Podcasts about infocomm

Live from the HETMA booth at InfoComm 2025, Ryan Budvitis of Shure talks about new products designed to simplify and scale campus audio — including IntelliMix Room Kits, the ANX4 network extender, and Microflex Wireless updates. He shares how his team works directly with colleges and universities to gather feedback that shapes Shure's development process. The tone is honest, collaborative, and focused on removing friction from everyday AV workflows.

Recorded live from the InfoComm show floor, Jay Lyons joins the HETMA podcast to talk through Logitech's latest higher ed solutions, including the Rally Camera Streamline Kit, a 65” touchscreen display, and a suite of peripherals designed for plug-and-play classroom installs. Jay shares insight into how Logitech is supporting scalable hybrid learning environments, with an emphasis on usability, consistency, and clean installs across diverse room types. The conversation is relaxed, practical, and focused on the day-to-day realities of campus AV teams.

Dalen Reifsteck sits down live at the HETMA booth to walk through AVer's camera-first approach to hybrid learning. He outlines the use cases for their new TR615 broadcast PTZ, the DL30 AI auto-tracking camera, and the MT300 all-in-one unit — all framed around practical deployments for classrooms of all shapes and sizes. The recording feels relaxed and relatable, with clear emphasis on inclusive learning and ease of use.

In this upbeat floor interview, Jim Kidwell from Audinate joins the HETMA crew to talk about the expansion of the Dante platform beyond audio and into video with Dante AV. He discusses what it means for higher ed users, highlights the new AVIO Install Adapters, and reflects on the importance of real-world interoperability and feedback from the higher ed community. The conversation is casual, technical, and clearly tailored for campus AV pros managing scale and complexity.

John Hulen joins the podcast from the always-busy Crestron booth to talk about their 2025 InfoComm presence and strategy. He covers the booth's improved design, new additions to the DM NVX product line (including a four-input encoder/decoder), and Crestron's focus on helping schools migrate to IP-based infrastructure without unnecessary friction. The interview is energetic, focused, and tuned to the higher ed audience's operational realities.

Chuck Espinoza brings high energy and clarity to this early-morning InfoComm interview, recorded pre-show floor opening at the Camp HETMA booth. As Aurora's Global Director of Education, Chuck talks about ReAX control, Smart Speak voice integration, and how Aurora trains and supports higher ed teams around AV-over-IP. It's less a pitch and more a conversation between educators, with lots of humor and firsthand perspective.

This week on the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way welcomes Lisle Waldron, Erin Maher-Moran, Ann Kelly, and BC Hatchett on the show, live from the HETMA booth on the InfoComm show floor. They discuss their top takeaways from the week from the higher ed point of view. What were the best events, products, and offerings, for 2025? Watch and listen!Connect with Joe Way:Web: https://www.josiahway.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahwayX (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/josiahwayInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/josiahwayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/josiahway 

Recorded June 13, 2025 In this episode of, the crew wraps up their time at Infocomm with a lively discussion filled with humor, reflections, and a few surprises. Join Chris, Jamie, Larry, and Justin as they recount their adventures during the final morning of the conference, sharing stories of long walks, questionable food choices, and the inevitable chaos that comes with a busy trade show. The team dives into the latest trends they've observed, including the growing emphasis on manufacturing transparency and the rise of e-ink displays for signage solutions. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by new software and cloud-based solutions in higher education AV, while contemplating the future of Auracast and its potential impact on the industry. With their characteristic banter and camaraderie, the crew also touches on the importance of understanding the market landscape and how these innovations can shape the way we approach technology in educational environments. Tune in for a mix of insights, laughter, and a behind-the-scenes look at the Infocom experience. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your fellow AV enthusiasts and consider supporting the AV SuperFriends!   We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded June 12, 2025 In this episode, the crew is live from the bustling Infocomm show floor, tackling everything from the sticky humidity of Orlando to the latest trends in audio and video technology for higher education. Join Chris, Jamie, Larry, Justin, and surprise guests as they share their insights, experiences, and a few laughs while navigating the chaos of the second day at the conference. The team dives into fascinating discussions about the importance of audio, the challenges of integrating new technologies, and the unexpected joy of seeing attendees engage with innovative products. They explore the evolving needs of classrooms, the significance of wireless microphones, and the impact of software solutions in the AV landscape. As always, their camaraderie shines through, making for an entertaining and informative episode. Tune in for a mix of humor, practical advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at the Infocom experience. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your fellow AV enthusiasts and consider supporting the AV SuperFriends!    Catchbox: https://www.catchbox.com Computer Comforts: https://www.computercomforts.com     We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

A new botnet threat may hit smart home networks. What integrators need to know to keep their clients safe. CEDIA has been proactive in legislation and awareness of the space. Is this bill a win for the industry? Friend of the show Katye McGregor-Bennett talks about making decisions easy for your clients. How integrators can simplify the path, not the products. NETGEAR acquires cybersecurity platform Exium. What this means for networks and how it ties into our first story about security. The video version of this podcast can be found here.ResiWeek is dedicated to bringing you the latest news and stories for the residential space. Even in the midst of one of the biggest trade shows for AV, InfoComm! Even so we are joined by Dave Pedigo from Trinnov to discuss these topics and how they matter to integrators in the industry.Host: Matt ScottGuests:Dave Pedigo – Trinnov AudioLinks to sources:CE Pro – BADBOX 2.0 Potential ThreatResidential Tech Today – CEDIA workforce legislationResidential Systems – Make Decisions Easy For Your ClientsCE Pro – NETGEAR acquires ExiumSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recorded June 11, 2025 In this episode, the crew gathers live from the bustling Infocomm show floor for a lively discussion filled with insights, humor, and a few unexpected detours. Join Chris, Jamie, Larry, Rachel, and Justin as they navigate the excitement of the event, share their experiences, and reflect on the challenges of teaching and learning in the AV landscape. The team dives into their individual sessions, with Rachel discussing sustainability in live events, Larry recounting his harrowing flight experience, and Chris teasing his upcoming talk on automated cameras. The conversation flows as they explore the latest trends in AI, accessibility, and the ever-evolving world of USB-C technology. As always, their camaraderie shines through, making for an entertaining and informative episode. Tune in to hear about the latest innovations, the chaos of the show floor, and the joys of connecting with colleagues in person. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your fellow AV enthusiasts and consider supporting the AV SuperFriends!   Larry's flight news story: https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/delta-flight-diverted-jacksonville-what-we-know      Al-generated show titles:  -  The Never Ending Week   -  Sweaty Swamp Adventures   -  Cable Management Chaos   -  Delta Dilemmas   -  AI and the Art of AV   -  Wandering the Show Floor   -  The AV Experience      We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support  

