System Contract News - May 2025

Wayne Cavadi

By James Careless

Brad Hintze

Nyere Hollingsworth

SYSTEMS CHECK

Digital Signage Continues to Thrive

If you’re a regular reader of the AVIXA Report in SCN, you know the Pro AV industry is growing—but not like it did in recent years. Following pandemic-related declines, the industry recovered very quickly. One might even say growth was explosive. Today, that growth has stabilized.

While there might not be fireworks, Pro AV is still expected to remain higher than the U.S. gross domestic product. “It’s still growth, we’re in a true growth mode,” affirmed Sean Wargo, VP of market insight at AVIXA. “We’re growing better than the economies in which we exist.”

When you drill down specifically into digital signage, it’s growing faster than other solution areas within the Pro AV industry. It’s also one of the largest solution areas, too.

But digital signage hasn’t exactly had the smoothest ride in recent years. Yes, there was rapid growth in 2021 and 2022, but there was a significant slowdown in 2023, and it slowed down even more in 2024. Wargo attributed this mostly to the drop in display prices that resulted from a rapid increase in display supply—but with potentially more stability in pricing, he expects a market correction this year.

Based on AVIXA estimates, you can expect the digital signage market to grow to $44.2 billion this year and continue to grow in 2026. Part of that growth will include projection (remember, digital signage isn’t limited to LED displays) that will be used for everything from live events to projection mapping. Also, some older digital signage displays are being replaced by new technology, such as dvLED, which will drive more growth.

There are plenty of potential public-facing areas where digital signage can be beneficial to customers, visitors, and even employees. Digital signage installs run the gambit, from wayfinding to digital out-of-home advertising to digital menu boards (yes, AVIXA includes them in its digital signage numbers). According to Wargo, “The opportunity is thinking about digital signage as points of delivery in public settings to communicate and convey information to all manners of audience.”

Retail and hospitality will continue to lead the digital signage success story. Digital menu boards found in quick-serve restaurants create a bit of a blur between the two markets, but Wargo said they remain a key driver. Another market showing promise is transportation, with facilities investing more in digital signage for wayfinding as well as enticing travelers to enjoy a meal (see the display to the left that encouraged me to have an overpriced dinner on my way to ISE earlier this year).

However, the digital signage market is about more than the display. As Wargo explained, the potential for the content management system component of the digital signage workflow is huge. Pick your flavor, on-site or cloud-based—CMS could see almost 30% growth.

Also, look for managed services to grow significantly as well. Wargo said the “bang and hang” installation possibilities are not where the opportunities end. From servicing equipment to creating content, he said integrators should look beyond the initial install and offer add-on services to create recurring revenue streams.

Another area that warrants some attention is interactivity. Companies like Navori Labs are already using AI to track audiences and deliver personalized content in retail environments. It’s not alone. The use of data being captured at the point of customer interaction and the response to that data with personalization used to be the stuff of science fiction. Now, it’s a compelling use case.

Yes, Wargo acknowledged that there must be a sensitivity to privacy, but it’s been shown that shoppers will share private information if it results in something that is relevant and useful. While AVIXA hasn’t quantified interactivity in its forecasts (yet), there’s no doubt that personalized digital signage experiences will continue to gather momentum in retail and other markets. In other words, watch this space. After all, it's watching you.

CONTENT

Content Director Mark J. Pescatore, Ph.D. mark.pescatore@futurenet.com

Senior Content Manager Wayne Cavadi

Contributors James Careless, Jennifer Guhl, Peter Hansen, Brad Hintze, Nyere Hollingsworth Art Editors

Rob Crossland, Sam Richwood

Production Managers

Nicole Schilling, Heather Tatrow

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Transportation facilities such as New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport are investing in digital signage.

Absen Opens New Experience Center

In late March, Absen opened its New York Experience Center, where AV professionals can explore the company’s latest LED display technology. Located in Manhattan, the 2,694-square-foot facility offers hands-on product demonstrations, technical training, and industry collaboration opportunities.

The Experience Center showcases Absen's most advanced dvLED solutions, designed for applications in corporate, retail, live events, broadcast, and virtual production. It will also highlight innovations from technology partners—including Yealink, TSI Touch, Rocket Alumni Solutions, Haivision, B-Tech AV Mounts, tvONE and Green Hippo, and Brompton Technology—to enhance the visitor experience by demonstrating real-world applications of integrated LED display solutions.

Strategically positioned just blocks from Penn Station and Times Square, the facility offers a convenient and immersive space for AV professionals and end users. “As the demand for high-performance LED display solutions continues to grow, the Absen New York Experience Center will serve as a vital resource for industry professionals to explore our latest innovations,” said James Liu, president, Absen.

Avidex Acquires Visual Commands

Global AV integrator Avidex has acquired Visual Commands, a technology-driven AV programming and design consultant known for its expertise in custom programming and design, control system coding, automation, and remote monitoring service solutions. The acquisition strengthens Avidex’s position in the AV industry by bringing expanded capabilities, deeper technical expertise, and a shared commitment to client success.

With a trusted partnership spanning more than two decades, Visual Commands and Avidex have spent the last five years collaborating to develop and implement Avidex Assure, a remote monitoring and managed services platform.

As part of this transition, Monty Champoux, president of Visual Commands, will join Avidex as CTO, where he will lead technology strategy and innovation across Avidex’s portfolio. The entire Visual Commands team has seamlessly transitioned to Avidex, ensuring uninterrupted service and expertise for their existing clients while gaining access to Avidex’s resources, including its national help desk.

“Joining forces with Avidex allows us to scale our capabilities and continue to deliver outside the box, specialized programming and platforms to clients while enhancing our service offerings,” said Champoux. “In my new role as CTO, I’m eager to drive forward-thinking strategies and solutions to push the boundaries of what’s possible in AV technology and continue delivering exceptional experiences to our clients.”

3G Productions Acquires Switch Video

Over the past two decades, West Coast-based 3G Productions has steadily grown its live event production services and systems integration businesses. Bolstering the company’s strategic plans to diversify its client base and further develop into a national brand, 3G Productions has purchased the assets of Switch Video, a provider of video rental services for the film/television, corporate/tradeshow, and live event and touring industries.

3G assumed ownership of Switch Video’s operations in both Castaic, CA and Atlanta, rebranding them as 3G Productions facilities. Switch’s leadership team—including industry veterans Alan Barber, Justin Edgerly, and Shawn Orm—will remain with 3G will be tasked with leading the business development of the company’s new vertical markets.

“Switch’s talented team of industry experts fits very well into 3G’s culture as our ‘people first’ organization continues to expand,” said Keith Conrad, CEO, 3G Productions. “This acquisition represents a significant step forward in our commitment to grow into a national full-service production company with a deep and diversified client base.”

Shure Scores Victory Against Product Counterfeiting Network

Shure collaborated with two other international audio equipment brands to address a network in China engaged in the largescale manufacture and export of counterfeit products, including microphones, headphones, and amplifiers.

In May 2023, Shure received information about a network of nine entities in China exporting counterfeit audio equipment to Southeast Asia. The network operated more than 80 separate online stores selling to customers in five countries. (Shure recommends customers only purchase Shure products through authorized retailers.)

China’s police force in the province, the Guangdong Province Public Security Bureau (PSB),

launched simultaneous raids against the targets, seizing counterfeit products at several locations in August 2023. The PSB investigation found more than $1.7 million in sales of counterfeit products from various international brands, including nearly $900,000 of counterfeit Shure products.

The case concluded in December 2024 with seven suspects sentenced to imprisonment ranging from two to more than four years and fines totaling $1.1 million. Shure and one other participating brand also concluded settlement agreements with the suspects for considerable compensation.

“Counterfeit products hurt everyone, including customers and authorized retailers, and we will continue to protect our brand from these illegal

activities,” said Eric McAlpine, VP and chief legal officer, Shure. “Shure has been in business for 100 years and we want our customers to experience the quality of a genuine Shure product.”

Monty Champoux

Absen opened an Experience Center in Manhattan in late March.

Raids by the Guangdong Province Public Security Bureau seized counterfeit audio products.

Shawn Orm (left), Justin Edgerly, Keith Conrad, and Alan Barber stand outside Switch Video’s headquarters in Castaic, CA.

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SCN Announces 2025 Stellar Service Awards

The Pro AV industry is loaded with awards. But there’s something special about the SCN Stellar Service Awards. They recognize excellent service as well as the manufacturers, distributors, and integrators that provide it. Once again, we received thousands of votes across eight award categories from you, our readers—thank you for taking part. And now, here are this year’s providers of exceptional service.

Best Design Services/Tools

Platinum: Sennheiser Control Cockpit

Sennheiser’s Control Cockpit is the trusted software tool for seamless audio management, empowering integrators and IT teams to turn ambitious UC concepts into reality. The centralized software provides effortless control, monitoring, and maintenance for entire microphone ecosystems, including Sennheiser’s EW-DX4, SpeechLine, and TeamConnect products. Offering a real-time, browser-based interface accessible from any device, it ensures complete visibility over all network-enabled devices, streamlining even the most complex AV installations. Advanced features such as global system statistics, instant notifications, and remote configuration enable users to manage setups with ease at any scale, including multicampus deployments. With powerful search and filter functions, intuitive device grouping, and real-time status updates, Control Cockpit reduces downtime and simplifies troubleshooting—enhancing efficiency for corporate boardrooms, higher education, and large venue installations.

Gold: Draper Managed Services

Silver: L-Acoustics Milan Manager

Best Online Shopping Experience

Platinum: BZBGEAR

BZBGEAR combines an intuitive, feature-rich platform with excellent customer support. Its website is designed to provide AV professionals and broadcasters a seamless shopping experience to find the right gear. Through advanced search filters, detailed product pages, and real-time inventory updates, customers can quickly locate their ideal needs. A product comparison tool helps make informed decisions, while pristine images, product videos, and downloadable spec sheets and manuals offer complete transparency. The BZBGEAR online shopping experience enables users to discover solutions tailored to their needs. An interactive BZBGEAR Configurator provides step-by-step guidance for selecting compatible devices, streamlining system design, and customers benefit from live chat support where knowledgeable AV experts assist in real time.

Best Online Training

Platinum: SynAudCon Online Audio Training

For more than 50 years, SynAudCon has been teaching audio practitioners and professionals. Here is some feedback from course graduates:

• “I enjoyed the course. There were many things I considered basic before taking the course, but after taking the course I learned that I was misinformed. I will carry over this information to my workplace and be able to explain to my peers the correct way of doing things and most importantly why it must be done this way.” A.G.

• “I thought this course was great. I found that although I already had a good bit of knowledge on sound systems, the course really helped fill in some gaps. The material was clear cut and framed in a way that just made sense. I will gladly recommend this course to others in the field.”

C.N.

Gold: QSC Q-SYS Control and UCI Training Series

Silver: Crestron Electronics Crestron Technical Institute

Best Project Management Tools

Platinum: XTEN-AV

XTEN-AV’s cloud-based software lets users complete their AV designs, create proposals, and manage projects and tasks on a single platform. This makes the XTEN-AV a single source of truth for all kinds of project, design, and sales data—easily accessible and completely human and machine agnostic. A built-in diagramming tool, X-DRAW, offers users patented drawing automation with AV-specific capabilities. Users can also use corrective AI to identify and rectify incorrect connections. X-VRSE, the VR platform, lets users design their AV rooms on a VR platform and visualize them. And with the newest launch, X-Pro, users can manage tasks and create events, facilitated by robust analytics and a review page, offering performance metrics, milestone tracking, and actionable insights for smarter project management.

