Pro AV Today

For years, the AV industry has discussed the long-anticipated convergence with IT—but that shift is no longer theoretical. With cloud adoption accelerating, hybrid work normalizing, and organizations rebuilding digital infrastructure after years of rapid change, AV systems now sit squarely on the IT backbone. In fact, the majority of newly upgraded conference rooms require network-centric workflows compared to five years ago, a trend amplified by the pandemic-driven overhaul of collaboration spaces.What does this convergence actually look like when deployed at scale? And how can AV professionals adapt to an environment where IT now influences everything from user experience to data strategy?Welcome to Pro AV Today. In the latest episode, host Ben Thomas speaks with Sean Hobday, SVP of Sales, Global Supply Chain, and Doug Eckrote, SVP and Chief Operating Officer at Zones, to explore how a global IT-centric company is applying decades of cross-industry expertise to its new foray into Pro AV. The conversation covers how real-world IT practices can streamline AV deployments, enhance user outcomes, and set new expectations for consistency and scale across locations.Key highlights from the conversation…Why AV has officially become part of IT—and how cloud, networking, and post-pandemic upgrades accelerated the shift.How retail and QSR experience shaped Zones’ approach, especially around user experience, standardization, and scaling digital environments across many locations.What success looks like for modern AV/IT implementations, from security and efficiency gains to measurable revenue impact and exceeding operational expectations.Doug Eckrote is a seasoned executive with 30+ years of leadership in multinational technology, operations, and enterprise transformation, specializing in large-scale business operations, supply chain optimization, and go-to-market strategy. He has overseen multibillion-dollar business units, led major digital and operational transformations—including CDW’s $1.9B Small Business unit and its $4.2B eCommerce platform—and driven initiatives that significantly improved efficiency, revenue performance, and organizational capability. Recognized with industry honors such as Crain’s Forty Under Forty and Logistics Management’s Gold Award, he is known for guiding complex organizations through growth, modernization, and high-impact operational change.Sean Hobday is a global sales executive with more than 30 years of experience transforming IT organizations through scalable infrastructure strategy, market expansion, and high-performance team development. He has led Zones’ worldwide sales growth across North America, Europe, India, the Middle East, and Asia, driving double-digit annual gains while advancing cloud, network, and data center modernization initiatives for enterprises across retail, utilities, finance, and manufacturing. Known for turning complex technology landscapes into clear, measurable business outcomes, he specializes in IT lifecycle management, competitive innovation strategy, and building customer-centric sales cultures that accelerate global growth.

Audiences worldwide have cherished The Wizard of Oz for over eight decades, but a new production is reimagining the classic for today’s technology-driven entertainment world. Las Vegas’ cutting-edge Sphere venue will host an immersive revival, pairing groundbreaking visuals with immersive audio technology that brings the Academy Award-winning score to life in ways never before possible. According to the Library of Congress, the 1939 MGM film has been seen by more viewers than any other movie, making this reinvention both a tribute and an opportunity to reintroduce the story to a generation raised on large-scale, sensory-rich experiences.How do you preserve the soul of a cultural icon while using state-of-the-art technology to amplify its magic for modern audiences?On this episode of Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas sits down with Grammy Award-winning music supervisor Julianne Jordan to explore how the Sphere’s advanced audio capabilities elevate The Wizard of Oz. They discuss the delicate process of preserving original performances while re-recording the film’s score, the technical and emotional challenges of adapting a 1939 masterpiece to a futuristic venue, and how this production bridges nostalgia and innovation for both longtime fans and first-time viewers.Key conversation points include:The decision was made to re-record the original score on the historic MGM (now Sony) scoring stage, while preserving Judy Garland’s original vocals.How the Sphere’s immersive audio technology reveals new layers and intricacies in the music, from thematic motifs to the tornado scene’s complex orchestration.The importance of keeping large-scale film scoring in Los Angeles to preserve world-class musicianship and historic recording spaces.Julianne Jordan is a Grammy Award-winning music supervisor with over 30 years of experience in film music production. She has worked on projects ranging from traditional theatrical releases to groundbreaking immersive presentations. Her credits include major studio films and innovative collaborations at the Sphere, where her expertise in preserving musical authenticity while embracing new technologies continues to distinguish her work.

