Electrosonic Continues Streak of AV Awards Shortlist Honors in 2022

The 2022 AV Awards announced its shortlist of featured projects and finalists for individual and company awards. The AV Awards seek to recognize the people, businesses, processes and technology of the AV industry. Landing on this list requires a dedication to innovation, integration and execution. Once again, Electrosonic received multiple nods. 

The Importance of the AV Awards

The AV Awards stand out as one of the most prestigious in the industry. One key reason is that the platform acknowledges the entire spectrum of the AV landscape, demonstrated by the four categories of winners: business, project, technology and people. 

The judging process is highly rigorous, consisting of a panel of independent senior-level representatives from the field. Judges from end-user organizations, consultants and other industry stakeholders segment into five groups to review categories. The judging has two stages, starting with individual reviews followed by in-depth discussions on entries. 

Looking Back: Electrosonic’s Previous AV Awards Listings

In 2021, Electrosonic had 10 projects shortlisted within retail, events and entertainment and themed entertainment and attractions categories. Electrosonic also made the finals for Integrator of the Year, considered the highest accolade a system integrator can receive.

Of those shortlisted, Electrosonic took home two awards for Retail Project of the Year and Venue Project of the Year. 

Narrowing in on one of these prestigious wins, the Venue Project of the Year went to Alif - The Mobility Pavilion, EXPO 2020 Dubai. The venue covers over 250,000 square feet, combining audio, video and interactive technologies. Electrosonic worked with the event designers and others to provide technology solutions, technical design and integration. 

In 2020, Electrosonic made the shortlist for three awards. In 2019, they were honored with a win in the Themed Entertainment and Attractions Project of the Year category for their work on the Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi. This first-ever Warner Bros. theme park, located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, transports visitors to a land of superheroes and animated characters. 

So, what projects topped the lists in 2022? 

AV Awards Shortlisted Categories for 2022

This year, Electrosonic is on the shortlist for seven awards. Additionally, they were consultants on three other installations making the finals. 

Here’s a review of the incredible places and spaces that have the AV world talking. 

Venue Project of the Year, Events and Entertainment Project of the Year and Leisure and Hospitality Project of the Year: Illuminarium Atlanta

There is so much praise for Illuminarium Atlanta, and deservedly so, as it’s a sensory spectacular. It includes 360-degree sight, sound and scale combining advanced AV technology, including 4K projectors, 3D beam-foaming soundscape and LIDAR. 

Illuminarium Atlanta also made the Themed Entertainment and Attractions Project of the Year with nominees Powersoft and HOLOPLOT.

Watch the video below for highlights. 

Themed Entertainment and Attractions Project of the Year: Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower

Willis Tower is a treasured Chicago landmark made even more impressive with the Skydeck Experience. This immersive experience tells the city’s story with an interactive museum that uses soundbites, animation, motion graphics, lighting effects, video, physical models and special effects. 

That exhibit also features a large LED wall that captures the architectural skyline. The L Train installation allows visitors to go through eight districts with video and CGI effects cast on windows. A Map Wall employs animated data to gaze into the urban playground of Chicago.

On the 103rd floor, The Ledge is the main attraction. It’s a glass balcony projecting from the building. Guests view interactive displays, videos and motion graphic animation. 

Themed Entertainment and Attractions Project of the Year: Social Lab at the Museum of Tolerance

The Social Lab covers 10,000 square feet within the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, Calif. The experiential space guides visitors through recognizing and overcoming inherent prejudices and social issues facing modern society. 

AV technology was essential to create such a compelling exhibit, such as ultra-high-resolution touchscreens, dynamic projection and soundscapes in 15 distinct areas. The display includes these highlights:

• Point of View, a four-sided glass cube
• The Forum, touchscreens facilitate group interactivity to debate critical issues
• History Wall of 20 large touchscreens to view tolerance and diversity through the years
• Global Crisis, 12 table touchscreens that enable dynamic experiences

Electrosonic provided technology concepts, technical direction, AV design, equipment specifications, integration and project management for the project. 