Gold: ProjX360

Silver: D-Tools

Best Sales Operation

Platinum: Extron

When customers call Extron, there is an actual, experienced person to answer and assist with any product question or issue. The company’s Sales Support Team is international, so expert advice is never far, wherever in the world customers may be. Whether getting need advice in selecting the right AV solution, assistance in addressing technical issues, or placing an order, Extron delivers timely, reliable, and professional help along the way.

Gold: Sound Productions Pro Audio, Video, and Lighting Sales

Silver: Listen Technologies Sales Operations Team

Best Supporting Content

Platinum: Extron

Extron Insiders can access a comprehensive library of exclusive tools, training materials, and product

insights designed to support AV professionals at every stage of system design and integration. From AutoCAD, Visio, and Revit libraries to detailed A&E specifications, block diagrams, and panel drawings, Extron provides the technical documentation needed to streamline project planning and execution. Beyond documentation, Extron Insiders gain access to an extensive video library, featuring how-to guides, out-of-the-box demonstrations, and educational technology insights to help users configure and deploy AV systems efficiently. Insiders also benefit from direct access to configuration tools, firmware downloads, and repair services.

Gold: Exertis Almo The E4 Experience

Silver: Shure User Guides

Best Tech Support

Platinum: Matrox Video

Matrox Video’s technical support isn’t just a help desk—it’s an extension of the company’s product development team. Support specialists are deeply embedded in Matrox Video’s software and hardware workflows, ensuring unparalleled knowledge and assistance. Unlike traditional call centers, its team actively participates in product design, bug triaging, and product review meetings, allowing them to address issues at the root level. With team members boasting more than 15 years of extensive experience in the Pro AV industry, Matrox Video continues to assist customers with products that have been in the field for decades. Beyond troubleshooting, Matrox Video acts as the voice of the customer, relaying real-world insights to our development teams to drive continuous product improvement.

Gold: Shure Customer Experience Team

Silver: PTZOptics Tech Support

Best Value-Added Services

Platinum: Shure Wireless Workbench and ShureCloud

Shure’s Wireless Workbench (WWB) and ShureCloud provide value-added services to Shure’s product portfolio, ensuring seamless wireless management and remote device control. WBB offers real-time frequency coordination, monitoring, and control, enabling audio professionals to manage complex RF environments—all at no extra cost. With advanced scanning and interference detection, WBB maximizes spectrum efficiency. ShureCloud enhances the Shure ecosystem by enabling secure, cloud-based device management and firmware updates. Users can remotely monitor system performance, ensuring optimal operation without the need for on-site troubleshooting. This remote capability enhances workflow flexibility and efficiency.

Gold: Exertis Almo LinkLab Professional Services

Silver: Epson America Expert Support Team

—Projectors

NAB 2025: Tariffs, Convergence, and the AI Killer App?

By Mark J. Pescatore

According to show officials, the 2025 NAB Show, which relinquished the Las Vegas Convention Center on April 9, attracted 55,000 registered attendees from 160 countries. About a quarter of attendees came from outside the United States and more than half of participants registered for the show for the first time. Across the exhibit hall, which was open April 6-9, there were almost 1,100 exhibitors, including 125 first timers.

Overall, attendance numbers were lower than in 2023 and 2024 but higher than 2022, when the show returned after a two-year, pandemic-induced hiatus. Continuing renovations to the LVCC forced the show to be spread across the West, North, and South Halls, so attendees definitely got their steps. Here are a few of the highlights from the show for the Pro AV crowd.

Tariff Talk

While maybe not a dark cloud over what was an active, upbeat show, tariffs were certainly a nasty patch of gloom hanging out by nearby Red Rock Canyon, a system that could bring lingering storms or dissipate with little more than a soft spring shower. Unfortunately, not even the best meteorologist can predict with any certainty where this business weather pattern will go.

It’s the topic where everyone wants clarity and nobody has it. Some companies I approached wouldn’t talk about tariffs on the record—and with the instability swirling around the topic I don’t blame them. I mean, President Trump imposed tariffs on April 2 and the stock market tanked. On the last day of the show, he announced a pause on most tariffs, and that news delivered one of the best days in stock market history. Then, while many of us were traveling back home, the stock market dropped again.

Basically, companies are tracking what’s happening in the market (or some variation on that theme). Fair enough.

Like most Pro AV manufacturers, Audinate is trying to navigate its manufacturing efforts based on tariff announcements. The company’s conscious decision to emphasize software-based solutions during the pandemic to avoid supply chain issues has certainly helped. According to Josh Rush, chief marketing officer, in the first half of Audinate’s fiscal year, the company shipped more software units than hardware units.

Gary Rosen, VP of sales for Pliant Technologies, put to voice what many in the Pro AV industry are

likely feeling. “Tariffs are concerning,” he said, “but as concerning is the lack of clarity and what it all means.” Pliant has some U.S. manufacturing but also relies on manufacturing in Korea and China. So, what’s included—are we talking components or finished products or both? And, most importantly, what will the impact of tariffs be on customers?

Convergence Continues

Convergence remains a driving trend within the Pro AV and broadcast verticals, with technology solutions flowing back and forth between the two industries. For example, Drew Buttress, senior product manager for Sony, sees corporate and educational environments wanting broadcast-quality cameras. Meanwhile, some of the virtual production technology that was demonstrated on the show floor has its roots in Pro AV.

“It’s really where we live at the moment,” explained Chris Merrill, director of product management for Panasonic Connect. About half of product development is coming from outside the broadcast environment, he added, and content creation expectations continue to move toward replicating the quality of content being produced for television. “We get to make that easier to accomplish,” he noted.

“True convergence is here and it’s happening,” said Kevin Henneman, president of KMH Integration. He thinks the IPMX AVoIP standard is key to the convergence of the two industries. “It truly will blend and create a true interoperability between Pro AV and broadcast,” he predicted.

In other words, expect to see the line between Pro AV and broadcast continue to be blurred, stepped over, and generally ignored for the foreseeable future.

AI Voice Translation

Last year, Bill Bennett at ENCO Systems gave me a demo of SPECai. He filled in a few data points in a GUI and within a few seconds the system spit out a couple of scripts for radio commercials. Pretty cool. But then the system produced radio-ready spots of those scripts using an AI voiceover that didn’t sound, well, like an AI voiceover. Very cool.

Apparently, large language models (LLMs) got really good over the past year. As a result, several other companies exhibiting at the 2025 NAB Show were showcasing their own AI-powered solutions for live captions as well as audio translations with voices that sound more like human talent.

“Translation is riding the coattails of the AI revolution,” declared Ray Tiley, CTO of Tightrope Media Systems, which showcased its new MediaScribe

hybrid service at the show. Designed to improve meeting accessibility for local governments, MediaScribe combines a hardware interface with cloud-based AI services to convert speech into text, which can be displayed as closed captions on cable channels, open captions for in-room displays, and mobile captions on personal devices. It supports real-time translations in dozens of languages, and allows users to create a custom vocabulary to help with challenging names and locations.

3Play Media unveiled Dubbing, its customizable translation solution. AI is the starting point for the service; 3Play Media couples it with human correction, so it’s not a real-time solution. But it’s still more affordable than traditional translation with human transcribers, and it supports multiple languages and dialects. The company is targeting high-end media and elearning, among other verticals. “This is possible because AI voices are so good,” explained Lily Bond, chief growth officer for 3Play Media.

Dylan Porter, VP of marketing and partnerships for AI-Media, agreed that AI voice technology has “skyrocketed” in a very short time. AI-Media is focused on helping broadcasters and other content creators break the language barrier and increase their reach with LEXI Voice, its new AI voice translation technology. Built on the company’s flagship LEXI captioning solution, it provides AI voice translations that sound natural—and delivers those translations with very low latency for live events. “Voice is a natural extension of what we’re already doing,” he added.

Does this mean real-time AI translation is the elusive AI “killer app” we’ve all been looking for? I’m not ready to make that declaration, but the technology is certainly making significant strides for accessibility as well as content monetization in markets.

AI-Media’s Dylan Porter (right) provided SCN’s Mark J. Pescatore with a demo of the new AI-powered LEXI Voice translation solution.

There were almost 1,100 exhibitors and 55,000 registered attendees at the 2025 NAB Show.

Exertis Almo Highlights GenAI, Unveils LinkLab at NY Metro E4 Experience

By Jennifer Guhl

The NY Metro E4 Experience, the second E4 from Exertis Almo in 2025, took place on April 2 at the Teaneck Marriott in Teaneck, NJ, following its kickoff event in Dallas in March. Now in its 16th year, the one-day events unite Exertis Almo resellers, integrators, consultants, and end users for programs filled with informative sessions and hands-on experiences featuring the latest industry solutions from major vendors as well as niche vendors.

One of the major announcements from the event was the rebranding of Exertis Almo’s well-established services portfolio to LinkLab, which provides a comprehensive range of services, tools, and support that can be tailored to a particular business and project. Services include engineering and drafting, design and 3D modeling, programming and commissioning, labor support, and the new Autora digital signage management platform.

LinkLab can help with complex tasks that may exceed an integrator’s expertise, helping to streamline operations and complete projects more efficiently. “We came up with LinkLab as the name, link being our connection to the customer and the lab aspects being that vision, that future-forward thinking,” said Cory Allen, vice president of services with Exertis Almo.

Beyond the traditional services customers are using, LinkLab provides an innovative experience that breaks the conventional services mold. Allen said it's truly a safe space for exploration, with some of the best success stories coming from customer requests. “We do a lot of experimental stuff, so it's really cool in our business to try things out,” he added.

She noted that it took the internet seven years to reach 100 million users, while ChatGPT achieved that milestone in just two months. People are quickly adopting GenAI to remove low to no-value tasks from their daily work, enabling them to concentrate on higher-impact contributions.

However, a change in mindset will be necessary for a more significant adoption of generative AI. “Just because you give every household a treadmill doesn’t mean we’re going to cure heart disease,” she added. Access might be the first step, but fostering engagement and support across your departments is equally important.

Stewart mentioned that Microsoft has effectively encouraged employees to go beyond seeing AI simply as a search engine and to recognize it as a tool for automation, content creation, and summarization. “I don’t even go into my quicksand box anymore,” she said of her email. Instead, Copilot highlights her essential emails, allowing her to spend less time responding to and feeling burdened by constant emails. It also aids her in prioritizing her day by extracting action items she can quickly address.

The NY Metro E4 Experience also featured keynote speaker Amanda Stewart from Microsoft, who offered an insightful look at how generative AI, particularly Microsoft Copilot, is transforming the modern workplace. “We are in the middle of our fourth major transformation and platform shift right now into AI,” Stewart explained, acknowledging that what distinguishes this shift is “the speed at which this is happening.”

With the success of the E4 Experience, Exertis Almo has begun experimenting with Plug-in events in cities beyond the E4 locations. Two Plug-ins have already taken place, and there are plans to visit Cincinnati, Denver, and Nashville in 2025.

Plug-in events are designed to be less of a trade show, with more of a focus on networking. They are also hosted at nontraditional venues, such as the recent event in Atlanta, which took place at a brewery and attracted 65 attendees. According to Greg O’Rourke, director of trade shows and events with Exertis Almo, Plug-ins enable everyone, including individuals not near E4 Experience locations, to engage on a different scale. “It doesn't support the size of an E4," he said, "but it does support us going there and getting our sales team to network with their customers and getting their customers to network with these large manufacturers that they would never have that opportunity to."

Exertis Almo will bring the E4 Experience to Santa Clara, CA, on Sept. 10 and Chicago on Oct. 7.

The Exertis Almo LinkLab team helps integrators with complex tasks.

The NY Metro E4 Experience included a busy exhibit hall.

