WATCH: Meet AVIXA’s regional manager, UK and Ireland, Ben Barnard | Planet Attractions
video
WATCH: Meet AVIXA’s regional manager, UK and Ireland, Ben Barnard
AVIXA produces a number of popular events around the world, including InfoComm and Integrated Systems Europe. The organisation's regional manager for the UK and Ireland, Ben Barnard, spoke to Planet Attractions
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 13 Oct 2022
An association that supports the audiovisual solutions market and has developed a network of creative professionals who use technology to create integrated experiences, AVIXA has a membership base of more than 11,400 companies and individuals.
In addition to acting as a trade organisation, AVIXA also produces a number of shows around the world, including the very popular InfoComm and Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) events.
Representing AVIXA for the UK and Ireland, Ben Barnard oversees the area as regional manager - a role he has held since 2018.
Planet Attractions spoke to Barnard at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe, where he shared more about AVIXA, his experience at the show and his personal favourite attraction.
What does AVIXA do?
“AVIXA is the Audio, Visual and Integrated Experience Association doing similar work to IAAPA. We run trade shows, we have education and certification, market research and things like that. But we're on the audiovisual industry side of things, which links up a lot with attractions.
It's a lot of digital signage, a lot of immersive experiences and more in places such as theme parks, heritage sites and museums.”
Why did you attend IAAPA Expo Europe?
“So it's really important for us to make connections and do as much cross-pollination as we can in terms of sharing resources and things like that. I was in the attractions industry many years ago, so when I saw that IAAPA Europe was doing a show in London, which is where I'm based, I thought I'd come along and see if I can make some connections, catch up with some old colleagues and explore the show.”
What shows does AVIXA host?
We have two major shows each year. We have InfoComm in Florida, US, which is at the Orange County Convention Centre. That's usually in June. We also have our ISE show, which is like our version of the European show for that market. That's always in Barcelona, Spain, and that's coming up at the end of January. In terms of regional events, we have Level Up!, which is a conference about audiovisual technology. That's coming in November in London, UK, So we're getting ramped up for that and getting excited for it.
What’s your favourite attraction?
“I would have to say purely for the immersive experience of it, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney World is absolutely fantastic. I'm a big Star Wars fan, so it ticks all the boxes for me.”
WATCH: Meet AVIXA’s regional manager, UK and Ireland, Ben Barnard | Planet Attractions
video
WATCH: Meet AVIXA’s regional manager, UK and Ireland, Ben Barnard
AVIXA produces a number of popular events around the world, including InfoComm and Integrated Systems Europe. The organisation's regional manager for the UK and Ireland, Ben Barnard, spoke to Planet Attractions Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 13 Oct 2022
An association that supports the audiovisual solutions market and has developed a network of creative professionals who use technology to create integrated experiences, AVIXA has a membership base of more than 11,400 companies and individuals.
In addition to acting as a trade organisation, AVIXA also produces a number of shows around the world, including the very popular InfoComm and Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) events.
Representing AVIXA for the UK and Ireland, Ben Barnard oversees the area as regional manager - a role he has held since 2018.
Planet Attractions spoke to Barnard at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe, where he shared more about AVIXA, his experience at the show and his personal favourite attraction.
What does AVIXA do?
“AVIXA is the Audio, Visual and Integrated Experience Association doing similar work to IAAPA. We run trade shows, we have education and certification, market research and things like that. But we're on the audiovisual industry side of things, which links up a lot with attractions.
It's a lot of digital signage, a lot of immersive experiences and more in places such as theme parks, heritage sites and museums.”
Why did you attend IAAPA Expo Europe?
“So it's really important for us to make connections and do as much cross-pollination as we can in terms of sharing resources and things like that. I was in the attractions industry many years ago, so when I saw that IAAPA Europe was doing a show in London, which is where I'm based, I thought I'd come along and see if I can make some connections, catch up with some old colleagues and explore the show.”
What shows does AVIXA host?
We have two major shows each year. We have InfoComm in Florida, US, which is at the Orange County Convention Centre. That's usually in June. We also have our ISE show, which is like our version of the European show for that market. That's always in Barcelona, Spain, and that's coming up at the end of January. In terms of regional events, we have Level Up!, which is a conference about audiovisual technology. That's coming in November in London, UK, So we're getting ramped up for that and getting excited for it.
What’s your favourite attraction?
“I would have to say purely for the immersive experience of it, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney World is absolutely fantastic. I'm a big Star Wars fan, so it ticks all the boxes for me.”