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to James Rempel, VP of Products for Nureva about what they'll have to showcase at booth 4269 during the show. We also discuss their new HDX series and how they are previewing it for attendees at InfoComm.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to Tomer Mann, Chief Revenue Officer for 22 Miles about the digital signage and wayfinding solutions they'll have at booth 4975 during the show. We also talk about AI's application in digital signage and what it means for the industry.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Watch on YouTube.In the June 2025 edition of the Microsoft Teams News Show, host Rob Scott from UC Today is joined by Tom Arbuthnot of Empowering.Cloud and a seasoned panel of experts for a fast-paced breakdown of what's shaping the Microsoft Teams ecosystem. Fresh off his holiday and full of insights, Tom unpacks the biggest headlines from Microsoft Build, the newest Teams collaboration features, Copilot updates, Teams Phone innovations, and what to expect from key events like InfoComm, CCW Las Vegas, and Commsverse UK.With AI deepening its roots across the Microsoft 365 landscape, this episode takes you inside the latest announcements — including multi-agent orchestration, threaded messages, live transcription, speaker recognition in Android rooms, and more.Key Discussion Points:Copilot Breakthroughs at Microsoft Build:Tom and the panel unpack Copilot tuning, Model Context Protocol (MCP), and game-changing multi-agent orchestration that makes AI more adaptable and enterprise-ready than ever before.Smart Collaboration Updates in Teams:Threaded replies, streamlined file sharing with external users, and deeper AI integrations make team chat and channel work more intuitive and secure.Copilot in Teams – Deep Dive:Intelligent Recap now includes shared screen content, audio summaries, and real-time agents in meetings — taking productivity to new heights.Teams Phone & Teams Rooms Innovations:From transient transcription in sensitive calls to long-awaited call-waiting beeps and full speaker recognition for Android Rooms, the UC experience is expanding fast.Next Steps:Tune in to InfoComm (June 7–13) and CCW (June 9–12)Don't miss Commsverse (June 18–19)Apply for the UC Awards before June 20Watch the full episode to hear more about the community sessions and fireside chats coming this month.Thanks for watching, if you'd like more content like this, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel.You can also join in the conversation on our Twitter and LinkedIn pages.Join our new LinkedIn Community Group.

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to Kurt DeYoung, Chief Revenue Officer for Nanolumens, about what they'll be showcasing at booth 3081 during the show. We also talk about launching Aurora, their video processing platform and how it plays with their LED displays.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to Philip Langley, SVP of Enterprise AV for Wesco, about what they'll have at the show at booth 3020. We also discuss how technology like AI belongs in command and control spaces and what it means for our industry.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.AVNation is a news outlet made by and for audiovisual professionals. Every one of our panelists, writers, producers and hosts have worn a hat or several within the AV industry. It's this unique experience that gives us a fresh look at the industry as a whole and allows us to engage with end users, technology managers, IT managers and AV integrators in a meaningful way.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to Joel Carroll, great dresser & EVP of Global Sales for Mersive Technologies about what they'll have at their booth at 5055 during the show. We also discuss how they are approaching ease of use to their solutions for conferencing.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Headed to InfoComm 2025? Visit AVI-SPL at booth 4220 and LG at booth 4142.Book an AVI-SPL booth tour.Now, about this episode:An inclusive environment is essential for your customers and employees. When we discuss accessibility, we often think of ADA requirements for individuals with disabilities. In the workplace and public spaces, these rules also apply to your displays. In this episode of The Collaboration Space podcast, we'll discuss how LG and AVI-SPL collaborate to help you not only meet compliance standards but also create a welcoming environment for all with accessible digital signage and meeting room displays. The panel shares insights about key compliance topics, including:Why focus on accessible signage and displays?What are the key ADA compliance requirements for signage that IT leaders should be aware of? What are some features of LG displays that help customers follow ADA guidelines? How do LG and AVI-SPL collaborate to help customers ensure that signage and meeting displays are accessible?  Learn more about AVI-SPL and LGWatch the video podcast on YouTube.Listen and subscribe to the audio podcast feed.Get AV and unified communications news delivered to your inbox.Follow AVI-SPL: Linkedin X YouTube

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to Tom Knesel, General Manager for PowerSoft about what they have in store at booth 6260 during the show. That includes their ultra compact NOTA 142, among many other PoE products.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