Microsoft’s Amanda Stewart discussed how GenAI is transforming modern workplaces at the NY Metro E4 Experience.

By Peter Hansen

The overall economy has not been great, but it’s been OK in recent quarters, and the same could probably be said of the AV Sales Index (AVI-S), too. That’s actually an unusual combination; typically, our industry comfortably outperforms the wider economy.

Based on the economic signals we’ve gotten so far this year, we would expect the AVI-S to be probably in the upper 50s or even 60, but it’s languished in the low 50s. That is understandable given the transitions out of the pandemic, but it is disappointing.

However, now there’s good news: The AVI-S leapt from 54.0 in February to 60.9 for March. This is very welcome positivity, though we should not expect it to continue. A substantial change in any direction that is unaccompanied by a clear cause usually reverts in the following month, and that’s what we anticipate here: back to mid or low 50s. That’s especially true given the

Winning Result in March as Clouds Darken

intensity of trade conflict that is heating up between the United States and the rest of the world.

Tariffs (and their related uncertainty) were by far the top concern in the open-ended comments from our response pool—and that’s with almost the entire sampling period before President Trump’s April 2 tariff announcement. The massive tariffs on countries all around the world are a clear source of short-term pain for our industry. Perhaps there is a long-term strategy that will pay off, but for now, even though some have been paused or reduced at press time, they are a lingering negative that will drive prices higher in the United States.

The AV Employment Index (AVI-E) was a clear contrast to the AVI-S in March. After running ahead of the AVI-S so far this year (suggesting greater strength than the AVI-S was indicating), the AVI-E decelerated in March to 53.5. In previous months, the AVI-E was a reassuring counterpoint to a disappointing AVI-S; now it’s a splash of cold water on an exciting AVI-S.

Taking the whole first quarter’s data together, the

AVI-S and AVI-E tell a story of an industry growing modestly. The growth is below historical rates but still meaningful. In wider employment news, the U.S. had a good result for its March employment report.

Payroll growth was at 228,000, well up from 117,000 in February.

It’s critical to note that this information is a valuable metric but a lagged one. In a hypothetical where we enter a recession, we should expect jobs numbers to look OK for some months before the true impact of the downturn begins to show. That’s not to undermine the good news in March, but rather to put in mind as we go forward in a world where a 2025 recession looks likely.

The Pro AV Business Index report is derived from a monthly survey of the AVIXA Insights Community, a research community of industry members that tracks business trends in commercial AV. For more information about joining the AVIXA Insights Community, visit www.avixa.org/AVIP.

Peter Hansen is an economist at AVIXA.

PEOPLE NEWSMAKERS

Rep Report

ATLASIED has a new partnership with the LIVELLA BRAND GROUP, a manufacturer’s representative based in Lenexa, KS. The collaboration will enable customers across Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas to access AtlasIED’s comprehensive range of audio and security solutions and its training and dedicated customer service. With a focus on meeting each client’s unique needs, Livella brings a broad selection of technology solutions to the region.

EXERTIS ALMO announced that DRAPER has taken steps to amplify the distribution partnership. The expanded alliance offers key benefits to Exertis Almo integrators, including the sourcing of Draper’s full Pro AV portfolio of standard and custom mounts and structures for LED and LCD video wall applications, as well as the complete offering of projection screens and projector lifts. Additional Exertis Almo integrator advantages include streamlined procurement and reduced lead times, as well as the ability for integrators to offer high-end, tailored AV solutions for corporate, education, entertainment, and other high-profile markets.

MERSIVE TECHNOLOGIES has partnered with DATAVISUAL MARKETING to bring Mersive’s line of collaboration and wireless screen-sharing offerings to Canadian customers. DataVisual Marketing is an AV distributor known for its technology brands, vendor training, and comprehensive support. The company’s national sales, business development, and inside sales support teams work together to provide personalized service, technical expertise, and direct engagement with end users.

ALLEN & HEATH has welcomed mixing engineer and experienced touring professional JAKE HARTSFIELD as its new live sound and touring manager. Known for his work with artists such as Carly Rae Jepsen and Vulfpeck, Hartsfield brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for audio. Hartsfield’s predecessor in the role, MIKE BANGS, has been promoted to senior manager of live sound and touring, a new position with focus on high level market development for touring customers and oversight of Allen & Heath training curricula. In their new roles, Hartsfield and Bangs will both be instrumental in the expansion and delivery of Allen & Heath University, the company’s comprehensive in-person and online training program.

CHRISTIE appointed SEAN JAMES as EVP, global sales and service. In this new role, James leads the sales function and leads the company’s service organization. James, who started his career as a field engineer servicing cinema equipment, was instrumental in developing support programs and relationships with many Hollywood studios as they transitioned to digital cinema. With more than 28 years of experience at Christie, James previously led the company’s Enterprise and Entertainment division and has played a key role in driving Christie’s expansion in both markets.

THE CLEERLINE TECHNOLOGY GROUP appointed TERRY TRUTT as marketing specialist. Trutt brings proven expertise in marketing and project management, having developed successful campaigns on behalf of high-profile brands such as the NFL, Sony Peacock, and others. Trutt also has experience in graphic design, creative strategy, and marketing data analytics, and can provide insights into customer metrics to ensure that advertising strategies are properly focused and effective.

CYVIZ has promoted CHRIS LEWIS to EVP and GM North America. Lewis will oversee sales and operations for the region, bringing extensive expertise in driving sales growth and operational excellence.

PETER J. STEWART, who previously served as president of North America, serves as EVP BD, global alliances and strategy. With a proven track record in technology strategy and partnerships, Stewart will lead efforts to expand Cyviz’s global strategic alliance and partnership programs. TIM DELAERE has joined as North America channel sales director. Leveraging more than 25 years of AV industry experience, DeLaere will spearhead efforts to grow Cyviz’s channel sales with consultants and integrators. The appointments are part of the company’s new strategy to significantly expand its channel sales by deepening collaboration with AV consultants, integrators, and manufacturers.

DARRIN YOUNG has joined DBTECHNOLOGIES USA as the new director of sales for North America. Young brings a wealth of expertise and a fresh perspective to his new role, with a proven track record in sales,

marketing, training, and driving strategic market growth. His professional career in the pro audio industry began in 1999 with Stanton Magnetics. He has worked with Gibson’s Pro Audio Division and rose through the ranks at DAS Audio of America to VP of sales and marketing.

DPA MICROPHONES welcomed NICK MARIANO and VINCE DIVINE to its U.S. sales and marketing teams, respectively. Mariano will serve as the regional sales manager for the Mid-South region, while Divine joins as content creator and marketing admin. Mariano comes to DPA from Lectrosonics and now develops and executes sales strategies to aid in pushing forth the presence of DPA Microphones and Wisycom in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. Divine assists marketing manager Jarrod Renaud with U.S. marketing efforts from the company’s Longmont, CA office. Divine joins DPA from TinkerMill, a nonprofit makerspace in Longmont, where he served as media manager, providing a wide range of video, digital and social media support, strategic planning, and marketing efforts for the brand and members alike.

EASTERN ACOUSTIC WORKS has hired MARK POSGAY as VP of global sales. In this newly created role, Posgay is responsible for leading and scaling global sales teams, building strategic partnerships, and ensuring the organization’s sales operations are aligned for growth. Posgay has been a part of the professional audio industry for over 20 years and has held multiple global sales roles with companies including Sennheiser, HARMAN International, Monster Cable, and MARS Music.

GENELEC has expanded its international installed sound team with the appointment of ANTHONY BERRY as sales support engineer and ANDREW GLASMACHER as U.S. sales manager. In these newly created roles, Berry is responsible for helping to develop the Genelec Installed Sound brand globally, while Glasmacher supports contractors, consultants, and architects across the United States to develop and cultivate new business relationships and accounts.

Jake Hartsfield

Peter J. Stewart

Anthony Berry

Andrew Glasmacher

Tim DeLaere

Darrin Young

Nick Mariano

Vince Divine

Mark Posgay

Mike Bangs

Sean James

Terry Trutt

Chris Lewis

The KMH INTEGRATION team is expanding with the addition of DON SPERLING, who will lead the company’s growing creative services division as SVP of broadcast and digital engagement. Sperling was previously SVP and executive producer for the New York Giants, where he continually re-invented the team’s in-house content and production workflows, creating dynamic gameday and branded content to enhance the fan experience.

LECTROSONICS has hired JONATHAN VON RENTZELL as Central U.S. regional sales and technical manager. Von Rentzell plays a vital role across 19 states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Indianna, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. His activities include presenting Lectrosonics products to rep firms, dealers, and systems integrators, as well as existing and potential customers. Recently, he was also the sole U.S. representative for Dotterel Technologies.

LISTEN TECHNOLOGIES has welcomed DAVID SERPA as its new financial controller. In this role, Serpa manages accounting records, ensures compliance with regulations, analyzes financial data, and oversees accounting operations. Serpa has extensive

experience in accounting, finance, and international trade and strategy at manufacturing and high-tech organizations. Listen Technologies has also promoted KASEY KAUMANS to market development manager. In this new role, Kaumans continues to foster the company’s partnerships with the consultant and end user communities and identifies growth opportunities for Listen Technologies in adjacent markets. Most recently, he was regional sales manager for the East Coast.

LYNX TECHNIK has appointed DR. MARKUS MOTZKO as head of production and administration. Motzko has extensive experience in production processes, manufacturing optimization, and technical leadership, with a strong background in the semiconductor and medical technology industries. Before joining LYNX Technik, he played a key role at Littelfuse-IXYS Semiconductor in Germany. In his new role, Motzko is responsible for improving production efficiency, managing supply chain operations, and overseeing administrative functions at LYNX Technik.

RCF has welcomed BRIAN ESPINOSA to the newly created position of Western territory manager. Espinosa oversees sales and marketing support activities across the western United States, further strengthening RCF’s presence in the region. His responsibilities include managing key product lines,

Meyer Sound Announces Strategic Organizational Changes

MEYER SOUND has announced strategic organizational changes aimed at better aligning the company’s strengths and reinforcing its leadership structure. The company is broadening the responsibilities of principal department heads to harmonize its operations across multiple regions. To that end, SVP JOHN MCMAHON now oversees R&D and operations in addition to sales and marketing, while key Meyer Sound regional leaders will assume expanded responsibilities. AMY LULEY has been named senior director sales, Americas. In her newly expanded role, she oversees technical services in addition to sales for the Americas. WOLFGANG LEUTE, managing director, Europe, will now also serve as senior director sales, EMEA/APAC. In his expanded role, he oversees technical services for the EMEA and APAC regions. And ROLAND MORCOM is now sales manager, Europe, and oversees Meyer Sound’s distribution networks in the region.

working closely with dealers, integrators, and production companies across Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Hawaii. Espinosa brings more than two decades of experience in the professional audio industry to his new role.

SOUND CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES

has appointed JACKIE FREIBERGER as Western regional sales manager, expanding the sales team to further support resellers and end users across the Western United States. Freiberger, a seasoned AV professional, brings extensive experience in sales, manufacturing, and distribution across both U.S. and international markets. In her new role, she is focused on driving sales growth, strengthening partnerships, and expanding SCT’s presence in the Western region.

Founder of Neutral Human and a thought leader in the AV industry, SARAH COX joins the STAGE PRECISION team in the role of chief commercial officer. With her years of experience in commercial strategy, marketing, and the converging nature of the industries around us, Cox will focus on driving SP’s commercial direction as well as overseeing brand, marketing, and customer experience strategies.

