HighTecDay returns for third and largest year
Published: WORLD
WORLD: The third annual HighTecDay took place in Buttenheim, Germany on March 2nd, when Salzbrenner Stagetec Audio Video Mediensysteme once again filled its headquarters with delegates and special presentations by third-party companies. A unique concept, HighTecDay invites manufacturers to adopt ‘product islands’, located throughout the Salzbrenner building, and to host presentations to the assembled visitors. Alongside the Salzbrenner Stagetec Mediagroup brands, this year’s event witnessed participation from Sennheiser, L-Acoustics, Fohhn and many more.
Prior to the day itself, visitors were greeted with a welcome party at Salzbrenner’s HQ, located in the Upper Franconian town of Buttenheim. According to the host, the 2016 event drew the most international attendance yet. Similarly, demand continued to rise from third-party companies wishing to become involved.
‘The number of requests we received from companies expressing an interest in exhibiting their products or giving a presentation during the HighTecDay was surprisingly high,’ commented project manager Rainer Hettwer. ‘Our challenge was to select companies, products and themes which would serve up a complementary and balanced blend of the latest trends while providing the technical depth to appeal to a specialist audience. I think the result speaks for itself.’
Topics included mobile and flexible audio technology for conferences and meetings (presented by Sennheiser); efficient new workflows in networks (by Salzbrenner); managed services for the A/V media sector (by Crestron); setting up a Dante network (presented by Delec); and the future of fibre-optic networks with Nexus (by StageTec). An introduction to L-Acoustics’ current product portfolio rounded off the presentations.
Additionally, case studies were presented and discussed by theatre and opera specialists; Johannes Boehner, BWKI Bayreuth, discussed a Salzbrenner project at Bruckner University in Linz (Austria), and Oleg Surgutschow from the Zurich Opera House discussed 3D audio. Also, for the first time, the programme was expanded with an additional workshop and an open-floor discussion for stage managers.
Meanwhile, the ‘product island’ positions once again proved popular. ‘We really appreciate this concept of networking that enabled us to establish many valuable connections again,’ commented Oliver Lotz of Brähler. ‘HighTecDay is the perfect platform to introduce new products – our visitors can have a thorough look without the hectic environment you find at exhibition venues.’
‘In the professional audio, video and communications industry, our HighTecDay is now regarded as a fixture for planners and users looking for individual answers to specific questions in an exciting atmosphere,’ concluded the Mediagroup’s Marco Kraft. ‘The fact that a large number of visitors attended for the third time is a reliable indicator of the significance of this event. The first registrations for 2017 are already in.’
The full list of participating companies comprised Salzbrenner, Sennheiser, Crestron, Neutrik, L-Acoustics, Fohhn, StageTec, Brähler, Delec, DTHG, Blackcam, Barco, and Astro Spatial Audio.