PSAV Presentation Services, a supplier of audiovisual and event technology support to hotels, associations, producers and meeting planners worldwide, is deploying high-definition (HD) telepresence from Polycom Inc. (PLCM). With Polycom telepresence, PSAV is enabling businesses to cost-effectively extend the reach of events and host sales conferences, industry events and other meetings at a time when eight out of 10 companies are cutting back on business travel.

“This economy has created a new reality for meetings and conventions. The traditional way of hosting meetings – where hundreds or thousands of attendees travel to one place to meet – no longer works for many companies,” said Brian Lagestee, senior vice president of technology and business development at PSAV. “Polycom telepresence offers us a way to recapture the part of the industry that has evaporated in the economic downturn. The initial response has been tremendous.”

In an effort to extend its offerings among more than 800 luxury hotels, resorts and conference centers, PSAV is investing in Polycom HDX 8000 room telepresence systems, which allow people to meet and work together naturally across distances with an UltimateHD experience including HD video, HD stereo audio and sharing of multimedia HD content. PSAV also is leveraging the Polycom RMX 2000 media conferencing platform for greater scale and flexibility for meetings and events.