Each week, I am highlighting some of the incredible people who are in the Audio Video Industry. Today we are profiling Corey Moss. Here is a brief introduction.

Corey Moss has worked in the Audiovisual industry since 1991. He is currently owner of Convergent AV

1.Describe your journey in the AV industry? How did it start?

It actually started in computer rentals in the early 1990’s. Along with computers we rented CRT projectors and other audio visual equipment. From there I also went to work in computer retail for a little while and was selling projectors, mostly InFocus. In the late 1990’s I took a job in commercial AV integration sales for a mid-size integrator in New Jersey. I worked in integration for about 15 years before I began consulting in the industry, along with writing and podcasting as well. I began my own online industry publication in late 2016 and that’s what I do today.

2.What do you think is the challenges that are facing a new person who wants to join the industry?

I’m not sure that there are really any challenges that new people will face, this industry has so much to offer with many different manufacturer, consultant and integrator business focuses, to go with the many technologies. I believe that young people especially have great opportunity in this industry, as many are tech savvy and would find exciting opportunities working with the many different technologies. If they’re given the chance though, they do of course need to work hard to prove themselves.

3.What are the positives of working in this industry?

First, the people. The industry has some pretty amazing people who are very visible – on social media, at the trade shows and at local events. Second, there are many people who volunteer their time to make the industry a better place every day – from roles with AVIXA to mentorship. Third, if one has writing talent, they may have the opportunity to express themselves by contributing to one of the many publications in the industry. I can of course personally attest to that, given that chance with rAVe in 2013.

I also believe that AVIXA has paved a new and beneficial direction for the industry with the name change – especially the IX where it covers more bases with the integrated experience. AV and IT technologies are truly becoming convergent now so the timing is perfect. Take a look at UC&C and digital signage especially, two explosive technology realms in the industry – there are so many opportunities in terms of both.

4.What in your opinion would you change in the industry? What are the negatives that are prevalent ?

That’s an interesting question, something I think about often. I feel that the industry needs a little more focus in terms of technology coinciding with integration business, where it supports current integrator models and client needs. Take drones for example – the industry spent a lot of time promoting drones technology where it amounted to very little in the end. VR is truly nascent as it applies to the industry, and should probably be considered more as niche right now than a major focus.

On another note, diversity and inclusion are still issues unfortunately. I would personally make sure that the industry continues to support women in terms of advancement and recognition – it’s getting better, but it can certainly continue to improve. And men need to show their support.

[RELATED] : If you have missed any of the previous interviews, please click here.

5.Describe your ideal client? What do you wish clients to know before hiring you?

If I went back to my integration sales days, the answer would be education (K-12 and higher ed) and corporate as those were the two markets I covered. My abilities were in knowing each client and their needs, as well as follow through from beginning to end of an installation job. I was the single point of contact for my clients and I believe that’s what really built the trust with them. Customer service was also a very important aspect of what I did, and I would even go on-site to do small repairs when it was necessary (I always had Extron tweakers in the laptop bag!).

6.If you were going to start over, what would you do differently ?

That’s a difficult one, I was in computer rentals and sales and I had already known AV equipment, so going into commercial integration was pretty natural. I actually say it like this – if the technologies present in the industry today were available when I was in integration sales, I could have done so much more, so many possibilities. I guess I look at being in AV media as starting over in a sense, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. I believe one can actually plot a new course if they desired, the opportunities are certainly out there. As for doing things differently, I’m sure I could definitely name a few.

7.Describe a typical work day for you. What are your daily disciplines?

Interestingly there really is no typical work day. There are days where I will have scheduled meetings, phone calls. video conferences (always done on Zoom) and podcasts – however there are always “pop ups” that take place. In terms of what I do, I will receive notifications from many different people, even across the world, at any given time – including at night where many times I will respond right then, and some of that actually comes from my sales days when I was “always on.” My laptop is always with me (even in the gym if something important comes across my cell phone). In terms of daily disciplines, I try to remember to eat at the proper hour (it rarely ever happens) and I make sure that I’m as plugged in as possible. When it comes to my podcasts, I have to keep on top of scheduling and preparation/production.

8.Describe the apps and gear that you use daily which makes you more productive?

My laptop and my Android phone first and foremost. That might not seem like a big deal, but trust me at any given moment without either of them it could be a shut down for me. Zoom is my videoconferencing application of choice, it has been since 2013 – and not only for videoconferencing, I have always used it for recording podcasts as well. For podcasting I have numerous types of gear – headset, mics, interfaces and more. I use Audacity for audio editing. I use Google Drive for storage and Google calendar. I use Slack for trade show team communications.

9. How do you stay relevant in this industry?

I believe I do this through my writing and podcasting, along with social media. I believe that social media, especially Twitter, is a great industry identifier. It’s not for all, but it is for many. I try to also visit with as many as I can at the trade shows as well – this year I’m attending the Digital Signage Expo for the first time and I’m very excited about that. I’m very much looking forward to InfoComm this year, possibly more than any other year. The Almo E4 AV Tour is a show I attend when it comes to Washington, DC (I live in northern VA), I was very happy when I found that it was coming here this year – it’s a great show and I’ll look forward to meeting people there too.

Please connect with him on Linkedin.

Please drop your questions in the comments below and I will make sure that he sees them.

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