Spotlighting The Value of AV

October 18-24, 2009 is InfoComm AV Week. AV Week is an international celebration of the AV industry. The AV trade association InfoComm International and its members sponsor workshops, presentations, career fairs and other events around the globe to spotlight the audiovisual industry that enhances communications in many vertical markets and to recognize the AV professionals who manufacture, design and install AV technology in fixed installations and for staged events.

The general public may not be aware of the everyday benefits provided to them by the AV industry. AV Week gives us a tangible way to become advocates for the industry. It allows us to reach out to end users, potential customers and employees. With many voices, we can make an impact in raising awareness. We can encourage students to consider AV careers, and we can change perceptions about the industry.

InfoComm is a true champion of its members and offers many resources to make it really easy for members to get involved with AV Week. Cheryl Reagan and Marc Bialek are leading efforts in providing support and ideas for activities for InfoComm AV Week. The website www.avweek.org is a fount of resources and information. There is a full tool kit that includes:

• Planning guides
• Logos
• Banner Ads
• Presentation materials
• Brochures
• Posters
• Videos
• Audio spots
• Much more!!

You may be wondering how you can participate. It’s really about doing a little planning and finding the right activity for you. Here are a 10 ideas, the InfoComm AV Week Guide has full details and even more suggestions.

1. Use the AV Week Logos to promote AV Week
2. Partner with a Museum
3. Work with a Science Teacher
4. AV Jeopardy
5. Award a Custom Home Theatre
6. Request an AV Week Proclamation
7. Speak at Your Local Business Group Meeting
8. Conduct a Tour
9. Host a Career Fair
10. Adopt a School

To raise awareness of AV Week, Listen Technologies petitioned both the State of Utah and the County of Salt Lake to issue proclamations. This isn’t just about Listen Technologies, Utah is a hotbed of manufacturing and AV design, ranging from wireless audio to loudspeaker design to videoconferencing, along with some of the industry’s best consultants and system integrators. Their designs, products and systems provide a positive impact on lives both in Utah and throughout the world.

We encourage our fellow AV companies to become involved in promoting AV Week with activities of their own.

2009 Utah Governor, Salt Lake County Mayor Issue AV Week Proclamations		2007 AV Week Jeopardy		2007 Russell Gentner Presents to Salt Lake Community College
2008 Kasey Kaumans and Jeremy Timothy Present to Jordan High School		2008 Salt Lake Education Foundation Fundraiser