AVIXA Podcasts

La cuenta regresiva ha comenzado para InfoComm América Latina 2026, y en este episodio de Backstage Pass, los anfitriones Ana María Restrepo y Sergio Gaitán Serrano conversan sobre las novedades, oportunidades y experiencias que esperan a los asistentes en Ciudad de México.

Además, cuentan con la participación especial de Ana Elisa Benevent, directora del evento para América Latina, quien presenta las nuevas experiencias inmersivas, espacios de networking, programas educativos y actividades diseñadas para mostrar cómo la industria audiovisual está transformando los negocios, el entretenimiento y la colaboración en toda la región.

What if AI wasn't just a tool you use, but a coworker you trust?

In this episode of Practically AI, host Mark Metzger sits down with Dan Root of NetSpeek and Sahil Dhingra of XTEN-AV to explore one of the most intriguing developments in artificial intelligence: the emergence of AI coworkers.

The conversation dives into how AI agents are evolving beyond chatbots and automation tools to become digital teammates capable of monitoring systems, solving problems autonomously, learning user preferences, and helping organizations work more efficiently.

Dan explains how NetSpeek's AI-powered network administrator, Lana, can proactively identify and resolve AV and IT issues before users even notice them, while Sahil shares how XTEN-AV is using AI to accelerate design workflows and empower professionals to focus on higher-value work.

He got fired from a tour, joined the Navy, started a business, built a community of 200,000+ followers, and found his true calling in the audiovisual industry. Nick DeLaCruz's story proves that success isn't a straight line.In this episode of AV Unplugged, Jennifer Weaver sits down with content creator, audio professional, and manufacturer representative Nick DeLaCruz to explore his unique journey through the audiovisual industry.

From running sound as a teenager and touring with major artists to serving in the U.S. Navy, launching a production company, and building a content platform with more than 20 million views, Nick's story proves there is no single path to success in AV.

Follow Nick: @thisisdelacruz

https://thisisdelacruz.com

In this episode of Backstage Pass: InfoComm India 2026, host Narin Nara sits down with Steve Trapani, Manager of Certification at AVIXA, to discuss the growing impact of the Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) program around the world. Steve shares why bringing CTS testing to InfoComm India 2026 is a major milestone, what it means for AV professionals across India and the APAC region, and how certification helps individuals stand out in a rapidly evolving industry. He also talks about his first trip to India, connecting with the local AV community, and offers practical advice for anyone considering earning their CTS certification.

How are workplace collaboration technologies evolving, and what's next for the AV industry? In this episode of Backstage Pass: InfoComm India 2026, hosts Sowmya Siddappaji and Manoj Kumar sit down with two industry leaders, Jabra's Ken Cheong and Audinate's Vince Lepore to explore the technologies shaping modern meeting spaces and connected AV ecosystems.

Ken shares Jabra's vision for the future of collaboration, including scalable meeting room solutions, plug-and-play deployment strategies, analytics-driven workplace optimization, and the company's expanding portfolio for spaces ranging from small huddle rooms to large conference environments. He also discusses common workplace design challenges, the impact of inefficient meetings, and what attendees can expect to see from Jabra at InfoComm India 2026.

Vince discusses the growth of the Dante ecosystem and why interoperability remains a key driver for the AV industry. He highlights Audinate's latest innovations, including the new Dante AVIO Install Adapters, Dante Preset Creator, Dante Director Professional, and the Iris platform for PTZ camera control. He also shares insights into Dante's growing adoption across India and what visitors can expect from Audinate at the show.

India is transforming at an unprecedented pace, with smart cities, digital infrastructure, modern workplaces, advanced learning environments, and immersive entertainment experiences reshaping how people live, work, and connect. But behind many of these experiences is the professional AV industry driving innovation from behind the scenes.

In this episode of Backstage Pass: InfoComm India 2026, hosts Sowmya Siddappaji and Manoj Kumar explore the technologies and trends fueling India's growth story and the expanding role of Pro AV across sectors including corporate, education, transportation, hospitality, retail, and live events.

The episode also features a special conversation between Narin Nara and Yee Loy Pang, AVIXA's Senior Director for Asia Pacific. Together, they discuss the continued growth of the AV industry across the APAC region, the success of InfoComm Asia, emerging opportunities driven by AI and digital transformation, and what attendees can look forward to at InfoComm India 2026.

Discover why India remains one of the most exciting growth markets in Pro AV today.

How do you build a career in AI when the technology is evolving faster than most training programs can keep up? On this episode of Practically AI, host Mark Metzger sits down with Blaine Brown, Chief AI Officer at CTI, to explore his path from AI hobbyist to executive leader.

Blaine shares how a curiosity sparked by early AI image generation tools and large language models turned into a passion that reshaped his career. He discusses the online communities, platforms, and hands-on experimentation that helped him learn AI, including working with tools like Stable Diffusion, ChatGPT, AI coding assistants, and more.

The conversation also examines how CTI is applying AI across its business, from improving workflows and employee productivity to developing intelligent solutions for clients. Along the way, Blaine offers practical advice for anyone looking to learn AI, build new skills, and stay ahead in a rapidly changing technology landscape.

Gareth Hay (Technical Consultant Manager, Barco Control Rooms) offers his expert perspectives on upcoming industry trends, technological innovation, and how organizations can optimize performance in mission-critical environments through smarter, more connected solutions.

Join us for a special InfoComm Asia edition of Backstage Pass as we preview one of the AV industry's premier events in Bangkok, Thailand. Host Narin Nara sits down with Pang Yee Loy, Senior Director, APAC at AVIXA, to discuss what attendees can expect at InfoComm Asia, including emerging AV trends, AI-driven innovation, education sessions, tech tours, and the rapid growth of the Pro AV market across the Asia-Pacific region. They also share insider tips on experiencing Bangkok’s culture, food, and vibrant technology scene.

In the second segment, Samantha Powell talks with Vince Lepore, Director of Training at Audinate, about the latest Dante innovations unveiled at InfoComm, including new AVIO Install Adapters, Dante Preset Creator, Iris PTZ Camera Management, and Dante Director Professional.

Vince also explains why interoperability, education, and training remain at the heart of Audinate’s mission and what attendees can look forward to at InfoComm Asia.

Recorded live at InfoComm 2026, host Mark Metzger welcomes guests Matt Morgan of Ross Video and Devan Cress of Netgear for a deep dive into one of the biggest decisions shaping modern broadcast AV: baseband or IP?

From corporate studios to houses of worship and enterprise environments, the conversation explores how video workflows are evolving—and why flexibility, scalability, and simplicity are driving the shift toward AV over IP. Along the way, the group breaks down the real-world pros and cons of both approaches, from the reliability of SDI to the agility of IP-based systems.