Rants & rAVes — Episode 1046: rAVe’s Exclusive Video Interview With ISE Managing Director, Mike Blackman — All About ISE Barcelona and London

Gary Kayye caught up with ISE‘s managing director, Mike Blackman, today to review the first big AV event in Europe since the pandemic, ISE 2021 in Barcelona, and talk about the upcoming ISE London in fewer than 10 days. Our comprehensive ISE Barcelona coverage is all wrapped up here but watch for even more content — including videos […]

Rants & rAVes — Episode 1046: rAVe’s Exclusive Video Interview With ISE Managing Director, Mike Blackman — All About ISE Barcelona and London

Rants & rAVes — Episode 1045: Easescreen CEO Gerhard Pichler Talks Digital Signage and His Impressions of ISE 2021

If you haven’t heard of easescreen, you might want to take a look. Easescreen has a totally cloud-based creative content platform for digital signage that is compatible with any media player AND is OS-agnostic. joins Gary Kayye on today’s videocast to not only talk about the easescreen platform but also about what it was like to finally […]

Rants & rAVes — Episode 1045: Easescreen CEO Gerhard Pichler Talks Digital Signage and His Impressions of ISE 2021

Study With Steph — Lesson 10: Control Freak

Control systems — they’re such a mystery to me. What are they about? What can they do? What do they want? Steve Greenblatt of Control Concepts, Inc. sits down with me to discuss just that. So — if you need help studying: commands versus functions, how a CPU communicates, types of control systems, etc. this is […]

Study With Steph — Lesson 10: Control Freak

#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

Study With Steph — Lesson 9: Mixed Signals

It’s time to talk about the way we connect. No, not with one another. I’m talking cables and the things at each end you use to plug them into stuff. If you’ve ever wondered what a Phoenix connector is, why wires and cables are NOT interchangeable terms and why building an AV rack the proper […]

Study With Steph — Lesson 9: Mixed Signals

Rants & rAVes — Episode 1044: How SYNNEX COLLABSolv Is Helping Partners in the Current Market

In today’s episode of Rants & rAVes, Gary Kayye sits down with TJ Trojan, senior vice president of product management for SYNNEX, to talk about SYNNEX’s collaboration business and how it’s helping partners in today’s evolving market. This past year highlighted the crucial role connectivity plays for customers in all verticals, a trend that is […]

Rants & rAVes — Episode 1044: How SYNNEX COLLABSolv Is Helping Partners in the Current Market

Rants & rAVes — Episode 1043: Collaboration Boards Will Love Valarea

On Thursday, rAVe will use the LAVNCH platform to debut a totally new company and a totally new product to the AV industry: Valarea. You haven’t heard of it yet, but YOU WILL. Its AR technology will soon be coming to a collaboration board near you! The company also has a simple way to standardize UI […]

Rants & rAVes — Episode 1043: Collaboration Boards Will Love Valarea

Selling AV — Episode 121: Always Add Value

If you’re in sales, you’ve heard plenty of advice on how to close, get the sale, get the PO, win. Today, I ask you to consider switching your perspective to adding value instead. Listen to find out how changing your thinking can change your outcome. Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Selling AV — Episode 121: Always Add Value

#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

Selling AV — Episode 120: Better Sales Presentations

When going in for a big presentation, salespeople often spend quite some time creating what they believe is the perfect deck of slides to best promote their company and its products and services. However, overdependence on the “sales presentation” may just be blocking your chances of success. Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Selling AV — Episode 120: Better Sales Presentations

Rants & rAVes — Episode 1042: AVer Debuts CAM130 and VB130 4K USB Cameras with Built-In Lighting and Mics

AVer used the Rants & rAVes videocast today to release details of its newest 4K USB cameras — the CAM130 and the VB130. But these are not just simple webcams designed for working from home. The CAM130 includes dynamic professional lighting (aka built-in lighting) that allows you to add and adjust, or auto-adjust, the amount of […]

Rants & rAVes — Episode 1042: AVer Debuts CAM130 and VB130 4K USB Cameras with Built-In Lighting and Mics

Rants & rAVes — Episode 1041: Get Ready for In-Person Trade Shows: We’ll See You at TEC 2021!

This just in #AVtweeps: TEC 2021 will be held LIVE at the Sheraton Downtown Denver in Denver, Colorado, May 3-5, 2021, and virtually May 3-6, 2021. Gary and the rAVe team will cover the show, recording product videos and interviews just like always! TEC 2021 will be one of the first industry shows to take place in […]

Rants & rAVes — Episode 1041: Get Ready for In-Person Trade Shows: We’ll See You at TEC 2021!