Video conferencing technology has evolved dramatically since the early days of codec-based systems. Today, the challenge is no longer just about better audio or sharper video—it’s about human connection. With hybrid and remote work models now entrenched, the next frontier in conferencing is immersive, spatial experiences that closely mimic face-to-face interaction. At InfoComm 2025, HP and Google introduced “HP Dimension with Google Beam,” a technology that stunned attendees with its lifelike, 3D meeting experience.How close are we to truly feeling like we’re in the same room during virtual meetings—and what does that mean for productivity, retention, and collaboration in the enterprise?In this episode of Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas sits down with Brian Phillips, Director of Product Marketing at HP, to explore the next generation of conferencing technology. From immersive 3D meetings to non-wearable spatial displays, the conversation unpacks what’s driving innovation—and what’s holding it back.Main Takeaways:Immersive experiences are no longer experimental: With AI and advanced optics, conferencing systems like HP Dimension now offer spatial realism without headsets or complex setup, significantly improving user engagement and emotional connection.Enterprise-first rollout is strategic but scalable: Although the current price tag sits around $25,000, HP and Google are laying the groundwork to make immersive conferencing more accessible through Moore’s Law and market adaptation.Impact goes beyond tech—into team culture: HR leaders see immersive conferencing as a tool for improving trust, reducing turnover, and enhancing communication in hybrid work environments where physical co-location is rare.Brian Phillips is a seasoned product marketing leader with over two decades of experience in the video conferencing and collaboration technology space. Currently Director of Product Marketing at HP, he leads go-to-market strategies for conferencing devices, SaaS management tools, and cloud platform integrations. Prior to HP, Brian spent 17 years at Poly, where he played a key role in launching innovative hybrid work solutions and driving adoption across enterprise markets.

AV technology is transforming the healthcare experience by supporting patient-centric care, easing staff workloads, and meeting the evolving demands of modern clinical environments.

The security space is at an inflection point. Rapid technological advancements—like AI, cloud platforms, and big data—are fueling a broader security industry transformation, reshaping how solutions are deployed and consumed. At the same time, the profile of the security buyer is changing, with IT, HR, and compliance leaders playing a much bigger role in decision-making. As these shifts accelerate, companies are increasingly focused on how to scale growth without introducing greater risk.How can the security industry strike the right balance between innovation and operational stability?This episode of Pro AV Today, hosted by Ben Thomas, features a timely conversation with Kumar Sokka, the newly appointed CEO of Acre Security. Together, they explore the security industry transformation underway—from the evolving mission of the security industry, the increasing importance of data-driven outcomes, and how to build platforms that scale securely in a multi-stakeholder environment.Key Highlights from the Episode:Mission Meets Innovation: How modern security companies must now align business growth with a deeper sense of purpose—protecting people and places while staying ahead technologically.The Changing Buyer Landscape: With IT, HR, and compliance now at the table, security solutions must speak to broader business goals, not just technical specs.Driving Value from Data: How actionable analytics—like occupancy insights—are reducing operating costs and creating cross-functional ROI.Kumar Sokka is the CEO of Acre Security, bringing cross-industry expertise in digital transformation, manufacturing, and operations. Before joining Acre, Kumar led digital strategy initiatives focused on efficiency and data value creation. At Acre, he’s building on that background to drive a unified, cloud-first, AI-enhanced security portfolio. Known for his passion for purpose-driven innovation, Kumar is championing solutions that go beyond security to solve larger business problems.

The security space is at an inflection point. Rapid technological advancements—like AI, cloud platforms, and big data—are fueling a broader security industry transformation, reshaping how solutions are deployed and consumed. At the same time, the profile of the security buyer is changing, with IT, HR, and compliance leaders playing a much bigger role in decision-making. As these shifts accelerate, companies are increasingly focused on how to scale growth without introducing greater risk.How can the security industry strike the right balance between innovation and operational stability?This episode of Pro AV Today, hosted by Ben Thomas, features a timely conversation with Kumar Sokka, the newly appointed CEO of Acre Security. Together, they explore the security industry transformation underway—from the evolving mission of the security industry, the increasing importance of data-driven outcomes, and how to build platforms that scale securely in a multi-stakeholder environment.Key Highlights from the Episode:Mission Meets Innovation: How modern security companies must now align business growth with a deeper sense of purpose—protecting people and places while staying ahead technologically.The Changing Buyer Landscape: With IT, HR, and compliance now at the table, security solutions must speak to broader business goals, not just technical specs.Driving Value from Data: How actionable analytics—like occupancy insights—are reducing operating costs and creating cross-functional ROI.Kumar Sokka is the CEO of Acre Security, bringing cross-industry expertise in digital transformation, manufacturing, and operations. Before joining Acre, Kumar led digital strategy initiatives focused on efficiency and data value creation. At Acre, he’s building on that background to drive a unified, cloud-first, AI-enhanced security portfolio. Known for his passion for purpose-driven innovation, Kumar is championing solutions that go beyond security to solve larger business problems.

