WHEREAS 2023 Tech Talks Español: a space to discuss AV technologies and trends

acrobatic drones, stragecraft and metaverse are just some of the innovative ideas that can be heard in the conferences given at Tech Talks Español an ISE 2023.

Integrated Systems Europe (WHEREAS) will premiere the conference program in the next edition in Barcelona Tech Talks Español, to learn, discover and inspire new opportunities in the audiovisual sector. Produced by Avixa, will be developed from 31 from January to 2 February in room CC4.1, located in area CC4 on the upper level of the Fira Gran Via.

The free sessions will be focused on the latest technologies and trends in the audiovisual industry. Each day of the three-day program will have four types of sessions: a masterclass, on a niche topic aimed at technicians and engineers, a special session with collaborating organizations that support the industry in Catalonia, a session of Catalan startups, about their technological innovations in the use of immersive AV, and a session on AV/IT with keynote and panelists focused on the general public.

“Avixa strives throughout the year to bring the most current AV trends and topics to the industry through virtual events., courses and trade fairs, points out Pamela Taggart, Vice President of Content Creation at Avixa. “We are very happy to be in Barcelona, where we have a very rich community of technical talent to work with while we prepare this innovative content. Leveraging the association's global network of members, “We have had the opportunity to select the best success stories and industry experts to share their knowledge with the sector”.

Spanish speakers of high professional level from universities will attend, associated entities, AV industry unions and experts based in Catalonia and other regions of Spain.

Master classes

To approach the event from a more practical point, The Tech Talks Spanish program includes three master classes aimed at technicians and engineers in the audiovisual sector. These sessions will begin at 10:30 hours during each day that the program lasts.

Tech Talks Español will open with the masterclass “Drones as unlikely bases to obtain audiovisual content”, that will impart Sisco Vallverdú, professor of telecommunications and digital signal processing at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), y Jose Antonio Soria, PhD in Electronics Engineering and professor at the same university.

The first master class, Aimed at technicians and engineers in the AV sector, will take place on Tuesday 31 January and will be focused on publicizing how drones have become the perfect tripods to capture audiovisual content in various situations.

Vallverdú will talk about FPV drones (first person view – first person view) what, since its appearance, They are revolutionizing the world of videography. These light drones, Agile and fast, they are capable of performing a wide variety of movements., but the most notable feature is that they allow virtual presence in real time on board the device.

Vallverdú will also present in this session the main challenges in the design of different types of drones, as well as storage solutions, distribution and management of audiovisual content.

on Wednesday 1 February, José Ferrer Balagué, CEO of Global Audio Solutions, will give a master class under the title: “Can you optimize a sound system without making noise?”?”

Ferrer, creator and developer of RiTA programs (FFT analysis) and Submap (acoustic modeling), has almost 30 years of experience doing design, adjustments and mixes for various companies and artists in theatrical and musical productions, concerts and events.

In his masterclass he will talk about how, in sound systems for large events, The combination of audio signal analysis and processing techniques allows systems to be optimized by reducing acoustic fatigue.

The third master class will be on Thursday 2 February and is titled “AI and the musical ecosystem: challenges, opportunities and risks” that will carry out Sergi Jordan, degree in fundamental physics and doctor in computer science and digital communication, in addition to being a technology professor at the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF).

Sergi Jordá will tell how in the music area, current artificial intelligence applications may not be as spectacular or popular as those in the visual field.; but, even so, The advances are no less dizzying and the future possibilities are immense, with enormous potential for social and economic impact.

Jordá will also talk about some ethical issues, philosophical and legal issues that arise from the accelerated input of neural networks, deep learning and other AI technologies in different areas of society, which includes art and culture.

Special sessions

The daily Tech Talks Español program will include a special session at 11:20 hours with collaborating organizations that support the industry in Catalonia.

“Stragecraft: the new revolution of virtual sets” is the first special session on Tuesday 31 January. Virtual sets are called to revolutionize the world of cinema and audiovisuals. Not only do they allow travel to any part of the world without moving, but also recreate imaginary scenarios like those of Mandalorian, the first work shot entirely on a set Stagecraft.

In this session, points such as the development of content for this type of production and the necessary technologies and infrastructure will be discussed.; In addition, we will talk about whether costs are really reduced.

Wednesday's special session 1 February is titled “Blockchain and NTFs in AV like you have never understood them”. Attendees will be able to learn what the Blockchain and the NFT, as well as knowing what their strengths and weaknesses are.

