Rob Hakes

RSM, Harman
Jeremy Caldera

Executive Vice President, Pearl Technology

Mario Gonzalez

Director, New Rules Comunicación y RP

Mario is a PR and marketing communications professional with over 20 years of experience collaborating with tech companies in the B2B and CE industries. Since 2019 he and his agency have teamed up with AVIXA to do public relations and create content for the public in Latin America and Spain.
Renee Benson

Regional Account Manager, Sony Electronics

Renee Benson is a seasoned veteran of the A/V industry with over 15 years experience as a Regional Account Manager in the Midwest. Over the years, Renee has worked as a reseller, distribution and manufacturing rep, most recently with Sharp NEC Display Solutions.
Kelsey Blakey, CTS

Project Manager, Bluum

Nate Blunt

Technology Consultant , Self-employed

Nathan Hufford

Global Enterprise Account Manager, FORTÉ

I am a client centric AV/IT Technologist / Account Manager working with enterprise clients on a national and global level. With a long career focused on convergence technology, I am passionate about developing great user experiences through development of solving collaboration challenges.
Joe Way

Executive Director, Digital Spaces, UCLA

Dr. Josiah Way is the Executive Director, Digital Spaces at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), known as a revolutionary visionary and innovator in the audiovisual industry. As the leading educational technology thought leader, Joe was recognized as the 2019 AV Professional of the Year, 2023 AV Living Legend, 2008 Businessman of the Year, and is named to multiple top industry and influencers lists, including the 2024 global Top 100 Innovators and Entrepreneurs, 2024 Who’s Who in America, 2023 Top 50 UC Professionals, and 2019 and 2022 Top 30 Higher Ed IT Leaders lists. He is a highly sought keynote speaker and writer, most acclaimed for his innovative design of the technology standard for hybrid instruction and business development within the higher ed vertical. Joe is the cofounder of the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA) and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Higher Ed AV Media, host of the Higher Ed AV Podcast, and writer of the Business of AV monthly column. Dr. Way authored the bestselling book, Producing Worship, and is a regular contributor to multiple leading AV-industry publications, while also serving on numerous corporate and higher education advisory boards. Joe has over 30 years’ experience in education, technical production and the arts, and organizational leadership and management. He has been featured in Forbes Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, ABC and PBS Television, Yahoo News, and consulted for high profile organizations like the United Nations, US Department of Education, and over forty Fortune 500’s. In his free time, Joe enjoys cruising the lake on his boat with family and friends, golfing PGA West, and perfecting his Traeger meat-smoking techniques. Oh, and he once won his fantasy football league. Joe is available for speaking engagements, media appearances, and business development consulting.
Bill Larsen, CTS

District AV Technology Coordinator, Independent School District 197

Managed Audio Visual services for School District 197 that includes Two Rivers High School, two (2) middle schools, and five (5) elementary schools. Provide leadership and management to the Audio Visual department. CareHawk system administrator for the two middle schools. Started a service club for Two Rivers High School and District called Tech Warriors. Tech Warriors provided level 1 computer support, event production services, and TV/Streaming production.