InfoComm 2025 takes place in sunny Orlando 7-11 for showing off products, but the whole week offers a deluge of education for integrators and AV specialists.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to Colin Birney about two sessions he is teaching during the show. First about security pitfalls in networks deployments, and the second focusing on customer expectations for network security.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recorded May 27 and May 30, 2025 In this episode, the crew chats with Catchbox about their approach to rethinking microphones and DSPs, talks up the potential of a IP-enabled Stream Deck, and reviews Infocomm preparations.  The Elgato Stream Deck, known for its versatility, shows potential for integration into educational environments. With its ability to streamline workflows and simplify complex tasks, the Stream Deck could be a game-changer for technology managers looking to create an engaging and interactive classroom. On the other hand, Catchbox has taken the concept of audience participation to a whole new level. The Catchbox Cube allows instructors to throw a microphone to students, encouraging spontaneous engagement and making learning more interactive. In addition, the Catchbox Clip, Stick, and Hub (and the awesome charging dock!) have us rethinking how we integrate microphones into our classrooms.  Finally, the team shares their strategies for navigating the InfoComm show floor, uncovering hidden gems, and avoiding the pitfalls of over-scheduling. This lively discussion is packed with humor, anecdotes, and practical tips to ensure you make the most of your experience at the show.   Catchbox: https://www.catchbox.com Elgato Stream Deck Network Dock: https://www.elgato.com/us/en/p/network-dock-stream-deck   Alternate show titles: AV Adjacentness Juicy data insights Osnap Potentially Disruptish How much aggravation do you want to go through? 13 years later Honey for our ears The average user is the professor There was no benchmark It is a complete failure without a Catchbox microphone Let's try to squeeze everything in there A full RU with all this extra I/O It's harder to steer big ships Dodgeball tournament Free beer for everyone! Turn it up to 11 I want to hear my sphincter shrink! MST4K   We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded May 23, 2025 In this episode, we're joined by the team from Liberty to talk about brand new features and capabilities of their CX Unify platform. Beyond simple online/offline status, this cloud hosted and platform-agnostic monitoring and remediation tool is brimming with AI-integration and more real-time information than you've ever seen. Check it out at InfoComm for a live demo! We also discuss Aurora Multimedia's new line of IPBaseT encoders and decoders that apparently deploy like HDBaseT but behave like AVoIP. We're going to check it out in Orlando. Tune in for a fun and informative episode that promises to keep you entertained while providing practical advice for making the most of your next AV trade show experience. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your colleagues and consider supporting the AV SuperFriends!   Liberty: https://www.libertyonline.com/ CX Unify: https://cxunify.com/ Aurora IPBaseT: https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/1249842/153660260658185493   Alternate show titles: Cloud Wars Chuck'll talk to you  How many hats do you wear? Don't talk to him, he has the truth! Paul hands me off to Harry Wall of QR codes Can we invite you to our Happy Hour?    We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to Mark Bishop, Owner of LynTec, about what we can see from them at booth 6453. We also discuss their acquisition by Chauvet and what that enables them to do with lighting and power control solutions for the industry.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to Warren Clark from Liberty about what they'll have to showcase at booth 3107 during the show. We also talk about their Liberty CX Unify platform and the changes they're making with AI for a seamless user experience.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way welcomes Dave Labuskes, CEO of AVIXA, the company responsible for the InfoComm show. They discuss what's happening with this year's show, what impact we're seeing in the industry, and tips on how to have a successful event. Watch and listen!Find HETMA on the show floor at booth #4887.Use code “HETMA” for a free show floor pass and https://www.infocommshow.org. Connect with AVIXA & InfoComm:Web: https://www.infocommshow.orgWeb: https://www.avixa.orgConnect with David Labuskes:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlabuskes/Connect with Joe Way:Web: https://www.josiahway.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahwayX (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/josiahwayInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/josiahwayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/josiahway 

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to Ryan Gray of Yavapai College & HETMA about everything they've got going on during the show. Not just at their booth at 4887, but all over the show in the form of tours and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to Scott Freshman, Chief Operation Officer for Visionary Solutions about what they've got in store for their booth at 3215 during the show.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of TalkingPointz Chatz, Dave Michels and David Danto unpack a series of “sea changes” sweeping across tech and communications. They start by examining how AI engines are replacing traditional search tools, reshaping how users find information. The conversation shifts to LinkedIn's emergence as the dominant professional social platform in the wake of Twitter's decline. Most notably, they dive into the evolution of meeting room technology – from proprietary video appliances to streamlined BYOD/BYOM setups – and highlight the manufacturers that are embracing this shift, including Barco, Jabra, Logitech, and others. It's a fast-paced, thoughtful look at how user habits and enterprise tools are adapting in real time.

The AV industry is bracing for impact as tariff chaos threatens to detonate project budgets before InfoComm 2025 even begins. The mic market is in beast mode, thanks to the content creator gold rush that's turning every basement into a broadcast studio. The video version of this podcast can be found here.This week on AVWeek, Tim Albright leads a must-hear conversation with industry pros diving into the real cost of AV tariffs, the need for stability in economic policy to make informed AV decisions, and why the rise of podcasting and the demand for better audio in conferencing are pushing plug-and-play audio gear to dominate boardrooms and bedrooms alike.Host: Tim AlbrightGuests:Mark J. Pescatore – SCNJason Haynie – Q2This Week In AV:AV Network – AVPro Global Acquires RTIStrata-Gee – Harman & Klipsch LitigationrAVe Pubs – Open AV Cloud Launched by Panasonic, Sony, BrightSign & moreAV Magazine – Cisco Fastest Growing Partner for TeamsCommercial Integrator – Visionary Renews Partnership with Resorts World Las VegasRoundtable Topics:AVNation – Tariffs on AV ahead of InfoComm 2025AV Network – Podcast Surge & Audio EquipmentSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.Shure is celebrating 100 years of business, and we talk to Senior Director of Global Marketing Chris Merrick about what they've got in store for the booth at 2843. We also discuss the importance of getting to try out products at shows like InfoComm for customers to see where their products work best.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to Levi Lavrinyuk, Director of Marketing for Lightware about what they've got in store for their booth at 3909 during the show. We also talk about the advacements made to their Taurus series and the utilization of USB for easier installation and use.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AV SuperFriends On TopicEpisode 59: Don't Skip Friday!Recorded May 9, 2025In this episode, the crew gathers for a lively roundtable discussion focused on the upcoming Infocomm trade show. Join Chris, Jamie, Marc, Rachel, Larry, and Justin as they share their excitement and insights about what to expect at the conference, along with their personal agendas and speaking engagements. The conversation is filled with the trademark humor and camaraderie that fans have come to love, as they exchange tips on how to navigate the busy show floor and make the most of the experience.The team reviews Rachel's five essential tips for a successful Infocomm visit, including the importance of networking, finding the best booths, and leveraging the wealth of knowledge available from industry leaders. Listeners will also hear about the various panels and sessions the AV SuperFriends will be participating in, highlighting their commitment to sharing expertise and fostering community within the AV industry.Tune in for a fun and informative episode that promises to equip you with everything you need to know before heading to Infocom. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your colleagues and consider supporting the AV SuperFriends!News article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-tips-breakthrough-infocomm-rachel-bradshaw-hebee/Alternate show titles:Blueglass HillsStuck in a closetSummarize in Four seconds…and he keeps bees!Point the fifthGet your LinkedIn house in orderI mean that from the bottom of my heartYou do your job next weekYou're at InfoComm, sir!And then you run out of underwearThere's a conclusion at the endAnd then I'm spentRachel Shanghai'd Marc into a panelOptimizing Things for StuffI don't think you were ever El PresidenteBuilt-in tribe of curious peopleThat was kinda sketchyStanding Room OnlyDon't give away the secret sauceI've just been letting it go and blaming it on JustinSticky floors and cigarette smokeThey're just sticky for different reasonsThat's a rude thing to call your childrenI slept in my carWe stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rssDonate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

