Zoom Brings Zoom Rooms to AMC Theaters

Zoom’s annual Zoomtopia conference took place this week and included several announcements about new product upgrades to Zoom’s product suite, including Zoom Events. Prior to the conference, Zoom and AMC Theaters also announced a new partnership to bring Zoom technology to AMC theaters in various cities around the country.

Hosting meetings in a movie theater isn’t a new concept — although they were never a particularly popular venue choice — but this development reflects the shifting workplace norms and increased reliance on technology since the beginning of the pandemic. The announcement also comes at a time when movie theaters are struggling to remain relevant in a post-Covid and streaming heavy world.

The partnership will turn select AMC locations in as many as 17 US cities into Zoom Rooms to facilitate hybrid meetings and enable groups of all sizes to connect from different locations. The exact launch date is yet to be announced, but we can expect the integration to launch sometime in 2023 according to the companies.

Once the Zoom Rooms at AMC program is live, users will be able to book space online in three-hour blocks and select their preferred theaters and meetings times. Auditorium sizes will range from 75 to 150 seats, and for an added cost, meeting planners will be able to include food and beverage offerings and possible movie viewings, as well as other personalized options

“One of the lessons learned during the pandemic when so many of us were forced to work remotely was the importance of a reliable, dynamic communications platform,” said Adam Aron, Chairman and CEO of AMC Theatres. “We also learned that even though we may be spread far apart, the ability to come together in person is as important as ever.

“That is why I’m so excited about this AMC partnership with Zoom. So many of us know how vital Zoom is in managing our enterprises. Now through this partnership of Zoom and AMC, we have the best of both worlds — the spectacular communications platform of Zoom combined with the comfort, size, scale, and state-of-the-art sight and sound capabilities of AMC’s centrally located theatres. This creates an all-new product in major cities across the U.S. for companies and meeting planners.”