INFOCOMM 2018 HIGHLIGHTED THE USER EXPERIENCE

20,000 people packed into T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, June 7, to watch the hometown Golden Knights take on the Washington Capitals in game five of the Stanley Cup Final. Hours earlier, on the other end of the strip, a crowd size that dwarfed the sea of Knights fans filed into the convention center for InfoComm 2018.

As many people as were clad in Knights and Capitals gear was surpassed by those in lanyards representing companies of all sizes in attendance at the AV industry’s largest annual trade show.

After passing by the DJ booth just beyond the doors, visitors to this year’s show were hit by a clear theme: experience.

AV’s tentacles are now more far reaching than ever, with retailers, restaurants, hotels and sports organizations utilizing this technology to enhance guest experience.

“Pro AV has always been about experience,” Avixa senior director of communication Brad Grimes said. “The shift we’re seeing is the emphasis on experience.”

Grimes noted that AV applications have been utilized by professionals across a wide range of fields to stimulate customers and guests and liven up old practices like shopping.

“One place where an AV experience is a great help is in retail. In retail there has been a lot of hand wringing over recent years about Amazon and online retail sort of taking over, and malls closing down,” Grimes said. “What we’re seeing is a lot of retailers using AV experiences to sort of redefine the brick-and-mortar experience, to make stores more than a place where you just buy stuff but it is where you experience things.”

An focus from vendors on immersion and experience in retail, hospitality and entertainment was evident, from Canon’s PGA TOUR simulator to Epson’s award-winning Moverio augmented reality glasses for drone use.

With technology transforming rapidly, much has changed since InfoComm 2017 and it was exciting to see that AV integrators and professionals are seeing the industry implement their latest products in new ways.

“We are finally getting it. Video is not longer nice to have, it is a necessity to have,” Dr. Ann Earon, an InfoComm speaker said. “I think the fact that everybody is getting to the point now where they don’t look at videoconferencing per se, but all of the collaboration that goes around it. How can I collaborate best with people using my AV, using my IT, using my rooms and my technology?”

The expansive convention center halls were sprawling with booths of all sizes and displays and every niche of the AV industry was covered from entertainment to comprehensive security systems.

No longer is AV simply about who has the brightest lights or biggest showcase though. Some of the most fascinating companies we came across with MarketScale were cloud-based operating systems, simple adapters and plug-ins and small, sleek voice conferencing tools.

Las Vegas may be the capital of neon lights, but InfoComm 2018 showed that AV can be more than a way of attracting customers with bright glares. Now it is about connecting people through experience, giving them a way to change their environment without moving their feet and allowing for seamless connectivity, whether that be to another office boardroom or the tee box at a favorite golf course.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

ham radios
Hamvention 2025: ICOM Ham Radios Inspire Beginners and Veteran Operators Alike
July 9, 2025

Dayton Hamvention 2025 drew amateur radio hobbyists of all experience levels who shared stories and personal milestones. ICOM ham radios took center stage in many of these testimonials, featuring longtime fans to new licensees discovering the hobby through family and school. Attendees praised the reliability, sound quality, and ease of use of models like…

Read More
global radio enthusiasts
Dayton Hamvention 2025: Global Radio Enthusiasts Rely on Icom Radios for Versatility and Reliable Performance
July 9, 2025

Radio operators from around the world gathered at Dayton Hamvention 2025 to share firsthand stories of connection, experimentation, and gear that stands the test of time. As digital modes, satellite operation, and mobile setups continue to grow in popularity, global radio enthusiasts reaffirmed Icom as a trusted choice across all experience levels.. A diverse…

Read More
amateur radio operators
Dayton Hamvention 2025: Amateur Radio Operators Trust Icom for Performance and Reliability
July 9, 2025

At Dayton Hamvention 2025, amateur radio operators expressed strong support for Icom equipment. Many of them have had years of experience using a range of Icom radios, from portable handhelds to high-powered base stations. Users praised the brand’s reliability, sound quality, and straightforward operation across various setups, including RVs and travel scenarios. D-STAR technology…

Read More
radio communication systems
Icom IP501 Radio Communication Systems Enable Real-Time Communication Across the Moses Lake Airshow—from Dispatch to Direction
July 9, 2025

The 2025 Moses Lake Airshow at Grant County International Airport showcased not only aviation displays but also the critical role of reliable radio communication systems in high-traffic public events. These two-way radio systems remain vital tools for coordination, safety, and rapid response among event staff and emergency services. Icom’s Territory Channel Manager, Tim Thometz,…

Read More