With a strong focus on education, stacks of tech talks in AV integration and innovation - this year’s Integrate at ICC, Sydney is expected to attract its broadest demographic of attendees yet.
The team behind Integrate are brimming with excitement this year as this prestigious three day expo promises attendees an even broader range of exhibitors, specialised tech talks, as well as excitingly, host of dedicated audio demonstration spaces.
Building upon the success from last year’s event which saw some 11,000 attendees through the doors, with approximately 100 exhibitors – which included upwards of 750 brands for Integrate and 120 exhibitors on the Security side. This made for an approximate 1200 brands being represented – massive, for this little corner of the globe.
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We caught up with Soren Norgaard – Event Director of Integrate to ascertain all of the various events happening at Integrate 2024.
“We have a smaller (dedicated) conference with AETM (Audiovisual and Educational Technology Management) this year, focusing on education technology for K-12. We’ve also been joined by BICSI (South Pacific) this year and they have a conference with us. Of course we have the Security Expo, and most importantly (at least for Mixdown readers), we have the tech talks in the AV space. And we have dedicated audio demo rooms this year” – an exciting addition for those wanting to hear some of the world leading pro audio brands in full swing.
As for the showroom floor, some new exhibitors can be expected to be seen as Soren continued:
“There’s a fair few new exhibitors this year. CISCO have joined us this year in a big way, they’re taking a massive footprint on the show floor, talk about video conferencing, they’ve got their Webex division, plus some security divisions.” – so plenty of crossover between the Integrate and Security for attendees to soak up.
The lion’s share of major audio brands will be exhibiting with the likes of Jands, TAG (Technical Audio Group), Sennheiser Australia, Studiotech Australia, Australis, CMI, Yamaha and NAS (National Audio Systems) to name but a few, with many represented brands expected to put on quite the show with some of the latest products lines being on display as well as in full demo mode in the handful of dedicated audio demo rooms available this year.
With the massive focus on education this year Integrate it is excited to see an influx of interest from this sector. The dedicated one day AETM K-12 conference is focusing on the current AV education tech and their applications for a wide range of classroom learning and engagement. This specialised program runs on 21st August starting at 8:30am and finished up at 12pm with an AETM members meet and greet Integrate Expo lunch following the conference. Guest speakers include Scott Doyle – Audio Visual Manager, Swinburne University of Technology and President, AETM, Kate Ford – Audio Visual Coordinator, Presbyterian Ladies’ College Melbourne and Mark Holbert – Audio Visual Manager, Barker College. Conference passes are free for AETM Members or $120 + GST for a K-12 Conference Pass for non-AETM members.
Aside from the dedicated AETM conference for K-12, other education-based talks will be taking place as part of Integrate’s exciting roster of tech talks. The wealth of content in the space this year is inspired, with a wide range of content being covered from a broad panel discussion focusing on the state of the industry, through to specialised marketing talks, AI, AV/IT Solutions Education, Sustainability in AV, Immersive Experiences, AV Security, Smart Building and much, much more.
Some particular highlights in the tech talk domain for the AV space this year include:
- Harmonising Soundscapes: The Evolution and Future of Audio in the AV Spectrum
- Future Venues – Unleashing the Power of AV Technology for Revolutionary Experiences
- State of the industry panel discussion
- Unlocking Opportunities: Exploring the Synergy Between AI and Digital Signage in the AV Landscape
- Sustainability in AV: Balancing Innovation with Eco-Conscious Practices
Head here for the full roster of Tech Talks. In addition to this enticing roster of tech talks, The Thinkers Theatre is sure to be of big interest to many in attendance, with content ranging from robotics through to smart home technology, with the full program soon to be announced.
Being such a jam packed few days, this annual conference and expo is the meeting place for many in the AV and related industries to reconnect, network, share ideas and innovations and see what’s out there in this ever changing and evolving industry – there’s never been a more exciting time for AV.
As Soren highlighted just how the event has expanded over the past couple of years:
“In 2022 it was the first time we had Security and Integrate (expos) side by side, and we’ve seen that organic growth both from an audience perspective but also from a number of exhibitors because they’re seeing a broader spectrum of end users coming to the event.
He expanded: “A lot of the big retailers are also coming through because, they can use it as a one-stop-shop, as an example they can look at security solutions when it comes access control and theft prevention and then they can go to the other side whey they can look at PA systems for their stores, they can look at digital displays – and all this is under one roof. But one thing we’re very conscious of as a team is ensuring that we still keep those industries as individual identities, not trying to become everything to everyone.”
With a broader expansion of exhibitors, brand representation and wealth of additional conferences held under the one roof, this year’s Integrate promises to be an exciting few days for those in industry and end users curious about AV technology alike. Opening up with more educational focus and the broader expansion with a conference held by BICSI, there’s plenty on offer and not to be missed.
Integrate have also generously offered Mixdown readers 10% off Tech Talks passes, simply use the code INT10OFF. Keep reading here, or register and buy tickets to Integrate 2024.
