Green AV is cool, but it will also be an area of hot focus at InfoComm 09 in Orlando.  Last October, InfoComm International convened a group of industry leaders to discuss ways to support the growing environmental movement, and to take advantage of the opportunities that might come of it.  As a result of that group's recommendations, the Board of Directors created and funded a Green AV Task Force, and appointed a Steering Committee to drive the initiative.

US Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR Program
The Steering Committee has been very active in preparation for InfoComm 09 in Orlando.  But, at the same time in Washington, DC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a call for participation in its ENERGY STAR program for Audio Video products.  Any AV manufacturer that sells electronic products in the U.S. needs to get informed about what the EPA has proposed in order to determine if it wants to participate.

If you manufacture any of the following items you have until June 19 to submit your product data for consideration:  Audio Power Amplifiers, Video Conference / Telepresence Systems, Building PA Systems, Digital Media Server, and Wireless Microphone Systems.  Additional items with more of a consumer focus are also due for submissions on the 19th.

Green AV Networking at InfoComm 09
Because there has been such interest concerning green AV, the Task Force will host a Green AV Mixer on Thursday, June 18, at 4 p.m. in the Platinum Member Lounge, just outside the main Show entrance (W2506B). No invitation or registration is needed. This event, sponsored by Christie Digital, will be an excellent opportunity to network with members of the InfoComm Green AV SIG and the Task Force, as well as meet with guests from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the EPA. The representative from the EPA will be available to speak with you about the ENERGY STAR Audio / Video V2 standard for pro-AV gear.

Green AV Seminars at InfoComm 09
Members of the Green AV Task Force and others were selected by the InfoComm Professional Education and Training Committee to present six classes focused on green AV.

• Green Building Basics and LEED, 6/16/09 at 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Presenter: David Freedman
• Green AV — Best Practices for Manufacturers, 6/17/09 at 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Presenter: Peter Pekurar
• "Greening" Your Campus, 6/17/09 at 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., Presenter: Barbara Brandt
• Conferencing is Green!, 6/18/09 at 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Presenter: Tony Warner, CTS-D, LEED AP
• Green AV 2009, 6/18/09 at 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., Presenter: Scott Walker, CTS-D, LEED AP
• Green AV Staging, 6/18/09 at 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Presenters: Midori Connolly and Michael Karp

Take a Big Green Step Forward
At these classes, at the mixer, and at the InfoComm Booth 5261, we'll be distributing copies of the Task Force's new "Take Steps to Reduce Our Carbon Footprint" poster.  Suitable for posting for your company, it contains specific recommendations for what each of us and our companies can do to become more environmentally friendly.  The poster will also be available electronically for unlimited distribution at and after the Show.

So take a green AV class, come to the Green AV Mixer, talk with USGBC and EPA representatives, network with other green AV members and pick up a green ribbon at the booth so we can spot each other on the Show floor and around Orlando.

See you there!