event is the show floor, where 950 exhibitors demonstrated the latest products in lighting, audio, staging, signage, security, and more. Here’s a look at some of the newest items of interest to planners.
GWS Technology showed its newest transparent LED displays. The lightweight, see-through panels can be used alone or combined for large displays. Each unit has power and data ports built in.
Cisco demonstrated its newest immersive collaboration system, TelePresence IX 5000. The product uses three 70-inch screens that have three high-definition cameras, 18 speakers, and integrated lighting to create a lifelike meeting experience. Users can also plug their computers into the tabletop to see content on their personal devices.
Looking for a unique gift for your guests? Techdryer can revive cell phones, earbuds, watches, cameras, and other small electronics when they have come in contact with water. The resealable bag is filled with dessicant particles that absorb 80 percent of the moisture within 24 hours. In addition to emergency use, Techdryer can also be used for daily storage to protect devices from humidity.
Ricoh’s virtual reception kiosk provides an alternative to staffing a welcome area at meetings and conferences. After engaging the kiosk, visitors have live audio and video contact with a receptionist who can be located anywhere in the world. The kiosk is equipped with two printers and the receptionist can send things such as badges, schedules, and product information to print instantly. The company plans to make the kiosk available later this year.
In the Unmanned Systems and Drone Pavilion, more than a dozen manufacturers demonstrated their products inside a 30-foot enclosed cube. Stampede Presentation Products introduced three xFold multi-rotor drones intended primarily for aerial video production with multiple cameras.
Ricoh demonstrated its new Interactive Learning Table for meetings, which is currently available in Europe and will soon be coming to the U.S. As many as eight people at a time can gather around the touch panel display to look at documents, videos, and other information. The table can also be connected to an interactive whiteboard to provide additional display options.
EventCollab is a new Web-based project management system that debuted at InfoComm. The system is designed for planning and producing conferences, trade shows, meetups, and other events. Users can collaborate in real time to update files, graphics, and correspondence. The system is integrated with Google apps such as Calendar, Drive, and Contacts.
