Now that InfoComm 2025 has wrapped, those of us in higher education have a lot to reflect on. Between economic pressures, rising equipment costs and continued challenges in delivering flexible learning environments, this year’s conference felt especially important — and in many ways, it delivered.

The HETMA Higher Education Summit stood out as a highlight. Held June 9–10, right at the start of the week, it was packed with sessions that hit close to home for campus AV and IT teams. One keynote, led by Don Merritt from the University of Central Florida, focused on AV systems through the lens of privacy, FERPA, and student data. Another keynote, delivered by Frank Padikkala from Zoom, explored AV security and the idea that “design is the first firewall.” In a world where our classrooms now have a permanent audio and video connection to the outside, those aren’t just interesting topics — they’re mission-critical.

One session that really resonated with me was “How to Go Big on AV at a Small School.” It was encouraging to see InfoComm recognize that not every institution has a massive budget or an in-house design team. Sometimes, being strategic with aging infrastructure or rolling out new tech in phases is the only option. That kind of practical, real-world guidance is invaluable.

As someone from a relatively small school, I’ve often found myself at InfoComm trying to mentally scale down big ideas and figure out how to apply them on a smaller campus. This year, it felt like the sessions themselves were doing some of that scaling for us — and that’s progress. And if you’re a manufacturer or integrator who sat in on that session: good. Listen to what we’re asking for. Hear how we’re solving problems. Selling me something I already told you I need is always going to go further than pitching something you dreamed up without understanding my constraints.

Of course, the exhibit floor was once again a major draw. For those of us who like to get hands-on with new tech, walking the floor is where inspiration strikes. Companies like Crestron, Zoom and Nureva showed off everything from AV-over-IP solutions to intelligent audio systems built for hybrid classrooms. Seeing these tools in person helps us separate genuine innovation from overhyped vaporware. And let’s be honest, we’ve all been burned by vaporware before.

If you didn’t use the InfoComm planner tool this year, I’d recommend trying it next time — it really helps keep track of everything from sessions to speakers to exhibitors. And if you skipped the Higher Ed AV Awards or other networking events, you missed out. Those events are where real connections happen — connections that can help you solve problems, compare notes, or even just feel a little less alone in your role.

But a word of caution: Don’t let the parties distract you. The best thing you can bring back to your institution isn’t swag or social media clout — it’s a network. People you can email when something breaks. People who’ll share what worked on their campus. If you went to the receptions just to eat and drink, you missed a massive opportunity for both your school and your own growth.

We’re all under pressure to do more with less. That’s not changing anytime soon. So, themes like accessibility, security, AI and smart design aren’t just buzzwords — they’re tools we need to understand, adopt and implement with intention.

If InfoComm 2025 made one thing clear, it’s this: The future is already knocking. It’s on us to answer.