Paul Milligan speaks to those involved in supplying AV systems in the complex, but highly creative and rewarding world of visitor attractions, to find out the latest trends and how clients work in this sector.
Story and emotion. These two things don’t normally top the most important criteria when discussing an AV installation, but the visitor attractions sector is different.
Museums, visitor centres and theme parks all have a story to tell, from prehistoric history to space travel.
And as Jonathan Cooper, business development consultant for NEC Display Solutions Europe points out, AV plays it part; "The story is the engaging bit, the AV is the means of getting the story across."
Often cited by many AV integrators as their favourite type of project to work on, the visitor attractions sector offers a level of creative freedom rarely seen anywhere else in the AV world. As a result, it is often home to some of the most spectacular projects around.
The market for AV in visitor attractions, while being a prestigious one for AV integrators to be involved with, is certainly not the biggest. Electrosonic, the biggest global player in this market, estimates it works on between just five and 10 large projects a year (defined as having a budget of €250k or above).
Speaking to a selection of AV integrators involved in this sector, it seems as though Europe is a quiet market at the moment, with the real growth (and big budgets) being seen in the Middle East.
In the full article Paul asks integrators who specialise in this sector what types of technology are popular now in visitor attractions, and what ones they are looking to invest in. Read now in InAVate Active.
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