In crisis scenarios, portable AV systems must perform under pressure because failure is not an option. As Keysight Technologies notes, the evolution of mission-critical communications now depends on low-latency, mobile-ready platforms that can operate reliably in unstable, infrastructure-poor conditions, making portable AV systems essential for real-time response and public safety operations. These are the environments where mission-critical AV must deliver, regardless of power outages, damaged infrastructure, or unreliable networks.How do AV and connectivity providers design systems that can operate seamlessly in chaotic, ad hoc environments, where infrastructure is limited, connectivity is fragile, and failure is not an option?On this episode of Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas sits down with Dan Marcus of RGB Spectrum and Rory McCabe of Dejero to explore the complexities of delivering audio-visual and video systems in the most demanding environments. From bonded cellular and LEO satellites to user-friendly interfaces for first responders, the conversation highlights how AV technology is evolving to meet the realities of field operations.Key Highlights:System Portability Meets Chaos-Ready Design – Portable AV systems must account for unreliable power, minimal infrastructure, and high-stakes, real-time decision-making.Simplifying User Experience for First Responders – Tools must work out-of-the-box for users who aren’t AV or IT experts, particularly in emergency environments.Hybrid Connectivity is Essential – Aggregating 5G, satellite, and cellular links ensures redundancy and resiliency when traditional infrastructure fails.Dan Marcus is a seasoned sales and marketing executive with deep expertise in telecom, networking, security, and AV, particularly in complex control room and mission-critical environments. Currently Vice President of New Business Development at RGB Spectrum, he has held multiple leadership roles over his decade with the company and brings more than 20 years of experience across enterprise sales, product marketing, and video production. His career spans work with major technology firms, including Metaswitch, UTStarcom, and Lucent Technologies, where he consistently focused on making complex technologies accessible and operationally impactful.Rory McCabe is a channel sales leader specializing in mission-critical connectivity for public safety, with over a decade of experience bridging technology solutions and first responder needs. At Dejero, he drives channel growth by expanding real-time communication tools across emergency services, building on prior success leading OEM and IoT initiatives at AT&T/FirstNet across a 10-state region. His background blends entrepreneurship, sales operations, and public sector technology strategy, making him a trusted partner in delivering solutions that keep communities safe when seconds matter.

Derek DuPont of QSC discusses marketers having to create authentic, value-driven stories to engage Gen Z B2B buyers effectively.

The rapid rise of AI technologies, cloud computing, and digital services is driving a renewed surge in electricity demand across the United States, reversing nearly two decades of flat growth. A major contributor to this trend is the exponential expansion of data centers, which are now expected to consume a growing share of the U.S. electricity grid. In fact, the Electric Power Research Institute estimates that data centers, which made up about 4% of U.S. electricity usage in 2023, could account for as much as 9% by the end of the decade.With energy demand accelerating and infrastructure pressure mounting, how are today’s data center operators preparing for a future that demands both scalability and sustainability?In this episode of Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas speaks with Anthony Seiler, Global Director of Data Centers Strategy at Johnson Controls, to explore how the industry is navigating the growing complexity of powering, cooling, and designing next-generation data infrastructure. From global energy impacts to multi-stakeholder collaboration, Seiler offers a candid and informed perspective.Key takeaways from the episode include…The evolution of compute—from 6kW racks to potentially 1MW racks—demands a complete rethink of power, cooling, and spatial design in data centers.Sustainability goals are colliding with rising energy use, prompting innovations in liquid cooling, renewable integration, and energy-efficient infrastructure, though no silver bullet exists yet.Coordinating diverse stakeholders—from grid operators to IT teams—is essential for aligning long-term strategies and ensuring resiliency, redundancy, and reliability.Anthony Seiler is the Global Director of Data Centers Strategy at Johnson Controls, where he leads strategic vision and go-to-market execution for a $3.5 billion global data center portfolio. With expertise in building technology solutions, cross-functional leadership, and market expansion, he has driven consistent double-digit CAGR growth by aligning innovation with enterprise KPIs. Seiler’s career spans roles in strategy, sales, and vertical program leadership across the U.S., LATAM, and Canada, with a strong foundation in operational excellence and customer-centric growth.

