• Dallas, TX – April 18
• Washington D.C. – May 9
• Chicago, IL – September 13
• New York City, NY – September 25
• Tampa, FL – October 18
• Long Beach, CA – October 30

Each full-day conference is your opportunity to see how these systems work, so you can make an informed decision on the audio visual investments that will help your company compete and operate efficiently.

Each event begins with a keynote presentation on the value of video, voice and data convergence, and why the combination makes sense for your organization. In addition to networking with other professionals and visiting the exhibits, you can attend product demos and informative seminars that increase your savvy about the technologies that lead to operational efficiencies, save you money and drive growth.

Andrew W. Davis, cofounder of Wainhouse Research, will be the keynote speaker at a number of the Expo events. Wainhouse Research is a boutique analyst firm that concentrates on collaboration products and services, including audio, video, and web conferencing and unified communications.

Benefits of attending AVI-SPL’s Collaboration + Conference Expo 2012

• Learn about the latest professional audio and video solutions and trends from leaders in the industry
• See demonstrations of new audio and video technologies
• Network with peers and industry professionals
• Attend free informational seminars

If you have a question about any of our upcoming events, email us at events@avispl.com.

“In 2009 we set forth on an initiative to grow our video communications business. In 2011 we succeeded in growing video related revenue to over $200 million and video is now included in over 50 percent of the projects we do,” said AVI-SPL CEO John Zettel. “With that growth, we recognized the importance of expanding our capabilities in the video services we provide our customers. Acquiring Iformata shows our commitment to expanding our video communications strategy with a strong managed services offering.” Click here to view Zettel’s video announcement of the acquisition.

“This acquisition is a major win for both AVI-SPL and Iformata,” reports Ira M. Weinstein, senior analyst and partner at Wainhouse Research. “This combines AVI-SPL’s strong A/V integration experience and 150+ strong, video-savvy, field sales force with Iformata’s robust, multi-tenant Symphony videoconferencing management system.

“The result is an immediately available, mature service offering from a well-known and trusted technology partner. Hosted video managed service offerings, like AVI-SPL’s Unify ME™, play a key role in helping enterprise organizations maximize the benefits they receive from their collaboration investments.”

Founded in 2004, Iformata has built a reputation as the leading innovator of VNOC tools and end-to-end automation services through its VNOC Symphony platform. Providing managed conferencing services to global enterprise firms, equipment manufacturers, and top-tier carriers and networks, Iformata’s 450 claim patent portfolio and platform has features for every aspect of managing an enterprise’s fleet of video systems, including call setup, intelligent framing, automated monitoring, event correlation, and call tear down – even for disparate immersive telepresence systems.

The addition of the Iformata VNOC service bureau, associated services and innovative technologies to AVI-SPL’s current Unify ME offering provides a more robust total managed services solution to customers. The enhanced services brought by Iformata is a strong addition to AVI-SPL’s portfolio, which currently includes cloud-based services, remote services and onsite services with long and short term Strategic Onsite Solutions and professional services.

“With the acquisition of Iformata, we become one of the only video solutions providers who can truly provide every aspect of the video communications experience.” said Mike Brandofino, AVI-SPL executive vice president of video and unified communications. “We think it is critical to be at the point of sale when selling services and the fact that we design, build and now provide VNOC managed services across any video platform, clearly differentiates us from anyone else in the space.”

The new operations and the associated employees will join AVI-SPL’s Support Services group under the leadership of AVI-SPL’s Executive Vice President of Video and Unified Communications Mike Brandofino.

For additional information, please contact UnifyME@avispl.com.

At three stories and 50,000 square feet, APi’s LEED gold certified headquarters includes a limestone exterior and an emphasis on natural light and expansive windows. “The APi Group needed a better way to effectively communicate with our geographically disperse companies and with our many vendors and suppliers,” says APi’s network manager, Brian Erickson. “Having superb audio/video conferencing technology was key to achieving this goal. In addition, APi is thoroughly committed to green-friendly practices to minimize our impact on the environment. Therefore it was very important to build technology that fit these criteria.”

From the moment visitors step into the lobby, they’re greeted with Panasonic’s 58-inch, 16:9 LCD monitor, which is showcased as a touch screen monitor for APi’s corporate Web page. They can easily “surf” around the site with the simple touch of their finger.

As another highlight of the integration, APi’s audio conferencing room features Polycom’s HDX 9002 high-definition (HD) codec. Additional audio support is provided in the form of four Atlas Sound ceiling speakers, as well as eight Sennheiser gooseneck microphones evenly dispersed throughout the conference room table. Panasonic’s 50-inch HD plasma displays complete the presentation environment. In each of the four standard conference rooms, meetings are enhanced through the use of Polycom’s SoundStation2 conference phones, as well as two additional 50-inch HD plasmas.

