The Future of Trade Shows

During the pandemic, there was a decent amount of discussion about the future of trade shows. Predictably, these theories ranged from “they would go fully virtual” to “they spring right back and be just as big as before.” I think that those who predicted a spring back to the “old days” were closer to the […]

The Future of Trade Shows

#DearVendor — Episode 7: Integrator Flexibility Is Key

In this episode, I speak with John Cheatham of the University of North Georgia. John gives some great insight into how integrators being flexible with their services is key to being a good partner. John also talks about how the university used integrators this summer and how their work required a network reconfiguration. Podcast: Play […]

#DearVendor — Episode 7: Integrator Flexibility Is Key

#DearVendor — Episode 6: Class Capture Is the New Normal

Learn all about class capture in this episode as I speak with Kathleen Dooley of Midwestern University. Kathleen discusses her role and how much it has evolved to support the video recording, storage and distribution of classes. She also gives some great insight into how manufacturers have been critical to her success. Podcast: Play in […]

#DearVendor — Episode 6: Class Capture Is the New Normal

#DearVendor — Episode 5: Accessibility Support Needs To Expand

In this episode, I speak with Josh Kaufman of Tufts University. Josh gives some great insight into how Tufts used outside integrators as install teams, while the university did design and purchasing in-house. Josh also spends some time talking about accessibility and where integrators and manufacturers can continue to add value in this area. Podcast: […]

#DearVendor — Episode 5: Accessibility Support Needs To Expand

#DearVendor — Episode 4: Returning After 1 Year

In this episode, I speak with Don Merritt of the University of Central Florida. Don talks about what he is expecting in the year ahead — he is thinking not only about the changes we will see based on what faculty have learned over the past year but also how we need to prepare to have faculty and students in […]

#DearVendor — Episode 4: Returning After 1 Year

#DearVendor — Episode 3: Relationships Are Key

In this episode, I speak with Erin Maher-Moran of Johns Hopkins University. Erin gives some great insight into how Johns Hopkins has a hybrid approach to design and installation; she also offers advice about how strong relationships with integrators can be extremely valuable. Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

#DearVendor — Episode 3: Relationships Are Key

#DearVendor — Episode 2: Lessons Learned During the Pandemic

In this episode, I talk with Jimmie Singleton from the University of Southern California. USC has a student enrollment of over 40,000 students, and Jimmie’s department supports about 280-300 spaces. Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

#DearVendor — Episode 2: Lessons Learned During the Pandemic

#DearVendor — Episode 1: Welcome to #DearVendor

Introducing the newest podcast on the rAVe [RADIO] network: #DearVendor. For over a year I have been following the #DearVendor hashtag on Twitter. People often use the hashtag to make jokes or express frustration at vendors. Typically, the jokes are about cold calls or relentless emails. As I watched the communication on this over several […]

#DearVendor — Episode 1: Welcome to #DearVendor

Simple Can Be Elegant

As technology people, we in the AV world are not immune to being drawn to new, fancy, shiny objects. We know we need to ask the right questions, make sure it fits our needs (or our customers’ needs), but wow, that new tech can be exciting. On occasion, we are also drawn in the opposite […]

Simple Can Be Elegant

A Pandemic Success Story — What AV Can Learn From WWE

World Wrestling Entertainment is a sport that relies on fan engagement and interaction more than any other. A big reason for that is the fact that it is staged. Yes, there is a substantial degree of physicality that goes into it, along with choreography and excellent timing. Yet, in the end, we know it is […]

A Pandemic Success Story — What AV Can Learn From WWE

Recharge Centers: Technology’s Influence on Our Moods and Emotions

According to Kenny Chesney, “We all have a song that somehow stamped our lives, takes us to another place and time,” I know that I certainly do. But can technology do that too? Here are the facts: We know that numerous studies have shown the effect of technology on teenagers, along with the results of […]

Recharge Centers: Technology’s Influence on Our Moods and Emotions

Remote Support Suddenly Sounds Like a Much Better Idea

Back in the late fall of 2019, I first heard of Teleportivity. It was in a demo video that Gary Kayye posted right here on rAVe [PUBS]. My initial thought was that the idea was great, but I wondered about the product’s efficacy at smaller institutions like mine, or even mid-size colleges and universities. My […]

Remote Support Suddenly Sounds Like a Much Better Idea

Barco’s Virtual Classroom at UCL: A Case Study for the Future of All University Classrooms?

Come fall 2020, every university will be approaching students’ return to campus a little differently. What’s clear is that the notion of the hybrid/HyFlex classroom (or whatever you want to call it) is rapidly gaining traction among the AV community — especially as we start to realize how integral audiovisual technology will be to the […]

Barco’s Virtual Classroom at UCL: A Case Study for the Future of All University Classrooms?

Strategies for Times of Crisis: How to Survive in the Short Term and Thrive in the Long Term

Mike Tyson once said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” This quote is reasonably relevant today, as we have all taken a beating from COVID-19. Most successful firms had developed strategies years ago and have been consistently and successfully following them. However, what we’ve experienced the past several months — […]

Strategies for Times of Crisis: How to Survive in the Short Term and Thrive in the Long Term

The Fall 2020 Classroom

It’s June of 2020, and colleges and universities have finished their crazy spring semesters. Most are pivoting, rooted in planning for the fall semester of 2020. A few themes seem to be emerging that will begin to shape what this next school year looks like, and therefore how the AV market will play a role. […]

The Fall 2020 Classroom

Necessity Is the Mother of Invention

Many of us are approaching our third month of stay-at-home orders (while others on the West Coast are looking at their fourth month). We — or at least I — spend much of our time thinking/dreaming about when this will come to an end so that we can get back to a normal routine. However, […]