The hospitality industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by the rising expectation for hyper-effortless, personalized guest experiences. Across industries, research from McKinsey shows that 71% of consumers expect companies to deliver personalized interactions—raising the bar for service excellence in every sector, including hospitality. As hotels, casinos, and resorts race to meet evolving demands, technology is proving to be the critical differentiator for guest loyalty, operational efficiency, and revenue growth.In an increasingly competitive landscape, the essential question becomes: How can technology be better leveraged to not just “wow” guests, but truly improve loyalty, operational outcomes, and long-term profitability in hospitality?In this episode of Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas is joined by hospitality executive Radley Medina to explore how technology is revolutionizing the guest experience. They dive into how psychographic segmentation, connected ecosystems, and future-ready infrastructure are reshaping the way hospitality businesses operate and succeed.The main topics of conversation…Why psychographic guest segmentation is replacing traditional demographics—and how it drives deeper loyalty.How frictionless, personalized, and interconnected technology creates seamless guest experiences across entire resort ecosystems.What infrastructure and open-system strategies operators need today to stay flexible and competitive tomorrow.Radley Medina is a senior executive with over 25 years of leadership experience across the hospitality, gaming, services, and SaaS industries. He has held leadership roles at major brands including Caesars Entertainment, Station Casinos, and The Cosmopolitan, and most recently served as Chief Revenue Officer at The Service Companies, where he led enterprise revenue growth and operational transformation. Specializing in customer experience innovation, revenue optimization, and large-scale operational leadership, Medina has overseen P&Ls exceeding $325 million and helped organizations achieve EBITDA targets of over $140 million.

The demand for AV services accelerates, and the industry is facing a growing labor crisis. According to Field Nation, 72% of AV integrators say talent shortages are their most pressing challenge, driven by a wave of retirements, increased project complexity, and rising demand across sectors like education, healthcare, and retail. AV Integrators risk project delays and margin erosion without a new generation of skilled professionals. This puts everything from timelines to long-term growth at stake.So, how can the AV industry tap into untapped talent pools and raise awareness among future professionals?On Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas and Kim Lonas, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Lead & Talent Acquisition Lead at DCC Technology, discuss how the industry can evolve its recruitment strategies. Together, they explore the urgency behind workforce development and how inclusivity, education, and mentorship impact everything from awareness to long-term retention.Key Takeaways from the Episode:Rethinking recruitment pipelines: Organizations must look beyond traditional AV circles, reaching into adjacent industries, educational institutions, and nontraditional talent pools to find the next wave of professionals.IT convergence as a gateway: As AV solutions rely more on networking and data, individuals with IT skills—especially in analytics and platforms like Power BI—are increasingly essential to integrator success.Mentorship as a growth tool: Programs like those from AVIXA and WAVE are helping to mentor, educate, and retain new talent, making the industry more accessible to those unfamiliar with its career opportunities.Kimberly Lonas is a seasoned leader in equity, inclusion, and talent acquisition with over 20 years of experience in executive search, HR strategy, and workforce development across North America and global markets. She currently serves as Director of Equity, Inclusion & Talent Acquisition at DCC Technology North America, where she drives inclusive hiring and leadership development initiatives. An active voice in the AV industry, Lonas sits on AVIXA’s Diversity Council, serves on the board of Wevise, and has been recognized with multiple DEI honors, including the 2023 Dealerscope DEI Award.