Recorded May 9, 2025 In this episode, the crew gathers for a lively roundtable discussion focused on the upcoming Infocomm trade show. Join Chris, Jamie, Marc, Rachel, Larry, and Justin as they share their excitement and insights about what to expect at the conference, along with their personal agendas and speaking engagements. The conversation is filled with the trademark humor and camaraderie that fans have come to love, as they exchange tips on how to navigate the busy show floor and make the most of the experience. The team reviews Rachel's five essential tips for a successful Infocomm visit, including the importance of networking, finding the best booths, and leveraging the wealth of knowledge available from industry leaders. Listeners will also hear about the various panels and sessions the AV SuperFriends will be participating in, highlighting their commitment to sharing expertise and fostering community within the AV industry. Tune in for a fun and informative episode that promises to equip you with everything you need to know before heading to Infocom. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your colleagues and consider supporting the AV SuperFriends!   News article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-tips-breakthrough-infocomm-rachel-bradshaw-hebee/   Alternate show titles: Blueglass Hills Stuck in a closet Summarize in Four seconds …and he keeps bees! Point the fifth Get your LinkedIn house in order I mean that from the bottom of my heart You do your job next week You're at InfoComm, sir! And then you run out of underwear There's a conclusion at the end And then I'm spent Rachel Shanghai'd Marc into a panel Optimizing Things for Stuff I don't think you were ever El Presidente Built-in tribe of curious people That was kinda sketchy Standing Room Only Don't give away the secret sauce I've just been letting it go and blaming it on Justin Sticky floors and cigarette smoke They're just sticky for different reasons That's a rude thing to call your children I slept in my car    We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

InfoComm 2025 shows off the latest innovations in AV technology from June 11-13, but there's a wealth of education for integrators well before the floor even opens.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to Craig Durr about the classes he'll be teaching and speaking at during the show. He covers a high variety of topics for integrators from AI's role in the workplace, sustainability in AV and much more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to Paul Dexter, CEO of Jetbuilt, about their innovations to the Helpdesk through Jetbot, an AI-powered project assistant. We also talk about the other solutions they are showcasing at booth 4369 during the show.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We are joined by Mikey Shaffer, Senior Director of Sales at Listen Technologies to talk about what they'll have in store at booth 4361 during the show. We also discuss the evolution of accessibility solutions and what they are doing with Auracast to boost those capabilities.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EPISODE 167 | Guest: Sean Matthews, president and CEO of Visix Get an exciting preview of what to expect at InfoComm 2025 in Orlando, Florida. You'll get an inside look at the new digital signage products and solutions being unveiled at the show. But it's not just about the tech – Visix booth 3543 will also offer a unique and cool visitor experience. Celebrating our 45th anniversary, the booth will feature a fun, nostalgic '80s theme with lots of giveaways, inviting attendees to explore our latest offerings and learn about our long history in the AV channel. Discover the new BrightSign player support and the browser-based presentation designer. Explore the rapidly growing electronic paper sign (EPS) solutions and their comprehensive space management applications, from rooms to individual desks. Understand how hybrid work models are driving innovation in digital signage and space management technologies. Get an exclusive sneak peek into the immersive and nostalgic booth experience awaiting visitors, including fun giveaways. Hear about the company's 45-year legacy with the AV channel and their continued commitment to supporting the industry. See the full transcript here See more of what we're showing at IC25 here

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to Gina Sansivero, VP of Marketing & Corporate Communications for AtlasIED about what they'll have at booth 5861 during the show. We discuss the improvements made to their Atmosphere platform through feedback, and how attendees can experience their products firsthand at their audio room on the show floor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"Full stack" AV is the hottest buzzword in town, but are vendors building the future or just stacking up marketing fluff? NΞXXT promises to be your AI transformation superhero, but will they save the day or just add to the villain roster?The video version of this preview can be found here.Tim Albright and his panel of industry experts bring the heat this week on AVWeek! They break down whether full stack AV is true innovation or just integration theater and put the promises of AI under the microscope. The discussion also dives into how AI is helping create smarter, more immersive AV experiences and how, at its core, AV is all about enhancing communication. Plus, they explore what the industry truly needs from AI-focused organizations versus what we're actually getting.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show. We talk to Andrew Starks from the AIMS Alliance about what's new with IPMX, and what we can hope to see at their booth at 3089.The video version of this podcast can be found here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. But what some don't know is that education for the AV industry starts as early as the 7th. We talk to Pete 'Tec Man' Coman about the different education tracks he is involved in as well as the other opportunities to learn at the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We are joined by Rich Ventura, VP of Professional Display Solutions at Sony to talk about the story they are telling at Booth 2001. We also talk about their work in the AR, VR and XR world and how it pertains to the commercial side of AV.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recorded May 16, 2025 In this episode, the gang holds a lively discussion about the joys and challenges of inheriting AV spaces in higher education. Chris, Jamie, Marc, Larry, and Justin share their experiences with unexpected AV setups, from poorly designed classrooms to over-engineered systems that leave everyone scratching their heads. They explore the complexities of managing these inherited spaces, the importance of maintaining functionality, and the sometimes messy reality of integrating new technology into old systems. The team also looks ahead to InfoComm 2025, sharing what they hope to find and learn, including the latest trends in USB-C technology, AI in AV, and the ongoing quest for interoperability in AVoIP systems. Tune in for a blend of humor, industry insights, and a peek into the future of AV technology in higher education. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your colleagues and consider supporting the AV SuperFriends!   Alternate show titles: I needed the whole kaboodle The addition of the widgets Is there a disco ball? An even smaller bed Modesty panel Somehow it got in there We weren't super thrilled with it Paid by a percentage of the standard BoM Pile of Menagerie Spread them wider in your area Because of who's involved and how we get paid Massaging it to fit Your flavor of VGA OMG guys! Subway punch card They're going to have to wait We're going to go through your systems and take things out We can get in it; we can fix it I'll tell you what you could do Barrell around it Lipstick on a pig The front door of the university Do all the wizbang The device Raw connectivity They don't like your kitchen 87.5% BS My USB device has AI on it Ports and protocols The China Side   We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

