Having been with THE rAVe Agency since 2022, I’ve had the privilege of covering a handful of industry events in my short time. However, nothing has quite matched the excitement like LAVNCH WEEK 9! Developed nearly three years ago, the LAVNCH platform continues to evolve as a multifaceted digital-event experience, a dynamic virtual product-launch stage, and a powerhouse networking hub. It continues to blow me away how the energy and originality showcased in LAVNCH WEEK events continue to raise the bar for virtual gatherings, demonstrating the ingenuity of our community of AV professionals.

As we dive into LAVNCH WEEK 9 we can’t overlook the shift in the Unified Communications & Collaboration (UCC) landscape. What was once a niche vertical has now become a cornerstone of our industry. The ubiquity of platforms like Zoom, reaching even the farthest corners of family conversations, but as technology advances and evolves to consumer needs, it probably leaves you wondering, “What’s Next?” While I know you don’t need me to underscore the importance of UCC in the world today, it’s crucial to recognize the role UCC plays in the AV industry as consumers continue to shape its trajectory. LAVNCH WEEK 9 Day 1 serves as a platform to open up the conversations on the current state of UCC, probing on whether we are leading the charge or lagging behind in innovation.

As we get into the recap of LAVNCH WEEK 9, I think it’s pretty clear that the AV industry remains at the forefront of UCC innovation. (Colloquially put, AV is blowing it away!)

Schedule & Lineup

Check out the run of show and the events we were so excited to see:

• 12:30 p.m. EDT: Kickoff – Steph Beckett & Gary Kayye
• 12:45 p.m. EDT: Elevating Meeting Rooms with AI & Automation – Steph Beckett & Sam Kennedy of Crestron
• 1:00 p.m. EDT: Livestreaming in a Corporate World – Wade Johnston , Julie Solomon, Julia Cooper, Tim Kerbavaz, and Amanda Eberle on a panel moderated by Steph Beckett
• 2:00 p.m. EDT: Audio-Technica Demos VISCA-over-IP and Voice Lift Technology in ATND1061 Beamforming Ceiling Array Microphone – Gary Kayye & Mark Donovan of Audio-Technica
• 2:15 p.m. EDT: UCC Update – Paul Wells and Sheuli Forte on a panel moderated by Amelia Vrabel
• 2:30 p.m. EDT: Deep Dive into the Yamaha ADECIA RM-CG Ceiling Microphone Solution – Gary Kayye & Timothy Mackie of Yamaha
• 3:00 p.m. EDT: UCC Day Wrap Up

Elevating Meeting Rooms with AI & Automation:

Steph Beckett and Crestron’s Sam Kennedy joined up after the kickoff session to explore the transformation of meeting room experiences. Looking into the integration of AI, automation, and multi-camera technologies, they discussed the evolving landscape of meeting spaces.

“AI is really critical in driving those high quality meeting experiences, and I think it has been over the past few years,” started Kennedy in response to Steph’s prompt for his thoughts on where he sees AI playing into meeting accessibility to put everyone on a level playing field where everyone is seen and heard. “It’s really starting to ramp up and become top of mind as we move forward.”

Livestreaming in a Corporate World:

Steph Beckett moderated a panel featuring thought-leaders Wade Johnston, Tim Kerbavaz, Amanda Ehberlee, and Paul Wells. Together, they discussed into the role of livestreaming in today’s corporate landscape. The discussion centered on the seamless integration of AV technologies, software solutions, and operational strategies, empowering organizations to transcend geographical barriers and engage with diverse audiences worldwide. Attendees gained valuable insights into leveraging livestreaming as a pivotal tool for connection, engagement, and information dissemination in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

“Talking expectations is probably the number one most important thing,” said Wade Johnston in reference to connecting the world of live production to a virtual audience. This is a crucial point that runs much deeper than the surface level surface level. Having these conversations and increasing expectations for livestreams sets a standard that continues to drive innovations and push the boundaries of what we think is possible.