Demand for AV integration services is becoming more complex and widespread, making it increasingly difficult for integrators to scale operations without sacrificing profitability. According to AVIXA’s 2024 Industry Outlook and Trends Analysis, the Pro AV market is projected to reach $422 billion by 2029, intensifying the need for flexible, scalable support. Amid these pressures, service innovations like LinkLab are helping AV integrators stay competitive while navigating labor shortages, regional growth, and evolving client expectations.So, how can integrators, especially small to mid-sized ones, expand regionally, improve operational efficiency, and take on new work without overextending their internal teams?In this episode of Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas, sits down with Cory Allen, VP of Services at Exertis Almo, to explore how the launch of LinkLab is reshaping the way integrators approach service delivery, project scaling, and workforce development across the AV industry.Key Points from the Conversation:Strategic Rebrand with Purpose: LinkLab isn't just a new name for Exertis Almo’s professional services; it reflects a clearer mission to support AV integrators with targeted, scalable solutions.Regional and National Reach: The service enables integrators to pursue business in new markets even nationwide, without the need to hire local staff or turn away opportunities due to resource constraints.Empowering New Talent: LinkLab supports industry growth by offering CTS-certified AutoCAD training, helping to upskill both newcomers and experienced technicians within the AV community.Cory Allen is a seasoned AV industry leader with over 15 years of experience in sales, services, and operations, currently serving as Vice President of Services at Exertis Almo. He has advanced through roles ranging from Territory Manager to Director and now VP, consistently driving strategic growth, operational excellence, and team development across the Pro AV sector. Allen was recognized as a Commercial Integrator 40 Under 40 honoree in 2022, underscoring his impact and leadership in the industry.

The Pro AV industry continues to intersect with sectors like healthcare, retail, and corporate environments, making access to hands-on product demos and direct vendor conversations more important than ever. Technologies are evolving rapidly, and end users are demanding increasingly complex solutions. According to AVIXA, the global Pro AV market is projected to reach $402 billion by 2028. This is a signal of both the sector’s growth and the increasing need for deep product knowledge and technical expertise. Events like the E4 Experience have become vital hubs for education, innovation, and connection. In a fast-moving industry where product cycles are short and end-user needs are constantly changing, how do regional events like E4 help manufacturers, integrators, and end users stay in sync?Ben Thomas, the host of Pro AV Today, speaks with Vishal Chhatralia, the Global Chief Digital & Marketing Officer at DCC Technology, and Dan Smith, the EVP/COO at Exertis Almo. The discussion explores how E4 events serve as more than just trade show stops. These shows are strategic platforms for channel enablement, customer education, and industry transformation.Key Takeaways from the Conversation:Access to Innovation: E4 offers a rare opportunity for hands-on experience with the latest AV technologies, especially for regional partners and customers who can’t attend global shows like InfoComm.Education That Drives the Channel: CTS-certified sessions and real-time product demos empower both newcomers and seasoned professionals to keep up with the AV industry's fast pace.A More Inclusive, Specialized Workforce: Solutions have become more complex, increasing the need for specialized roles, inclusive hiring practices, and robust integrator support to sustain innovation across the channel.Vishal Chhatralia is a senior digital and ecommerce executive with over 15 years of leadership experience driving digital transformation, online sales growth, and innovation strategies in global B2B environments. He currently serves as Chief Digital and Innovation Officer at DCC Technology and Exertis, where he leads global digital, marketing, and product teams. Previously, at RS Components, he held multiple senior roles, including Global SVP of Digital and Innovation, where he delivered record-breaking digital sales growth, scaled agile practices, and earned multiple industry awards for customer experience and marketing excellence.Dan Smith is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Exertis Almo, where he leads strategic growth and operations for North America’s largest value-added professional AV distributor. He previously held senior leadership roles at LG Electronics, where he managed and led national sales and engineering teams across IT, display, and commercial technology sectors. Earlier in his career, he drove market expansion and high-growth initiatives at companies including Samsung, Magenta Research, and Tech Data through product development, channel strategy, and customer-focused execution.