InfoComm 2025 comes to sunny Orlando June 11-13, showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the AV industry. We are taking a look at what's going to be on the floor at the Orange County Convention Center in the coming days of the show.The video version of this preview can be found here.We talk to Brian Phillips, Director of Product Marketing for HP Poly about what they have in store for their booth at 3742. We also discuss their focus on creating a consistent user experience for every user in different meeting spaces.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're off to sunny Orlando for InfoComm 2025, one of the biggest trade shows for the AV industry. From June 11-13 we'll see what new innovations for integrators and end-users. We talk to Crestron's Brad Hintze at Booth 2300. We also discuss their focus on the three C's: Content, Control & Collaboration.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recorded May 01, 2025 In this episode, Marc and Larry visit with guests Mike Pedersen from Iowa State University and Shaun Hayes from Utah Tech University. They share their insights on the value of networking and the focused discussions that set this event apart from larger trade shows like InfoComm. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by smaller institutions, including funding and personnel shortages, while exploring innovative solutions for sustaining upgraded AV systems post-COVID. Our guests reflect on the importance of collaboration among peers and the unique vendor interactions that foster a solutions-oriented environment. Join us for a candid discussion filled with valuable perspectives on the current state of higher education AV and the community spirit that thrives at regional conferences. If you enjoy the insights shared, be sure to support the AV SuperFriends and share this episode with your colleagues!   We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com    ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss   Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

This week on the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way welcomes Jon Youse, Director of Educational Technology Support and Operations at Ivy Tech Community College, to the show. They discuss how Jon manages multiple departments, the connection between them, and how his career path and experience as an adjunct faculty helps to inform his leadership. They also discuss how Jon's involvement in HETMA has helped with knowledge growth, and what he's looking to get out of InfoComm '25! Watch and listen!Connect with Jon Youse:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-youse/Connect with Joe Way:Web: https://www.josiahway.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahwayX (Formerly Twitter): https://www.twitter.com/josiahwayInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/josiahwayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/josiahway