Themed Entertainment and Attractions Project of the Year and Venue Project of the Year: Summit One Vanderbilt

Summit One Vanderbilt is a compelling new attraction in New York City. It consists of 26 unique spaces over four levels that combine audio, lighting, video and interactivity. 

Guests visit a 180-degree theater to start. Next are the 3D custom facial scanners that contribute to the Unity exhibit. The Hall of Light synchronizes audio and light as visitors move to the elevator. 

On the 91st floor, Transcendence is the next experience with multi-sensory features. Then the Unity experience allows guests to scan wristbands and see their image on a 50-foot-long floor-to-ceiling video wall, capturing what it would look like to be among the clouds. 

Electrosonic’s contributions included programming, engineering, design, technology master planning and integration.

View the video to see how this enchanting experience came to be.

Corporate Project of the Year: The Globe at AT&T Discovery District

The Globe at AT&T Discovery District is also in the running for Corporate Project of the Year, nominated by Float4. It’s a 30-foot interactive rotating sculpture that involves dynamic audio and a lighting experience. Electrosonic contributed to the project with audio, video, control and information and communication technology (ICT) systems design. 

Click the video below to see how the ICT design connects all the spaces into one control network. 

Along with these projects receiving acclaim, Electrosonic has two other nominations to celebrate—Integrator of the Year and AV Professional of the Year.

Integrator of the Year

This award is among the most prestigious in the industry, as it recognizes the company that delivers the best AV experiences. The organization has a long track record of high-profile and successful experiential technology projects, which have contributed to the progression of the industry. What seemed impossible isn’t when highly-skilled people come together to integrate technology into one experience. 

Electrosonic operates effectively at every project stage, from blue-skies concepts to technology design to integration and support. That commitment to delivering immersive experiences is evident in the many high-profile projects completed, some of which are shortlist finalists. 

The company continues to focus on what’s next in AV, with inspiration and ideation constant in its Innovation Garage, a group of company technologists and thought leaders. In addition to these internal initiatives, Electrosonic has also strengthened its partner network to accelerate innovation. 

A strong integrator realizes that what they do is the backbone of systems working in harmony. Additionally, Electrosonic has incorporated technology to monitor systems, analyze data from them and enable real-time feedback because projects live on in these spaces for years past initial installation. 

Beyond the company’s impact on the technology aspect, it also has training programs to upskill employees, apprenticeship schemes to welcome new people to the industry and a commitment to diversity and equality. 

The company’s recognition as an Integrator of the Year finalist reflects all these contributions and a knowledgeable, driven and dedicated team.

AV Professional of the Year of the Year: Brandon Harp

Lastly, the AV Awards announced Brandon Harp, Account Manager and Senior Experiential Technology Consultant, as a finalist. Brandon has a unique perspective on technology, looking through a lens of creativity and passion. He has a strong reputation for building and managing profitable, mutually beneficial client relationships. With innovation and novel ideas always ready, Brandon knows how to tackle the challenges of developing immersive projects to meet client and partner goals. 

Brandon’s concepts always put the user first, as projects fuse storytelling, rich content and architecture. He’s been instrumental in Electrosonic’s success since he came on board in 2019, starting as an account manager. He recently received a promotion with the new title of senior consultant. He leads the company’s growth in New York City, home to one of his biggest successes—Summit One Vanderbilt. 

Brandon’s love of the industry and his career are evident to anyone that meets him. He’s proactive, trustworthy, creative and an excellent communicator. All these things and his contagious excitement for AV make him an ideal nominee for this award. 

Electrosonic is proud to have Brandon on the team and thrilled that the AV Awards recognized his talent and hard work.

AV Awards Winners to be Announced on November 4

On November 4, the AV Awards will announce the winners at Evolution London, a night to celebrate the industry. It’s sure to be an exciting moment for the industry, with so many impressive organizations and individuals coming together.