As energy systems become more decentralized, the complexity of managing trusted devices and other components connected to the grid continues to grow. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Distributed Energy Resource Interconnection Roadmap (January 2025), utilities across the country are experiencing increased interconnection requests for distributed energy resources (DERs), such as solar, battery storage, and EV charging systems. This shift brings a mounting challenge: securing and authenticating an expanding web of edge devices without compromising system integrity.How do we ensure trust across a sprawling, multi-vendor energy infrastructure that is increasingly targeted by cyber threats?In this episode of Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas welcomes Julian Durand, the Chief Security Officer & SVP of Product Management, and Ali Hodjat, the VP of Product Marketing at Intertrust. They discuss how energy providers can manage and secure trusted devices across complex grid networks. The conversation focuses on the intersection of cybersecurity, device authentication, and the evolving expectations of both energy providers and consumers.Key Takeaways from the Episode:Zero trust architecture is essential to securing distributed energy networks, which are increasingly vulnerable due to the proliferation of unvetted, third-party hardware.Endpoint protection is lagging in many operational technology (OT) environments, with legacy protocols and air-gapped systems often failing to meet modern cybersecurity expectations.A universal trust model, such as the Trusted Energy Interoperability Alliance (TEIA), is being developed to help align OEMs, utilities, and consumers around a common framework for device certification and data governance.Julian Durand is a cybersecurity and product management executive with over two decades of experience launching and scaling technologies across mobile, IoT, SaaS, and PaaS platforms. He has led global teams at Nokia, Qualcomm, and Intertrust, where he spearheaded innovations in eSIM, embedded security, telematics, and decentralized trust systems—holding ten patents with several more pending. Durand is CISSP-ISSAP certified, has held multiple P&L leadership roles, and is a recognized thought leader and frequent speaker on cybersecurity and product strategy.Ali Hodjat is a senior product marketing leader with over 17 years of experience driving go-to-market strategies, product positioning, and sales enablement across broadcast, streaming, and media technology sectors. In addition to leading initiatives at companies like Intertrust, Telestream, and Verimatrix, he has deep expertise in content protection, DRM, and video security technologies, including forensic watermarking and authentication systems. Hodjat combines strong technical knowledge in media cybersecurity with proven leadership in cross-functional collaboration, competitive analysis, and strategic content development to deliver measurable business impact.

Surging demand from data centers, AI-driven infrastructure, and electric vehicles is straining power grids already under pressure. States like Texas are seeing especially sharp growth, with grid operators warning of capacity concerns due to accelerating industrial and residential loads. This pressure is prompting urgent conversations about how to build and adapt modern energy infrastructure to avoid major service disruptions. The rapid growth is forcing the utility industry to confront serious challenges around reliability, sustainability, and labor shortages.How can utilities and commercial users build infrastructure fast enough and smart enough to keep pace with electrification?Ben Thomas, the host of Pro AV Today, is joined by two leaders from ABB: John Hayter, Vice President of Marketing & Sales for the Utility Market in the U.S. West Region, and Jack Bellissimo, Senior Vice President of Product Management, Marketing & Strategy. Together, they explore how electrification, distributed energy, and digitalization are transforming modern energy infrastructure.. The conversation touches on the impact of data center growth, the urgent need for grid hardening, and how technology and workforce development are key to maintaining system resilience.Highlights from the EpisodeData centers are driving unprecedented energy and cooling demand, sparking utility challenges and infrastructure upgrades across the country.Grid hardening and resiliency are critical focal points as weather events, electrification, and aging infrastructure test reliability.Labor shortages in skilled trades threaten to slow progress, even as technologies like digital substations and predictive analytics become more accessible and essential.John Hayter is Vice President of Sales & Marketing for ABB's Utility Market in the U.S. West Region, bringing over 30 years of experience across energy, industrial, and commercial sectors. He has held multiple leadership roles at ABB, driving regional sales strategy, channel development, and performance optimization across key U.S. markets, including utilities, oil and gas, and food and beverage. Hayter is known for his strategic vision, mentoring skills, and deep expertise in electrification and power grid technologies.Jack Bellissimo is Senior Vice President of Product Portfolio & Strategy at ABB, where he leads product management, marketing, pricing, and strategic growth initiatives across the U.S. and Latin America. He brings over 18 years of leadership experience spanning product development, P&L management, operations, and global supply chain, with prior roles at Hubbell, Michelin, and GE Power. Bellissimo is known for guiding business transformation, building high-performing teams, and aligning innovation with disciplined execution across industrial, utility, and commercial markets.

