Amanda Eberle, Author at AV Chicago®

Biggest Takeaways from InfoComm 2022

Amanda Eberle — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 14:58:51 +0000

Biggest Takeaways from InfoComm 2022

By: Amanda Eberle Boyer

For the past two years, we have been navigating industry conferences in a similar way to other events. Many pivoted to virtual offerings at the height of the pandemic and then navigated hybrid offerings as a stepping stone back to in-person events. InfoComm, the largest US event for audiovisual solutions, returned in-person in 2021, but it didn’t quite feel the same as before. Many familiar exhibitors were not present and social gatherings were limited due to guidelines, restrictions, and continued uncertainty.

But InfoComm 2022 was a completely different story. For the first time since the pandemic, it felt like the way InfoComm shows have always been. All of our favorite exhibitors were present, there were too many social gatherings to possibly attend them all, and I made so many new and exciting connections. The sense of joy was palpable and it was like attending the ultimate family reunion. Beyond catching-up with industry friends, and meeting new ones, I left Vegas with so many great takeaways that I will be reflecting on until InfoComm 2023 comes around next year.

Labor Shortage Solutions

Concerns around labor will sadly continue into 2023, and could even be an issue we’re dealing with for the foreseeable future with no certain end in sight. Those in the events space need to look at all upcoming booked business and plan ahead, which could include turning down business if you don’t have the staff to support it. Taking on additional work you can’t support will only hurt us as an industry, impacting our reputations and the confidence clients have in our work. Clients can also expect to pay more for labor at events, especially if there is a short lead time.

Supply Chain Management

With lead times turning into months, businesses need to make strategic decisions concerning purchases around when you are actually going to get the gear you need, and clients need to be aware of that as well. Just because you have a purchase order in, it does not guarantee a quick turnaround. Products were being showcased on the show floor but the lead time to receive them was incredibly long. The supply chain is still drastically behind and we as an industry need to be talking about how to navigate this issue, including renting used equipment, supplementing needs on an interim basis, and finding lesser-known companies with available inventory to form new partnerships with (which is a great opportunity for these companies).

Saving Money on High Gas Rates

The increase in fuel prices is changing everything in terms of trucking logistics, impacting prices when receiving event equipment and technology. Event planners need to plan ahead, anything last minute will cost more, and they need to be prepared that pricing for deliveries will increase across the board. There is also a shortage of drivers and that is going to impact pricing and timing as well.

Hybrid, Live, and Virtual Events with Covid

As we know from being in the events industry, the pandemic is still making it difficult to enjoy events in the ways we had previously. I know so many people that arrived in Vegas for InfoComm, contracted COVID, and were not able to participate in the event. COVID is still disrupting the experience of in-person events, but people want to come together in-person. Hybrid solutions may still be necessary but I think we have to focus on making the in-person experience safe while having plans for potential exposure, outbreaks, and other COVID related issues in place.

New Audio Video Equipment 2022

One of the biggest reasons we attend InfoComm is to experience the latest AV technology and learn how to utilize it for upcoming events and productions. While in Vegas, we met with Precision Rate Products about partnering on ground support for our new theatrixx LED wall. We also had the opportunity to learn about new wireless CrewCom technology to use at our events, improving communication amongst the events team. We found two new base hazers that will really make our lighting pop at upcoming events and the Roland V160 video switcher also caught our eye and is an excellent tool for hybrid event switching.

All of these products, and many more, are going into our capex plan to ensure we keep our inventory and product offerings fresh and innovative, providing dynamic solutions to deliver events that stand out from the rest. We are obviously an event technology company but one of our core values is based upon the human experience. If you don’t design technology around the human experience, you will miss the mark.

Interested in learning more? Contact us today!

InfoComm Panel 2022

AV Chicago President, Justin Frick, on panel at InfoComm 2022

AVChicago’s Amanda Boyer Speaks at InfoComm 2022

AV Chicago’s Amanda Boyer Speaks at InfoComm 2022

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Evolving to Hybrid Events

Amanda Eberle — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 19:39:45 +0000

After a year filled with postponements, cancellations, and virtual-only events, event attendees and organizers were celebrating the return of in-person events. With attendees growing tired of zoom-only breakout sessions or eating Gala meals out of takeout containers, events across the country were finally offering in-person events and countless others had begun plans to hold events this Fall and Winter. A sense of normalcy was beginning to set in and then sadly, the Delta variant arrived to spoil the party. With the variant now spreading quickly throughout the country, many are contemplating their options to preserve their events while keeping attendees engaged and safe, making the concept of hybrid events, events held in-person and virtually, an intriguing option to consider.

Hybrid events are kind of the “a little bit of everything” option when it comes to events, offering a unique set of benefits while helping to navigate this latest phase of the pandemic. When dealing with current safety restrictions and concerns, hybrid events are a great option for areas where you are still able to meet in person but want to offer virtual access for those not comfortable attending in-person. Through this type of event, organizers have the opportunity to reach a broader audience, reaching potential attendees that might have been deterred due to their location or by traveling. Sponsors also have the opportunity to take advantage of this expanded audience, with the added bonus of exposure opportunities available in-person and virtually. They also reap the benefits of the event being recorded and shared long after the event has ended. These events also offer the opportunity for increased revenue streams and access to data and analytics not available through live events alone.

For those considering the pivot to a hybrid event, here are a few things to consider when looking to make the switch.

Who will help me?

Embarking on a hybrid event can be overwhelming and it’s important to have the right team in place to guide you through the process. Working with an industry-leading solutions provider, like AV Chicago, allows you to utilize their expertise and contacts to build a seamless event experience for all attendees, helping you manage the run of show, select the right virtual streaming partner, and provide access to industry-leading technology, equipment, and hospitality services.