Don Sperling

Jonathan von Rentzell

Markus Motzko

Brian Espinosa

David Serpa

Kasey Kaumans

Jackie Freiberger

Sarah Cox

From left: John Mcmahon, Amy Luley, Wolfgang Leute, and Roland Morcom

PEOPLE EXECUTIVE Q&A

From Retail Radios to Enterprise Clients

KLA Laboratories Celebrates 95 Years, Stays Focused on Innovative Solutions

By Mark J. Pescatore

SCN: How has the business grown since you took over?

Matt O’Bryan: I have been president and CEO of KLA since 2002. KLA has always been known for our largescale AV capabilities, and when I took over, I knew I wanted to grow and expand our service offerings. Since the early 2000s, we have expanded to include a wide range of IT network/wireless services, including design, configuration, deployment, and monitoring and maintenance for all our solutions. We have created new divisions within KLA which has expanded and reinforced our reputation as a leader in technology integration. Today, we have a team of over 300 employees in six offices in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

SCN: How has KLA evolved since its early days?

MO: KLA was established in 1929 as a retail store selling and repairing radios, public address systems, microphones, speakers, and rental audio systems. Our early projects included installations at Ford Motor Company and Detroit Tiger Stadium. We also provided temporary audio systems for War Bond drives in downtown Detroit during WWII, which drew hundreds of thousands of attendees.

Once my father joined the company, KLA began to expand and opened nine retail locations throughout Michigan. When hi-fi became popular in the 1950s, we were a leader in hi-fi systems. We sold audio equipment to Barry Gordy as he began Motown Studios, which was located walking distance from KLA’s Woodward Avenue location in Detroit.

In 1973, we closed our retail operations and moved our headquarters to Dearborn to better serve our large enterprise clients. We’ve always aimed to deliver innovative solutions for our clients, and that is still at the forefront of our business 95 years later.

SCN: What prompted your father, James “Pat” O’Bryan, to take over KLA in the 1960s?

MO: My father started at KLA in 1947. When he interviewed for a position in sales, he met the original founders of KLA and loved the vision and culture of the company. He came home from the interview and told my mom that day he wanted to own the company—17 years later, he made that dream come true. He started purchasing stock in the company in the 1950s and acquired a controlling interest in 1964.

SCN: How is KLA celebrating its 95th anniversary?

MO: We held a company-wide open house that included all employees and many retirees of the company. We opened our Technical Engineering Center in Dearborn, MI, for a party with live entertainment and performances from various musicians within KLA. We also recognized team members with over 30 years of service and gifted them with custom Shinola watches.

SCN: What are some of the coolest projects your company has completed recently?

MO: Since the 1950s, KLA has a valued partnership with the Detroit Lions and to this day we provide on-site support for all events at Ford Field, including NFL game days. Over the past few years, KLA has installed a new stadium sound system and updated broadcast cabling (including coaxial, triaxial, fiber optic cabling, and SMPTE) to meet broadcast requirements for FOX, CBS, and ESPN. We also installed the fiber and copper backbone cabling to support systems, including IPTV, point of sale systems, and smart displays.

In addition to the AV work we do at Ford Field, we’ve designed and deployed the entire Cisco network, including over 2,000 Wi-Fi access points, to provide wireless coverage and capacity for the 65,000 fans attending Lions games. We also designed, installed, and commissioned the neutral host 5G cellular distributed antenna system (DAS) throughout Ford Field.

SCN: Since your company handles both AV and IT projects, you’re the expert: How can organizations get these two different departments to work together?

MO: With the convergence of AV and IT, it became

Matt O’Bryan

Position: President and CEO

Company: KLA Laboratories

Overtime: One of my personal passions is playing guitar, songwriting, singing, and performing regionally with my country-rock band, The Wrenfields.

imperative to us to have solid expertise in both disciplines and “speak” both languages. We assist in bringing the two departments together by providing training and advising on how best to integrate the systems together in a holistic manner. Often, we will be providing both the AV and IT solutions at a client site, which streamlines the project and provides the best experience for the end user.

SCN: How important have managed services become for KLA?

MO: KLA has many clients where our relationship dates back several decades, so we play a role as a valued partner and essentially an extension of their team. Managed services are essential for the day-to-day support of our client’s systems. It gives us extra insight into the health and operation of those systems and gives the client peace of mind that their systems are operating at optimum levels. Providing managed services ensures that expansions, upgrades, and new installations are deployed correctly and deliver the best value for the client. Managed services also provide a great training opportunity to grow our entry-level team into expanded roles, as we can provide career pathing for those who are new to the AV and IT industries.

SCN: What new initiatives are we likely to see from your company?

SCN: KLA is headquartered in the Midwest, but our reach is throughout North America. We are growing and expanding our Audio Visual Technologies group nationally to include the recent opening of our office in Irvine, CA, to further support the KLA office in Las Vegas. We have seen exponential growth in the AV space out west, with projects at Crypto.com Arena, Pepperdine University, and OCVIBE. We are also opening brick-andmortar offices in Mexico and Canada. We have always provided our services in these countries, but opening offices in these markets will provide better regional/ in-market support for our clients.

SCN: What’s the next big thing for Pro AV?

MO: We really think AI is going to be a game-changer in all systems and specifically in meeting/conference room spaces. The capabilities and features—for example, filtering out noise, real-time transcription, and translation—will not only aid in the deployment of these systems, but provide additional capabilities and an enhanced user experience.

KLA’s retail store in 1939.

What does the future of Pro AV hold? A good indicator is The Nine. Every year, SCN celebrates a select group of younger professionals who are setting the tone for the industry’s next generation. This year, we shine the spotlight on leaders making a difference in engineering, product development and marketing, business development and sales, service, training, virtual production, and operations.

Cory Allen

Why You Need to Know Him: Driven and ambitious, Cory Allen is not comfortable just standing still and never settles for good enough. He always strives to push through, no matter what’s in the way, and constantly looks for ways to level up and adjust his approach. “Roadblocks don’t throw me off—they’re just the next challenge to figure out,” he added.

Allen recalled a day when he worked as a parttime warehouse associate for C2G, a brand of Legrand, and noticed the sales team gathered in the conference room receiving chair massages. He was taking a break from the 103-degree warehouse, where he had just finished unloading two 40-foot containers. “I couldn’t help but think If anyone deserves a massage, it’s us sweating it out in the back,” he added. That’s where his desire to move into sales started.

After a few more years in the warehouse, the company president allowed him to participate in the

new hire training program without guaranteeing a role at the end. However, he was offered a full-time position on the first day of the two-week program, and his career in sales was off.

After working in various sales and management roles at C2G, he was eventually approached regarding an opportunity with Almo Pro AV, a client he had engaged with since the launch of its Pro AV division. While having drinks with Steve Stacy, VP of the Midwest, Allen was interviewed for a position and apparently accepted the offer.

“I say ‘apparently’ because I didn’t quite remember agreeing, but when Steve reminded me the next morning, I told him, ‘If you say I did, then I did,’” he recalled. “I’m a man of my word. I’m in.” Ten years later, he feels grateful and fortunate to be a part of it all.

“From a professional standpoint, Cory brings a dynamic blend of competence, confidence, courtesy,

and positivity—fueling both visionary strategy and impactful day-to-day execution,” said Dan Smith, EVP of Exertis Almo. “On a personal note, Cory’s sense of humor is refreshing, and he definitely has the best hair in the business!”

Allen also feels fortunate to be working with one of the hardest-working teams in the business, and is most proud of their energy and commitment to delivering top-notch results for their customers. “The way I see it, any recognition I get is really just a reflection of their effort and passion,” he said. “I’m just the lucky one who gets to lead them.”

After 20 years in the industry, the incredible people he has led and met along the way have truly been his favorite part of working in this field. He even mentions that those in the AV industry are a bit unconventional, but he means that in the best possible way.

“We’re basically a bunch of misfits who somehow made commercial AV our own,” Allen added. “The uniqueness of each person makes the collective that much more fascinating, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

By Jennifer Guhl

Title: Vice President of Services Company: Exertis Almo Location: Cincinnati, OH Overtime: He loves playing hockey, working on cars, watching Formula racing, and savoring a good cigar. But above all, he cherishes spending time with his wife and daughter. He also swam with sharks miles out in the open ocean off the coast of Oahu.

Why You Need to Know Him:

Travis Cawthrone is deeply passionate about education, training, and product development, which are his primary focuses in his current role.

As he advances in his career, he hopes to continue bridging the gap between technology and realworld user needs, ensuring that AV solutions remain intuitive, powerful, and effective. AV has been a part of Cawthorne’s life for as long as he can remember, which is understandable since both of his parents were in the industry. His dad worked with manufacturers, including Sony, Panasonic, and Kramer, while his mom worked in broadcast AV at Sony. “Most people stumble into Pro AV,” said Cawthorne. “My path was very intentional.”

His dad instilled in him a focus on relationships, and his reputation in the field helped pave the way for him when he started out. “I would meet customers and integrators, and they’d often ask, ‘Are you related to Kent?’ It was nice to have that

Why You Need to Know Her:

As a senior design engineer at AVI-SPL within its Product and Solutions Group (PSG), Holly Clausen is responsible for creating and managing all AVI-SPL reference designs. However, she notes that a large team collaborates to bring these designs to life.

“While I take the lead on these projects, it is an honor to see how many people both inside and outside of AVI-SPL come together to review, provide feedback, and add to the overall value of these designs,” she explained. She views herself as a person who strives to understand all facets of life, and she finds this approach reflected in various ways throughout her engineering career.

Clausen remembered her fortunate start in the industry when Don De Mello hired her during her freshman year at Oregon State University, a position she maintained throughout college. She worked at the AV helpdesk, spending countless hours saying, “Helpdesk, this is Holly,” assisting professors in the

Holly Clausen

BUSINESS THE NINE Travis Cawthorne

classroom with their AV challenges.

recognition, especially early in my career,” said Cawthorne. “My dad has always been a great role model, and his experience and guidance have been invaluable to me.”

Title: Director of Product and Training Company: Kramer Location: Charlotte, NC Overtime: He loves smoking meats and takes great pride in preparing brisket, ribs, or pulled pork for family and friends. “They say once you hit your thirties, most guys have to decide whether they’re going to get into smoking meat or World War history,” he explained. “I chose to smoke meat.”

After this unofficial start in the industry, he officially began his AV career with Kramer. He spent nearly five years as a field sales engineer, collaborating with sales teams, dealers, and end users to design AV systems. Following that, he worked as a regional brand sales manager for Vaddio and Luxul within Legrand | AV before transitioning into a solutions engineering role.

These experiences guided him to his return to Kramer and current role as the director of products and training, where he collaborates closely with customers, incorporating their feedback to help shape future product offerings. “Training and education aren’t just about teaching people how to use products—they’re about empowering them to design better systems, solve problems more efficiently, and drive better outcomes,” Cawthorne added.

Title: Senior Design Engineer Company: AVI-SPL Location: Seattle, WA Overtime: She spent significant time collaging during the pandemic, and creating art has become a source of stress relief for her. She has also dedicated more time to running and recently trained for and completed her first half marathon.

This experience helped her secure her first job out of college as a service technician at CompView, a small AV integration company located in Portland, OR. She subsequently returned to OSU full-time as an equipment systems specialist before joining her current employer, AVI-SPL, in 2019. Before she arrived at AVI-SPL, she obtained her Limited Energy Class B license in Oregon, which she considers a crucial foundation for her work as an AV engineer.

Starting her career with AVI-SPL as a project engineer, she appreciated the company’s support for her education in integration through training and hands-on experience with high-profile clients. “Working for AVI-SPL for the past [almost] six years has been the most formative period of my career,” she said. This led to her recent promotion to senior design engineer for PSG, making her the only design engineer on the team.