“We have been able to take advantage of more productive meetings by having the superior audio and video conferencing technology built into our facility,” says Erickson. “The comfortable meeting spaces, audio/video technology and acoustically-friendly spaces (i.e. no echo) help keep the participants focused and does not detract from the meeting itself.”

“Prior to the installation of videoconferencing technology, APi executives could only arrange to meet quarterly,” says Thornburgh. “Today, they’re able to have more meetings throughout the organization, with a lot less coordination efforts and expense required,” adds Thornburgh. At every level, APi board members will find that the new AV system is designed to provide maximum versatility, including networking capabilities.

“The most impressive technology is incorporated into this boardroom,” adds Erickson. “The sheer scale of the main video monitor as well as all the video screens and audio technology helps make this room the centerpiece of our corporate headquarters.” As one of the integration team’s largest boardroom installs, displays include a customized 165-inch HD 1080p Da-Lite rear projection screen, with images powered by an 8,000 lumens high-resolution Barco projector. Equipped with seating for up to 46 participants, the boardroom table is integrated with seven of Sharp’s 46-inch HD 1080p LCD flat panel displays.

Ready to Learn More?

To explore design/build opportunities for video communications within your organization, contact us today! You can reach an AVI-SPL sales rep by calling 800-282-6733, or by clicking here to request a quote.

Check out this brief video demonstrating the value of the Polycom UC Board:

Register for this free AVI-SPL Tech Expo for your chance to see the latest in video conferencing, Telepresence and advanced audio networking from the top manufacturers in the Pro AV industry. Meet and network with a wide variety of professionals – including CIOs, architects and construction specialists — and exchange ideas about the systems that companies and organizations rely on to work smarter.

At this program, you’ll discover solutions that extend from the boardroom to the control room and beyond, including advanced looks at digital signage, HD video conferencing, unified communications and much more. You’ll also see real-world examples of IT/AV convergence and learn how to build ROI through solutions that increase productivity by enhancing your ability to communicate and compete.

Why attend Technology Expo 2011?

We can think of five GREAT reasons!

• Learn from more than 25 leaders and manufacturers in the Pro AV industry
• Discover the latest innovations in presentation and communications technology
• Network and collaborate with knowledgeable industry professionals
• Attend informational seminars, including those with AIA and InfoComm CTS certification
• Register to win an iPad2!!

Nearly 30 of the leading manufacturers in the Pro AV industry will be on hand, including AMX, Cisco, Crestron, NEC Display Solutions, Polycom, Radvision and SMART Technologies.

You can also attend two accredited courses that will further your industry education. Crestron will deliver Designing for 2030, covering the best practices for monitoring and managing environmental, lighting and AV systems. Cables to Go presents Digital Video Demystified, looking at the breakthrough technology in digital video infrastructure, including HDMI, DVI-D, DisplayPort and TMDS.

You won’t want to miss the keynote speech, “Harnessing the Hidden Power of Unified Communications,” delivered by AVI-SPL Executive Vice President of Video Communications and Unified Collaboration Michael Brandofino. During this talk, Mr. Brandofino will explain how the powerful convergence of IT and AV technology is helping organizations streamline their operations, save money, increase productivity and prepare for future growth. In the brief video below, Brandofino discusses why unified communications is an essential component of the modern workforce.

Reserve Your Space and Register Today

Register for this great FREE event. Be sure to add the AVI-SPL blog to your RSS feed for forthcoming details about upcoming Tech Expo dates. For information on more exciting AVI-SPL events, visit www.avispl.com/events.

“Combining the strengths of AGC and the Control Room Group makes for a formidable force in the market presently served by AGC, and we are looking forward to working alongside our new partners and gaining business in the region,” said Sean LaNeve, vice president of CRG. “With the CRG focus on mission critical control rooms and AGC’s leadership position in the regional unified communication market, we are confident we can provide a superior client buying experience and consequently make a lasting and meaningful impression in the market,” he added.

Speaking on this occasion, Vinod Nair, AVP – AV & Video Conferencing, AGC Networks said, “With this partnership we have addressed the experience deficit in the Control Room business currently prevailing in the Indian Market. Our partnership with CRG will get highly specialized skill set in the Control Room Business into India. At AGC, we believe in working closely with our clients to provide unique and highly reliable solutions across various verticals including power, oil, gas and defense, and our alliance with the Control Room Group is to address customer requirements in these verticals. I am confident that this partnership will further enhance our market position in the Audio Visual space as also maximize our customers’ return on investment through our customized collaboration solutions.”

Click here to learn more about our control room and security solutions >>

If you missed this event, or want to go over the information again, you can access the recording as well as the accompanying slides from the presentation.

You can also download Polycom’s informative seven-page pdf: “ROI in Action: How Polycom’s Collaboration Network Benefits the Bottom Line.”

