Read the full article below or view the original feature in Exhibit City News.

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‍https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/exhibit_city_news_-_apr_may_jun_2026 (Page 27)

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‍3D Previsualization of Event Design

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The last thing an event planner wants is to walk into a ballroom general session build and find the stage design is not what they envisioned during planning. Moving stage or LED screen components after setup can trigger overtime labor, delay rehearsals, and strain already tight budgets. Not everyone can easily translate a 2D drawing into a fully realized stage environment.

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Instead, partner with an independent audiovisual provider with advanced previsualization capabilities and virtually "walk through” your 3D event design before resources are committed. Using programs like Vectorworks Spotlight with Cinema 4D, non-venue AV companies can create immersive virtual reality walkthroughs that give clients a near-real sense of the final environment before the build begins.

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Design vectorworks.net/spotlight

Cinema4D https://www.maxon.net/en/

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Adaptable Smart Signage

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Even in today's high-tech environments, many digital signage systems are still updated manually, one screen at a time. What happens when a session room changes or an emergency message needs to be shared instantly? Can your signage system keep up?

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Centralized digital signage platforms are changing that. Systems like MVS, Marque from Mountain View Staging allow event teams to control signage across an entire networked venue from a single interface. With one command, signage can instantly update to direct attendees to the general session, highlight sponsors, or communicate urgent safety information. Digital platforms can also replace printed demo kiosk signage that often becomes outdated before the show even opens. Even better, the software runs on any iOS device and can be managed remotely, giving planners flexibility and peace of mind.

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MVSMarquee mvstaging.com

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Al Content Upscaling

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When approaching LED, content challenges include low-resolution videos, vertical phone footage, or legacy media that wasn't created for today's ultra-wide LED pixel spaces.

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Traditional scaling methods simply duplicate pixels, which results in soft images that look out of place on large displays. New AI-powered upscaling tools analyze footage and intelligently reconstruct detail, sharpen edges, reduce noise, and even extend backgrounds to better fit modern display formats. Topaz AI is one of the best options currently and for open source users Real-ESRGAN is a tool that can be trained and is fully customizable. Adobe Creative Suite also has options including their new Firefly Boards feature. Runway and Canva also have features to support image scaling.

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Topaz AI topazlabs.com

Real-ESRGAN github.com/xinntao/Real-ESRGAN

Adobe Firefly adobe.com/products/firefly

Runway runwayml.com

Canva canva.com

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Silent Disco Headsets

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Breakout rooms have long been a conference staple, but many modern events are rethinking that model by integrating education spaces directly into the expo floor. Keeping sessions on the expo floor helps attendees stay engaged and reduces wayfinding challenges, but it introduces one major issue: competing audio from surrounding booths.

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To address this, AV teams have experimented with solutions ranging from directional speakers to mobile apps, often with mixed results. A newer solution, Silent Disco headphones, adapted from live music and festival environments, allows attendees to select audio channels while the surrounding space remains quiet. This technology translates well to busy expo environments, making "classrooms without walls” both practical and comfortable for attendees. It also enables large stages to be divide~ into smaller learning zones without the need for physical barriers.

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Headphones with AV support: mvstaging.com

Headphone rentals only: quiteevents.com

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‍View the original feature in Exhibit City News. https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/exhibit_city_news_-_apr_may_jun_2026 (Page 27