“While PSG has many great aspects to be proud

His close work with customers provides valuable insights to the product development teams, positioning him as a bridge between the two. “Travis is helping to shape the future of our products and training. His enthusiasm for education, and how deeply he understands the needs of our customers, is inspiring,” said Amit Acikovsky, president, Americas Kramer Electronics. “He’s a real asset, not just to Kramer, but to the entire AV community.”

Cawthorne’s early start in the industry provided him with a unique combination of technical expertise and customer-focused thinking. “Because I started in AV so early and have worked across sales, engineering, and product development, I not only understand the technology but also how integrators, consultants, and end users interact with it,” he said. He also emphasizes continuous learning, enabling him to stay ahead of the curve while experimenting with and experiencing new technologies.

Just as his father and mother passed on great insights, he emphasized that, in addition to ongoing education and relationship management, mastering time management can be one of the most critical skills, particularly early in your career. “It’s about being able to give the right attention where it’s needed and being flexible enough to pivot when necessary,” he said. By Jennifer Guhl

of, including our dedicated lab space in Chicago and our bi-weekly Innovation Accelerator company-wide call, one of our more exciting focuses as a team is our ability to review new and emerging products,” she said. “This brings me great joy because we understand that our feedback empowers the entire industry, not just AVI-SPL, and I feel lucky to be part of a team that advances our industry as a whole.”

PSG engineering manager Jeremy T. Vierck said Clausen instantly stood out when he interviewed her for her current role due to the advanced level at which she communicates, which he commented was quite rare within the AV engineering community. “Holly’s well-balanced and high-level IQ and EQ allow her to confidently think and work outside of the expected capabilities of a typical engineer,” he said.

Clausen’s colleague at PSG, Adam Stanton, often says, “The job we will hold in five years does not exist yet,” and she wholeheartedly agrees. She has always appreciated how the industry is continually evolving, enabling her to grow and develop alongside it. “In the future, I hope to continue to advance technology and create a positive culture at AVI-SPL, much like the one I was able to experience at OSU, full of laughter and learning,” she added.

By Jennifer Guhl

Why You Need to Know Him:

He knows the ins and outs of audio, a knowledge that began with a childhood of audio curiosity.

Pro AV or bust. That is one way to look at the young and promising career of Daniel Gish. But don’t let his youth fool you, as inexperience it is not. Gish is connected to the past in Pro AV—whether it is his father’s engineering prowess, grandfather’s photography know-how, or mentoring by SCN Hall of Famer Charlie Butten.

Gish grew up on the fast track to the world of Pro AV. His father was an electrical engineer, so he was exposed to that from a very young age. “I always tinkered,” Gish said. “I always took things apart— but when I was really young, I had no idea how to put it back together.”

He acknowledges his father for his technical influence and love of engineering, but he also began mixing audio. “Nothing ever serious,” he quickly added, “I just enjoyed it.”

By the time high school rolled around, he came across electronic circuits, and it all clicked. “Coming

Why You Need to Know Her: Always in style, she loves finding new ways of combining her engineering background with market knowledge to present innovative solutions for her clients’ complex control room environments.

A doctor or Mulan. If you had asked a young Catherine Koutsaris what her career ambitions were, you would have likely been told one of those two options. Instead, it turns out she’s building a career in Pro AV utilizing her engineering skills.

Koutsaris earned her degree in mechanical engineering at McGill University in Montreal, but she wasn’t that kid who was taking apart the toaster to see how it worked. She had many interests, including law, but decided that a degree in mechanical engineering would open the most doors for her.

“I chose to be an engineer so that I didn’t have to be an engineer for long,” she offered. “Critical thinking, problem solving—you can apply that to succeed in any industry.”

Engineer or not, Koutsaris loves technology. “I

Daniel Gish

Catherine Koutsaris

Koutsaris began the current leg of her career journey at Matrox last month, when she was promoted to product marketing manager. She’s excited for the new role, which will let her tell the story of the entire Matrox portfolio, not just one product, and how the products work well together.

Title: Electrical Engineer Company: HME Location: San Diego Overtime: He is an avid reader, photographer, and trail runner enjoying the beautiful views of his hometown San Diego.

Like so many others, Koutsaris found herself in Pro AV by accident. She was working in the aerospace industry working on software for flight simulators. “I loved it. I thought I was going to be an aerospace queen,” she recalled.

Then came COVID-19. And a layoff. She learned Matrox was hiring and submitted her resume. Koutsaris started with the company as a testing engineer in 2020 and was promoted to product manager the next year. “I ended up loving it,” she

Of course, entering the Pro AV world and finding out your mentor is Charlie Butten certainly helps. “He really instilled the love for [the profession] even more and taught me a lot more than I ever could have dreamed about the audio world,” Gish said of his relationship with Butten. “He’s such an easy person to talk to. We still do talk just about every day. I love talking with him. I’m either learning something new or I’m hearing some crazy, ridiculous, funny story that he’s been through.”

Butten invented wired analog partyline intercom systems, and the RS-100 analog beltpack made him a legend. When something is invented in 1968, no matter how ahead of its time it may be, it comes with downsides, whether it be in cabling, amplifier limitations, or other issues. Working in tandem with the pro audio icon, Gish has helped

into this realm where I am now, it was natural, and it was something that I already knew I loved,” Gish said. “All those things, like the tinkering, the interest in audio, and the electronic circuits all came together into a career.”

hate the limiting mindset of ‘we’ve always done it this way,’” she said. “It bothers me. There’s always room for improvement and technology allows for that. Quality of life improves because we can use technology to make everyday things better.”

Title: Product Marketing Manager Company: Matrox Video Location: Montreal Overtime: A dual citizen of Canada and the United States, you can find her trying new recipes, watching musicals, playing video games, or admiring her salt and pepper shaker and rubber duck collections.

make huge strides, showing significant improvements that have plagued two-channel, two-wire intercoms for decades.

“People like to be connected,” Gish said. “And that’s the audio world. Being able to improve upon existing and time-tested technology that Charlie has invented or has been around for decades—to be able to address the long lasting problems that have plagued that stuff, to be able to appeal to the market in all facets from your more accessible systems to your higher end systems—you have to be able to improve what’s been time-trusted and true, and just bring more reliable connection to more people in the audio world.”

That’s what Gish does for HME, the only company he has ever worked for. Yes, he wears several hats, from engineering design work to testing to verification. But it’s always about the audio and making it as enjoyable for everyone as it is for him.

“I always want to improve and deliver the best for the Pro AV market,” Gish explained. “I’m not afraid to look back at where we’ve been and what’s been around and either come up with a new solution or an improved solution. I think that’s something that I really value, and I think that it’s something that Charlie and I have really worked on in the few years that we’ve been working together.”

By Wayne Cavadi

said. “It launched a totally new career path for me.”

Even though she’s not working strictly as an engineer, she works with engineers all the time. In her product manager role, she played the middleman between the engineering team, sales team, marketing team, and trade show team— always keeping the needs of the customer top of mind. Plus, she gave product demos and talked directly with customers to better understand their workflows so she could recommend solutions. “It’s a very diverse set of tasks,” she added. “That’s why I love it. No two days are alike.” In fact, her efforts were acknowledged last month during an awards ceremony at the 2025 NAB Show.

Koutsaris is also active in encouraging women to consider careers in technology and specifically the Pro AV industry. At the end of the day, she said it’s about representation and trying to make everyone feel included.

“When I was in engineering, we were such a small group of women. I never really saw role models that were like me,” she explained. “As my career path evolved and as I got more involved in committees and networking events, I’ve enjoyed meeting brilliant, bold and inspiring women from all walks of life – proving that your own uniqueness is often the key to your own success.”

By Mark J. Pescatore

Why You Need to Know Him:

Xzavia Killikelly is continually discovering ways to harness the impact technology has on people and experiences, assisting individuals in connecting, engaging, and innovating with it. “The mix of creativity, technology, and problem solving makes every project unique,” he said.

Killikelly mentioned that his entry into the industry is not much different from that of many others; it was not a planned career choice but stemmed from his passion for giving back to the community. His cousin owned a live events AV company in San Diego and hosted a free movie night at the Jacobs Center. Killikelly served as the MC for the event and assisted his cousin with setting up and taking down the AV equipment.

“That was the first time I really saw the impact technology could have on a community—the way it could bring people together and create joy,” he said.

Why You Need to Know Her

Andie Mace self-identifies as a geek. She grew up in a tech household in Fort Worth, TX, that “just loved gadgets.”

Andie Mace’s work in product marketing for Poly began in July 2021. Less than a year later, the company was acquired by HP. Initially, her focus was webcams, but now Mace handles the USB videobar line that has models designed for everything from huddle rooms to large conference rooms.

But Mace is driven by more than just a love of technology. A purpose-driven individual, she is a strong believer in the power of collaboration that’s enabled by the Pro AV industry. As she explained, we all work—a lot—and technology helps people connect with each other. “I really believe it serves a purpose,” she said. “Connection is literally the foundation to our existence as humans.”

Devices like videobars help remote workers see and hear people clearly from around the world. The way she sees it, that helps people feel less lonely and do better work because they are working in

Andie Mace

Xzavia Killikelly

Title: Senior Product Marketing Manager Company: HP Location: Salt Lake City Overtime: This newlywed loves hiking, skiing, and being outdoors in general.

Title: Business Development Manager, The Americas Company: Bose Professional Location: Houston, TX Overtime: He has a fascination with words, rhyming, and the artistry of hip-hop. He even recorded a couple of tracks in a studio. “Even though the hip-hop career never took off, I still, to this day, have a deep love for the genre, but now I engage with music in a different way, one that’s just as exciting and meaningful,” he said.

That experience led him to become a sales manager for live events at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, which he reflected on as a significant moment in his life. “Going from being an innercity kid to wearing a suit in the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills was surreal,” he said. “It’s hard to put into words what that experience and transition were like, but it was one of the best things that ever happened to me, and I’m grateful for everything I learned there.”

He hopes to apply these skills in a leadership position one day, which he envisions as his next step within the industry. “I would love the chance

If Mace sounds more like a social scientist and less like your typical product marketing manager, that tracks. After all, her professional journey began in a pre-med program as an anthropology major, at the University of Texas in Austin.

After college, she started in a marketing agency working for small and mid-size businesses (SMBs). From there, she moved to an ecommerce software company that also focused on SMBs. Software marketing introduced her to the world of technology. Later, Mace realized there was another path: physical products.

“Coming out of college, I didn’t know that was a thing,” she admitted. “That’s how I found my way into Poly.”

Mace is part of the core team that represents the customer, and she spends much of her time talking

Throughout his journey, he remained curious about the diverse facets of the industry, which led him to work in distribution and integration, and now in business development on the manufacturing side with Bose Professional. “Each move has been a stepping stone, and with each step, I’ve gained new knowledge and skills,” he added.

connection with other people. “The phenomenon of remote/hybrid work is so special and magical,” Mace added. “We can do a much better job of doing things we enjoy in our personal lives while having jobs that fulfill us.”

THE NINE BUSINESS

to lead, but I’m loving the process of becoming someone who is fit to lead, and I know the chance will come when the time is right,” he said.

Killikelly believes there is always something new to learn in our constantly evolving and advancing industry. He genuinely enjoys learning from and connecting with the individuals he collaborates with across various industries. Plus, he strives to understand what matters to them, their challenges, and seeks ways to help them.

“More importantly, I’m always searching for opportunities, especially opportunities to bring people together,” he said.

As a first generation Guyanese-American, one of his proudest opportunities is collaborating with professionals in his home country. This chance arose after he attended an “Economic Development in Guyana” session at a conference. He was amazed to learn about his country’s growth and recognized a need for AV technology in the evolving economy. Since then, he has been working with the moderator of that session on several initiatives there.

