USDa project profile
The USDA National Poultry Research Center in Athens, Georgia plays a vital role in advancing the nation’s agricultural and food-safety mission. As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, the center conducts cutting-edge research focused on poultry health, biosecurity, food quality, and production efficiency. Its work directly supports America’s poultry industry—the largest in the world—by developing innovations that strengthen food supply stability, enhance disease prevention, and improve animal welfare practices. The facility hosts scientists, research partners, and federal teams who collaborate daily to protect national food systems and support the long-term sustainability of U.S. agriculture.
Project Description
EIDIM successfully upgraded the audiovisual systems at the USDA National Poultry Research Center in Athens, Georgia, transforming the Main Auditorium, Rear Auditorium, and a second-floor conference room into modern hybrid-communication spaces. Our team delivered a fully integrated AV platform that supports Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) connectivity, giving presenters an effortless way to launch meetings, share content, and interact with on-site and remote participants. The project blended new technology with select existing components—including the main auditorium’s projection system—to maximize value, sustainability, and long-term serviceability while modernizing control, audio, video distribution, and room functionality.
The Challenge
Before the upgrade, each space relied on aging and inconsistent AV equipment that made it difficult to conduct hybrid events, host technical presentations, and support mission-critical training. USDA required a solution that would deliver reliable remote-collaboration tools, improve sound clarity throughout the room, and simplify presenter control without interrupting facility operations. The project also involved careful coordination around room architecture and HVAC constraints, particularly in the second-floor conference room, where a projector could not be accommodated. In addition, USDA sought to reuse viable components to reduce waste and budget impact while elevating performance across all systems.
Rooms with upgraded AV:
Main AuditoriumThe Main Auditorium received a complete AV upgrade to support hybrid meetings, federal training programs, and large-group presentations. The existing projector and screen were retained to maximize value, while new switching and USB integration enables seamless Microsoft Teams and Zoom use with any laptop. The room is now operated through an intuitive tablet-based interface, giving presenters simple control of audio, camera, and content sources without needing technical assistance. Sennheiser SL Ceiling Microphones provide clear, hands-free audio pickup, supported by wireless microphones for presenters and guest speakers. A professional PTZ camera enhances the hybrid experience by delivering smooth, reliable video coverage for remote participants.
Rear AuditoriumThe Rear Auditorium was upgraded with a 98″ 4K commercial display, replacing the old dual-monitor setup for improved clarity and a cleaner visual focal point. High-resolution AV-over-IP distribution ensures dependable content delivery while allowing the system to scale for future needs. The room is controlled using a streamlined tablet interface, enabling quick setup and easy management of audio and display functions. Wireless microphones give presenters freedom of movement and encourage audience interaction. The result is a polished, efficient, and hybrid-ready meeting environment that supports daily training and communication needs.
Second-Floor Conference RoomTo address ceiling and HVAC limitations, the projector was replaced with a 2×2 commercial video wall, providing crisp, bright visuals from every seating position. Dual rear confidence monitors assist presenters during live and hybrid sessions, ensuring smooth presentation flow. The space uses a tablet-based control solution, giving staff quick access to audio, video, and source switching functions. Sennheiser SL Ceiling microphones paired with a PTZ camera deliver clear audio and video for remote participants. AV-over-IP connectivity enables flexible content routing, creating a versatile and collaboration-focused meeting space ideal for briefings and research sessions.
Project Outcome
The upgraded systems provide USDA with a streamlined, user-friendly hybrid meeting environment. Researchers and staff can now connect a laptop, launch a Teams or Zoom session, and immediately access ceiling-array microphones, PTZ cameras, and high-resolution displays for seamless communication with onsite and remote participants.
The Rear Auditorium’s new 98” 4K display significantly improves visibility for large groups, while the second-floor conference room’s compact 2×2 video wall delivers excellent clarity in a space-constrained setting. Tablet-based room control makes operation intuitive and efficient, reducing setup time and eliminating the need for technical support during meetings.
USDA now benefits from a modern, scalable AV infrastructure that enhances collaboration, supports mission-critical research presentations, and enables secure hybrid communication capabilities across the facility.
– Todd Lonergan
IT Specialist
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At EIDIM, we are committed to providing you with cutting-edge, customized audio and visual solutions that cater to your unique needs. Contact us today to learn more and we’ll find the best solution for you.