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During our #LAVNCHWEEK 9 session, @stephlbeckett asked, "In terms of future trends, where do you see live stream heading within the corporate world?"

"Seeing more accessibility." – Tim Kerbavaz @TalonEnt

"I think for the next couple years we will continue to see an exponential… pic.twitter.com/3fx8ASNrTV

— rAVe [PUBS] (@rAVePubs) March 18, 2024

The New Product Radar:

Audio-Technica: VISCA-over-IP and Voice Lift Technology in ATND1061 Beamforming Ceiling Array Microphone

Gary was Joined by Mark Donovan, CTS to talk about the tech packed into the Audio-Technica ATND1061 Beamforming Ceiling Array Microphone. As you may know, they recently updated the product with new firmware, adding VISCA-over-IP and Voice Lift technology. VISCA-over-IP allowed users to synchronize camera positioning with audio captured by the microphone, improving hybrid calls. Voice Lift amplified audio for listeners in larger spaces make presenter’s words more intelligible and reducing strain for both speakers and listeners.

Yamaha: ADECIA RM-CG Ceiling Microphone Solution

Attendees had the chance to discover how the ADECIA RM-CG Ceiling Microphone Solution was poised to revolutionize audio quality in conferencing and collaboration settings. The Yamaha UC team provided a detailed showcase of the RM-CG, highlighting its seamless integration, advanced sound capture, and intelligent processing features. The demonstration emphasized the unparalleled clarity and reliability the RM-CG offers in any environment. This presentation offered participants a firsthand experience of the future of audio communication. Additionally, Gary Kayye and Tim Mackie led a discussion on leveraging Yamaha ADECIA to enhance virtual collaboration experiences, providing valuable insights for optimizing communication in the digital realm.

UCC Update:

Industry experts Paul Wells and Sheuli Forte engaged in a panel discussion moderated by Amelia Vrabel, focusing on the current state of UCC. Throughout the conversation, attendees gained insights into the latest trends shaping the landscape of conferencing and collaboration. From emerging technologies to evolving user behaviors, the panelists provided a comprehensive overview of the factors influencing the future of UCC. Their expertise shed light on the opportunities and challenges ahead, empowering participants to stay informed and proactive in navigating this dynamic industry.

“AI is really going to make the conference space with multiple cameras and multiple microphones. It’s really powerful to get the best view of whoever is speaking no matter where they’re sitting or where they are facing.” said Wells on how AI will transform video conferencing.

Their expertise shed light on the opportunities and challenges ahead, empowering participants to stay informed and proactive in navigating this dynamic industry.

Did You Miss UCC Day? Watch it on Demand!

That’s a wrap on UCC Day of LAVNCH WEEK 9. Thank you to our presenters, panelists and event registrants for making Tuesday’s free event a huge success. Special thanks to our partners — AVIXA, Digital Signage Federation, Edge, HETMA, Illinois Digital Educators Alliance, NSCA and WAVIT — who made LAVNCH WEEK 9 possible. Any another round of thanks to our UCC Day sponsors — Audio-Technica, Crestron and Yamaha UC — for making UCC Day happen! If you missed LAVNCH WEEK 9 UCC Day, just log onto the UCC Day page to watch it on demand.

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Thanks to everyone who joined us for #UCC Day of #LAVNCHWEEK 9! We'll see you again tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. ET for EdTech Day 💜 Thank you to today's #sponsors, @Crestron | @USAudioTechnica |@YamahaUC

If you missed any of today's sessions, you can find them on demand at:… pic.twitter.com/NCCgLqGSwC

— rAVe [PUBS] (@rAVePubs) March 18, 2024

Lastly, make sure you are registered for days three and four of LAVNCH WEEK 9, Digital Signage Day and ProAV Day? It kicks off March 20 and March 21 at 12:30 p.m. EDT. It’s not too late to register! (You can also, of course, check out the archive video of UCC Day — all these sessions are there!)