Necessity Is the Mother of Invention

LAVNCH WEEK End User Day Tech Talk — Blog Version: “#DearVendor and #DearCustomer: Two Sides to a Thriving Relationship”

We’re continuing with our theme of providing corresponding blog posts to go with our LAVNCH WEEK coverage! Scott Tiner, director of client services at Bates College and member of the rAVe BlogSquad, delivered our Tech Talk about the interesting and symbiotic relationship between a vendor and customer. Below are his tips and advice for cultivating […]

LAVNCH WEEK End User Day Tech Talk — Blog Version: “#DearVendor and #DearCustomer: Two Sides to a Thriving Relationship”

Scott Tiner to Present a Tech Talk on Vendor-Customer Relationships During LAVNCH WEEK

Hello, everyone. I’m back with another video — giving you a preview of what you can expect from LAVNCH WEEK. Yes, I’ve gotten slightly better at explaining what it is since my last video (emphasis on slightly). LAVNCH is a special platform we at rAVe have built to host a variety of things: new product […]

Scott Tiner to Present a Tech Talk on Vendor-Customer Relationships During LAVNCH WEEK

What to Do During the COVID-19 Crisis

2020 will long be remembered as the year that the world changed. We are living through times that are unprecedented and hopefully, will not be experienced again for a very long time. As all of us adjust to this new reality that likely includes becoming a remote worker (and in many cases a home teacher), […]

What to Do During the COVID-19 Crisis

COVID-19 and Higher Ed: What Can We Expect?

The current environment we are all living in is scary on many fronts. First and foremost is the health of our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Second, many of us worry about the security of our jobs as the virus causes epic problems with the economy. With everyone staying at home, much economic activity has […]

COVID-19 and Higher Ed: What Can We Expect?

Digital Transformation — Buzzword or Opportunity?

Technology certainly has its fair share of buzzwords. If you have had your ears open over the past couple of years, you have undoubtedly heard the phrase “digital transformation.” If your experience is similar to mine, you have not only heard about it but also read about it and seen ads for webinars about it. […]

Digital Transformation — Buzzword or Opportunity?

Universal Design in Higher Ed Classrooms — Part II

In February, I wrote a blog on universal design in higher ed classrooms. In that blog, I covered the first four of the seven principles of universal design. This month, I am going to cover the remaining three principles. As a refresher, the seven principles are: — Principle One: Equitable Use — Principle Two: Flexibility […]

Universal Design in Higher Ed Classrooms — Part II

Effectively Reaching New Customers

In December, I was a panelist for a session of the HETMA conference. I can not recall the exact conversation that led to us discussing getting cold calls from vendors. Several of us who are “customers” replied how much we dislike getting the cold calls or emails. What struck me most about the conversation and […]

Effectively Reaching New Customers

A Worthy New Year’s Resolution

At the turn of every year, I often think of blogging about the big stories or products of the past year, or the promising products of the coming year. I have never written about my resolution for the new year, as they are often personal and not business- or AV-related. However, this year is different. […]

A Worthy New Year’s Resolution

HETMA Virtual Conference

In April I wrote a blog about HETMA, a new association formed by Joe Way and BC Hatchett. Check out the blog to understand more about the association and why it was formed. In this blog, I want to draw your attention to the first-ever virtual conference that HETMA hosted December 9-11, 2019. By all […]

HETMA Virtual Conference

Projection Mapping Allows for a New Wave of Creativity

A couple of weeks ago, I saw a video on LinkedIn of a projection mapping project at a restaurant in New York City. It was gorgeous, powerful, it told a story and evoked emotions in the intended audience. In our AV language, we would say it created a real experience. For me, and maybe others, […]

Projection Mapping Allows for a New Wave of Creativity

DSaaS: An Opportunity in Higher Education

Every time I start to write a piece for rAVe ED, I try to think about what the broader AV industry wants to know about the education market. I always try to put forward ways that companies can partner with schools to provide value for all parties. As many people know, one area that I […]

DSaaS: An Opportunity in Higher Education

Social Media – Blessing or Curse?

Like so many industries, the AV industry has a robust and valuable community in the social media sphere. Many of us have dozens, if not hundreds of contacts and “friends” that we know only via social media. While we have opportunities to catch up and meet during industry events, including the always popular tweet-ups, the […]

Social Media – Blessing or Curse?

Data Privacy Issues in Higher Ed

Management guru Peter Drucker is often quoted as saying, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” I have long believed in this philosophy and work with my teams to make sure we are setting goals and measuring our success. While I think Drucker was right, he lived and worked in a much different […]

Data Privacy Issues in Higher Ed

The Most Dreaded Time of the Year

I have worked in education for over twenty years. When August hits, we know that summer has ended for us. The pace picks up quickly as the days get closer to September and the level of anxiety begins to rise. By the end of the month, we are in an all out sprint. Will all […]

The Most Dreaded Time of the Year

Virtual Reality – Create an Experience and Change Lives

For years, my family has watched America’s Got Talent in the summer. It’s a great family show that can be funny, touching and amazing. There have been numerous acts that use some type of technology. A couple of weeks ago however, there was one that really stuck with me. It was Italian psychologists (Simona and […]

Virtual Reality – Create an Experience and Change Lives

Tiner’s New Take on AVaaS

In late June, Andrew Davis posted a blog entry here on rAVe in which he declared that “in 10 years or less, what was once the AV industry is going to be a be a footnote in the history of business technology.” In the post he made the argument that software will, essentially, take over […]

Tiner’s New Take on AVaaS