This past March, fourteen 54' trailers filled with some 45 Barco projectors, 50 Folsom scalers used to seamlessly switch a variety of different sources (DVD playback, networked computers, etc), a multitude of front and rear projection screens, thousands of feet of truss, lighting and cabling, 145 computers, twelve 48 channel boards multiple JBL Vertec Line Array and EAW cabinets, and audience response systems - all made their way to Atlanta, Georgia for the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Annual Scientific Session and the i2 Summit 2006 ( that was held in conjunction with the ACC session). This extensive amount of presentation technology was set-up to accommodate 12 main tents and mini-main tents in three buildings along with 40 networked meeting rooms.

Now if that isn't impressive enough, the audio visual complexity and innovative use of technology at this meeting was as impressive. Three specific highlights come to mind.


First were the catherization lab demonstrations that were broadcast "live" via satellite from the Cardiovascular Center of AALST in Belgium, the Mid-America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Missouri, the ASA Medical Center in Seoul Korea, and the William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan to the ballroom in the Georgia World Congress Center. The ballroom was set for 760 classroom style and participants viewed the live demonstrations on a 15' x 45' rear projection screen and two 15' x 20' wing (side) screens. The satellite feeds were fed to six Barco R10 projectors. To further enhance this learning experience, we created interactive multiple images on the screens using the Folsom Encore system. Folsom Encore layered a variety of images from sources including the satellite imagery, studio configured cameras providing image magnification, and PowerPoint software.

The second highlight of the meeting was the seamless collection and distribution of the 2500 presentations to the 40 meeting rooms. AVW-TELAV's Presentation Management tool gave the presenters the flexibility to forward their presentations to a secure website and modify their presentations from a remote location right up to the time they were scheduled to present. Once the presenters were pleased with their final product, the presentations were then sent electronically via an AVW-TELAV server to the meeting rooms where the respective presentations were held.

The third highlight in the innovative use of audio visuals was in the Community Rooms. These rooms served as an informal gathering area of cardiovascular specialists within a specified field. The rooms were equipped with an audio infrared system and headsets. The specialist could tune into the "real time educational sessions" from the lounge and interact with their colleagues or watch convention Cardiology television broadcasts produced within the convention center by ENN.

Now it's one thing to have the technology to create an interactive learning experience, but it's the technical expertise that is as critical to the success of an event this magnitude. John Powell, Cathy Ives and Gavin Marroquin were the production managers and Tim Platt, the Folsom Encore guru. All six were supported by a technical team of some 45 AVW-TELAV professionals. An impressive crew for an impressive event.

Great people and innovative solutions are a critical component to the success of these meeting. According to Angela Karakas, Director, Education of the Annual Scientific Session & Meeting Services for the American College of Cardiology: "AVW-TELAV has the breadth of expertise, manpower, and equipment to support a meeting of our size and requirements. I adore working with everyone associated with our meeting, led by our beloved Pierce Abernethy. My goals are to have AVW-TELAV help us stay above the curve by keeping up with the technology, sharing cutting-edge ideas, and bringing to the table the latest in presentation software/equipment, audience interactivity solutions and production enhancements." Sue Sears Hamilton, Senior Director, Annual Scientific Session, i2 Summit and Meeting Services concurs: " With AVW-TELAV as part of the ACC meeting services team, I do not have to worry - whatever it takes, the job will be done"!

The ACC Annual Scientific Session was attended by professionals involved in delivering cardiovascular care, including physicians, scientists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurses. In addition to this core audience, medical students and trainees, technicians, dietitians, administrators and other health care professionals also benefited from various sessions and interaction with their cardiovascular colleagues.

The i2 Summit 2006 was a conference with substance and stature, consolidating all clinical, educational, practical and community needs into one event. Proudly sponsored by the American College of Cardiology in partnership with the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions and other professional associations, i2 Summit 2006 offered unsurpassed needs-based learning with true objectivity. The target audience for i2 Summit 2006 was interventional cardiologists and radiologists, cardiovascular and vascular surgeons, vascular specialists, scientists and clinical trialists. While much program content was specially geared to the worldwide community of interventional physicians and scientists, other health care professionals including medical students and trainees, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and technicians were benefactors from the depth and diversity of the program.


For more information about the American College of Cardiology, visit:
http://www.acc.org

For more information about the i2 Summit 2006, visit:
http://www.acc.org/2006ann_meeting/i2_summit/home.htm

For more information about Presentation Management, visit:
http://www.avwtelav.com/Web_US/solutions/presentation_management.cfm