A TRENDS IN AV TECH by Matthew Bradford There’s a difference between events that deliver a message and those that leave an impact. That difference often comes down to how planners take advantage of the latest audio and visual (AV) technology to make their visions pop. “AV is the most important element of an event if you are trying to make an impression or impact on your attendees,” says Kyle Smith, national client solutions director with Freeman Audio Visual Canada. “The first impression any attendee has when they walk into the room of a conference or event is based around the audio visual and staging elements. You can have the most charismatic speaker in the world, but if there is poor audio or sightlines the speaker never had a chance to make an impact.” Selecting the right AV elements is about more than making sure presenters are seen and heard. AV technology can transport audiences, make brands shine and create experiences that will last well beyond the final session. 24 CORPORATE MEETINGS & EVENTS corporatemeetingsnetwork.ca