The utility industry is rapidly embracing digital transformation to enhance grid resilience and operational efficiency. According to Guidehouse Insights, the global market for energy IT, operational technology (OT), and analytics spending is projected to grow from $19.8 billion in 2023 to nearly $37 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. This surge underscores the growing demand for rugged technology, including tools that can withstand harsh environments while supporting advanced functionalities like AI and real-time data analytics.How are rugged devices evolving to meet the complex demands of modern utility operations, and what innovations are shaping their future?​In this episode of Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas engages with Meade Maleki, ProServices Account Manager Utilities at Panasonic Connect North America, to explore the evolution of rugged computing solutions tailored for the utility sector. Their discussion delves into how Panasonic's Toughbook devices are designed to integrate seamlessly into utility workflows, enhancing both durability and technological capability.​Key Highlights from the Episode:Beyond Durability: Rugged technology must offer more than physical toughness; it should ensure usability, ergonomic design, and clear visibility under various field conditions.Comprehensive Solutions: Panasonic Connect extends beyond hardware by providing a full ecosystem of services, including deployment support, cybersecurity measures, and integration with existing utility systems to address the unique challenges of energy field operations.​Adaptive Design Philosophy: Emphasizing the importance of adaptability, Panasonic incorporates real-world feedback into the design process, ensuring that its products evolve in line with the dynamic needs of utility professionals.​Meade Maleki brings extensive experience in rugged mobility and utility-focused technology solutions, helping clients modernize field operations through integrated tools and services. Pillion works closely with Panasonic’s Pro Services division to deliver end-to-end support, including hardware deployment, software integration, and project management tailored for complex field environments. His background includes deep knowledge of GIS, enterprise deployments, and mobility systems, making him a trusted advisor for utility organizations navigating digital transformation.

As the energy sector wrestles with decarbonization and digital transformation, AI for utilities has emerged as a potential game-changer. But while AI has generated excitement for years, real-world ROI has often remained elusive. That gap between hype and value is beginning to close. According to IBM’s 2024 Enterprise Generative AI report, 64% of CEOs say they face significant pressure from stakeholders to accelerate generative AI adoption, while many energy leaders acknowledge their organizations are still early in the journey. The industry now faces a pivotal moment to either move beyond pilot projects and unlock measurable results or risk falling behind.So, how are utilities starting to realize actual business value from AI, and what does it take to scale beyond experimentation?This episode of Pro AV Today, hosted by Ben Thomas, welcomes back Casey Werth, North American Energy & Utilities Leader at IBM. Together, they unpack the changing AI landscape in energy, explore successful early use cases, and explain how utilities—from major players to rural co-ops—can take the next step in digital transformation.Highlights from the Conversation:AI’s ROI Moment: After years of experimentation, utilities are demanding proof. From better load forecasting to smarter maintenance, machine learning and language models are now tied to measurable savings—sometimes in the tens of millions.Beyond the Chatbot: Many utilities started with low-risk deployments, such as internal search tools or customer-facing chat. However, the most impactful use cases often lie deeper in operations, like field ticketing, failure analysis, and demand response modeling.Small Utilities, Big Moves: Rural co-ops like Dairyland Power are proving nimble with AI for utilities, building internal GPTs and blazing trails that some investor-owned utilities haven’t yet followed.Casey Werth is the Global General Manager for the Energy Industry at IBM, where he leads efforts to drive energy transition and decarbonization using AI, automation, and enterprise system optimization. He has spent more than a decade at IBM in global leadership roles focused on cloud strategy, sales, and technology development for the energy and utilities sectors. Werth also serves on the Board of Directors for the GridWise Alliance and is a member of several industry organizations and presents at industry forums, such as EEI, DistribuTECH, Cloud for Utilities and others.

