InfoComm 2018: Audio Will Have Its Largest Presence Ever

23 demo spaces will showcase sound systems suited to sports venues

AVIXA, the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association and organizer of InfoComm 2018 (June 6-8, Las Vegas Convention Center), will have a substantial audio-centric element, with 245 exhibitors in the category at the annual expo. The Audio Pavilion demo rooms will house 23, the most ever. A large contingent of international sound-reinforcement (SR) vendors — including d&b audiotechnik (Germany), L-Acoustics (France), D.A.S. Audio (Spain), and RCF Audio and K-Array (Italy) — underscores the growth of the U.S. live-sound market, of which sports venues are a major component.

Two of these SR manufacturers, L-Acoustics and d&b audiotechnik, are considered the leading brands found on high-end music touring riders, reflecting sports stadiums’ and arenas’ enhanced role as entertainment venues and also the importance of in-venue music as an integral part of sports events.

Live-sound manufacturers have come to regard the expo as the leading nexus for live-sound systems and sports-venue users.

“Most sports venues today absolutely require a professionally designed audio system that not only encompasses the state of the art as it exists today but also a design that considers future expansion and technology,” observes Jack Kelly, owner of Group One Ltd., the U.S. distributor for DiGiCo live-sound and Calrec broadcast-audio consoles. “InfoComm provides an ideal meeting place for our DiGiCo team to work with consultants and integrators and review our products and technologies as they relate to sports venues.”

Dan Palmer, head of integration, USA and Canada, L-Acoustics, concurs: “InfoComm as an expo is an important technical link to live-sound installation for sports venues and helps attendees gain insights on the latest technologies and how they can be applied in the most effective ways.” He notes recent company installs at Scottrade Center, the University of Phoenix Stadium, and Toyota Center.

Another useful aspect of the InfoComm show, he adds, is the strong presence of the consulting and specifying community, in addition to system integrators.

SVG Audio Sponsors will be major exhibitors at InfoComm 2018. Clear-Com (Booth C656) will showcase an all-new FreeSpeak II IP transceiver (IPT), one of two new products based on Clear-Com’s new IP Platform featuring AES67 connectivity, and Yamaha Corp. of America (Booth C1346) will highlight new DXS-XLF powered subwoofers. Also present will be Audio-Technica (Booth C1529), Dolby Laboratories (N3418), Professional Wireless Systems (C479), Sennheiser (C1660), Shure (C1366), Solid State Logic (C534), and the Telos Alliance TV Solutions Group (C713).

InfoComm 2018 will also showcase other technologies that have implications for broadcast and streaming sports in the future. Center Stage sessions will explore how to increase audience engagement through personalized and immersive experiences by way of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), wearable technology, human-centered user interfaces, and platforms.