Besides, Application examples will be given that can be carried out in companies from all sectors., including the audiovisual sector where its uses have multiplied. In charge of this conference will be Carles Gomara, of action, Government of Catalonia, business strategist and speaker expert in explaining technological topics in a simple way.

The third session titled “Exerfitgaming and the full integration of AV technologies” will be on Thursday 2 February and will feature two speakers: Montserrat Subirana, sports specialist and CEO of the technological spin-off Suiff, y Antoni Torrente, director of the Interactive Visualization line at the Eurecat Foundation.

In this session, Attendees will be able to learn how to integrate audiovisual technologies with emotional characteristics, of fun, motivation and socialization to create a more immersive and pleasant experience in the practice of sport, that causes the athlete's 'addiction' to physical activity.

Technological innovations in the use of AV

The daily Tech Talks Español program will also contain the 12:30 hours a session organized jointly with Catalan startups on their technological innovations in the use of AV.

Ignasi Capellá, CMO de Broomx Technologies and speaker of the first session on Tuesday 31 January, will try to answer the question: Can immersive AV technologies improve people's mental health?

Capellá will share with attendees how hardware solutions, software and content platforms, that allow you to create immersive and multisensory experiences by projecting immersive and interactive content on the walls and ceiling of a room, can help improve mental health.

on Wednesday 1 February in the session titled “The future of culture is immersive”, the speaker Frédéric Sanz, COO of Univr.se, pioneer company in the development of multi-user virtual reality solutions, will tell why many companies have focused on the development of multi-user VR solutions that allow multiple users (40, 50, 200…) live and share the same VR experience in the same physical space.

Fashion and the metaverse also have their place in Tech Talks Spanish. In the third session, “Metaverse and fashion. An industry that is leading the paradigm shift”, Julio Obelleiro, CEO of Wildbytes, will talk about how the metaverse is creating a huge range of new opportunities and redefining the future of the fashion industry, from the Direct-to-Avatar-Economy to the relationship between physical and digital fashion through NFTs.

Sessions on AV/IT solutions

Tech Talks Español has also thought about interesting content for a more general AV/IT audience; Therefore, the daily program includes a session at 13:10 hours with keynote and discussion panel.

on tuesday 31 In January the “IT” session will take place + OF, optimizing solutions and results”. In this session, attendees will learn the importance of the fusion of AV and IT to optimize solutions and results for users..

Just as digital transformation is imperative for all companies, AV is also transforming content, space and technology creating a bridge between the physical and the virtual, analog and digital, space and cyberspace, machines and humans.

The opening keynote for this session will be presented by Carlos Bertrand, director for Iberia TD Synnex, who will later moderate the discussion panel between Aristeo Lopez, founding partner of Tower TBA; José Luis Gión, Business Unit Manager, Communication Services en Ricoh Spain; y Roman Ceriani, CEO of ICAP GLOBAL España.

The Catalan engineer Jordi Palou, director general de Global Room, will speak on Wednesday 1 February on “Integration of technologies for the hybrid classroom”. Will present the audiovisual proposals, inspired by the operation of a TV studio, that make the hybrid classroom an attractive experience for remote and in-person attendees.

Attendees will learn the history of the development of the current hybrid classroom and also a case study of real application in a hybrid classroom recently inaugurated at the University of Barcelona.

The session “Revolutionizing the theme restaurant with a strategy that includes rebranding, experiences, omnichannel” will take place on Thursday 2 February and will include a keynote. The session will focus on the rebranding and its impact on the restaurant. Topics such as mass marketing will also be addressed., segmentation, omnichannel strategy and multisensory strategy in the restaurant. This conference will be given by Rafael Negro, retail marketing consultant, innovation and digital signage.

“The success of the AV Experience Zone at ISE 2022 “It led us to expand the program and inspired Tech Talks Español”, comment Victor Alarcon, event producer. "Now, All Spanish-speaking attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the latest technologies and trends in the industry from the most prestigious professionals in the sector.”.

For your part, Mike Blackman, director general de Integrated Systems Events, comment: “Spanish Tech Talks are the perfect place to learn and get inspired, and then look for solutions on the Fira Gran Vía exhibition floor. We manage to attract high-level professional speakers who are eager to share news, experiences and know-how with other technicians and engineers in the AV/IT industry and with the general public”.

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