Rants & rAVes — Episode 1040: How Can SYNNEX VISUALSolv Support Your Business in 2021?

SYNNEX Vice President of Product Management Sandi Stambaugh catches up with Gary Kayye to share the latest highlights and updates for the SYNNEX VISUALSolv business unit, as well as AV trends they’re seeing in 2021 and beyond. Hear how SYNNEX is expanding its team and ramping up training and enablement to best support partners in the […]

Rants & rAVes — Episode 1040: How Can SYNNEX VISUALSolv Support Your Business in 2021?

#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

Study With Steph — Lesson 8: Networks (Not the Social Kind)

In today’s episode of Study With Steph, I catch up with my pal, Justin Kennington, to help me with networks. We answer the following questions: What is a network? Why does topology matter? What the heck is up with Ethernet (I previously thought it was just a cable. It is not just a cable.) For clarification […]

Study With Steph — Lesson 8: Networks (Not the Social Kind)

#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

Study With Steph — Lesson 7: Video Killed the Radio Star

I took a few weeks to rearrange my episode structure, and now I am back here with all of you — and I am ready to learn! If you’re still following the CTS Exam Guide, I’m so sorry that the chapters no longer match the episode numbers. I will let you know we are still on […]

Study With Steph — Lesson 7: Video Killed the Radio Star

Rants & rAVes — Episode 1039: What’s the State of the UCC Market?

On today’s episode of Rants & rAVes, Avocor’s Dana Corey joined Gary to discuss Almo Pro A/V‘s upcoming State of the Collaboration Market webinar on Wednesday, March 24, at 2 p.m. EDT. Check out this video and then register for the free webinar here. Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Rants & rAVes — Episode 1039: What’s the State of the UCC Market?

Alexis AV Talk — Episode 5: How Rachael Harris’ Theater Experiences Allow Her to Work With Students and Do What She Loves

On this week’s Alexis AV Talk, Alexis and guest co-host Alesia Hendley are joined by Rachael Harris. Rachael shared her experiences as a production manager, which led to a conversation about the Harlem Renaissance and the historic theaters that traditionally serve people of color in cities all over the country. She’s worked at several theaters in Harlem, including the Apollo […]

Alexis AV Talk — Episode 5: How Rachael Harris’ Theater Experiences Allow Her to Work With Students and Do What She Loves

Selling AV — Episode 119: Selling (Your) AV (Company): an Interview With Jay Myers

I sit and talk to Jay Myers about his book “Rounding Third and Heading Home: The Emotional Journey of Selling My Business and the Lessons I Learned Along the Way.” Jay shares lessons he learned over the 22 years he spent building his AV business, eventually resulting in a sale to the world’s largest integrator. […]

Selling AV — Episode 119: Selling (Your) AV (Company): an Interview With Jay Myers

Selling AV — Episode 118: The Plastic Shovel

What does a plastic shovel have to do with selling technology? Great Question! Tune in to find out! Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Selling AV — Episode 118: The Plastic Shovel

Alexis AV Talk — Episode 4: How Kenneth Peve Is Using His Industry Skills in a Fourth-Grade Classroom

The past year has been and continues to be a challenge for those in the AV industry, and it is even harder on those in the live events AV community. We are used to being behind the scenes, but being in the background proves to be more problematic — we are not at the forefront […]

Alexis AV Talk — Episode 4: How Kenneth Peve Is Using His Industry Skills in a Fourth-Grade Classroom

Study With Steph — Lesson 6: Blinding Lights

Now that I have some extra time to study for the CTS exam, I decided to take my time with this next section. Instead of hopping right into understanding video systems, I invited Sony Electronics Professional’s Chrissy Sara to discuss some concepts of light with me. As it happens, light works similarly to sound! Chrissy […]

Study With Steph — Lesson 6: Blinding Lights

Rants and rAVes — Episode 1036: Luke Jordan Failed the AVIXA CTS Exam — Now He Runs Its Certification Steering Committee

If you failed the AVIXA CTS test the first time you took it, you’re not alone. In fact, the guy who now heads the AVIXA CTS Certification Steering Committee, Luke Jordan, did too. It’s almost predictable, as Luke, vice president and co-steward at Electro Acoustics explains in this candid interview with rAVe’s Gary Kayye, if you plan to pass your CTS […]

Rants and rAVes — Episode 1036: Luke Jordan Failed the AVIXA CTS Exam — Now He Runs Its Certification Steering Committee

Rants and rAVes — Episode 1035: The Spring Almo Pro A/V E4v Opens Registration — and Adds LAVNCH NETWORKING!

