Jason Cataldi, CTS,VP of sales and marketing - event staging for IMS Technology Services talks extensively about the latest in meeting technology in the new issue of Mid-Atlantic Events. We are thrilled that a picture of our video mapping work at the Philadelphia Cricket Club graces the cover!

Original Article:

More and more planners are relying on advanced technology these days as part of their meetings and events. But these planners don't always know exactly what is available to them - or how to use this technology. Enter the experts.

Audio-visual professionals can provide the right guidance through the challenging maze of wired and wireless high tech gadgets and equipment.

Today, technology is literally in the hands of every attendee, every speaker, and practically every employee of the host venue. Staffers can communicate instantly. Attendees can provide immediate feedback. Speakers have access to their notes, their office - and everything available on the worldwide web.

Even the simplest elements of a meeting room can be linked to a high tech device now. Microphones and speakers, lighting - even heating and air conditioning – can often be controlled wirelessly through a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Most often, planners only need the "basics" for their meetings, but sometimes even the most basic devices can pose challenges to operate.

Jason Cataldi, CTS,VP of sales and marketing - event staging for IMS Technology Services, says that the most common forms of technology that planners are requesting and using these days are presentation projectors and wireless lavaliere microphones. With a changing world, however, come changing needs, and many of his clients are looking for some more interpersonal integration.

"Many of our clients are now inquiring about the use of personal devices," he notes. "The business world has embraced the light weight, ergonomic, easy to use tablets. Presenters are now creating and presenting directly from these forms of technology. The laser pointer has been pushed aside as we have seen our clients walking freely on stage advancing slides with just a swipe of their finger."

For those looking to get the most value out of their AV experience, Cataldi recommends, "wide screen video projection blending ... Using a large ultra wide projection surface that fills a meeting space from floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall creates a larger than life visual presentation. Why do we go to the movie theater when we can wait for the DVD? Because we want to feel the experience that you can only get sitting five rows back with tub of popcorn."

"The theater triggers your senses," he adds. "Attendees want to be engaged and entertained. It is our job as meeting professionals to do just that · but with a purpose. To deliver a message."

Cataldi further notes that this technology presents planners with the ability to digitally change the scenery of a meeting space, to adjust the backgrounds on the screen so that they can subtly make such changes without distraction. They also can employ the use of pre-designed movements of text and video from stage right to stage left as a way to keep the audience's attention where it belongs. That being center stage.

"This technology can be used as a décor element, saving on external hard goods and to transform a space from a keynote to a general session, and then into an awards presentation without the time and labor cost to physically redesign the room," notes Cataldi.

Read the full article, including Jason’s thoughts on registration technology, target videos, apps, social media, and 360 photo sphere!

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