3D Tech for Events
Till a few years ago, the content of a conference or meeting was not viewed as being of paramount importance. But gradually this is changing as the focus is now on engaging the participants or delegates through a variety of content.
Today, the next generation technology, such as the 3D projection mapping, is being used in events where, by using a specialised software, a three-dimensional object is spatially mapped on the virtual program which mimics the real object it has to be projected on. The video can be combined with, or triggered by the audio to create an audiovisual narrative to enhance the viewer’s experience, thus enhancing the content.
Furthermore, affordable 4K displays (displays with resolutions of 4,000 pixels) for events are making their way into the market and have already started to reach high-end consumers. This year will see the 4K displays integrated within more and more AV rooms.
This year will also continue to witness the trend of wireless communications protocols taking over AV integrated rooms. For example, the capability of 1080p streaming for events had been recently announced from several manufacturers.
Changes are imminent in event production processes mainly owing to the emphasis on greater customer service and also the thrust on integrating technology to improve event production. Take for example, the concepts of collaboration rooms, huddle rooms, teaming spaces as the next phase of AV for many organisations. These implementations are often quite simple as it is just a display with some sort of content sharing device. This trend is only bound to increase considering the increasing acceptance of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD).
LED Wall
Another important trend is that of a four mm LED wall that consists of multiple LED arrays tiled together and overlapped, in order to form one large screen. The reasons for using a LED wall instead of a single large screen are the ability to customise tile layouts, greater screen area per unit cost, and greater pixel density per unit cost, due to the economics of manufacturing single screens which are unusual in shape, size or resolution. LED walls are now being used in advertisements, on stage, in stadiums, at exhibitions, shopping malls, airports, for intelligent traffic systems, etc.
There are now solutions available that allow individual participants or delegates to bring their device into an AV integrated room and interact with fellow participants and also share content. Event technologies, like Conference Discussion Systems in which attendees can choose the language of interpretation, have ensured seamless communication. Barcode scanners have meant that the participants can print their credentials in advance and check in to the event faster without much hassle.
Customised Apps
Another important aspect of events now is the customised applications. These apps have simplified the tedious process of conference registration. They also provide information to delegates like the agenda of the event and networking opportunities at the fingertips, irrespective of the operating systems across smartphones and tablets. With survey tool apps, Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs) have been able to cut back on time and resources for the cumbersome process of conducting a survey involving delegates for a conference.
Interactive Social Media
Live Social Media Interface is possibly the most widely seen trend in the event management circuit with live webcasting, posting of live updates on Facebook and Twitter and event photographs on Instagram. The social media has brought in the dynamic element wherein the communication around an event is not just live as it happens but also interactive. The customised apps and social media interface have become an integral part of event technologies and will have to be embraced by all AV and event production companies, if they have not already.