AVIXA CTS Study Group, APAC Member Forum, CTS Holders Group, InfoComm India

CTS Spotlight | Shaping an AV Future: My CTS Journey After InfoComm India 2025

Feb 17, 2026

Marketing Manager -APAC, AVIXA

CTS Spotlight | Shaping an AV Future: My CTS Journey After InfoComm India 2025

Like Be the first to like this

Jenish Patel was one among the 30 odd participants who attended the in person CTS-2 Prep class at InfoComm India 2025. Patel began a journey that was both challenging and deeply rewarding post the event. His dedication since the training has now led to achieving the CTS certification, marking a significant milestone in his AV career. In this interview, Jenish shares how the experience shaped his growth, strengthened technical foundation, and inspired him to continue the pursuit of AV excellence.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

What’s your current role and how did you start working in the AV space?

I currently work as an AV and Automation Programmer at Cavitak where I handle post-sales support and assist with technical delivery across AV systems. As a fresher in the AV industry, I began my journey by configuring and commissioning Crestron Home residential projects, ensuring timely delivery with a strong focus on quality and reliability.
Over time, I was introduced to Crestron Enterprise solutions, which allowed me to explore advanced control systems and programming workflows. This transition marked the point where I began to truly understand AV systems as an integrated ecosystem, sparking my deeper interest in AV system design and control.

2. What inspired you to pursue the CTS certification and how did it align with your career goals?

As an AV enthusiast and a proficient programmer, I was already contributing to several critical projects, which gradually aligned my career direction toward the AV industry. During this phase, I became curious about the entire AV project lifecycle—from concept and design to execution and commissioning.
Working at Cavitak, a distributor for multiple leading AV brands and a premium member of AVIXA, exposed me to constant discussions around emerging AV technologies and future capabilities. This environment made me realize the importance of structured knowledge and industry standards, and CTS became the natural next step to formalize my expertise and align it with my long-term AV career goals.

3. In what ways has the CTS certification helped you in your current role or professional journey overall?

CTS has helped me in a truly transformative way. Earlier, while commissioning systems, I lacked a clear understanding of the AV project cycle, which sometimes led to gaps in coordination and documentation. I also had limited exposure to cross-agency communication, structured design workflows, and the importance of detailed reports.
After earning CTS, I now follow AVIXA-aligned processes from project initiation to final commissioning. I actively collaborate with design teams to create accurate BOQs, ensure proper system alignment, and minimize errors. This not only improves project outcomes but also reflects the value addition that Cavitak delivers as an organization committed to AVIXA standards.

4. Can you provide an example of a project where your CTS knowledge directly contributed to its success?

My CTS knowledge has been applied across multiple projects. One notable example is the automation of an auditorium in Gujarat, where a comprehensive understanding of AV systems was essential. Coordinating with multiple agencies and gathering the right technical inputs enabled smoother commissioning and better system performance.
Additionally, I have worked on designing and commissioning boardrooms, conference rooms, and experience centers across key government offices across India. In these projects, I aligned my design and execution approach with AVIXA standards, ensuring reliable, scalable, and future-ready AV solutions.

5. What role do you believe CTS-certified professionals play in advancing industry standards and best practices?

CTS-certified professionals play a crucial role in transforming ideas into reliable, real-world AV solutions. By applying standardized methodologies and best practices, they help elevate the quality, consistency, and credibility of AV implementations. Their work pushes the boundaries of what AV can achieve, contributing to a more connected, efficient, and technologically empowered world.

6. Are you considering pursuing further certifications, such as CTS-D or CTS-I?

Absolutely. I plan to pursue CTS-D later this year, followed by CTS-I next year. CTS has significantly strengthened my foundation, and advancing into design and installation certifications will further enhance my technical depth and practical understanding of AV systems.

7. What advice would you give to someone contemplating the CTS certification today?

My advice is simple: keep learning, keep hustling, and keep evolving. CTS is not just a certification it’s a mindset shift. Believe in the process, stay consistent, and focus on understanding concepts rather than just passing the exam. The certification greatly enhances the practical utilization of AV knowledge in real-world projects.

8. Finally, how did you go about preparing for CTS and did any additional preparations help you?

I studied the official CTS Exam Guide thoroughly, going through it multiple times to strengthen my core understanding. In addition, I leveraged modern tools during the Gen AI era to generate CTS level MCQs. This helped me test my knowledge, reduce exam anxiety, and explore concepts more deeply from multiple perspectives

Monisha Devaiah (She/Her)

Marketing Manager -APAC, AVIXA

I lead AVIXA’s APAC marketing and communications initiatives, which include member communication, vertical market events, educational programmes and AVIXA’s brand presence at the association’s trade shows in the region. I look forward to making new connections on the Xchange and leverage digital as a medium to offer value to members and support the association’s commitment of being a hub for AV in the region. https://xchange.avixa.org/users/avixa