The first-ever Pro Integration Future Asia (PIFA), a professional audiovisual and lighting (AVL) technologies exhibition and conference for the region, came to a successful close after attracting and impressing close to 3,500 attendees from 23 countries from 26 to 28 June at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore.
Launched by Montgomery Asia in strategic partnership with the Professional Audio Visual & Lighting Integration Association of Singapore (AVLIAS), PIFA2023 gathered AVL industry experts, associations and trade visitors for a three-day showcase of cutting-edge AVL technologies, conference sessions and networking opportunities. Attendees were welcomed by two large distinctive LED entrance arches – a fitting gateway to the latest pro AVL innovations, spanning lighting equipment; audio solutions; broadcasting and film production software and equipment; display technologies; and many others, being presented by nearly 100 exhibitors and principals from 13 countries.
Leading industry event addressed the needs of an ever-evolving AVL industry
Themed “Accelerating Digital Transformation: The Future of Work, Education, and Entertainment”, PIFA2023 spotlighted new opportunities for the pro AVL industry against a backdrop of rapid digitisation and growing adoption of cloud platforms in various settings – from classroom and industry workplaces to live shows and events, and hospitality, retail and commercial use. These technologies sought to address barriers, explore new standards and innovative approaches to remove walled gardens and enable greater access to pro AVL services.
With the growth of the Internet of Things, it is estimated that by 2027, around 40% of companies will be using a combination of Web3, augmented reality, cloud and digital twins in various metaverse-based projects. And as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning become commonplace across almost every business function and learning touchpoint, interoperability and flexibility of hardware and software solutions will be a key trend driving the growth of the pro AVL industry in Asia Pacific.
“We are delighted to have launched what will quickly become the premier platform for AVL industry experts wanting to showcase their latest innovations to the Southeast Asian market. PIFA has succeeded in bringing industry players together under one roof to share their expert insights, open new doors for collaboration and continue the fast-paced growth of this innovative industry. PIFA has been made possible with the great support and enthusiasm of our exhibitors, partners, sponsors and attendees, and we are grateful to them all for making this inaugural edition such a success. The number of national and international enquiries we have already had for PIFA 2024 is extremely exciting for the show and the entire AVL industry,” said Christopher McCuin, managing director of Montgomery Asia.
Fostering close collaborations and exploring new opportunities
PIFA2023 was a catalyst for networking and partnerships, with numerous opportunities for industry players to connect, reconnect and kickstart plans for collaboration.
At the opening ceremony, a series of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed between AVLIAS and nine trade associations from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand to promote, educate and grow their business communities within the pro AVL industry.
“On the back of Singapore’s growing digital economy, pro AVL technologies play a larger role than we realise. They have become essential to creating new channels and immersive experiences, such as extended reality (XR) and the metaverse for multiple industry applications, and we are thrilled that PIFA provided the ideal platform to showcase these stunning solutions,” said Jackson Yeoh, executive director of AVLIAS.
“As our association mostly takes care of software companies, we are thrilled that participating in PIFA2023 has broadened our horizons and opened up a multitude of opportunities for collaboration with other hardware-based companies. The inaugural PIFA has been instrumental in our journey, as it has facilitated valuable networking and connection opportunities with potential members. The event has been exceptional and, as exhibitors, we are immensely grateful for the opportunity to be here. We wholeheartedly look forward to attending again next year,” said Taxsa Bunnag, president of Thai Software Export Promotion Trade Association (TSEP).
Throughout the event, attendees and exhibitors were provided with multiple opportunities to network and expand their professional circles. A game-changer was the presence of noise-cancelling privacy capsules, sponsored by InstaPod, scattered across the exhibition grounds, which provided users with a conducive environment to network and showcased the possibilities of a hybrid workplace.
The region’s biggest brands are in town
The main exhibition showground featured globally renowned brands such as Blackmagic Design, Philips, Absen, Samsung and Robe Lighting, among others, under one roof. Attendees witnessed firsthand advanced solutions such as Robe Lighting’s outdoor and theatre lighting ranges; Total Solution Marketing’s sophisticated lighting consoles and high-performance media server system PIXERA; Samsung’s vibrant display solutions; and Philips’ innovative solutions for the retail and hospitality sectors.
“PIFA gave us a tremendous opportunity to showcase our state-of-the-art hardware and software solutions that elevate the hospitality sector, and understand the industry’s evolving needs. We could not have been more thrilled to be part of this event, allowing us to engage with industry colleagues and potential partners, so we can help them create immersive and engaging hospitality experiences for their customers,” said Julian Lim, APAC Region sales head of Philips Professional Display Solutions/Hotels TV.
Apart from the dazzling display of products and solutions, another highlight of PIFA2023 included the following immersive showcases:
• Hybrid Workspace, presented by AVLIAS and C&R Interiors Pte Ltd, tears down the high-walled environment for flexible and open-layout, tech-enabled workspaces that foster collaboration between in-office and remote dynamics and enhance productivity, employee satisfaction, and cost savings.
• Immersive Projection Mapping, presented by Oceanus Media Global, showcased how state-of-the-art projection mapping technology can transform and enhance physical spaces into different immersive and interactive environments.
• XR Production Live by Absen and Oceanus Media Global demonstrated the vast possibilities of extended reality (XR) in transforming virtual events, TV and film production, and gaming. The technological demonstrations allowed attendees to experience first-hand a new way of producing on-screen content without the need for green screens, with real-time recording and rendering improving production efficiency.
PIFA2023 Conference @ Centre Stage & Technical Classrooms
A comprehensive line-up of in-depth discussions, led by over 50 speakers and panellists on a wide spectrum of AVL use cases, was a vital platform for education and knowledge transfer. At the PIFA2023 Conference @ Centre Stage, attendees heard from industry leaders on the latest in workplace, education and worship technologies, hybrid event production, digital signages, and IoT-enabled audiovisual solutions. The Technical Classrooms powered by Unearthed Productions were also well attended, featuring experts in audiovisual installations, unified communications, generative AI, and stage lighting, among many others.
See you at PIFA2024!
Next year’s edition of Pro Integration Future Asia will be held from 21 to 23 August 2024. Attendees can look forward to a larger event – with a bigger exhibition space, more exciting solutions for practical industry applications, and a wider range of curated industry programmes.