“One of the moments I’m most proud of was having the opportunity to speak with local kids at a camp in a village much like the one my father grew up in,” he said. “I encouraged them to dream big because anything is possible; you just have to ask the right questions!” By

Jennifer Guhl

to customers and understanding their challenges. That’s probably why she still has a soft spot for SMBs, which need technology just like larger companies but often lack the specialized knowledge to properly implement it.

Products like videobars can help bridge that knowledge gap and make sure smaller organizations have access to collaboration technology. As she explained, Mace helps her team focus on the “small techie things that have a really significant impact and can make people’s lives better. I truly believe that’s what we’re doing with the technology.”

Mace calls herself part of the “in-between tech baby generation,” a group that had a flip phone as its first phone and straddled the digital technologies of the past and present. It is a stark contrast to what she calls the “true tech baby generation” that is entering the workforce. They have always been surrounded by smartphones and other technology, so they aren’t impressed by “speed and feeds.” Instead, they care about mental wellness in the workplace.

Looking ahead, our Pro AV anthropologist is curious to see how the industry is going to adapt to a “big change” on the near horizon. Mace predicts the industry will have to change from wowing customers with specs to wowing customers with how technologies can help them have a better health and work/life balance. By Mark J. Pescatore

Why You Need to Know Him:

He doesn’t like taking “no” or “we can’t do this” for an answer.

Tom Petershack didn’t take your typical road to Pro AV. He wasn’t taking apart television sets as a kid to see what was inside, but instead was big into sports, getting outside, and playing with friends— and still very much is. However, after spending the past decade with Leyard and then Planar, Petershack has become an experienced veteran in the field.

Petershack heads up the media team at Planar, which is focused on projects for traditional broadcast and virtual production projects. But he is versatile. “My second hat is special projects,” Petershack said. “Anything that’s large, complex, and strategically important to the company—I typically spearhead those efforts.”

A graduate of the University of WisconsinMadison, Petershack went to school for engineering, and is a civil engineer by trade, focused on structural engineering. His first few

Why You Need to Know Her:

Basically, Melis Vardar is what you get when you mix a bookworm who loves to learn with a whole bunch of Pro AV gadgets and solutions.

She credits her love for learning to her soon-to-be 97-year-old grandmother, who to this day, as Vardar laughed, “works her iPhone better than I do.” Her grandmother was a doctor in Turkey and is still the smartest woman she has ever known. It was her passion to learn that drives Vardar still today.

As a member of the AV/IT team at UCLA, Vardar oversees operations in digital signage, finance, and security/safety. While she has always been Pro AV adjacent working with technology companies like TikTok and in the cloud at Oracle, this is her first go at managing an AV/IT team.

Though she admits she kind of stumbled into AV, she’s always seemed destined to be in the education space. “[Education] was perfect for me because I get to keep that passion of learning new technologies while also being in the education

Melis Vardar

Tom Petershack

Title: Manager, AV/IT Operations Company: UCLA Location: Los Angeles Overtime: Vardar doesn’t just work in education, she’s engulfed by it. She’s passionate about learning and is currently going for her master’s degree.

years out of college found him working in the power sector doing heavy steel structural design. “I was commuting out to the suburbs, and the commute was awful,” Petershack recalled of his time in Chicago. “I saw this job posting for Leyard, looking for an engineer to help with the framing.”

space where I’m able to directly see the impact,” she said.

Title: General Manager-Media and Special Projects Company: Planar Location: Milwaukee, WI Overtime: As a dad to a 10-month-old, there isn’t a lot of free time, but Petershack enjoys chess and golfing.

And Petershack’s road to Pro AV was underway. As he recalled, circa 2016 when he was hired, all LED was essentially rear service requiring a custom mount. He was one of the engineers helping with the mounting design. Leyard eventually acquired Planar and Petershack began the transition from engineering to LED expert.

“It’s funny,” he recalled. “I look back nine years ago and at the products that we had—1.5mm was a tight pixel pitch and everything was rear service where it took almost 45 minutes to swap a single module. Now we’re down to 0.6mm available and the serviceability of all the products is so much better and simpler. I see that trend continuing, making LED easier to integrate, easier

While she may have “stumbled” into her current position at UCLA, it was only a matter of time that she would find herself there. After all, she attended Loyola Marymount University, took classes at UCLA, graduated from USC, and is currently working toward her master’s at Pepperdine University.

The classroom isn’t the only place Vardar is learning. “I’m someone who always wants to learn about the next thing,” she explained. “When I was at Oracle, I was in the cloud technology space in sales, but the other side of the business is this enterprise application space. So, I pivoted from the database cloud software over to the cloud application software because I wanted to get a better understanding of that side of the business. I think what’s so magical about AV—to someone who isn’t familiar with it, coming on this side and seeing everything that goes into making this seamless environment—I just find

to service, and down to those finer pixel pitches.”

Working in special projects and virtual production with all those tightly pixel pitched LED displays and walls, Petershack hears the word immersive regularly. “I do think [immersive is] a buzzword, but I do think some people are doing it really well,” Petershack said. “For example, the Sphere. I think when you get in there, you are lost in that world.”

So, here we are. Petershack has shifted from engineering to the media and LED world, and has had the opportunity to work on some unique and innovative projects that take a lot more creativity than mounting a 16x9 screen on a wall. How did he grow into a leader in his company for one of the largest trends in Pro AV today?

“I think there’s always a creative solution to every problem. It’s that thinking outside the box and coming up with a different way to do something, even if we’re used to doing it our set way, that allows people to get creative and to win projects and to be successful within the industry,” Petershack said. “I would encourage the future generation not to just take an answer that’s the norm as viable. Think how you could do it differently to solve a specific challenge, or how to do it better to set you apart from the competition.”

By Wayne Cavadi

very impressive and very cool that I get to be part of it.”

It certainly doesn’t hurt having someone like Joe Way—executive director, Digital Spaces, UCLA and a Pro AV icon in the educational space—be your mentor in a field that is foreign to you. “The way he puts out a plan, it’s not within the box— he realizes there is no box,” Vardar said. “That’s the way he approaches AV, and I love that.”

“Melis is a rare asset to the AV industry—she thinks strategically like a business leader while forging genuine, personal connections with her colleagues,” said Way. “With her unique blend of vision and heart, she not only drives progress but also inspires those around her to do the same.”

Now, close to nine months into her aspiring Pro AV career (with her first ISE officially under her belt), that childlike awe of learning still shines through.

“What’s so amazing about being in AV in education—you get to see your direct impact every day,” Vardar added. “You see the students in the classrooms, you see them learning. The fact that I can see that all the work that I’m putting into something directly improves their experience it’s just such a good feeling. I feel so honored to be in this specific space.”

By Wayne Cavadi

Gentlemen, Start Your Officiating

Pro AV Technology Powers New NASCAR Remote Control Room

By Wayne Cavadi

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series chase is underway, and it’s bringing an enhanced era of competition to the circuit with the help of FusionTECH and Samsung, which is now an official NASCAR Technology Partner. Using a slew of Samsung displays, including a 32x9-foot The Wall microLED display, NASCAR officiating is rising to a whole new level.

The 2025 season sees the introduction of the NASCAR Productions Remote Race Control Room. Located in Concord, NC, at NASCAR’s 58,000-squarefoot production facility, the control room is reinventing how races are officiated. Samsung and its clear, massive display technology was the ideal fit for achieving the ultimate goal.

“NASCAR is a technology-forward organization with highly modern core networks, servers, media, event, venue, and racing function applications,” said David Phelps, head of display division, Samsung Electronics America. “Key goals of the partnership between [Samsung and NASCAR] included reducing travel costs for officials by enabling remote race

management and creating the opportunity for NASCAR to introduce a new Remote Race Control Entitlement sponsorship, potentially opening new revenue streams. Overall, the collaboration was designed to address NASCAR’s evolving needs while boosting efficiency and flexibility when officiating large-scale races.”

So, what’s under the proverbial hood and how did it all come together? SCN went inside to find out.

Kiss the Wall

A project of this magnitude may seem like it took forever to come together, but that was hardly the case. In fact, it was initiated in March 2024 and the The Wall installation was completed in August 2024. The control room was fully operational with all the displays for the 2025 NASCAR season-opening Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on Feb. 2.

FusionTECH, a sports and entertainment technology consulting agency based in West Hollywood, CA, was selected for the project. The company was founded in 2021 by CEO Brandon McNulty, who is the former CTO of the International Speedway Corporation, and he said there’s more driving the control room than just The Wall. Two

85-inch LED displays are positioned on opposite sides of The Wall, and there are additional monitors at each workstation within the control room.”

“This is the first time The Wall has been used for remote officiating,” McNulty explained. “The monitors in race control are used to assist with officiating and data analysis. The officials leverage the monitors for an up-close look when analyzing pit stops, calling penalties, and infractions. Footage can also be broadcast from the monitors to The Wall, providing a larger-than-life perspective for replay analysis.”

As the technology partner, Samsung was ideal in enhancing the officiating experience. “Pre-Samsung screens, all officials traveled to the track to do their jobs,” explained Steve Stum, NASCAR VP operations and technical production. “Keeping officials at home gives them a better quality of life by not traveling and being away from family, but also the resolution of the screen keeps them engaged in their jobs using current technology.”

There are a total of 37 Samsung products in the remote race control room. “The initiative aimed to mirror systems in other professional sports leagues, like the NFL’s Remote Officiating, to modernize and streamline NASCAR’s processes,” Phelps said. “The remote race control room also integrates 25 models of the 27-inch ViewFinity S6 monitor and seven 49-inch Odyssey G9 ultra-wide curved monitors for racing officials to gather and analyze data about track operations.”

Those curved monitors showed that attention to detail was taken to make officials lives easier and thus provide a better race-day experience for fans and everyone involved. McNulty said NASCAR requested

A massive 32x9-foot Samsung The Wall in the NASCAR Productions Remote Race Control Room provides a large canvas for data and replay analysis during races.

curved monitors because they are more comfortable on the eyes during long hours of continuous viewing. They also maximize desk space, since officials previously used two monitors and now had one ultra-wide display that could show two frames on a single screen.

“This room allows the NASCAR officials to use more modern technology for replays, data mining, communications, etc.,” said Stum. “The resolution of the screen gives them the confidence and feeling just like they are at the track. With up to 200 video inputs and all the driver radios at their disposal, we now have better ability at the track to look at content and feed that information back to race control on site to help make officiating more accurate and faster.”

Of course, the star of the show is The Wall, with its visual clarity and scale enhancing the precision and efficiency of race-day operation. Per Phelps, the screen allows up to 24 officials in the control room to review video footage and accurately officiate races from a distance.

A Heat Race

Considering all the technology that had to be installed within such a short window, there must have been some challenges, right? Not necessarily.

“Thanks to careful planning and The Wall’s flexible design, the actual installation went off without a hitch,” McNulty admitted. “NASCAR prepped the surface with plywood to ensure it could support the mounts. The biggest consideration was making sure the surface area for the installation was flat and even. NASCAR installed adjustable custom mounts that allowed for the eventual installation of The Wall to be much easier.”

It is mind boggling that with all those displays running that the room isn’t akin to a sauna. To McNulty and his team’s surprise, the heat generated by The Wall itself was much lower than expected. To optimize cooling, FusionTECH simply installed custom frames around the screen, with carefully placed vents at the top and bottom to pull air through the screen and keep it cool.

Dedicated air handlers were put in place to manage the technical side of the building, while extra exhaust and recirculation systems were incorporated to help expel the heat from the control room. “The facility was built with the understanding that a large screen would eventually be installed,” McNulty confirmed. “As a result, extra care was taken to ensure proper ventilation and heat management.”

