With the real-world 2020 AES Spring Convention cancelled due to coronavirus travel and gathering restrictions, the Audio Engineering Society moved online with AES Virtual Vienna – presented in real time to a global audience in early June.
Denied its planned physical presence in Vienna, Austria, this was the AES’ first-ever completely online convention, with attendees from 59 countries log viewing and take part in more than 200 presentations in live-stream and on-demand formats, many of which offered real-time Q&A discussion with the presenters and other attendees.
‘AES Virtual Vienna garnered overwhelmingly positive response from the online audio industry through social media, event reviews and other avenues,’ the society said in its official statement. ‘Best of all, the entire AES Virtual Vienna Convention will remain online through June 30, 2020, for those currently registered, and registration will remain open through that time for anyone wishing enjoy the AES Virtual Vienna Convention on their own time, online.
The convention included in excess of 100 on-demand Papers Sessions, as well as virtual interpretations of its regular Engineering Briefs, Technical Tours, Workshops and tutorials. ‘AES Virtual Vienna featured the most popular events of all AES conventions, including keynote speeches, a Heyser Presentation, the Opening Ceremony and Awards presentations,’ the society says.
Other events that also took place included meetings of the AES Student Delegate Assembly, Recording Critiques, Recording and Design Competitions and an interactive Education and a Career Fair.
AES Virtual Vienna Partners and Sponsors, including Genelec, Proactive Audio, Sound Solutions International, USound, Austrian Audio and Focusrite Pro, also took advantage of the online opportunity to present products and technologies to attendees and take part in Virtual Vienna presentations.
The complete AES Virtual Vienna Convention, including the full Technical Program of Workshops, Research Papers, Posters, Engineering Briefs and Technical Tours are presently available online through the on-demand archive at AESEurope.com.
