According to the Institute's secretariat manager, Ros Wigmore, members have sensed the enormous networking value of the occasion as well as the opportunity to both see and exhibit next-generation communications systems in the era of EN54 compliance.
"We have had an amazing response to our networking dinner bookings," Ros confirms. "It seems that everyone prefers to meet up in a more informal setting before the serious business gets started."
The two-day event itself takes place on March 4-5 at the Holiday Inn in Birmingham City Centre, kicking off with the dinner on the opening night.
Accompanying a full programme of technical seminars will be the exhibition, with first time international participants and others showing just how seriously they are treating this forum by choosing ISCEx2014 to showcase new systems.
ADSworldwide will be launching its latest addition to its EN54-24 certified Voice Alarm range. The range has been developed in partnership with Taiwanese loudspeaker specialist Cotina which has kept the prices extremely competitive.
ADSworldwide will also be introducing its Bluetooth 'i-wall player' - a neat little light-switch sized amplifier that can be controlled via remote control or by any Bluetooth enabled audio player. This makes it ideal for hotels, home and offices and is even safe to install in bathroom or humid environments.
Following its successful pre-launch in Europe this month, RCF will give a first UK exposure to its DXT 9000 digital voice-alarm system - incorporating the brains of network technology and the soul of professional audio.
Another active participant bringing a lot of experience to the show is i-Power (UK) - owned by four directors, with a combined knowledge of 120 years in the Audio and Electronics Systems market.
Back in 2009 they identified the potential for a network aware product range which leverages the standard IP (internet protocol) network to service a new and expanding market place within the audio industry. They eventually identified a UK manufacturer who met the high specification and product portfolio they had been seeking and were interested to explore the possibility of a mutual business opportunity.
CIE-Group, one of the audio visual industry's longest established providers of equipment for the professional audio visual integration and PA sectors, will demonstrate the latest additions to its product portfolio from leading European telecommunications solution provider 2N.
Showing at ISCEx for the first time, is Polish manufacturer, Ambient System, a leading designer, manufacturer, and supplier of certified voice evacuation systems, products and service with over 20 years' experience.
As for the seminar and training sessions, proceedings will open at 10am with Tony Stacey, acoustic consultant from AMS Acoustics, whose topic will be Signal to amplifier to loudspeaker - I thought it would be louder.
Other sessions include: Cassia Valentini Botinhao, Research fellow, The Centre for Speech Technology Research, University of Edinburgh: Increasing the intelligibility of computer-generated text-to-speech; John Moore, director, Secomak Ltd: Design and supply of loudspeakers for the Royal Navy and Army - not quite your home environment; Jan Leerschool, international sales manager, Pan Acoustics GmbH: Is two-dimensional beam steering the best audio solution for difficult acoustical environments?.
Visitors can register for the event using www.isce.org.uk
(Jim Evans)