Forget “Is AV-over-IP the future?”—the real question is: how much of your AV stack has it already replaced? InfoComm 2025 is putting old-school education in detention with gamified, VR-enhanced, AI-boosted learning experiences. The video version of this podcast can be found here.On this week's AVWeek, Tim Albright is joined by expert guests to unpack the future of commercial AV. From the rise of AV-over-IP protocols to the introduction of IPMX standards and the growing need for AV security in enterprise IT, we explore how these advancements are revolutionizing education, from K-12 classrooms to higher education campuses.Host: Tim AlbrightGuests:Kelly Teel – Kelly on LinkedInRyan Gray – Yavapai CollegeSteph Beckett – rAVe PubsThis Week In AV:AVNation – QSC's Response to TariffsUS Customs & Border Protection – Reciprocal Tariff ExclusionAVNation – Crestron's Response to TariffsTechRadar – Zoom OutageCommercial Integrator – Chris Neto Named AV Living LegendRoundtable Topics:Commercial Integrator – The Future of AV over IPAV Network – State of IPMXAV Buyers' Club – Focus on Learning Spaces at InfoComm 2025See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 16:9 PODCAST IS SPONSORED BY SCREENFEED – DIGITAL SIGNAGE CONTENT The next plus-sized pro AV trade show on the annual calendar is InfoComm, coming up in mid-June in, yuck, Orlando, Florida. I'm always curious about what will be new and different with the show, and that's particularly the case in 2025, because there's a new person running things. Jenn Heinold joined show owner/operator AVIXA late last year as the Senior VP Expositions, Americas, so for the last several weeks she's been in drinking-from-the-firehose mode as she learns more and more about the industry, ecosystem and how people think about and use InfoComm. Heinold is a lifer in the trade show business, and while she has run tech-centric trade shows, pro AV is new to her. We had a really good conversation that gets into her impressions and thoughts about the industry, her perspective on ISE, the AVIXA co-owned sister show, and plans for what will be her first InfoComm in June - including what will be different and new. We also get into what, if anything, will be affected by all the trade and geopolitical turmoil that's bubbled up since the US presidency had its four year shuffle. Subscribe from wherever you pick up new podcasts. TRANSCRIPT Jenn, thank you very much for coming on. You've been on the job for how long now?  Jenn Heinold: I've been with AVIXA for just over three months. I joined in December as the Senior Vice President of Expositions for the Americas, and I'm over InfoComm in the U.S., which will be June 11th through the 13th in Orlando, Florida and then I'm also responsible for our new InfoComm America Latina launch event, which will be in October in Mexico City.  Did you know anything about the Pro AV sector before you got involved?  Jenn Heinold: No, honestly. I ran the largest satellite technology show in the U.S. for 15 years. So I've worked in technology, but Pro AV is different and I find myself now everywhere I go looking for display screens and how audio sounds. It's so fascinating how quickly you become immersed within the industry and you notice that it's everywhere and it makes our experiences better.  You'll be a display nerd in no time.  Jenn Heinold: I'm working on it. So have you always been in the trade show business?  Jenn Heinold: I have, yes, I dedicated my career to trade shows. I am super passionate about what happens in a face-to-face environment. I love the serendipity of it. I love that what I do helps businesses grow. The community aspect is amazing, right? Bringing people together with a common goal or challenge. The education that we can provide at trade shows. You can do a month's worth of meetings in three days. You can do a trip around the world in three days in some cases, right?  So I just love the format and really believe in what it can do for businesses and I'm excited to produce InfoComm. Because you had some background working with technology trade shows, has there been much of a learning curve? Setting apart the obvious that there are different companies and all that, but I guess their needs aren't all that dissimilar, are they?  Jenn Heinold: No, I think the commonality in working on technology shows is that you have the same structure where there are channel partners that are working to sell and integrate products, but then you also have all of the end users who use a specific technology. So I think it's important for us to be a forum for both Pro AV as well as our end-user audiences, and make sure that they each are fulfilled and feel welcome at the show and find value in the show.  You went to Integrated Systems Europe a few weeks ago, I saw you there. That was your first big Pro AV trade show, I assume, and I'm curious about your impressions.  Jenn Heinold: Oh, gosh, I was blown away by ISE. How could you not be? But for me, I was just so impressed by what the exhibitors did on the show floor. They really pulled out all the stops for ISE and the energy is amazing. It was so valuable for me to see the technology all together in real life, and then also to be able to meet with exhibitors here directly to know what are your strategic priorities for 2025 and beyond. Who should I be focusing on making sure that I have at the show, so it's the best for our exhibitors and our attendees alike?  I'm sure you were walking around with people like your boss Dave Labuskes both at ISE and InfoComm. Did you get some sense that ISE is its own thing? InfoComm runs differently. Yes, there are the same vendors and everything else, but apart from the obvious of Barcelona versus Orlando or Las Vegas, it does do things differently in some respects, at least. Jenn Heinold: Yeah, absolutely. I unfortunately don't yet have the comparison for InfoComm. I know what our plans are and what we're focusing on. ISE clearly has an amazing global footprint and InfoComm, while it is international, does skew a little bit more to North America just based on the location.  I think we at InfoComm have a much more training program and educational offering, which I really think is valuable. We need to not only nurture our current workforce and make sure that they have all the tools they need to succeed, but focus on the next generation as well, and I'm really proud that InfoComm does that. One of the things about ISE, as you said, there's not as much of a focus on training, there are certainly conferences and things like that, but it's more aimed at end users.  Do you find that you're getting exhibitors and other people saying, hey, it would be great if we had more end users if there was more kind of focus on that part of it, as opposed to, I sometimes refer to InfoComm is something of a gearhead show, and I don't mean that negatively, but it attracts the people who are going to go look at things like cable connectors and mounting infrastructure and so on and stuff that maybe somebody who's an experiential designer for a creative tech shop maybe doesn't care that much about. Jenn Heinold: Yeah. I will say that for 2025, we definitely are emphasizing the end-user audience. They are a key segment for us. Actually, one of the first things I did within my first week, Dave, was look at our end-user segments and compare what groups naturally grew when we were in Orlando versus Las Vegas, right? Just who organically was coming to the show and what I saw was a big increase in education when we're in Orlando, house of worship, retail, restaurants, and hospitality. None of this probably surprises you, but as we built out our marketing campaign, we've decided to really double down our investment on those segments that are organically growing in Orlando. I grew up in trade shows and marketing, so this has really been a passion project for me. Making sure that we have the right audience in InfoComm 2025 is my number one priority and I had to prioritize when I started at AVIXA so I had six months to really execute the show. So if there is one thing that I'm focused on day in and day out, it's the audience at InfoComm this year. When you say audience, are you hearing from exhibitors that they want to see more I end users or they want to see more partners because I think of an InfoComm as being a hyper-efficient way for a manufacturer to have a touch with a whole bunch of existing and potential resellers, and maybe not as worried about having like General Motors or some big retailer walking around.  