Find Your Unified Communications Solution

If you are considering unified communications for your organization, be sure to contact AVI-SPL, the worldwide leader in pro AV integrations. We design, build, implement and support solutions from manufacturers like Polycom that will make your operations more efficient and productive, and enhance your ability to compete. Call us at 1-800-282-6733 or fill out this brief needs analysis form, and one of our experts will quickly get back to you.

Want more information about the sessions listed below? Click the event name to see a complete list of panelists along with more detailed information for each session.

Mike Brandofino, EVP of Video and UC, will participate in the following IMCCA-sponsored sessions:

The Convergence of IT & AV – Yes, You Really Need To Work Together
Wednesday, June 15
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Room: 314B
Moderator: Dr. S. Ann Earon, Ph. D.

Work environments are no longer just an IT or AV problem. This session will address issues of importance to working in an environment where both IT and AV are important – in other words how to work together in most rooms!

IMCCA State of the Industry Lunch and Learn
Wednesday, June 15
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Room 315A
Moderator: Dr. S. Ann Earon, Ph. D.
Chairperson Emeritus, IMCCA

Join senior executives and industry experts as they address the latest issues related to conferencing, collaboration, and unified communications. How are customers using their technologies? What are their future plans? What does convergence look like in the home, as well as in business? What long term impact will firms like Cisco, Google, IBM, Logitech, Microsoft and others have on the collaborative conferencing space? Come prepared to learn, ask questions, and challenge the panelists.

Unified Communications – The Way You Want It to Be
Thursday, June 16
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Moderator: Michael Brandofino, EVP of Video and Unified Communications, AVI-SPL

UC has been positioned as the ultimate Utopia in communications. However, just like Utopia, it seems nearly impossible to achieve and many customers are frustrated as a result. Part of the reason it is elusive is because UC means different things to different people. What if UC was what you need it to be rather than what vendors and manufacturers think it should be? This session will explore the various ways UC has been successfully deployed and what companies like yours define UC to be. Our panel of experts will provide their insight into what makes a UC deployment successful and what things you can do to prepare your organization for UC the way you want it to be.

John Vitale, VP of Products for AVI-SPL, will participate in the following session:

Industry Panel: From Communication to Collaboration
Wednesday, June 15
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Room W414AB

Industry powerhouses are redefining the next generation of audio and video collaboration that are affecting the way SMB and enterprise businesses communicate. What impact will these new technologies have on the professional systems integrator? How can the systems integrator take advantage of these new technologies to expand their sphere of influence while improving their quality of service?

ClearOne, a leading provider of unified communications solutions, will host a panel discussion with thought leaders from HP, IBM, AVI-SPL and Wainhouse Research. Hear from the experts as they share their insights on unified communications, hardware and software codecs, platform migration, mobility and more.

AVI-SPL at InfoComm

While at InfoComm, don’t forget to stop by the AVI-SPL booth 1679 to experience unified communications in any environment. While you’re there, pick up our QR postcards and download our new mobile app for the iPhone and iPad!

When developing a unified communications strategy, companies must consider how it will support their initiative to streamline communications across their business processes.

On Tuesday, June 21, 1 p.m. EST, we invite you to attend “Advancing Business Processes Through Unified Communications,” a webinar presented by Polycom and hosted by AVI-SPL as part of its University Professional Series. 

About the Presenter

Louis Duchesne will explore the ways the ROI of unified communications extends far beyond the savings on travel costs. He will also explain how a UC-enabled environment also promotes collaboration, enhances productivity and accelerates decision making.

Louis is manager, enterprise solutions – Americas at Polycom, where he is responsible for developing industry-specific solutions. He has over 12 years of experience in technology, with a primary focus on video, contact centers and Unified Communications for the enterprise and SMB markets. Louis holds a Business Administration degree from UQAM, Canada, and is fluent in English, French and Spanish.

Register Now

We look forward to you joining us for this informative webinar. Register here.

At the heart of the Cisco Collaboration Architecture is the ability to communicate and work with others anywhere in the world across a variety of devices and applications – including mobile, desktop PC and in-room. Video collaboration not only saves on travel expenses, it also speeds the decision-making process and allows companies to scale their expertise. Training sessions of all types and company meetings can be held one-to-one or among large groups of people via video tools such as TelePresence and video conferencing.

AVI-SPL designs, builds and supports environments that allow you to share video, files and audio with anyone, anywhere, in real time. Together, AVI-SPL and Cisco make it easy to find, contact and collaborate with others both within and outside your enterprise.

Choose the Cisco Collaboration Architecture to Expand Your Communications Power

For an independent assessment of your current collaboration capabilities, fill out AVI-SPL’s brief needs analysis form or talk to one of our experts at 800-282-6733.