InfoComm International presented its Sustainable AV Technology Award to Barco and to Raymond Kent, CTS, LEED AP, associate principal, director of innovative technology design group, Westlake Reed Leskosky. The awards were presented at the InfoComm 100, a conference designed to bring together top AV industry thought leaders and volunteers.

The Sustainable AV Award was created by InfoComm to this award recognize people and organizations for implementing environmentally sustainable practices in the manufacturing of products, integration of AV systems, reduction of waste in the workplace or through similar strategies.

Barco has woven sustainability practices into all of its business operations. Barco’s product managers follow a “green checklist” which measures every milestone against ECO guidelines. Their products are constructed of recycled materials that are also largely recyclable at their end of life, and they have banned the use of six of the most environmentally polluting substances. In addition, Barco also uses 3D modeling for virtual prototypes to minimize waste of hard consumables.

One of the most innovative programs Barco developed is an Air Traffic Control software solution that reduces CO2 emissions by enabling more efficient routing of airplane arrivals and departures. London’s Heathrow Airport has reduced CO2 emissions by 300 tons thanks in part to Barco’s program.

“Barco has made incredible strides to make their company more sustainable,” said Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D., executive director and CEO, InfoComm International. “The company’s development of innovative technologies creates experiences that are both incredible and environmentally sustainable.”

Raymond Kent has dedicated much of his 24-year career to the sustainable built environment. He is the chair of the Sustainable Technologies Environments Program Foundation Technical Advisory Committee and has been an active participant in the InfoComm Green AV SIG and the Center for Sustainable Practice in the Arts. He frequently gives lectures on sustainable technology and its implementation at conferences such as InfoComm, and for organizations such as the United States Institute for Theater Technology (USITT) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA/CES Provider). Most recently, Kent was one of 12 members of the InfoComm Green AV Task Force that wrote criteria for the Sustainable Technologies Environments Program (STEP). He has also published articles on sustainable topics including STEP, the new International Green Construction Code, and their effects on the AV industry.

Along with his efforts at InfoComm, Kent has also pushed to teach sustainability in the performing arts through USITT, working with the organization to develop sustainability guidelines for the arts, including rental and staging. He is also a frequent resource for manufacturers on how to make their products more sustainable and has collaborated with companies on bringing products to market that use less energy, utilize recycled content, or contain feature sets that aid in lowering their carbon footprint.

Kent has contributed to sustainability efforts within the workplace of Westlake Reed Leskosky (WRL). As Director of the Innovative Technology Design Group (ITDG), he has led the charge to implement technology design standards within WRL’s projects and practice that focus on sustainability. This includes working to reduce the amount of design documentation for systems design; pursuing with the ITDG designers ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle systems equipment in their designs; and designing smart systems that use less energy and require less infrastructure. WRL’s technology specifications include language to require systems integrators to recycle or re-purpose existing electronics that are no longer to be used in renovation projects as well as requiring proper waste management of the construction process.

“Raymond Kent has been an incredible role model for all who are interested in technology sustainability,” said Lemke. “He is very willing to lend his expertise beyond his company and client lists, to benefit the entire industry. InfoComm and STEP would not be nearly as successful without his guidance and positive energy.”