 What is Your Customer Thinking?
InfoComm researchers endeavored to find out. Through a new series of seven, in-depth reports, you can get into the minds of AV users worldwide in the live venue (including house of worship), corporate, education, government, retail, healthcare and hospitality markets. The InfoComm Vertical Markets Studies are available now. Read the news to learn more and order copies today.
InfoComm and IATSE: Destination Honolulu
InfoComm enjoys a special relationship with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the labor union representing 122,000 technicians, artisans, and craftspersons in the North American entertainment industry. Recently, InfoComm University™ joined forces with IATSE Local 665 for hands-on training in Honolulu.
The four-day course, Event Setup for AV Techs, gave 28 Hawaii-based IATSE members instruction in audio reinforcement systems, video projection, computer skills, screen setup and conference recording systems. In a final practical test, participants were required to complete an entire meeting room setup in 45 minutes. “They came from all over the islands,” said InfoComm Senior Instructor Andre LeJeune, CTS®. “Some of them drove two hours every morning to get there.”
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The training was sponsored by Freeman and PSAV. In return for providing equipment for the training, the two live events companies reap the benefits of better trained, locally-available technical staff. “Education is one of the areas highlighted at the 2013 IATSE convention. The whole mindset is that we have to train people to be the best in the industry,” said IATSE 665 Business Representative and long-term Hawaii resident Henry Fordham. “By partnering with InfoComm, it gives IATSE a broader strength of knowledge of the industry that provides real value to event organizers and companies, such as Freeman and PSAV.”
Those who completed the four-day training were immediately set on the path to CTS certification through a variety of InfoComm University courses, including CTS Prep, available free of charge thanks to the InfoComm-IATSE relationship. “Everyone was excited, many were quite anxious, and they were certainly all tired,” Fordham said.
A Word From IATSE
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If you’re an IATSE member, explore special access to AV-specific training and the unique IATSE member education program. Explains Nathan Cox, CTS, Vice President of IATSE Local 675 in Eugene, Ore., “With InfoComm University education and CTS certification, people working in stagecraft can address AV issues early in the production process to provide a good experience for themselves, fellow workers and ultimately the audience.”
Events Education at InfoComm Connections
Coming in November is InfoComm Connections New York, Nov. 11-12 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. This fall taste of the annual InfoComm show will be co-located with the National Association of Broadcasters’ Content and Communications World and offer special sessions for events professionals, such as Delivering the Best Live Acoustical Experience for Indoor Spaces and Large-Scale Projection Mapping. Your registration gets you into InfoComm Connections training, select NAB sessions, and an exhibition floor with more than 350 vendors. Register now.
Sharpen Your Pro-AV Knowledge Online
With advanced AV/IT technology the new norm at live events, training in critical convergent areas is essential to operations. InfoComm University knows the challenges that events professionals face. With online courses, you can work at your own pace and get the information you need anywhere. Here are a couple options that have helped your peers: Networking Technology Online and Event Setup for AV Techs Online.
Many events professionals who complete these courses consider pursuing the Certified Technology Specialist™ (CTS) certification. One way to do that is enrolling in CTS Prep Online. Not ready for the CTS Exam? Show clients and potential employers you have achieved a basic level of technical knowledge by earning the InfoComm-Recognized AV Technologist Certificate — free for InfoComm members.
Catch Up on Weekly Reading
Spanning the web for technology-related brain food. If you’re not up-to-date on Weekly Reading from the All Voices Blog, then, well, you’re probably busy doing AV things. But when you come up for air, check out the latest on:
Weekly Reading celebrated its first birthday this month. Who remembers the inaugural edition? Virtual frogs, anyone? Read them all.
Early Birds! Today is the Day!
Today, Sept. 30, is the last day for early-bird registration for InfoComm’s third annual AV Executive Conference (AVEC), Nov. 18-20 in Amelia Island, Fla. Lock in your savings now. InfoComm members save even more. Bring a co-worker and the savings keep adding up. (Did we mention there are ways to save on AVEC, like registering today?)
Note: There will be homework, which is just one thing past attendees love about AVEC. Plus, you’ll hear from football great Joe Theismann, author and strategist Leo Hopf, and management advisor B. Joseph Pine II, who wrote The Experience Economy: Work Is Theatre and Every Business a Stage.
Flip through the virtual brochure and make your plans today.
Molding the Next Generation in AV
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Jeremy Caldera |
The International Communications Industries Foundation (ICIF) Grant Program gives you an opportunity to mold the right employee for your company. Member companies can apply for a grant, which supports a student at a local educational institution and offers tuition reimbursement, paid industry work, InfoComm University™ online education, mentoring programs and InfoComm show attendance.
Read what one of your peers, Jeremy Caldera, CTS®-D, CTS-I, from Zdi Inc., had to say about his experience as grant sponsor.
CTS Prep Coming to Atlanta and Houston
If you’re undecided about taking the CTS exam because you’re not sure you’re ready, maybe an in-person prep course can help. Studying with an experienced instructor and a group of peers can help you achieve your goals and take the next step in your professional development.
InfoComm University is offering CTS Prep in Atlanta, Oct. 20-22, and Houston, Nov. 10-12. You’ll learn test-taking strategies, address the weak areas of your knowledge base, review exam content (including AV math!), and create a personalized study plan so you can walk into the CTS exam room with confidence.
Learn more about preparing for the CTS exam.
Want to Lead the CTS Community?
Stand out among your peers in the industry and run for a position on InfoComm International's Certification Steering Committee.
Nominations are due Oct. 2. Learn more and apply.
Upcoming Webinars
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Manufacturers' Training: Kramer VIA: Wireless Collaboration & K-Touch Control for Huddle Spaces
Oct. 1
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Manufacturers' Training: Assistive Listening Technologies — To Loop, or Not to Loop
Oct. 14
Register
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