Often Overlooked, Under Appreciated InfoComm Standards and Innovations Plenary

Like the swallows returning to Capistrano, AV professionals return to the InfoComm trade show each and every year.

Many arrive and come for the introduction of new equipment from the manufacturers, or the educational opportunities that take place both before and throughout the trade show exhibit hours, but it’s hard to keep track of the sheer number of opportunities that exist to be a part of the InfoComm organization and the betterment of the industry as a whole.

One such event that often goes a little under the radar is the InfoComm Standards and Innovations Plenary.

This year there were experts from all aspects of the AV industry gathered together to discuss what developments and changes have been made in writing the standards that the AV industry uses to determine the performance requirements of the systems that we spend every day installing, when we’re not running between trade show appointments.

The chance to sit in a room with many of the men and women that help to create these standards isn’t something that many know about, but certainly should.

These are the individuals with decades of experience under their belt that want to share that experience with those around them and the industry as a whole to improve the performance and execution in order to create the exceptional experience.

With a keynote address from Joseph Tretler, Jr. of ANSI, the American National Standards Institute, discussing the importance that standards play when it comes to the success of a unified global marketplace, those in attendance are able to look at the industry from a much different perspective rather than the silos we often find ourselves limited to.

It was the round table discussions, though, where I found that Ann Brigida and her team in the standards group had done an incredible job in putting together an interactive program based on comprehension and development. For the better part of two hours attendees were able to cycle through eight different tables and engage with those on the committees creating the standards about what those standards were and how they had been developed.

Some of the options included the new Audio Coverage Uniformity in Enclosed Listener Areas (which is just a complex way of ensuring proper measurement for audio coverage uniformity), Unified Automation for Buildings & AV Systems Energy Management (looking at how proper monitoring can help our clients system energy consumption low), and Standard Guide for Audiovisual Systems Documentation and Coordination Processes (an often overlooked part of our industry to ensure completely accurate and understood set of documents upon project completion).

Participating in these standards committees is on a volunteer basis. These are things anyone with some experience and know-how in the industry can participate in, and it’s because of that opportunity that our industry can continue to push forward and look to what’s coming down the line and create a level of performance that our customers can expect to receive when working with any solution provided by any integrator, in any region around the country, or even the world.

This industry doesn’t move forward without its members and their efforts. Lending your voice and energy to the InfoComm standards development gives you the opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the industry and the future membership as you help to create the baseline for what AV should be.

Take advantage of this chance and don’t hesitate to bring your experience to the table.