Explosive demand for artificial intelligence, cloud services, and low-latency connectivity is reshaping the landscape for data center construction in the U.S. With hyperscalers and enterprises alike racing to deploy infrastructure closer to end users, new builds are increasingly challenged by the need for high-capacity power, complex permitting, and skilled labor. According to CBRE, U.S. data center inventory grew by 26% in 2023, and capacity constraints are expected to continue as AI-related workloads surge through 2025.So, what does it take to get a data center online today, and what’s keeping many projects from starting?This episode of Pro AV Today dives into that question with Syed Hussain, Senior Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Dycom Industries, a nationwide telecom construction company. Host Ben Thomas speaks with Syed on-site at Connected America 2025 about fiber, power, cooling, and why planning for edge deployments starts years in advance.Key Topics Covered:Power and cooling are the primary constraints: While fiber placement can be complex, the bigger bottlenecks are finding enough energy and keeping chips cool at scale.Permitting remains a challenge: Running fiber often requires routing through railways, tribal lands, and other restricted areas, adding time and risk to already tight deployment windows.Planning is everything: From chip supply to project sequencing, organizations entering the data center construction space need to plan years to execute effectively.Syed Hussain is a seasoned telecom infrastructure executive with over 25 years of experience in engineering, network planning, construction, and operations. He has led large-scale fiber and broadband deployment projects across the U.S., overseeing multi-million-dollar capital budgets and teams of directors, managers, and technical staff at companies like Comcast, CenturyLink, and now Dycom Industries. His expertise spans strategic planning, municipal permitting, vendor coordination, and leadership development, with a consistent track record of delivering high-impact network builds on time and within budget.

Explosive demand for artificial intelligence, cloud services, and low-latency connectivity is reshaping the landscape for data center construction in the U.S. With hyperscalers and enterprises alike racing to deploy infrastructure closer to end users, new builds are increasingly challenged by the need for high-capacity power, complex permitting, and skilled labor. According to CBRE, U.S. data center inventory grew by 26% in 2023, and capacity constraints are expected to continue as AI-related workloads surge through 2025.So, what does it take to get a data center online today, and what’s keeping many projects from starting?This episode of Pro AV Today dives into that question with Syed Hussain, Senior Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Dycom Industries, a nationwide telecom construction company. Host Ben Thomas speaks with Syed on-site at Connected America 2025 about fiber, power, cooling, and why planning for edge deployments starts years in advance.Key Topics Covered:Power and cooling are the primary constraints: While fiber placement can be complex, the bigger bottlenecks are finding enough energy and keeping chips cool at scale.Permitting remains a challenge: Running fiber often requires routing through railways, tribal lands, and other restricted areas, adding time and risk to already tight deployment windows.Planning is everything: From chip supply to project sequencing, organizations entering the data center construction space need to plan years to execute effectively.Syed Hussain is a seasoned telecom infrastructure executive with over 25 years of experience in engineering, network planning, construction, and operations. He has led large-scale fiber and broadband deployment projects across the U.S., overseeing multi-million-dollar capital budgets and teams of directors, managers, and technical staff at companies like Comcast, CenturyLink, and now Dycom Industries. His expertise spans strategic planning, municipal permitting, vendor coordination, and leadership development, with a consistent track record of delivering high-impact network builds on time and within budget.

The rise of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and remote services is reshaping how and where modern data centers are built. Edge computing is pushing facilities closer to users, and hyperscalers are demanding smaller, denser fiber connectivity solutions. According to Synergy Research Group, hyperscale data center capacity is expected to triple by 2030.How are fiber providers adapting to the explosive growth in bandwidth demand—and what does it mean for rural communities, healthcare networks, and the edge data centers of tomorrow?Continuing our conversation at  Connected America 2025 on Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas sits down with Brian Riley, President of Hexatronic. Together, they unpack how fiber infrastructure is evolving alongside the rise of data center miniaturization, AI-driven bandwidth demands, and rural connectivity challenges. From hyperscaler expectations to public-private fiber strategies, the episode sheds light on where fiber is headed and who it’s meant to serve.Key Highlights from the Episode:Miniaturization is king: Hyperscalers like Amazon are demanding ultra-compact micro cables to maximize fiber density within limited conduits.Edge data centers are rising: Infrastructure is moving closer to end users, with city-level and neighborhood-level modern data centers supporting latency-sensitive applications.Rural demand is growing: Broadband needs in remote areas—especially for telehealth, education, and smart agriculture—are driving interest in localized data centers and public-private fiber investment.Brian Riley is a seasoned telecommunications executive with deep expertise in fiber-optic network development, business transformation, and high-growth operations. He has led multiple startups, capital raises, and M&A deals, and played a key role in scaling fiber businesses for both private and public markets. As CEO of Hexatronic US, he brings decades of experience in strategy, deployment, and executive leadership across the fiber broadband and data center sectors.