Circadia
Every year, the audiovisual (AV) industry convenes at InfoComm, the premier event showcasing the latest innovations and connecting professionals from across the globe. Circadia's own Jim Scheer, President and a veteran attendee with 27 InfoComm's under his belt, recently sat down with us to share his insights from this year's show. He dove deep into the key trends he observed and what it all means for the future of workplace technology.
From Luxury to Necessity: A Shifting Landscape
Jim's extensive experience offers a unique perspective on the evolution of the AV industry, and it's clear he's seen some profound changes. "When I first got into this business, our industry was really a luxury, and now it's a necessity," Jim explains. This isn't just a slight shift; it's a fundamental transformation. AV is no longer an optional extra but a crucial component of every modern business.
Jim recounted a time when facilities departments would "steal marketing dollars to fund a conference room with our technology," a practice that's thankfully long gone. The pandemic, of course, accelerated this, forcing everyone to adopt virtual collaboration tools. As Jim put it, "Now the expectation, especially with the younger generations coming up through the workforce, they expect connectivity in every single conference room."
This newfound prominence has attracted significant attention from tech giants like Microsoft, Cisco, and HP. leading to an unprecedented interest "from a flood of talent in our industry like we've never seen." With that said, Jim pointed out, "That it continues to surprise me that talent is still always difficult to find."
The Pulse of Innovation: What's Hot on the Show Floor?
This year, the focus was on refinement and strategic integration, showcasing the industry's commitment to continuous improvement.
Here are the key trends Jim identified:
- AI and Automation: The big push is to make collaboration and the in-room experience easier through artificial intelligence and automation. Jim told us, "Smarter room technology is being developed based on where you stand, what direction you speak or simply just walking in a room." It's all about making the experience seamless and intuitive.
- Immersive Environments: Think about that giant video board at your favorite ballpark but now scaled down for your boardroom or training room at a reasonable price point. "DVLED walls are becoming very prevalent now," Jim explained. "You think of a jumbotron at Kauffman Stadium or Busch Stadium... That's really being scaled down now to where we're able to use that same technology at the boardroom level or the training room level." These are incredibly bright, high-resolution displays that fully immerse participants.
- AV and IT Convergence: This ongoing trend continues to strengthen. Most AV solutions now reside on local or cloud-based networks, making managed services a necessity. This is a game-changer for clients. As Jim put it, "The ability for us to find out what's going on with the system before the user knows what's going on in the system. So we have the ability “The ability to receive information in real time when something fails or is at risk before the client knows it, is so powerful!” so we can actually dispatch a tech or hop on remotely and fix it before they even know." That's truly proactive support!
Data-Driven Design: Making Spaces Smarter
One of the most fascinating shifts Jim highlighted is the industry's increasing reliance on data. It's less about the "boxes" of technology and more about the actionable insights derived from the systems.
Jim gave us some great examples:
Digital Signage: Beyond just displaying flight information or “the welcome sign”, Imagine being in a retail store where a customer is browsing various products. Digital signage could be tracking their eye movements, the items they pick up and how long they interact with each product. This data helps businesses understand consumer behavior and refine their offerings. - Office Environments: Circadia is implementing sensors in conference rooms to collect data on usage patterns—how many people are in a room, how long they stay, and which seats or technologies are utilized. "It's really driving the footprint of space management and how we work with the architecture and design community offices," Jim explained. This valuable information directly influences office design, helping companies create more efficient and effective workspaces that meet employee needs. It can uncover insights such as why certain rooms are underutilized, leading to improvements in comfort or technology.
Circadia's Approach: Leading Edge, Not Bleeding Edge
For Circadia, the innovations showcased at InfoComm translate directly into their client-focused approach. Jim emphasizes their philosophy of designing with "leading-edge solutions, not bleeding edge."
"It's really easy to go to these trade shows, and you see this futuristic technology that's not necessarily proven," Jim explains. While some clients are willing to be "guinea pigs" for unproven tech, Circadia prioritizes reliability and a seamless user experience. Their commitment is to provide solutions that are tested, robust, and consistently perform as expected.
Key priorities for Circadia include:
- User-Friendly Solutions: Technology should be easy to use. With one-touch dialing, you can invite the room and set up a Teams or Zoom meeting automatically. Simply walk in, press the “blue” join button on the touch panel, and start talking. There's nothing else to do. This is a significant improvement from the elaborate connection of the old videoconferencing days. of the past.
- Proactive Services: Offering managed services allows Circadia to minimize downtime for clients, ensuring business continuity and maximum efficiency. Jim stressed that clients want "proactive services to minimize downtime."
- Aesthetic Value: Beyond functionality, Circadia also pays close attention to the aesthetic integration of technology and furniture, ensuring solutions enhance the client's environment. "It's not just about functionality... we also have to pay attention to the aesthetic value of the solution," Jim highlighted.
InfoComm Wrapped
Reflecting on InfoComm 2025, it's clear that the AV industry is not just about groundbreaking innovations but also about continuous improvement advancements and strategic integration. The trends observed this year highlight the industry's commitment to making technology more intuitive, immersive and data-driven. From smarter room technology and immersive LED walls to the convergence of AV and IT, the focus is on enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
Circadia's approach of prioritizing leading-edge solutions that are reliable and user-friendly exemplifies this commitment. By leveraging data to drive design and offering proactive services, Circadia ensures that their clients receive not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing solutions. The AV industry is evolving, and with these advancements, it is poised to meet the demands of modern businesses and create more connected and efficient workspaces.
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