HighTecDay Now an Essential Industry Event
Buttenheim, 4th of March 2016: On 2nd of March 2016, Salzbrenner Stagetec Audio Video Mediensysteme, the Mediagroup’s Systems Integrator, hosted its very successful HighTecDay for the third time. The unique concept was once again a positive experience for the delegates. Short in-depth presentations of hot topics related to the latest technologies and products were combined with intensive hands-on opportunities and technical discussions with experts on the product islands. The case studies, presented by highly regarded theatre and opera specialists, were well attended by the international audience. For the first time, the programme was expanded with an additional workshop and an open discussion allowing deeper exploration of individual subjects.
Welcome to Buttenheim
On the night before the HighTecDay 2016, early arrivers were invited to a get-together, with Franconian cuisine and freshly tapped beer. The company headquarters in Upper Franconia provided a relaxed lounge atmosphere. Against the backdrop of discreet jazz, delegates quickly made contact with colleagues they had never met before in person or picked up discussions they had started during previous HighTecDays.
Communication, Hands-On and Animated Discussions
The collaborating partners for HighTecDay 2016 were once again carefully selected by the Salzbrenner team with a view to providing a broad and contemporary programme. “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. 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,” commented Rainer Hettwer, project manager of the Systems Integrator.
The presentations discussed mobile and flexible audio technology for conferences and meetings (Sennheiser), efficient new workflows in networks (Salzbrenner/Polaris Evolution), managed services for the AV media sector (Crestron), setting up a Dante network (Delec), and the future of fibre-optic networks with Nexus (Stage Tec). An introduction to L-Acoustics’ current product portfolio rounded off the presentations. The case studies were of considerable interest. Johannes Boehner, BWKI Bayreuth, discussed the challenging Salzbrenner project at Bruckner University in Linz (Austria). Later, Oleg Surgutschow from the Zurich Opera House discussed 3D audio technology for contemporary opera performances using the production of “Hamletmaschine” as an example.
In collaboration with DTHG, and for the first time in this setting, the HighTecDay hosted an open discussion for stage managers. It was very well received by the participants and praised for its great depth. Katrin Reichardt, stage manager of the Essen Theatre (Germany) and Philharmonic and DTHG’s stage management representative, as well as Reinhold Friedrich and Michael Müller, two stage management experts at Salzbrenner, discussed future stage management trends.
Positive Feedback All Round
In parallel with the presentations and workshops, the product islands throughout the building were heavily frequented. Oliver Lotz and Markus Frank, key account managers of Brähler, resumed: “We really appreciate this concept of networking that enabled us to establish many valuable connections again. The HighTecDay is the perfect platform to introduce new products. Here our visitors can have a thorough look at our innovations without the hectic environment you find at usual exhibition venues.” Johannes Boehner added: “I am really happy to be here. Renowned experts have assembled for inspiring discussions. Well done!”
Thomas Janze of Blackcam – which took part for the first time – is enthusiastic, too: “The preparations for the event were great. The team of the Systems Integrator has always been very helpful and supportive and made sure everything was well coordinated in advance.”
The visitors of the HighTecDay also gave positive feedback. Silvio Urbiks of Württembergisches Landestheater Esslingen concludes: “As in 2015, the product islands and presentations were very interesting. This year, we introduced ourselves again to many new products which might very well become relevant for our theatre.”
The Fohhn and L-Acoustics speaker demos and the final company tour concluded the successful HighTecDay 2016.
“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 and eager to learn about unfamiliar products and solutions. The fact that a large number of visitors were attending for the third time is a reliable indicator of the significance of this event. The first registrations for 2017 are already in,” added Marco Kraft, the Mediagroup’s Sales Director Germany/Austria/Switzerland and Southern and Eastern Europe.
