Our Community Spotlight highlights some of the most prominent, active users in the AVIXA Xchange community. These quick interviews touch on hot topics within the AV industry right from the minds of experts in their respective fields.

A long-term AV enthusiast and professional, looking to expand knowledge about the Audio-Visual Industry to the next generation.  A Balloon Pilot and Inflation Team Leader for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

At Wesco Anixter, we believe life should run smoothly. As a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions, we create a world that you can depend on. Harnessing 100 years of ingenuity and expertise, we increase profitability, improve productivity and mitigate risk for approximately 150,000 customers worldwide. With nearly 1.5 million products and locations in more than 50 countries, Wesco is your partner in progress. Our company’s greatest asset is our people. From our corporate and field offices to our distribution sites, Wesco Anixter employs over 20,000 professionals around the globe. We’re committed to fostering diversity and inclusion across our workforce by embracing the unique perspectives, authenticity, and individuality our team members contribute to the company. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Wesco Anixter is a publicly traded (NYSE: WCC) FORTUNE 500® company with 2022 net sales of $21.4 billion.

💡 Many organisations have AV technology systems that are difficult to use, frequently breaking, or not aligned with needs. Sound familiar? This leads to frustration and holds people back from performing at their best. I help corporate, government, education sector leaders implement AV technology solutions to facilitate high performance outcomes for their staff and customers. NEED HELP NOW? +61 403 327 323 | david.allara@konnectus.com.au

Ben currently serves as the Head of Pro AV and the Sr. Director of Publishing for MarketScale, a B2B publisher and strategic marketing firm. He has over a decade of award winning experience in media publishing for large scale events, OTT & live streaming platforms, marketing, network television, and podcasting. Ben decided on his career path at the age of 7, and to date has led some of the most influential brands in the world including Intel, Nokia, Samsung and Segway, to billions of content interactions. A huge hockey fan (Go Stars!), and former contestant and current fan of Family Feud, Thomas resides in Dallas, Texas.

Audio visual Systems Audiovisual (AV) facilities are a part of everyday life. Whether presenting in a small meeting room or in a conference hall, speaking via video link to a colleague on the other side of the world, enjoying close ups of the action on a giant screen at a football match, pursuing a course of study via distance learning, or viewing an interactive video wall in an art gallery, we are reliant on high-quality, reliable and user-friendly audio visual technology. Extensive, Sector-Wide Experience WSP provides expert consultancy to support our clients’ businesses with AV technology that is appropriate to their needs. Our wide-ranging expertise, developed across all sectors, includes commercial, residential, retail, sports, cultural, government, healthcare and education. For example, we provided audio systems for the lobby, fitness centre and rooftop pool of the Apollo H Street project, a new mixed use residential development of 430 residential units in Washington DC. The systems included independent controls for customization, a 20-foot HD project screen movie theatre and independently controlled AV equipment in other communal rooms. Other examples of our diverse portfolio include AV installations for the revitalization of BC Place Stadium for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, as well as for the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and its 5,000-seat conference hall and 32 meeting rooms. We also completed AV installations for the New Hong Kong Design Institute, the best equipped education facility in Hong Kong, which includes an 800-seat auditorium with video wall broadcasting facilities and six 120-seat lecture rooms. BC PLACE STADIUM, VANCOUVER Complex Audiovisual Systems Leveraging our extensive experience, we assist our clients in clearly defining their needs, expectations and priorities, while working within their available budget. AV installations require considerable behind-the- scenes technical support systems and interactions with building services, interior design and architecture. Our priorities are to design and deliver systems that are reliable and simple to operate, cost effective in terms of capital outlay and operation and energy-efficient, with the flexibility to accommodate future change and technological advances. In addition to the choice of display sizes, sound systems and operating controls, we provide input on room shape and layout, sightlines, acoustics, bandwidth capacity, lighting and shade control and the interface with safety and security systems, all with the goal of optimizing sometimes conflicting technical, operational, administrative and financial objectives. When Monster.com wanted a video montage display in a large atrium space at their new world headquarters near Boston, Massachusetts, we found a solution to counteract the impact of daylight from surrounding glass. By specifying LED for the video wall, we were able to ensure video clips, text, graphics and dynamic content would be clearly visible.   Collaborating for Best Results Since AV systems may have a significant impact on base building design, we advocate our involvement in the design process of any new build or retro-fit from the earliest stages in order to attain optimum results and cost-efficiency. For example, integrating sightline analysis with the architecture at the start of design guarantees that everyone in an auditorium will be able to see the screen and avoids costly last-minute fixes. Similarly, carrying out acoustical analytics at the design stage will help the architect decide on the correct acoustic treatment for the space in order to optimize sound quality. We also work very closely with the building services engineers to ensure that the services infrastructure is robust enough to support AV applications, including power and cooling, communications networks and security systems. For example, digital signage in a building may be configured to show emergency messages or evacuation diagrams in case of emergency.   Adding Value to Our Clients’ Operations Our experts leverage today’s most exciting technologies to help our clients add value, functionality and interactivity to their organizations’ operations. Our individually tailored solutions, matched to business needs and budgets, support communication and knowledge-sharing and encourage collaborative working practices such as video conferencing, which offers the benefits of time savings, reduced travel costs and minimal environmental impact. We are proud to support our clients’ operations with well-designed facilities that deliver optimum performance.

