Sound & Communications February 2009 Issue

Every Patchbay…for Every Project.2 x 32 Mini-WECO Video Patchbay 969-S Programmable Bantam Audio Patchbay (800) 500-8142 www.Bittree.comwith it through mobile phones andgestures, and how such technology isaffecting public-space marketing. Thisconference, which incorporates casestudies, covers strategies for exploitingthe many marketing opportunitiesmobile and gestural signage offer.Finally, the Digital Signage ExpertsGroup Certification Program, presentedby Alan Brawn and Jonathan Brawn,of Brawn Consulting LLC, offers attendeesa chance to earn the DigitalSignage Certified Expert (DSCE) designation.In addition to providing anoverview of digital signage, includingthe marketplace, the customer and systemdesign, the conference addresseshardware, networks, software, contentand business elements. At the course’sconclusion, a test will be administeredand certificates issued.And, while the show floor is openon February 25 and 26, the educationcomponent will continue full-steam. Toaccommodate its varied attendance,DSE show management has dividedits education into six distinct tracks:Retail, Advertisers & Brands, Hospitality,Public Spaces, Digital Signage 101:The Basics and Tech Track. “As far asthe industry segments, it’s similar towhat we did last year,” explained Gibbs.“We do a lot of polling of both our attendeesand exhibitors after the eventto make sure we’re on target and providingthe best education.” Each trackincludes five seminars, scheduled, onFebruary 25, for 9:00 to 10:00am, 12:00to 1:00pm and 3:00 to 4:00pm and, onFebruary 26, for 12:00 to 1:00pm and3:00 to 4:00pm.Keynote AddressesEach of the two exhibit hall days willcommence with keynote addresses. OnFebruary 25, in-depth analysis willbe offered and key insights revealedfrom a new study, “Engaging Peoplewith Digital Out-of-Home Media,” alook at how place-based digital videoadvertising can be harnessed to reachconsumers. The study was producedby OTX, a global consumer researchand consulting firm, and sponsored bySeeSaw Networks.On February 26, the keynote breakfastsession will be “The Science ofDSE attracts a broad range of exhibitors,including those involved in the hardware,software and content facets of the digitalsignage business.Shopping Meets the Information Age,”in which Paco Underhill, founder andmanaging director of Envirosell, willwalk attendees through a broad rangeof spaces from a consumer perspective,filling in the missing pieces betweenplanning and execution, and addressingthe communications revolution.Finally, to round out the educationand training component, a dozen freeworkshops will be offered on the exhibithall days between 4:30 and 5:15pm.According to Gibbs, “Typically, thoseworkshops are delivered by exhibitors.However, we enforce a non-commercial,non-solicitation policy.” The workshopsinclude Standards Initiatives inDigital Signage: What it Takes, byBroadSign; Digital Signage for QSR:Menu Boards and Beyond, by WirelessRonin Technologies; Integration ofLive Data Sources for Digital Signage,by Dynasign; and After Hours Uses forDigital Signage Networks, by WEGEN-(continued on page 78)56 Sound & Communicationswww.soundandcommunications.com