Jenn Heinold: I hear both, Dave, and I think distributors and integrators are a super important part of the ecosystem, just as the end users are. We are putting more end users on Stage on the show floor this year, as well as within our conference program and I think, having the end users talk about how they are using AV technology only drives more end users to come to the show. That's what they want to hear, right? Uses cases of how they had successful installations, and how they have better employee engagement because of their conferencing and collaboration tools. We've got some retailers actually who will present how they're deploying AV technology in their stores, and what it's doing to improve their business. So we are making a real focus on that piece along with, of course, all the traditional content and certification we offer for the gearheads, as you said. I assume that's a bit of a tactic as well in, that if you invite, the Head of Digital for a big bank or big retail or whatever it may be to the show to do a speaking gig, there's a decent chance he or she is gonna bring some other people with them and then you've got people with big bank on the name tag walking around the show and you're able to talk about, look at the kinds of companies we're attracting. Jenn Heinold: That's absolutely a tactic. The other tactic is when we market to these end-user segments, and they go to our website, perhaps cold, having not really known much about InfoComm, and they see like-minded people on the website speaking, they realize it's an event for them too.  When you got involved, was there a discussion about how are things working right now? The old line about, if it ain't broke, don't fix it? Or were there things that you were told that are where we would like to grow, here's like where we would like to change things, that sort of thing?  Jenn Heinold: Yeah, I mentioned some of the deep dive I took into the show data when I first started. I also read the last five or so years' Exhibitor and Attendee Surveys. In reading those, one thing that bubbled up was just the onsite experience overall, and it is hard when you compare a U.S.-based show to an ISE at the Fira Barcelona is lovely and the food options are really healthy and great, and, unfortunately, we're a little bit behind in the United States on those things, but we are making  It's mind-blowing.  Jenn Heinold: It is a little embarrassing sometimes, but, I will tell you, I have already met with the team in Orlando. I actually was there about three weeks ago and talked about how we want to upgrade the food and beverage experience, have healthier options, and have more seating. So you will see an upgrade in the onsite experience as well.  That's something that we've done mindfully. When you have a better experience, you want to spend more time on the show floor, right? So, there's definitely another strategic priority for us.  Might as well talk about it now, I, people like me would be very happy if we never went to Orlando or Las Vegas again, and in the past, long before your time, InfoComm did move around a little bit. I remember the first one I went to was in Anaheim, and then it got in this rota of, back and forth between Orlando and Las Vegas.  Is that a finite thing or is that just how things are going to be?  Jenn Heinold: I don't think it's finite. The reality is InfoComm can fit in about five convention centers in the United States based on its size and Orlando and Vegas are two of them. Chicago could be an option, Atlanta, and New Orleans might work, but there are just not that many venues that can hold a show of our size, and also where the cities have the infrastructure to host us, so we are a little hamstrung that way.  I'm not opposed to looking at other cities. I think when we look at different cities, of course, we look at the cost structure. We look at the audience that is within a couple of hundred-mile radius and how accessible it is for air travel and everything else. I'm not opposed to it. We do have quite a few years booked already for Orlando and Las Vegas, but it's definitely something that I'm looking into.  If you come to the show, you'll see a lot of questions about our future cities and where we might be in the post-show survey, because it's something that I'd like to look into in the future. You've only been with AVIXA for three to four months, so you don't have a reference point for last year, but I'm going to ask anyway, what's going to be different this year with the show?  Jenn Heinold: Yeah, I mentioned our focus on the audience. That is a big priority for us. We always do local tours where you're able to see Avian Action. But this year I'm really proud that we're in Orlando. We've got a few new tours added to the schedule. One is, the Cirque de Soleil show behind the scenes in Disney Springs. We are going back to the University of Central Florida. We're also doing a large mega-church in Orlando for a house of worship tour. So we've added some fresh content there.  We also have a brand new panel discussion that we're launching this year called 2030 Vision. It will be moderated by Dave Labuskes, and we've got three visionaries from our industry, plus an end user up on stage to talk about what Pro AV look like in 2030, and what are the factors shaping our market. Our visionaries will be from Shure, Crestron, and Diversified. I'm really excited about having some different content models at InfoComm.  I talked earlier about the upgraded experiences. Again, we're really being mindful about making the event more comfortable and enjoyable to be a part of. I think in the last couple of years, AVIXA has really put a push on AVIXA Exchange and AVIXA TV. So I get a sense there's a lot more effort to educate the ecosystem and also use very modern ways to do it. It's not just the written word and case studies and so on. You're doing a lot of proper broadcast studio on-site at ISE and I assume probably something similar at Orlando.  Jenn Heinold: Yeah, absolutely. We'll have our AVIXA TV studios. The coolest thing about that, beyond being able to watch some of the interviews as they are recorded live, is that you get to see a fully functional broadcast studio on the show floor, right? You get to see how technology converges. It's not about just one box. It's about the whole solution and being able to present the whole solution is really special for us.  We've also got three stages. You mentioned AVIXA TV, that's more of a campfire format, right? So huddle around, and talk about different challenges that we're facing. We have our technology innovation stage which is really about highlighting new products that are coming to market and then we have our innovation Spotlight Stage and with the Spotlight Stage, we will have some exhibitors presenting thought leadership, but we also have some content partners there like Digital Signage Federation Plaza. We'll talk about lighting and staging. IABM will focus on the broadcast market opportunity and specifically the intersection of broadcast AV and IT. And FutureWorks who will talk about content creation.  Are you getting into some areas that - I saw at ISE that I didn't have enough time to really get over there and look at any, but it's enough just to get through those four days - but things like drones?  Jenn Heinold: We don't have a dedicated section of the show floor for drones. But certainly, there is some content about the use of drones projection mapping, and other applications.  What about the digital signage side? Through the years, AVIXA at InfoComm has tried to do “digital signage” pavilions, zones, and all kinds of things, and then in the last two to four years, I'm not sure of the number, you've worked with the Digital Signage Federation on a conference day called D Sign. Is that being replicated this year?  Jenn Heinold: Yeah, that'll return and we also have some content with Invidis who will cover a lot of digital signage as well so it's still a huge focus for us as part of the show. One of the attempts has always been to try to create an area thematically around it, but I've always told people that's super difficult because there are exhibitors who've been at that show for 10-20 years, and they have their spot. So it's hard to just say, okay, all of you digital science companies, you go over here, the audio people maybe do. Jenn Heinold: Yes. We don't have a dedicated pavilion for digital signage, but it gets back to our conversation earlier, Dave, I think it's a little bit less about one very specific piece of technology and more about the larger application and I think that's where our industry is going, and that's why really we can't box in those digital signage providers, right? Because they're doing so much more than just just a digital signage display.  Yeah, and that applies to just about any discipline these days that everything is cross-pollinating.  Jenn Heinold: Yes. So I think you'll see certainly some applications come to life at InfoComm 2025 and it'll be an even bigger part of our event design for 2026 where we are already having those conversations around what Infocomm 2026 looks like, which is really exciting. There was some noise at ISE around some of the major exhibitors, like notably Samsung, suggesting that they're not going to be at the show, that they're pulling their big stand, and this and that, and those were swatted down at the time, but I'm curious where that's at.  