Live audience vs. virtual audience

It’s important to consider how each audience will experience the event and put systems in place to manage the differences of each experience. For the live audience, it’s important to set a limit for live attendees based on safety restrictions in your region and encourage or require pre-registration for the event. Make sure to work with your venue to ensure proper safety protocols are in place for crowd control and management, along with utilizing new technology to limit contact points throughout the event without reducing engagement. When looking at the virtual audience, it is important to make sure the audience has the right hardware and software in place for a seamless event experience. When developing your online registration process, it is important to create custom registration links for both live and virtual attendees. This will ensure that each audience has the information that is appropriate for them and the ability to sign-up for appropriate sessions. If there are parts of the program that are in-person or live only, it is important to communicate that clearly to avoid attendee confusion.

Engagement

When developing the run of show, it is important to consider how to engage with each audience simultaneously during the event. Virtual attendees often feel neglected and it is important to find ways to incorporate them into the live event and vice versa. Incorporating additional screens at the live event featuring feeds of virtual attendees or giving virtual attendees the ability to appear on screen to ask questions during the in-person presentations are easy ways to increase engagement for virtual attendees. It is important that any experience taking place at the live event, including raffles or auctions, are available for the virtual audience to participate in. One fun possibility includes using QR codes, which have seen a resurgence due to the pandemic, that could pop up for virtual attendees to receive a prize or donation during the event. It is also important to think about how your sponsors engage with both audiences, opening up the possibility for new sponsorship programs and increased revenue streams.

The post Evolving to Hybrid Events appeared first on AV Chicago®.

Chop Shop Case Study Feature

Amanda Eberle — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 10:00:31 +0000

As virtual events became a necessity, so did having high-quality, professional content. No longer could executives, event emcees, and other presenters get away with shooting in a poorly lit basement, or with subpar audio or a poorly composed image, and expect to attract attendees. In addition to better conveying a message, increased production values also help hold an audience’s attention.

AV Chicago, an Illinois-based provider of AV production and event management services, recognized the industry’s changing expectations with regard to streaming and worked on developing a scalable solution. In early 2021, AV Chicago teamed up with Chop Shop—a Chicago butcher, deli, restaurant, and bar—to reimagine Chop Shop’s 6,000-square-foot event space and concert venue and create a state-of-the-art, broadcast-quality production studio.

“It started from a desire to solve client needs but has turned into a long-term initiative to build our hybrid event solution,” said Justin Frick, co-owner/president of AV Chicago and the visionary behind the Studio at Chop Shop.

To read more about the installation and how our team saved the day, read the full article in Systems Contractor News.

AV Chicago is on the cover of SCN!

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5 Best Practices for presenting at a Virtual Event

Amanda Eberle — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 20:33:36 +0000

Looking for virtual presentation tips?

We get it. Speaking to an audience can be stressful regardless of your stage (or at-home office). The five presentation best practices below will have you feeling more confident and provide a better experience for those in your audience.

Ask for a tech check

Whether it is your first time presenting on a virtual platform or the one hundredth, make sure you work with the technicians and event host to schedule a tech check. This makes sure that you know the features of the platform, you know your system is configured for their set up and it makes you look like a pro! We have all been there when a presenter’s audio doesn’t work, and we can’t hear them or there is a weird background noise that impacts the audience from hearing what you have to say.

Speaking of Audio…

Make sure that you are using an external headset or speaker. Using the microphone from your laptop can make you sound garbled or like a robot. It can also cause an audio echo and will not only be distracting for you as the presenter but also for the audience. This is easily fixed by utilizing a USB or external headset.

In addition, make sure that you find a quiet place where you can present. We are all working from home, so we understand hearing the kids and a dog barking, but when presenting at an event do your best to minimize the external noise.

What people see is important!

Camera angles make a difference and can impact how people see you. You don’t want people looking up your nose or from the side, you want them looking at you face on. Test your camera position prior to presenting, make sure you are centered on camera. Make sure you position your camera at a good distance (about an arm’s length away) so that you aren’t too close or too far. If you are able, grab a webcam external to your laptop to make it easier for positioning. If you are using multiple monitors, make sure your camera is above the monitor you are looking at, make sure the monitor with the virtual event is the same on your camera is positioned. That way you are looking at the audience, not your other monitor. By doing this you will be your production teams’ best friend because they will be able to get you framed nicely for the stream!

It is also important to note what is surrounding you on screen. Make sure you have a clean area, clean of clutter. Bonus points for a clean neutral background that isn’t busy. Again, you want people focusing on you and what you are saying, not what you have behind or around you.

Lighting matters.

We have all seen people who aren’t lit well and end up looking like they are in the witness protection program. This is caused because there is too much light behind them. To prevent this, try to make sure you have a light source from in front of you. Light rings are a great way to get this lighting without being a lighting pro (you will just look like one ). Also, try not to have light coming from above, this can cause shadows under your eyes and nose, which could make you look tired. You are excited about presenting so you want your face to show it.

What should you wear?

What you wear can visually impact your presentation. If you are wearing a heavily patterned shirt, it can come off weird on camera. I have this one super comfy shirt, and I love wearing it but every time I am on a video call with it, I remember that the pattern morphs and changes shape and is frankly distracting. Plan what you are going to wear when you present and test it out. Solid neutral colors are best for clothing with limited simple patterns or lines. If you are unsure, ask the production team or jump on a video call with a friend to see how it translate on camera.

This really isn’t a presentation best practice but a reminder, smile, have fun and come prepared. People are joining to see you and hear what you have to say!

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