George "Red" Fournier Jr. CTS
Founder, Director of Technical Services, Laia Technologies North America
I have worked in AV since the early 1980s in various positions ranging from staging to video production. My responsibilities have included engineering, systems design, technical sales, product development, tech support, project management, customer service, CAD Management, drafting, purchasing, and marketing for A/V Integrators and Manufacturers. In 2015 I founded the AV Gives Back initiative on Twitter. Through the use of the #AVGivesBack hashtag on Twitter and LinkedIn, we help people and companies in the #AVcommunity get the information out about fundraisers, community service events, charity events, natural disaster relief, and more. Our motto is ‘helping others help others.’ https://twitter.com/AVGivesBack In the past, as a CAD Manager, I was responsible for managing successful drafting teams in the high-volume NYC Metro Area. While establishing CAD Standards and Drawing packages for A/V & Digital Signage companies I have also worked with the InfoComm International Standards development team that was working on the J-STD-710: Audio, Video, and Control Architectural Drawing Symbols Standard. As a Social Media Advocate, I am active on Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) helping to get out the company message and project information. I have appeared on industry Podcasts including AVNation’s AV Week, ArchiTech, and EDtech. I have presented online webinars for AVIXA's System Integrators Council on Change Orders, and FSR on AV Infrastructure and HDBaseT technologies. I have been a volunteer firefighter in North Jersey since 1985 and currently volunteer as Fire Police in Pequannock NJ. I volunteer with my son's Boy Sout Troop 144 as the Advancement Chair, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Merit Badge Counselor. I also volunteer for the Northern New Jersey (NNJ) Chapter of the Guardians of the Ribbon.
Co-host "Experience AV" Podcast
Quality Evangelist
Life-Long Learner
Started my career in the insurance industry, specifically Workers comp. Eleven years ago I answered a call from an old friend I went to grade school with and he asked me to come help him manage his broadcast cabling company. That old friend is Carl Craver and the company is Viper Cabling Inc. WE handle everything from small voice and data /AV installs to large broadcast projects. I took over Carl's spot on the ITS Council and have been volunteering ever since 2012. I am excited to have been recently elected as the ITS Council chair. As the new Chair I hope to recruit new members that would like to be a part of our next charity project.
I head up the marketing for InfoComm, the greatest tradeshow on Earth. InfoComm 2023 will be my 10th show.
Chat with me if you want to talk about InfoComm, working at AVIXA, or shoes! Follow me on Twitter @AVshoeQueen.
👟
Helping lead the charge of AVIXA's research efforts into the trends and opportunities in the pro AV industry. When not digging into data, speaking and writing about the trends, or discussing where to focus our research efforts next, I enjoy spending time outdoors on walks, hikes or fishing adventures. Though I also have a soft spot for consuming AV content in my DIY home theater, thanks to a love for good audio I get honest from my Dad!
Presently as Regional Director, AVIXA for India and GCC, I do aspire to support the AV and IT industry with access to the resources that are most beneficial to the businesses and professional outcomes.
My focus will be to bring to the AV/IT community in the region, knowledge and skill development through AVIXA Education, Certification and Training Resources. I look forward to work closely with allied associations, industry groups and professional society in the region with a similar focus.
And my areas of interest and learning are indeed the Emerging Technologies (what we know as AI, Metaverse, Cloud, Industry 4.0, and the likes) and how they impact what we do in our professional and personal lives as Humans!
Do feel free to reach out to me.
A marketing professional and 20-year AV industry veteran, I am a proud CTS holder and enthusiastic #AVfoodie who is passionate about innovative technologies, design, and all things AV.
I look forward to connecting with you here on Xchange and invite you to join me on LinkedIn as well.
To reach me, please message me on LinkedIn, as I am unable to reply to conversations here.