With over 20 years of experience in the AV and ELV industries, I specialize in AV system design, installation, management, and integration across diverse sectors, including corporate, education, sports, healthcare, hospitality, and government. My career began in 2003 with the AV team at a 5-star hotel in Lebanon, where I developed a passion for AV systems. I hold certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP) from PMI, as well as CTS-D and CTS-I from AVIXA, blending technical expertise with strong project leadership. I have extensive experience deploying technologies from leading manufacturers such as Crestron, Extron, Biamp, and many others, while managing vendors and ensuring seamless integration. Currently, I am part of BLINQ, a division of IMAR Trading and Contracting in Qatar, where I serve as the ELV Projects Manager, focusing on ELV systems and immersive AV solutions. I am committed to continuous learning, staying ahead of industry trends, and mentoring emerging professionals to elevate the AV field

Senior Technical Training Manager at Audinate (the company behind Dante) for the EMEA region. My journey in the AV world started as a Sound engineer touring with all kinds of bands 25 years ago. Some of the steps that followed: project manager for AV technology, AV System designer, photography, videoproduction, network design, Live sound and system integration, lecturer on "Barrierefree acoustics", network technology and almost all topics related to AV, AVIXA freelance trainer (CTS prep, Webinars, NAVS)

Andy was a deeply committed tech-head who had played with a broad range of AV technologies since well before there was something called AV.  He hungered to know how and why things work, and stumbled on the fact that he had a talent for explaining what he'd learned, so he taught and wrote about all kinds of technologies, in books, magazines, manuals, seminars, and online.  He worked in AV, broadcast, live production, IT, publishing, consulting, and events. In the early 2020s he wrote the new editions of the CTS, CTS-I, and CTS-D Exam Guides. The most fun part of what he did was the research into developing technologies to see how they could fit into the future of AV and IT. Most recently, he became heavily involved in initiatives to improve the sustainability of the technologies we use in the audiovisual industries. Vale Andy Ciddor — AV.technology

Started Journey as Live sound System Engineer For small AV company in 2007. Then join one Dubbing studio and Done Some Movies Dubbing and Music Mixing Till 2008. After 2008 Started working as Freelancer for Audio Jobs as Recording, Dubbing and Mixing engineer for regional language Music and Movies. From 2010 corporate journey Started with Manufacturer of AV Acessories in India. Till 2012 worked as Technical Marketing team Head for the Product developments and Possible solutions for Pro Audio and Video Industry Acessories. After 2013 Started working for Pro Audio Industry Products as BDM for West India. From 2016 Working as Individual Audio, Video and Acoustics Design Consultant for freelance projects across India and in global market.

Hi! I help connect people to AV education, standards and more resources from AVIXA. I am an expert in finding resources to help you meet your training and certification prep needs to help you reach your goals.

Innovation Fuels Us Crestron Electronics has carved the path for technological innovation since 1972. We create automation solutions that transform the way people live their lives, making their day-to-day tasks easier and improving efficiency and productivity. In the process we’ve also transformed the way those solutions are created. We strive to be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, constantly offering faster, better solutions that address the needs of customers the world over. With Crestron, you aren’t just buying top-of-the-line electronics, you are investing in scalable and customized solutions, gaining 24/7 global service and support, and sponsoring products that are designed and manufactured in America. Designing the Future of Technology Crestron is a global leader in workplace technologies, engineering and transforming corporate automation and unified communication (UC) solutions for enterprise organizations across Fortune 500 corporations, campuses, facilities, and more, as well as a premium home automation provider who creates platforms, devices, and systems across residential properties including homes, yachts, MDUs, and hotels. For almost 50 years, Crestron has been designing software and hardware solutions across government, military, lecture halls, and boardrooms, as well as the most discerning residential properties around the globe. As technology has become omnipresent in both work and home lives, Crestron is charting the future of digital transformation for commercial and residential applications by identifying and manufacturing solutions that strengthen collaboration, productivity, and innovation, while reflecting the lifestyles, comforts, and relationships that keep people connected, from anywhere, at any time. Crestron products are backed by more than 90 fully-staffed offices that provide 24 x 7 x 365 sales, technical, and training support across the globe. In addition to its world headquarters in Rockleigh, New Jersey, Crestron has sales and support offices throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Australia.

Grifiths Zachariah, CTS, is an experienced professional in the Pro AV industry, currently serving as the Associate VP for the EMEAIO Sales and Global Alliancesgion at ClearOne Inc. With a background in electronics engineering and nearly two decades of experience in the industry, Grifiths has worked in various technical, training, project management, and sales leadership roles. This extensive experience has given him a deep understanding of the latest trends and innovations in the field and a passion for sharing his knowledge with others. Throughout his career, Grifiths has worked with various system integration companies and manufacturers, managing large-scale projects and troubleshooting complex systems. This experience has equipped him with the skills needed to deliver high-quality, comprehensive training to AV professionals, focusing on sharing his experience to empower others to succeed in their careers.

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