Everyone pivoted during the pandemic — some more than others. Panasonic, however, was lucky — it was already armed with a host of hybrid-focused educational products, and it upgraded a bunch of others. Now, the company has a complete lineup of K-12 and higher-ed laser projectors, direct-view displays and PTZ cameras (and something called Moonshot) […]

Next week in Anaheim, California,  Almo Pro A/V will kick off the 2022 E4 Experience tour — an annual regional show with 50+ manufacturers of AV, UCC and Digital Signage gear. AV integrators in Southern California have always been big supporters of the E4 Experience (now in its 12th year). But don’t forget: The 2022 event also provides […]

Huddly’s CTO, Vegard Hammer, joined Gary Kayye on this episode of Rants & rAVes to catch up on all that’s new at the meeting room camera company. The coolest part of this videocast includes a sneak peek of the new Huddly S1 Camera and a feature called “gallery” (demoed live too) that Huddly hopes will bring “meeting equity” […]

On this episode of Rants & rAVes, Gary’s guest was Samsung’s director, enterprise retail sales key accounts, Parish Chapman. The two talk about how Samsung has gone well beyond the physical sign to help its clients implement solutions. Examples include building an integrated social media display, some unique kiosk solutions and support for content generation, too. By the […]

On this episode of Alexis AV Talk, Aaron Udler is our guest. Aaron is the president and CEO of OfficePro Inc., a training and staffing company based in Maryland. Aaron discussed his transition from AV exhibit sales to AV and IT training and staffing support. He also shared his strategies for finding great talent for his firm and clients: Hiring for personality […]

We live in a world of endless online meetings. Want to make yours stand out? Add a hands-on component. Now, how do you do that? Listen to this Selling AV episode to find out. Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

On today’s Rants & rAVes, Gary caught up with Sonic Foundry’s own Donny Neufuss (the company’s director, business development & strategic partnerships), to talk about an upcoming AI-based video tech the company has developed; you should really know about it!  Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

In case you missed the news, Kramer announced it would buy UC Workspace on Feb. 2, 2022. Gary was lucky enough to snag the first video interview with the heads of both companies. Kramer CEO Gilad Yron and UCW Founder and President Angela Hlavka both provide insight into the reasons for joining forces and what […]

Gary caught up with LG’s Adam Coleman and Dan Baker to talk about the company’s new collaboration boards/dvLED products: an all-in-one for meeting room applications and new direct-view LCDs. LG’s entry into the collaboration board market (with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise Edition) means you can use this company for UCC and Education applications. Watch this videocast and consider signing […]

Payden Adams is this episode’s special guest and Alesia Hendley is back as Alexis’ co-host. Alesia and Alexis spoke with Payden about his recent relocation and his career path. They also discussed his career trajectory: everything from a theatrical performer, an AV technology salesperson, a casting consultant, to his position as the producer-senior director entertainment, production, & game presentation […]

If you’re an AV Professional, should you know the math behind your system designs? Does the math really matter?  Find out on this episode of #SellingAV! Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ISE broke the news Tuesday that the show, scheduled for Barcelona Feb. 1-4, 2022, will be postponed until May 10-13, 2022. In this episode of Rants & rAVes, I sit down with Mike Blackman, managing director of Integrated Systems Events, to talk about the reasoning behind the decision. We talk about the importance of health and […]

As salespeople, we are always eager to tell the story of how we help customers. It’s not a bad story to tell, but perhaps it’s better to start with learning a little about the person on the other side.     Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Gary had a chance to catch up with Mersive’s own Christopher Jaynes, the company’s founder and CTO. Mersive invented hardware-based collaboration 15 years ago and it was Christopher’s vision that led to the industry-wide UCC room craze that we have today. This podcast will help you see and hear his vision for collaboration in 2022 and beyond; […]

In my latest episode of Rants & rAVes, Seneca’s Jami McGraw joins me to talk about the company (owned by Arrow), its latest innovations and more. He also gives a firsthand look at the ElementMP series — a series of digital signage hardware solutions claiming to have the simplest out-of-box experience possible. So, if you’d like to learn […]

rAVe’s own Gary Kayye was the first reporter to have a chance to record a video interview with Exertis International’s managing director, Clive Fitzharris, and Almo Corporation’s president and CEO, Warren Chaiken less than 24 hours after the bombshell announcement of Exertis’ acquisition of Almo. This is a candid look into how it happened and what’s next — including organizational details and […]

It’s tempting to use slides as a crutch and read them like a script to the audience (or even have them read along). However, this is a bad idea for several reasons. Get my two tips on better presentations in this episode. Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

When will the AVI-SPL acquisition of SKC Communications be complete? Why did AVI-SPL buy SKC and what are everyone’s new roles in the new organization? All these questions and more are answered inside this exclusive video interview with AVI-SPL’s John Zettel, SKC Communications’ Tray Vedock and rAVe’s own Gary Kayye  Podcast: Play in new window | […]