Gary caught up with Almo’s VP of marketing, Melody Craigmyle, today to talk E4v — the E4 Evolution show, a virtual version of the E4 Experience. If you attended either of the 2020 E4vs, you know that it wasn’t like any other virtual event as it exclusively used the LAVNCH VTS platform. Now with the 2021 event, Almo […]

Rants and rAVes — Episode 1035: The Spring Almo Pro A/V E4v Opens Registration — and Adds LAVNCH NETWORKING!

Rants and rAVes — Episode 1034: Why You Should Join NSCA, and Why the NSCA BLC Is the Perfect 2021 Event

NSCA’s membership is at an all-time high, as is engagement. Why? Well, according to this videocast with NSCA’s executive director, Chuck Wilson, and rAVe founder, Gary Kayye, when the economy is tough, communication, collaboration and transparent dialogue from within the industry community is critical. NSCA has built its reputation on providing systems integrators with business […]

Rants and rAVes — Episode 1034: Why You Should Join NSCA, and Why the NSCA BLC Is the Perfect 2021 Event

Rants and rAVes — Episode 1033: AVIXA Shifts InfoComm 2021 to October — Here’s Why

Gary talked to AVIXA’s CEO, Dave Labuskes, today so Dave could explain — in great detail — the move of InfoComm from June to October. Remaining in Orlando, the show will now take place Oct. 27-29. This decision was very strategic and, in Gary’s opinion, a phenomenal move. Why? Hint: It’s not all about COVID-19! […]

Rants and rAVes — Episode 1033: AVIXA Shifts InfoComm 2021 to October — Here’s Why

Alexis AV Talk — Episode 3: How Suleyman Usman Is Taking Live Event Engagement to the Next Level During COVID-19

  Happy New Year, everybody! I’m back with a brand-new podcast episode — this time about the live events industry and how that market is fairing during COVID-19. It’s no secret that this area of AV has taken a hit this past year. But that has led to a crazy amount of creativity from a […]

Alexis AV Talk — Episode 3: How Suleyman Usman Is Taking Live Event Engagement to the Next Level During COVID-19

Rants and rAVes — Episode 1032: Learn How Jupiter Systems’ PANA Is Bringing the Hollywood Display Format to UCC

It’s no secret that within Rants & rAVes, I focus a lot on new products and new technologies. Without them, I’d have nothing to rAVe about! It makes sense that Jupiter Systems is featured on this episode because the company entered a new display category in November with its 21:9 aspect ratio UCC display — […]

Rants and rAVes — Episode 1032: Learn How Jupiter Systems’ PANA Is Bringing the Hollywood Display Format to UCC

Study With Steph — Lesson 4: Hear Ye, Hear Ye

This week, it’s the subject many of you have been dreading: audio. I (very stupidly) thought this would be one of my best subjects — and I now know how much physics goes into understanding sound. I invited AVIXA’s Chuck Espinoza on with me this week to talk about sound propagation, acoustics and more — […]

Study With Steph — Lesson 4: Hear Ye, Hear Ye

Rants and rAVes — Episode 1031: Get Ready for Kayye’s Krystal Ball Webinar Presented by Almo Pro A/V — With Some Help from LG!

Get ready for Gary’s annual Krystal Ball webinar presented by Almo Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, at 2 p.m. EST. LG’s Adam Coleman and Dan Baker joined Gary in the latest Rants & rAVes videocast and gave a sneak peek of what to expect in 2021 from LG, related explicitly to microLED and webOS technologies. Register […]

Rants and rAVes — Episode 1031: Get Ready for Kayye’s Krystal Ball Webinar Presented by Almo Pro A/V — With Some Help from LG!

Rants and rAVes — Episode 1030: The LED Install Gods — Ion Visual Solutions

When Samsung has a touch LED install, they turn to a Texas-based startup called Ion Visual Solutions. Started by former AMX’er Chas Thornhill and former Reflect Project Manager Jay Seng, the two are the Ghostbusters of LED installs. When a wall isn’t flat but Samsung still needs a flat LED wall, who are they gonna call? Ion. When they […]

Rants and rAVes — Episode 1030: The LED Install Gods — Ion Visual Solutions