Hello, I'm the Digital Media Producer at AVIXA! I'm a proud #AVTweep and love working in the awesome, vibrant industry known as AV. I'm Thai-'merican, overly-obsessed with cars, a hockey rink rat, and a doggo dad. (he/him)

Garth Lobban is a 35-year veteran of the AV industry who got his start in rental/ staging and live sound while attending college. After a tenure in rental and equipment sales, he moved to the manufacturing side passing through the ranks of high-profile audio and video companies in roles from market development, channel marketing, to product marketing. As Director of Marketing, Garth currently oversees the global Marketing and Training teams at Atlona where he has been for over eight years. He’s raised two children with his wife of 33 years and after hours you might find him on his bicycle or at his work bench.

I have been in the Audio-Visual industry for 20+ years in various sales and marketing roles in both the private and public sectors. My work history includes working with integrators and manufacturers such as Christie Digital, Epson, and currently with QSC. I am passionate about helping women succeed in the industry and have spent the past 6 years working with the AVIXA Women’s Council, a group of professionals committed to supporting and empowering women who work in the technology and AV industry – first as a member, two years ago appointed as co-chair to the Los Angeles/Orange County region, and at the start of 2022, Co-Chair to the council. The council has over a thousand members and 50 groups throughout the world.

Hi! I'm Freddy Sampayo, engineer, teacher, and creator of TheSmartAV. I started in the world of Audiovisual (AV) technology 17 years ago, and I have been part of more than 1,800 projects, yet I'm still that kind of person that all family members come to ask from, what do I do if I forgot my e-mail password, or what kind of TV should I buy? Initially, I was responsible for everything, advising, buying, getting down on the floor to connect equipment, plumbing cables through the wall, climbing boxes of equipment 20 floors in a building under construction, connecting, configuring, teaching, troubleshooting. As the business grew, together with my partner we decided to create a company focused on the high-end market, with the highest standards of quality and aesthetic value. In our country we are recognized as one of the top 3 companies, and we have achieved international recognition for our projects on Homes, Universities, Theaters, Museums, and Stadiums. I joined the associations that bring together professionals in this industry, such as: CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) oriented to the home sector, in which I was certified as Electronic Systems Certified Designer (ESC-D) and AVIXA (Audiovisual & Integrated Experience Association). Every year, these two organizations hold the most important events in the industry, where major brands make their launches and test their latest developments. I have been attending these events for more than 10 years. Thanks to this experience, I was invited by two universities to create a chair on smart homes for architects and interior designers. Now I had to make a 5-month program that wouldn't bore people with technical details. It had to focus on benefits and tools that they can use in their work. The class was a success! I taught at the university for 9 years and instructed more than 800 professionals. There, I ended up bringing speakers to class for live demonstrations, doing experiments in acoustics, lighting, visiting construction sites and designing their own projects.

In my role with AVIXA standards and content teams I provide technical advisement and strategic leadership. This primarily includes standards publications and the Exam Guide books. My interests span the broad spectrum of AV/IT technologies and systems our industry provides.  Prior to taking a staff role with AVIXA I worked supporting AV/IT solutions for both public and private education as a "Technology Manager" (roles including repair, installation, design and project management) as well as a longtime volunteer for AVIXA education and standards programs.

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