Gary caught up with DSE’s new leadership, Brad Gleeson and Marian Sandberg, to talk all about the March 2022 Las Vegas-based expo. Registration literally just opened this week — and we’ve got you covered! rAVe has a discount code that earns you 50% off of the Expo Hall Pass: Use RAVE22 and register here: https://www.digitalsignageexperience.com. Rebranded Digital Signage Experience, […]

Network security threats continue to increase as end users seek to implement long-term, hybrid solutions in a post-COVID world. In this episode of Rants & rAVes, TD SYNNEX execs Jessica McDowell and Sandi Stambaugh discuss the opportunity for integrators to embrace this new climate as well as how the expanded TD SYNNEX team can provide support […]

Dan Feldstein, only the second president and CEO in Crestron‘s history, is no newcomer to ProAV or Crestron, for that matter. He used to “help” his dad design control systems when Crestron was still in, founder, George Feldstein’s garage — at the age of 5. But, do you know him? What’s his management style? What does […]

Gary had a chance to catch up with XTEN-AV co-founder Sahil Dhingra to talk about the company’s 48-hour Black Friday sale — allowing anyone to get 40% off the cloud-based AV design platform. This is a once-per-year opportunity to upgrade from your on-prem-based design platform to one that is AI-based AND in the cloud. Listen and watch to find out […]

We’re excited to be partnering with Almo to bring the first (ever) truly hybrid AV event to the market. Using the LAVNCH HYBRID Platform, Almo Pro A/V will hold its live, in-person E4 Experience as it does annually, in Dallas, and — in an exclusive partnership with HB LIVE — Almo will deliver curated content to a global […]

This time, I have a conversation with Farisa Ahmed and Barry Grossman — plus, I’m joined by a guest co-host, Mark Coxon, to discuss workforce development in Episode 7 of Alexis AV Talk. While attending a monthly industry meeting, Barry made himself available as a resource for anyone interested in learning more about the audiovisual industry. Farisa introduced herself and […]

Many people don’t know that there is actually a “proposed” AV-over-IP standard, called IPMX, that’s moving through the process of becoming an “adopted standard” for ProAV. Developed from SMPTE 2110 and managed by the AIMS Alliance, IPMX already exists. Also, a company called Macnica has a reference board, dubbed the MPA1000, that you can buy today — and, […]

Amber Pollitt joins Alexis in this episode of Alexis AV Talk. Amber is a journalist, filmmaker, photographer and editor. She’s used her creative energy by collaborating on several short film projects including “Yellow,” “Saudade- ‘Puxa o Fio’,” and “The Creative Garden.” She is currently working on a film that is very personal to her called “No Shame […]

Gary was joined by today’s Rants and rAVes guest, Steve Capling, director of global enterprise marketing at Christie, to talk about the plethora of new products the company has introduced in 2021. Working with THE rAVe Agency during rePLAY 2021, Christie will debut new projects in the 1-chip DLP Inspire Series, a new M Series high-end 4K25 […]

Gary was joined by Integrated Systems Events‘ own Mike Blackman to talk about the opening of ISE 2022’s registration — the first-ever ISE Show in Barcelona. So, what’s new, what should you expect and why should you attend? Well, besides the fact that February is usually in the high 60s in Barcelona, this interview includes the scoop […]

Not only will Draper be exhibiting at InfoComm 2021 this week but, the company will be heading there with two new product lines for you to see and touch! Gary was joined by Draper’s Randy Reece, who talked Foundation and Acumen. The Foundation Mounting System is aimed at dvLED installs and includes an innovative and rugged design, a complete side-trim option and […]

Prepare to be impressed with this real-time demo here on today’s videocast! In booth 3943, you’ll get to see the eGlass LightBoard) along with HoverCam’s new products and technology. And, Gary was joined by director of marketing Bayley Pierson on today’s edition of his Rants & rAVes podcast for a real-time demo. WATCH THIS and be impressed. In case that […]

In this videocast, Siemon‘s Dave Valentukonis discusses cable topologies — including why #AVtweeps should only use Cat6A UTP and above cabling solutions. Plus, he gives you a sneak peek of what you’ll see from the company at InfoComm in Booth 2021. Yes, you read that right … Siemon will be in Booth 2021 at InfoComm 2021 so you […]

Although Planar won’t be at InfoComm 2021, it will be participating in THE rAVe Agency’s rePLAY 2021 week (Nov. 2-4 2021), as well as holding its own six-city tour in November and December — (dubbed MicroPalooza) covering the entire U.S. Registration is free (but limited) and Gary was joined by Planar’s own Adam Schmidt and Steve Seminario to talk all about the tour (as […]