AV Case Study: Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre
Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre stress tests its new Sennheiser MobileConnect system for the Australian Assistive Technology Conference.
6 December 2024
There’s a fundamental shift going on in the world of assistive technology, especially when it comes to hearing.
It’s no longer good enough to simply have a blue hearing loop sign in the foyer. Assistive hearing systems need to be fit for purpose – they need to work, always be available and, crucially, be easy to use (and preferably accessed without assistance).
Assistive listening is in the process of being revolutionised by wi-fi systems and, more recently, Auracast Bluetooth-based systems. Both technologies leverage the smart devices in just about everyone’s pockets.
Shifting the reliance on hearing induction loops and infrared-based tech to wi-fi and Bluetooth expands the horizons of assistive hearing products from compliance and those with serious hearing impairments, to a whole other cohort of potential clients – the neuro diverse, older adults, and indeed anyone with a smart device who might prefer to mediate public broadcast audio via their ear/headphones.
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) has been on an assistive hearing journey, culminating in the piloting of a Sennheiser MobileConnect system across many of its flexible exhibition and meeting spaces.
During November, GCCEC hosted the 2024 Australian Assistive Technology Conference run by the Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association (ARATA). It was clearly the ideal event to launch its new assistive hearing system – not only to have it fully ready for action but to canvass expert feedback from delegates around its performance and ease of use.
A CONNECTED FUTURE
Libby Callaway, as Strategic Executive Advisor (and past president) of ARATA took a keen interest in GCCEC’s investment in assistive technology. As well as her role with the association, Libby, in her private practice as an occupational therapist, specialises in improving the lives of clients with neurological issues; clients who very often have experienced hearing changes.
“The recent Disability Royal Commission highlighted the need for mainstream services to be accessible for and usable by people with disabilities,” observes Libby Callaway. “With high representation of individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities in Australia, the kind of technology that Sennheiser MobileConnect represents could be invaluable. My hope is to see this type of technology available not just in exhibition centres or schools but in a whole variety of spaces allowing people who use hearing products, or have specific sensory preferences, to fully participate in public life.”
HEARD MENTALITY
For Chris Davey, Executive Manager of Technology at GCCEC, a big investment in Sennheiser MobileConnect made sense on a number of fronts: “Induction loops often don’t last – they’re prone to damage, especially when embedded in carpets; and infrared systems struggle with connectivity and require a clear line of sight, which leads to frequent dropouts and user issues.
“We did evaluate all the various options at the Integrate Expo and remained focused on MobileConnect because of its usability, adaptability, and the way it integrates with our existing systems.”
FLEXING HARD
It so happens that GCCEC has been busy upgrading all its wi-fi infrastructure, ensuring it’s world class and can keep up with the increased demand from exhibitors and visitors alike. GCCEC has also gone all-in with its commitment to audio over IP – everything from an audio perspective is Dante-enabled.
Dante, in combination with Q-SYS DSP and control, plays a pivotal role in ensuring GCCEC stays flexible and responsive to client requests. Large spaces can be easily divided into smaller meeting rooms and it means that at a touch of a reconfiguration button, audio is routed appropriately, including hearing assist audio.
Chris Davey: “MobileConnect dovetails nicely with our current systems. We have full Dante and Q-SYS integration, which means audio can be routed wherever needed and automatically adjusts as rooms change, making it work seamlessly with MobileConnect. Having an API is also incredibly beneficial.”
STAYING COMPLIANT
Few doubt that smart devices, wearables, and bluetooth-enabled gadgets will form the basis of an assistive listening future. But standards always take time to catch up. Wi-fi-based assistive hearing systems are code compliant in Australia but there’s a kicker – the venue must provide alternative receivers for those without a smart device, or for those who can’t get their smart device to play ball. Make sure you and/or your AV consultant does the due diligence.
WI-FI CONFIDENCE
Ensuring a good experience for MobileConnect clients means lowering as many technology barriers as possible. Getting onto MobileConnect is a straightforward two-step process: download the MobileConnect app, then follow the QR code to the relevant audio stream of the space you’re in. That said, often there are multiple wi-fi networks in a facility such as GCCEC so the AV/IT team needs to ensure the MobileConnect streams on the venue’s wi-fi network connects seamlessly for the patron who’s accessing the guest network.
Chris Davey: “This project’s goal has been to ensure that every conference attendee has easy access, with minimal intervention needed from our team. The API and Q-SYS integration help us automate the entire system, making it user-friendly and reliable. The automation allows attendees to join rooms via QR codes without hassle.”
MORE THAN COMPLIANCE
Assistive hearing has traditionally been mostly about compliance to the relevant standard. But as Libby Callaway so passionately advocates for, assistive hearing systems, when done well, can make for a more successful event:
“Worst-case: if hearing devices don’t integrate with the environment, people miss out on connecting with others, gaining new knowledge, and experiencing events fully. This exclusion limits professional and social opportunities. Best-case: accessible environments allow everyone to access information equally, connecting people with varied sensory preferences or needs with the experience as any other attendee.”
Chris Davey and his team can also see the possibilities: “We view MobileConnect as much more than compliance. Beyond hearing augmentation, the technology has applications for silent stages, sensory support, and areas where noise can be an issue. Its flexibility was a key reason for our choice.
“We are also very interested in exploring MobileConnect’s TalkBack feature – we can see this being a valuable enhancement for our clients, not having to pass microphones around for Q&A.”
MORE THAN BOX TICKING
The Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre’s adoption of Sennheiser MobileConnect signals a shift in how assistive hearing technology is approached – going beyond box-ticking compliance to delivering a seamless, intuitive experience for users. By tapping into their upgraded wi-fi infrastructure and deeply integrating with Dante and Q-SYS, GCCEC has shown what’s possible when accessibility meets innovation. The Australian Assistive Technology Conference provided the perfect testing ground, and the results speak for themselves. With systems like MobileConnect, the focus moves from simply meeting standards to unlocking new possibilities for inclusion, connection, and richer event experiences for everyone.
RESPONSES