RadioComms Connect had done it again

The concourse - just a walkway to the two seminar theatres the previous year - had exhibition stands all the way along, with the main exhibition hall full to capacity; a testament to how the radio communications industry and end users have embraced this event since its launch in 2007.

In addition to the exhibition, two concurrent presentation streams delivered technical papers and a range of case studies, offering delegates access to over 40 speakers as they enthused about a wide range of issues affecting the industry. From LTE and spectrum planning and allocation, to the contrasting requirements of SCADA applications and the development of state-of-the-art microwave systems in Australia, there was something for everyone and much was covered over the two days of the conference.

The Plenary Theatre’s audience sat in silence during the opening keynote address as Garry Kerr of the Queensland Department of Community Safety presented a critical communications paper wherein he recalled events of last summer and showed footage of devastation wrought upon Queensland by both the floods and Cyclone Yasi.

Next up, Peter Clemons, Director of Communications at Teltronic and Director and Board member of TCCA (formerly the TETRA Association), asked delegates “Does critical communications have a future in the broadband age?” A somewhat tongue-in-cheek question and one that was answered emphatically during his paper, which looked to open debate on the real issues facing the industry over the next 10 years or so.

Delegate Kevin Jacoby, Department of Defence, said it all, “The information in the conference was very informative and provided in-depth solutions to real-time issues and the very broad range of exhibitors assisted greatly in providing solutions to some of my very obscure requests for a variety of my radio comms requirements. I will certainly be attending future RadioComms Connect conferences.”

Other hot topics from the technical papers included the release of Phase II of the P25 standard; unlocking the power and performance of radio networks; testing in the digital age; safeguarding lone workers from possible dangers in the field leveraging converging technologies; the NBN rollout and the future of digital mobile radios in the 21st century.

With the venue bursting at the seams, whispers there would be a change of venue for 2012 were confirmed by WF Media’s Event Manager, Paul Davis, “The Etihad Stadium has been a great home for us since 2008 and we’ll be sorry to leave; whilst it’s not purpose built for events like ours, it’s proved very popular with everyone and has suited us just fine. We do need more space now though, and so, along with the ARCIA Industry Gala Dinner, we’re heading over the other side of the Yarra to the new Conference Centre at the MCEC. With its state-of-the-art facilities and great space, we’ll be well looked after and we hope it’s as popular as the Etihad has been these past few years.”

Held in conjunction with the conference and exhibition each year, the annual ARCIA Industry Gala Dinner and awards night was a sellout too. Almost 500 radio industry professionals gathered at the Palladium at Crown, where high achievers and long-time members of the industry were recognised. For coverage of the night and a full line-up of awards winners, see page 6.

The increased numbers at this year’s conference, exhibition and ARCIA Industry Gala Dinner demonstrated yet again that the radio communications industry is very much on the up and appears to have some way to go. If you didn’t get the chance to attend this year, maybe 2012 at the MCEC will be worth a visit.

For further information see radiocommsconnect.com.au, where a short video of the event is available and access to many of this year’s papers is given under ‘Speakers & Topics’.

Source: www.radiocomms.com.au