Jenn Heinold: Yeah, I personally speak to Samsung about every other week and they will be participating at InfoComm 2025. Will it be in the large booth presence that they have had in the past? Quite frankly, no, but, they will be there. They will have products on display. We welcome them and we're working with them to find the right marketing solution for what their needs are today and into the future as well. I find that weird because they had a massive presence at ISE and you would think they want to be there and if they're just doing whisper rooms, that sort of thing, it seems an odd decision. Is there something behind that? I read stuff about Korean politics or whatever, Korean government stuff that may be in the way of it. Jenn Heinold: I think that's a better question for them to answer, certainly, but they will do more than just a whisper room. They will have a presence at the show and we're working with them very closely on that. And they've been great partners. We want to continue to partner with them in a way that's mutually beneficial to both. Of course. Are you seeing some new exhibitors? Again, I respect that this is all new to you, but, some significant exhibitors coming into the InfoComm that maybe didn't do in the past.  Jenn Heinold: Yeah, I'm seeing, some more kiosk manufacturers. We're hearing more and more about that. Retail seems to be a really big end-user segment. That's a priority. We Just signed up AWS and they're bringing their equivalent of the Fire Stick for digital signage to the show. So those applications are fun to see and new for us.  We are always looking at a little bit of AI technology, we're always looking to make sure that we're introducing new and innovative technology to the show floor and one of the most fulfilling things for me is when you see those new tech come in and they might come in a 10 x 10 in the far corner of the hall and then they work their way there, work their way up, and have a bigger and bigger presence. Does your team do much coaching for some of the overseas exhibitors?  I'm particularly thinking about Chinese LED manufacturers who show up at these shows and it's always been a source of frustration and bewilderment for me that they'll spend a lot of money to bring all their tech over and bring a bunch of people over, and then when I wander into their booths and start asking questions, they don't tend to have many, if any people who can speak much in the way of English. So do your people coach them by saying, “Guys, if you're gonna do this, here's our advice!”  Jenn Heinold: We do.  It doesn't necessarily work?  Jenn Heinold: We do and we also try to help our exhibitors with their marketing campaigns and how to promote their presence at the show, and how to save money. A lot of the services are deadline-driven and talk through all of those things.  Yeah, we do that. We partner with sales agents as well that are in the country and we encourage them to work with their exhibitors as well as to coach them on exhibiting. I don't know if that is not necessarily working, but I do think it's a longer process because there are so many elements that tie into that. Yeah, and it's not easy to if you're in Shenzhen or Beijing or whatever, you just logically don't have a whole bunch of English-speaking people, but, I guess it's not that easy either to hire interpreters to come over and get questions thrown at them about chip on board and pixel pitch and things like that the interpreter is not going to understand either.  Jenn Heinold: That can be a challenge. We hire some interpreters for our own staff to help interact. And, yeah, it definitely can be a challenge. I do think we are so close. You travel internationally. I travel internationally and with Google Translate and so many new AI tools, I feel like we are so close to really having some breakthrough moments with that though. It's so much easier now.  Like the Facebook glasses, and there's some other ones out there where they can do real-time translation and it'll just show up on the lens, which would be amazing for just about anything I do once I leave this country or leave this continent. Jenn Heinold: Yeah, I see it too. I'm hopeful that'll really transform our shows.  I have to ask about the current political and economic climate with tariffs and everything else. How are AVIXA and InfoComm navigating their way through some of that?  Jenn Heinold: Yeah, I think it certainly comes up quite often. I mentioned that was doing a trip in South America, Mexico last week, and I think it's a concern for our exhibitors, and what we can do is just help support their efforts. I feel really confident that our exhibitors know how to run their business and know how to do it well, and they will pivot and make adjustments I have studied the AV industry over the last few months, having joined AVIXA and having seen how our industry navigated COVID and having worked for an organization that had multiple trade shows prior where I saw a lot of industries not navigate COVID as well as the AV industry, I'm super impressed with how agile and smart our exhibitors are.  I think this is just another challenge that we face. I have every confidence that we'll be able to navigate this too.  Do you have any sense of companies deciding, given everything that's going on, really don't want to travel to the U.S. right now?  I'm Canadian, so I suspect there's a whole bunch of people north of the U.S. border who are having second thoughts about, okay, do I really want to go to Florida right now or in June with all this stuff about Canada being the 51st state and so on. Jenn Heinold: Yeah, so right now, we haven't had a lot of pushback on traveling to the United States. We have been able to maintain the exhibitors on our show floor, but it's certainly something that I'm watching very closely.  As a show organizer, I do think it's our job to make sure that everyone feels welcome and that's what I'm focusing on.  Yeah, I think most Canadians like me, I've got a bazillion friends in the U.S. and I would miss them and everything else and I don't think they're the ones who are stirring the pot here. So it's just unfortunate.  Jenn Heinold: Yes, absolutely.  We'll just leave it at that, right?  Jenn Heinold: Yeah.  So tell me about Mexico City. I'm curious how you guys, not really rationalize that, but you have to counterbalance that. Okay. If you do a show in Mexico City for LATAM, does that siphon away some of what is in InfoComm US?  Jenn Heinold: I wasn't part of the initial launch conversations, but I will tell you having managed regional portfolios of shows, in my past life and now being part of a regional portfolio show, I really think that all ships rise with the tide, Dave, and having an event in the country and more specifically, the In the native language and being able to serve that community who may not be able to travel will only lift up and put calm in the U.S. as well. So I'm really excited about it.  The pride that the local community feels to have InfoComm in their backyard is really palpable and energizing. I'm proud that we're able to do the regional event, and I do think that it'll feed even more of the audience to InfoComm in the U.S. because in many ways it's a great introduction to the brand and we can say, now you experience this and please come to the U.S.  show as well.  Finally, I'm curious how things are tracking. I know that with ISE, I heard probably eight weeks out or something like that, it was going to be very busy, probably break records, and so on. I'm curious about what you're hearing or tracking for Orlando and also for Mexico City although I know Mexico is well out.  Jenn Heinold: Yeah, so for Orlando, our show floor is about 95 percent sold. We're targeting around 410,000 net square feet of exhibit space and for registrations, we're targeting 40,000 which is back to pre-pandemic numbers. Right now we're pacing really well. I'm watching it very closely, of course, and I'd love to check-in with you a little closer to the event and be able to share since we still have a few months to go. But all the indicators are really good for InfoComm in the U.S. We actually just added some hotel room nights because we were getting full with the hotels we're seeing our website traffic, pretty significantly year over year. We have to look at the full picture, but there are some really positive early indicators for InfoComm.  It's probably a bit too early to know much about Mexico City, right? Jenn Heinold: Mexico City's registration will open up in June, actually at InfoComm in the U.S. We've sold about 80% of the show floor. It's a much smaller show floor than InfoComm in the U.S., but I'm really happy with the early interest from exhibitors and support from the local community. We're hoping for about 5,000 attendees in Mexico City. All right. Thank you very much for giving me an update.  Jenn Heinold: Thank you. I really enjoyed our conversation.