2020 is an entirely different year for tradeshows. InfoComm, the largest professional audiovisual trade show in North America, typically draws thousands to Las Vegas. While COVID-19 prevented an in-person gathering, the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA) created the first-ever completely virtual InfoComm 2020 Connected.

 

The virtual exhibition delivered 74 live sessions and on-demand presentations from 67 companies. With over 495 exhibitors, AVIXA reported these companies received over 53,000 views and the overall exhibition received nearly 60,000 views.

 

The online venue didn’t stop companies from showcasing their latest innovations. Below is the Verrex Top 10 List of technology from the show.

 

 

1. Zoom for Home - DTEN ME: Personal all-in-one collaboration device for your home office.

   • Yes, you need one! The DTEN ME is the perfect companion to facilitate effective personal conferencing and collaboration from home or the traditional office.
      

2. Avocor:  This global leader has two technologies worth noting.

   • ALZ Series: Avocor and Logitech joined together to create the ALZ series - six simple-to-use, yet incredibly powerful Zoom Room for Touch solutions.

   • WCD: This is another collaboration of Avocor, this time with Microsoft. The WCD Series is designed to enhance and accelerate teamwork, increasing productivity, and enabling collaborative meeting rooms.

   • Many in corporate AV questioned the need for all-in-one collaboration VC devices a few years ago.  That was before the meteoric rise Zoom and Microsoft Teams.  The Avocor all-in-one solutions facilitate simple and efficient deployment, which is especially important as major corporations apply a new vision to their existing conference spaces.​
      

3. BYOM: Mersive Solstice Conference 

   • The Mersive Solstice Conference brings all the cameras, microphones, and speakers from a conference room to your laptop – wirelessly!  There’s no need to worry about touching shared technology surfaces, and the inclusion of calendar integration makes the Solstice Conference uniquely positioned.​
      

4. Crestron 4-series: It isn’t possible to have the best of InfoComm list without Crestron!

   • CP4N: The most powerful control processor Crestron has built to-date, and it’s the most secure too.  Looking forward to years of control adventures together.​
      

5. Extron QR Code Control: Limit hands-on interaction by controlling your room AV from your mobile phone or personal device.

   • Okay, Extron doesn’t officially participate in Infocomm, but we can’t let that stop a great solution from making the cut.  Not feeling ready to use shared technology back in the office? Use QR codes to launch the AV system user interface on your phone.​
      

6. Crestron FLEX MX: Crestron claimed two spots in this year’s list.

   • Crestron lets us have our cake and eat it too by enabling either Zoom Room or Microsoft Teams Room in combination with BYOD.  It’s a Teams Room until you connect USB to your laptop – when the mics, camera, and speakers are sent to your laptop for use with VC platform.​
      

7. Poly Trio C60:

   • We could just call it awesome.  The Poly C60 has a touch screen for integrated meeting controls and can be a standalone smart USB speakerphone or paired with a Poly VC bar.  The uses seem rather limitless.​
      

8. Bose VB1:

   • Yes, it looks like another videobar, but check out the capabilities.  4k camera with autoframing, beam-steering microphone, the sound reproduction… You’ll want one in your room.​
      

9. Biamp EX-UBT:

   • Let’s talk about certifications.  While the Biamp EX-UBT is not a new product, it’s recently acquired MS Teams certification is new, and certification is important.  We’re talking about Mute synchronization and AEC offloading.  How many other DSP platforms offer that?​
      

10. Shure MXA710: Shure is another industry favorite that is consistently in our top 10.

    • When it comes to Dante microphones it’s hard to beat Shure.  With adjustable microphone lobes and myriad mounting options, the MXA710 is your ticket to great sounding room.

 

 

AVIXA created another successful and very well-attended exhibition. You can view the replay online, here.