InfoComm Today

InfoComm Executive Director and CEO David Labuskes, CTS, CAE, RCDD, grabs the mic for his annual state-of-the-association podcast. The year 2016 saw InfoComm's Board of Directors ratify a new three-year strategic plan. What's in it? Dave gives you the details.

The first day of InfoComm's AV Executive Conference 2016 is in the books. What did folks think? What are the best ways to engage customers and employees? Plus, what is the state of the AV industry? Joining us are Barry Goldin, CTS, President of Unified AV Systems; Chaz Porter, Director of Global Sales at FSR; Rhonda Wingate, Vice President of Collaboration for Carousel Industries; and Bill Thompson, Senior Vice President of Products and Services at Carousel Industries. Listen now.

We are coming to you from the 2016 AV Executive Conference (AVEC) in Key Biscayne, Fla. We talk with Jeff Day of Bluewater Technologies, Clint Hoffman of Kramer, Theresa Hahn of Verrex, and Sandi Stambaugh from Synnex. Where is the AV economy now? What does it mean to focus on the customer experience? And why do more execs come to AVEC every year?

The InfoComm AV Professors are right in their comfort zone, tackling a question about teaching AV to others. They also talk loudspeaker wattage and address something many have asked before: "Can't I just project that on a wall?" Listen now.

InfoComm's AV Executive Conference lands in Key Biscayne, Fla., in November. This year the conference will focus on "Driving Profit Through Customer Experience." Listen as three of the event's expert guests preview what they'll be discussing at AVEC. Joining the podcast are Joe Pine, co-author of "The Experience Economy"; Gary Adamson, Chief Experience Officer at Starizon Studio; and Ian Altman, columnist for Inc.com and Forbes.com and bestselling author of “Same Side Selling.”

The AV Professors from InfoComm University are back, answering your questions. On this episode, they talk about how AV and IoT work together in AV solutions. Plus, what is the proper mounting position for displays? And how and when should AV pros run cables in conduit and cable trays? Listen in.

If you’re a Certified Technology Specialist — a CTS, CTS-D, or CTS-I—you probably got an email recently inviting you to pick up a badge. No, it’s not a badge for the InfoComm Show. In fact, you can’t even hold it in your hand, but it’s meant to demonstrate your specialized and accredited skills as an AV professional. What is it? What are you supposed to do with it? And what does it do for you? We'll answer these questions and more.

InfoComm University Staff Instructors Chuck Espinoza, CTS-D, CTS-I and Marcus Yarborough, CTS-I, pick up where they left off talking wireless AV. This time they start with IR and WiFi solutions before seguing into delivering uncompressed 4K video over a network. What’s the role of fiber? Is it necessarily 4:4:4? And what’s that mean anyway?

This month, the InfoComm AV professors go wireless -- or at least they try to. With the FCC shaking up the spectrum our industry uses, how do AV pros minimize interference in their systems? Chuck Espinoza, CTS-D, CTS-I and Marcus Yarborough, CTS-I, have answers. They also tackle networked AV security and nagging PAGNAG calculations. (See what we did there?)

We're live from the show floor of InfoComm 2016. Joining us to talk about technology, the show, and the future of the industry are Craig Janssen, Managing Director of Idibri and President of the InfoComm International Board of Directors; Jennifer Davis, Chief Marketing Officer for Leyard and Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy for Planar Systems; John Greene, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Advanced AV; and Bill Nattress, Director of Channel Strategy at Biamp Systems.

Your ears have been burning. What do InfoComm AV professors Chuck Espinoza, CTS-D, CTS-I and Marcus Yarborough, CTS-I, have to say about using consumer monitors in a digital signage network? Any pointers for building videowalls? And what will they be teaching in Las Vegas?

As we gear up for the InfoComm 2016 Show in Las Vegas, the team at InfoComm offers their insights on what not to miss. There are prizes to be had, classes to take, and great new food choices.

With all this virtual reality coming to market, do the professors see the end of displays on the horizon? Where is the sweet spot between AV and IT? Is there a standard for cable labeling? (Yes.) InfoComm International Staff Instructors Chuck Espinoza, CTS-D, CTS-I and Marcus Yarborough, CTS-I, share their thoughts on the AV Professors Podcast.

InfoComm’s member councils are enjoying a renaissance these days. In a unique association that represents every part of the AV supply channel councils are a way for likeminded professionals to network and share their priorities. Join Wallace Johnson, CTS, Chair of the Rental & Staging Council and Vice President of Business Development at MertzCrew; Max Kopsho, CTS-D, CTS-I, Chair of the Independent Consultants in Audiovisual Technology (ICAT) Council and Principal Consultant and Director of UC&C at Thorburn Associates; and Penny Sitler, Chair of the Women of InfoComm Network (WIN) Council and Marketing Manager at Draper as they discuss their councils' initiatives.

Do you have a plan for managing change requests? Do you roll your eyes when you see the letters “OFE TBD” in project documents? You’re not alone. InfoComm International Staff Instructors Chuck Espinoza, CTS-D, CTS-I and Marcus Yarborough, CTS-I, have some thoughts on the AV Professors Podcast.

Do high-tech companies like Google and LinkedIn collaborate differently than you and your clients? The recent InfoComm Connections show in San Jose, Calif., offered an exciting look at the evolution of AV, IT and collaboration technologies — and it had folks talking. Join Jane Hammersley, TD Maverick; Joe Cornwall, CTS®-D, CTS-I, Legrand; David Danto, Dimension Data; and Josh Srago, CTS, Teecom, as they reflect on the week’s happenings for the InfoComm Today Podcast

InfoComm International fan favorites Chuck Espinoza, CTS-D, CTS-I, and Marcus Yarborough, CTS-I, are back behind the mic. This time, they tackle the question, "When is a project really done?" and wrestle with HDMI and EDID. Plus, get the scoop on upcoming AV Design classes

On day three of an unprecedented four-day Integrated Systems Europe 2016, catch up with ISE Managing Director Mike Blackman on the show's success and a peek at what's ahead for the final day. Plus, InfoComm Director of Communications Brad Grimes breaks industry news out of Europe and Staff Instructor Chuck Espinoza, CTS-D, CTS-I, talks about AV training in the European market, where InfoComm membership has grown 17 percent in the past year. - See more at: http://www.infocomm.org/cps/rde/xchg/infocomm/hs.xsl/43631.htm#sthash.eJ7kk4ua.dpuf

Join us for the inaugural InfoComm Today AV Professors Podcast, with InfoComm International instructors Chuck Espinoza, CTS-D, CTS-I, and Marcus Yarborough, CTS-I. In this episode, the guys talk about managing client expectations and specifying virtual LANs. You may need to turn up the volume when Chuck tackles the challenge of accommodating soft talkers with sound reinforcement systems. Send your questions to AVProfs@infocomm.org. Chuck and Marcus may address them on a future show.

What does InfoComm have planned for Integrated Systems Europe 2016? Join Pam Taggart, CTS, InfoComm Senior Director of Development for Europe; Bill Thomas, CTS-I, Director of International Education; and Brad Grimes, Director of Communications, as they talk about their three-pronged program, the exhibits and sessions they’re looking forward to, and how the super-sized ISE 2016 reflects an exciting market throughout Europe.