Victory Lane

Officiating from the control room is just the tip of the iceberg for NASCAR and beyond. Thinking about the future for NASCAR, Stum said there could be instances down the road where a reporter or maybe an official could join the broadcast live from the room and give the perspective of the officials to the home viewers.  “I think that gives the viewers an opportunity to look behind the curtain into what goes

on from and officials point of view,” he said.

According to Stum, the NASCAR Productions Remote Race Control Room offers a lot of potential and a huge opportunity for the organization to capitalize on technology. “The new race control has been great to get up and going,” he added. “The number of views

of cameras that we didn’t have before will give us the ability to mine data and look for infractions that we never had before. The response of the officials has been overwhelmingly positive. From the moment you walk into the room you can see what it can provide to the officials to help with their jobs.”

Capturing the Content ‘Explosion’

Podcasting Is Driving Microphone Sales to the Masses

By James Careless

According to DemandSage, a data analysis firm, there are more than 4.4 million podcasts as of 2025, up from around 4.2 million in May 2024. Meanwhile, the number of podcast listeners could grow more than 6% to about 584 million this year and could rise to more than 651 million by 2027. Worldwide, the podcast market was worth more than $30 billion in 2024 and could reach $131 billion by 2030.

Based on those numbers, it’s no wonder podcasts are driving microphone sales, since content creators need mics to be heard. Joe Nassar, brand manager of Saramonic USA, said this “explosion” of podcasting, live streaming, and similar content is “creating many new customers and consumers of these types of products.”

Market Drivers

Podcasting is probably a consideration for many of your corporate, educational, and worship clients. Some may already be producing content, while others could be planning for future podcast projects. So, what trends are influencing purchasing decisions? Without a doubt, simplicity and cost lead the pack. Podcasters want mics

that are easy to setup and use, as well as affordable.

“Since COVID and the rapid growth of the podcasting medium, people have looked for easy and accessible audio solutions that don’t require an audio engineering degree to tell their story,” explained Robb Blumenreder, Sennheiser’s customer and market insights manager for pro audio. “As everyone from your realtor to music teacher are starting podcasts, it has become important to enable all levels of content creators with the right tools. Solutions like the Sennheiser Profile USB microphone, a USB-C based solution, empower creators with an all-in-one, plugand-play option that is easy to use, affordable, and offers professional-level sound quality.”

“Simplicity and versatility are key,” agreed Sean Sullivan, Shure’s associate director of product management. “The market is looking for less gear, fewer cables, and simple operation.”

This is why his company recently introduced the Shure MV7i, a USB-connected, yoke-suspended microphone. It features a combo XLR/1/4-inch input jack that lets you plug a second microphone (or an electric musical instrument) directly into the microphone. “Shure’s MV7i is a direct response to customer’s needs with high-quality audio with a two-channel interface and mic in one unit,” Sullivan said.

Another trend driving podcaster microphone purchases is the desire for podcasters to visually brand themselves as serious broadcasters. This is why so many podcasters are seated behind hefty desk/ arm-mounted microphones—as if they were hosting World War II-era news bulletins from London during the Blitz. Blumenreder characterized this trend as the microphone as status symbol.

“Before, you never wanted to see the microphone in a video recording,” he said. “These days, seeing the

There are more than 4.4 million podcasts, which is driving demand for microphones.

Sennheiser offers the affordable Profile USB microphone.

microphone has become synonymous with having a serious show, quality equipment, and investing in your craft as a podcaster.”

Because of this branding statement, microphoneequipped headsets are rarely used by podcasters, whether on camera or not. “I don’t think these are very popular because they are not seen as professional, even though these types of headphone/microphone combos are very versatile and give you a consistent sound,” said Nassar. “Instead, many users want the look of a large diaphragm dynamic microphone in front of them to legitimize what they’re doing.”

A related trend influencing podcaster purchases is conservatism. “Brands like Shure are creating innovative products to stand out and offer more features, like with the MV7i, but podcasting customers seem to gravitate to more standardized and accepted products,” Nassar told SCN. “This is why you see the same mics like the Shure SM7B, Rode PodMic, and to a lesser extent Electro-Voice RE20s in so many productions. Customers and new podcasters seem to think that having the same products as successful podcasters gives them more cachet and make them seem more legitimate. But unfortunately, this kind of ‘me too’ mentality will only stifle innovation and new product developments and customer affordability.”

Finally, podcasters tend to buy cardioid microphones with their directional pickup patterns, rather than omnidirectional mics that capture everything in the room. “The vast majority of mics we see for podcasting are cardioid pickup patterns,” Blumenreder observed. “These are ideal because they do a great job of rejecting the background noise and reflections, only picking up on the person speaking directly into it. Without fail, for podcasts, the cardioid is the most popular pickup pattern.”

USB Domination

When it comes to podcaster microphone connectivity, USB is king. But XLR has a part to play in this brave new world of audio production. “The popularity of USB is driven primarily by the absence of other products needed to make this kind of audio production work,” Nassar said.

MICROPHONES TECHNOLOGY

Although some podcasters like to see themselves as being at the cutting edge of audio production, the microphones they choose often reflect the safe, proven form factors of yesteryear. Plus, traditional styled radio/production microphones are preferred for the legitimacy they impart to podcasters, even

At the same time, relying on USB connections alone “does limit some users in the long run,” he noted. “This is why you’re seeing many [podcasting] products now that are both USB and XLR.”

The reason USB is so prevalent has everything to do with the current nature of podcasting. “Generally speaking, many podcasters start off by doing it on the side semi-professionally to augment their business or as a hobby,” said Blumenreder. “With this approach, and no formal audio training or budget for studio time, most podcasters tend to begin with a simple USB microphone that starts at a low price point. However, as we look towards established, professional podcasts, we can expect to find higher-end equipment, typically XLR-based, with much more infrastructure supporting the end user’s needs.”

though some innovative products have been expressly designed to solve podcaster problems.

Time will tell if the Shure MV7i and similarly creative mics will catch on as the podcasting industry matures. But one thing appears certain: As more podcasts are produced, mic sales are bound to grow as well.

TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE ROOMS

How to Deal with ‘Hybrid Permanence’

Modern Conference Rooms Are Built on the Three Cs

By Brad Hintze

One of Crestron’s areas of focus over the last several years has been refining and perfecting the technology that’s needed for modern work. We’ve hosted events, webinars, and summits on the topic—and even made it a training track.

So, what is “modern work,” anyway?

The research we’ve seen (and some we’ve been part of) points to a state of “hybrid permanence.” While it’s true that more workers are being asked to return to the office, that’s often not a five-dayper-week arrangement. In any given meeting, collaboration session, or even casual chat, in-person workers are almost always conversing with remote colleagues as well.

The realities of modern work mean that the office needs more connected spaces than ever—and that’s not changing. From our perspective, the systems that enable modern work and improve the experience can be divided into three distinct parts: content, collaboration, and control.

Content: To share that content, a room’s got to be ready for anything, from AV systems that can deliver data at near-zero latency to BYOD solutions that don’t require a presenter to download yet another program to their laptop.

Collaboration: We’ve all attended meetings where the remote staff was treated to a “view down a bowling alley.” Engagement is bound to suffer if everyone can’t see and be seen—and hear and be

heard. Virtual collaborators will feel left out, missing sidebar conversations, nonverbal cues, and more. Effective teamwork, whether in-person or remote, requires tools that facilitate the best possible communication and project management.

Control: When someone walks into a meeting space, they shouldn’t have to worry about the tech that will drive that meeting, from lighting to climate to the elements mentioned above. The best interfaces are intuitive, empowering people to manage technology, personalize workspaces, and effortlessly transition between tasks. The goal here is to achieve those results from a single pane of glass with one touch—or even no touch at all in a completely automated space.

Widespread Accommodation

Delivering content as efficiently as possible has been an industry focus for the past several years, and wireless presentation systems have evolved to include wireless conferencing. The nomadic nature of hybrid works calls for technology where there’s no need for a permanent presentation device in any collaboration space. What’s needed is a solution whereby users can simply walk in with their laptop or tablet and present to their screen without additional drivers, software, or cables.

However, there’s another layer here: Integration with a variety of platforms is a huge bonus. While an enterprise may have standardized on Microsoft Teams, for example, that salesperson from an outside vendor may not—and they’ll need everything to work and play well together when they’re making that critical pitch.

The best of all possible worlds is one in which a

user can conference on their laptop using Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Google Meet, or any preferred software without concerns about interoperability. All these demands illustrate the need for simple solutions, such as a dongle that offers a frictionless way to achieve everything described above, preferably with no extra cables or software downloads required.

So, how do you specify the proper hardware for a space to avoid that bowling alley vibe? One effective way to arrive at an answer is to start with the workflow. Determine what the space will be used for and in what ways. The function of the room directly impacts camera requirements, for example. By tailoring your camera setup to the specific workflow of the space, you’ll create a more effective and natural video collaboration environment that serves your users’ needs. Let’s look at three common deployments.

Presentation Spaces: If the room has a designated presentation area, consider using one camera at the front of the room capturing people at the table and a separate camera focused on the presentation zone or whiteboard area. This dual-camera approach ensures that both presenters and participants are clearly visible.

Training Rooms: Training environments have unique needs. You’ll want a presenter tracking camera at the front, allowing instructors to move freely while presenting. A system that includes group presenter tracking capability may be useful when multiple presenters need to share the stage. Depending on the use case, additional cameras might be required to capture student interactions or Q&A sessions.

Immersive Collaboration Spaces: If you’re

The hybrid workforce requires offices need more connected spaces.

Multiple cameras can create more effective video collaboration.

designing a large, high-value space with a multicamera approach, you’ll need cameras placed strategically around the room, intelligent switching between cameras based on human behavior and active speakers, and the ability to composite different camera views for the optimal remote experience.

The right AI software can select the best camera based on where someone is looking and continues to switch cameras if they change direction while speaking. If someone turns their head while they’re talking, the system automatically switches to offer a head-on view of that speaker (not a profile). Another beneficial feature is optical zoom, which occurs within the physical lens of a camera, as opposed to digital zoom, which reduces the pixel density of an image and renders it less clear.

Control System Considerations

The beauty of the right control solution is that any room can instantly create the perfect environment. Imagine the moment someone enters a room. The occupancy sensor detects someone, then the system turns on the display and sets the temperature and light levels. All that’s left is for the meeting organizer to push a “start” button on a screen, and the room dials into the meeting they’ve scheduled.

Our product development team tends to build solutions based on the answers to four questions: Is it simple to use? Solutions that simplify spaces bring the best out of the technology being deployed, from touchpanels to processors.  Is it scalable? People with little to no programming experience should be able to scale up a solution quickly.

Is it secure? Since bad actors can do a lot of damage from a control entry point, finding a best-in-class solution is vital.

Is it easily integrated? A unified platform should ensure all the technology, including nonCrestron brands, works together in a cohesive and coordinated way.

In a hybrid work environment, with its blend of in-person and remote staff, every space needs the

The nomadic nature of hybrid works calls for technology where there’s no need for a permanent presentation device in any collaboration space.

CONFERENCE ROOMS TECHNOLOGY

kind of connectivity that was once specified for just a few select rooms in an organization. From a small huddle space to a massive lecture hall, the systems that drive these rooms—from AV to unified communications to lighting, shading, and even climate control—have never been more complex.

Simplifying and automating these disparate functions and devices is the key to increasing productivity, alleviating user frustration, and reducing calls to the help desk.

Brad Hintze is the executive VP of marketing for Crestron Electronics.

TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS

Leader Instruments NDI Checker

Leader’s new comprehensive NDI signal troubleshooting and monitoring software application provides a quick and simple way to check NDI streams. NDI Checker runs in a browser on a standard Windows PC. Simply connect to a signal network and NDI Checker can display a full list of NDI signals in the implementation, give clear access to all the technical parameters of any individual signal, provide a confidence monitor, and create an event log. On one screen, operators can instantly confirm video format, bitrate, and received frames. Up to 100,000 events can be captured by the event log, displayed on the monitor and available for export as a CSV file for further analysis.

AJA Video Systems DANTE-12GAM

DANTE-12GAM is a single-channel, 12G-SDI Dante audio embedder/disembedder Mini-Converter.

Offering the same core functionality as AJA’s popular openGear OG-DANTE-12GAM, it streamlines hybrid IP workflows by making it easier to bridge between SDI sources and destinations with embedded audio to/from the Dante audio ecosystem, which enables distribution of multi-channel, low latency, high-resolution digital audio across a switched Ethernet network. DANTE12GAM can disembed 16 channels of audio in and embed 16 channels of audio out, for up to 32 channels of Dante IP audio. The unit features a compact design, including an LCD display with control buttons. DANTE-12GAM is compatible with a range of Audinate software for routing and configuration choices, including Dante Controller and Dante Domain Manager, and can be configured via AJA’s free eMini-Setup software.

Saramonic K9

Saramonic’s first digital UHF wireless dual-channel microphone, the Saramonic K9 features dynamic range with proprietary LNA technology for anti-interference performance and global coverage. Designed with an ultra-wide 550-960 MHz UHF spectrum, it

surpasses the conventional 2.4 GHz with superior stability. Thanks to its advanced digital transmission, the system boasts 130 dB input and 120 dB analog output, as well as digital transmission for uncompressed recordings. Wired and wireless time code sync allows frame-accurate audio and video alignment, significantly reducing post-production time. With up to nine hours of battery life on its transmitter and fast USB-C charging, the K9 is built for extended shoots. The receiver’s top display provides easy info scanning. Plus, its IP67-rated miniature mic is water and dustproof. The Saramonic System app allows remote frequency selection, gain control, real-time monitoring, and more from a

possibility to embed up to four channels of highresolution digital audio and RDNET management over a single Cat 5 cable. Each Control 24A unit can manage up to 64 speakers equipped with A2Net cards, fully integrating with AuroraNet software.

Vizrt Viz Connect Audio

Mo-Sys StarTracker Mini

Designed for corporate and education facilities, the StarTracker Mini is an ultra-compact, all-in-one camera tracking system. It embodies the precision and dependability of the StarTracker Classic, now condensed into an ultra-compact package with no external processing unit. The StarTracker Mini is specifically designed to meet the needs of content creators who operate in more confined spaces and lack the ceiling height of full-scale studio facilities served by StarTracker Max. Unlike SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) technologies, the StarTracker Mini knows its place, requiring no

Vizrt’s first dedicated NDI audio connectivity and monitoring technology solution, Viz Connect Audio enables full control of audio sources on an NDI network. It adds a much-needed ability to manage any and all NDI sources on a network, both visually and aurally. Viz Connect Audio makes it easy for users to connect analog audio sources, configure and convert them to NDI, enabling their use in a local or remote NDI ecosystem. At the same time, Viz Connect Audio allows visibility of all NDI audio sources on the NDI network.

Ideal for event producers, corporate communications, educational institutions, content creators, broadcasters, and anyone doing a live production, Viz Connect Audio integrates easily, enabling the visibility, monitoring, and control of a production’s audio sources.

high-resolution digital audio and RDnet control data though a single cable, replacing the need for bulky cabling and complex third-party networking protocols. The new “point to point” protocol eliminates any loss caused by conversions from the mixer output to the speakers. The ACU-1 card enables the implementation of the A2Net protocol on speakers equipped with DIGIPRO G4 amplifiers. The Control 24A offers the

Extron MLC Plus 400

The MLC Plus 500 is an easy-to-deploy, all-in-one compact Ethernet control system with a 4-inch color touchscreen. As with all Extron MLC Plus controllers, it combines a familiar user interface with a powerful control processor in one compact product. Intuitive button layout templates available within Extron’s Global Configurator software are designed to support common AV functions like display power, source selection, and volume control. The provided pre-defined templates aid with setup and configuration by eliminating the need to create custom GUIs or workflows from scratch for classrooms, boardrooms, or other environments. Plus, the unit integrates seamlessly with Extron’s GlobalViewer Enterprise software for complete AV resource monitoring, management, and control over a computer network. The MediaLink Plus family of controllers supports popular Web browsers and the Extron Control App.

Atlona PRO5 Series

The PRO5 Series is a next-generation matrix switching solution featuring long distance, point-to-point extension. The series is anchored by the AT-PRO5-MX810, an 8x10 matrix switcher with HDMI inputs and AV extension outputs featuring SDVoE technology, for point-to-point transmission of 4K HDR video and audio to companion PRO5 Series receivers. The solution is ideal for applications in education and corporate environments that require highperformance, reliable matrix switching to route sources to multiple displays in remote destinations. The AT-PRO5-MX810 is HDCP 2.3 compliant and supports 4K/60 4:4:4 and HDR at HDMI data rates up to 18 Gbps. It also includes a comprehensive host of audio and control system integration features, including independent audio matrix switching and the ability to individualize CEC display control per output. Video processing is available in the companion AT-PRO5-101SC-RX scaling receiver.

Combining advanced LED technology with elegant design, the KL Profile Compact brings flexibility to any venue, utilizing a streamlined form factor that delivers exceptional results with vivid color and top quality. It projects a superior quality of light and is designed for any application where a compact ellipsoidal with extensive color range and a flexible zoom range is required. It is an excellent choice for the wide variety of white or color illumination needs required in broadcast or any performance environment. Dimming of the LED engine is smooth and stepless with variable 16-bit dimming curve modes and curves available to suit any application. With an integrated manual zoom range of 25-50 degrees, the KL Profile Compact requires no additional lens tubes, reducing cost and complexity. The fixture accepts size “M” gobos and also includes a 6.25-inch gel frame.

environments, the new MA15075D compact digital mixing amplifier combines convenient digital mixing capability with a versatile power amplifier designed for low or high impedance applications— all in a 1 RU form factor. It offers a mode selector switch that enables the amplifier to deliver either two channels of audio at 75 watts per channel into 4 or 8 ohm loudspeakers, or a single channel of 150 watts at 70 or 100 V for use with distributed systems. The MA15075D is a Class D amplifier design that provides power efficiency and energy-saving attribute, and its balanced line level audio output enables mixed audio signals to be sent to an additional amplifier or other audio system should the need arise, such as to an adjacent room.

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If You Build It, Will They Come?

You Can Leverage AI for Enhanced Collaboration and Human Connection

By Nyere Hollingsworth

Return to office mandates are popping up all over the economy, as organizations continue to ask people to come to an office that was built for ways of working that no longer apply to today’s workforce. As a result, people are resisting these mandates, not just because of the logistic hassles of commuting, but rather because the space that they have stifles their humanity/productivity. As organizations worldwide navigate the complexities of returning to the office post-pandemic, technology plays a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth transition.

As people yearn to reconnect with their colleagues in person, configuring the office space to support this desire for human connection becomes essential. Among the myriad of technological advancements, AI stands out as a game-changer in enabling teams to collaborate more effectively, create and manage their work products, and ultimately execute on the strategic goals. Fundamentally, the office space needs to be smarter and better suited to enabling human interaction—it’s time to build the spaces that people want to come to in order to feel like they are part of a team.

AI has and will continue to revolutionize the way teams communicate and manage their projects by making collaboration more efficient and less cumbersome. Through AI-powered communication tools, such as chatbots and virtual assistants, employees can streamline their workflows and eliminate repetitive tasks.

By now, we are very familiar with the ability for AI to enhance individual productivity. Yet, we are in the early stages of learning how AI can be a functional agent for your team’s productivity. Project management software integrated with AI capabilities provides real-time insights into project progress, identifies potential bottlenecks, and offers solutions to mitigate them.

Plus, AI algorithms can analyze historical project data to predict future outcomes, enabling teams to make informed decisions. Moreover, AI-driven platforms facilitate seamless document sharing and version control, ensuring that all team members have access to the most up-to-date information.

That Human Touch

Great, so what does this have to do with the physical office space? Well, humans by and large want to be together, and we tend to do our best work when we are closer to our teammates. There is no technology that can replace the energy you feel and the creativity that is inspired by being close to another human.

While I do love being a full-time remote worker, my favorite moments throughout the year are the times that I get to leave my house and meet with partners and colleagues face-to-face. I look forward to those experiences, but I’m not interested in going to an office everyday just because somebody said so. There must be a purpose, and there must be something there that I can’t get at home.

Facilitating that desire to be connected to the group is the key to drawing humans to the space. One of the significant challenges of remote work has been maintaining this energy and effective collaboration among dispersed teams. AI-powered collaboration tools have bridged this gap by offering virtual environments that simulate the in-office experience. Virtual meeting platforms, enhanced with AI features, can transcribe meetings, provide real-time translations, and identify key action items, ensuring that everyone is on the same page regardless of their location. AI-driven analytics can track team performance and engagement levels, offering insights into areas that need improvement. However, the true power of this technology is what it does to give you back your humanity and freedom to engage with your colleagues in ways that are deeper than executing tasks to meet a deadline.

Therefore, modern office design should focus on creating spaces that encourage collaboration and interaction. Open floor plans, communal areas, and dedicated collaboration zones can facilitate spontaneous discussions and idea-sharing. However, this space design needs to be flexible and nimble and allow all team members across the neurodiversity spectrum to feel comfortable and safe to be the best version of themselves.

By incorporating wayfinding, desk scheduling, and dynamic environmental control technologies into an employee app, it’s possible to create these experiences

I’m not interested in going to an office everyday just because somebody said so.

that enable teams to work in the best ways to support the individuals on that team. Moreover, integrating natural elements, such as plants and natural light, can create a more inviting and relaxing space.

Leveraging AI and machine learning data from building management systems is a great way to analyze employee behavior to curate these environments for your team members and promote employee well-being. In addition, AI-driven scheduling tools can help manage office occupancy levels, ensuring that employees can work in the office on days when their presence is most beneficial.

In a sense, it makes it easier for team members to organize themselves around the time and space that fits that team best. These tools can also optimize the use of office space, reducing overhead costs while providing employees with the flexibility they need. When the physical space can support this, the humans will fill in the blanks necessary to come together on their own terms.

Challenges and Opportunities

By harnessing the power of AI, companies can enhance team collaboration, streamline the organization of work products, and create office environments that support human connection. Yes, AI-driven tools enable employees to work more efficiently, stay connected, and access the information they need to succeed. Yet the greatest benefit of these tools and technologies is the liberation they provide to be human again.

As we move forward, it is essential for organizations to embrace technological advancements and adopt flexible work models that cater to the diverse needs of their workforce. By doing so, they can create a more dynamic, innovative, and productive work environment that not only meets the demands of the present but also paves the way for future success.

The lines between the physical and the virtual office space will continue to blur, but in order for the physical space to remain relevant, it has to elevate the human experience and be a place where team members want to be. More specifically, it needs to be a space where colleagues want to come together because it facilitates their humanity. As organizations mandate a return to the office, it is crucial that we take advantage of available data and technology and configure office spaces in a way that supports these desires for human connection.

Ultimately, the key to a successful return to the office lies in finding the right balance between leveraging technology and fostering human connections. By prioritizing both, organizations can create a thriving workspace where employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered to achieve their full potential.

Nyere Hollingsworth is the senior manager for collaboration and productivity technology at Grainger.