HETMA Presents...

In this Chair to Chair conversation, Erin Maher-Moran welcomes Andy Vogel from The Ohio State University, HETMA’s Communications Chair, for a candid look at what it really takes to keep a fast growing professional community informed, connected, and genuinely engaged. Andy shares how his career started in the trenches of campus support, including managing high pressure student media workflows, before expanding into central AV support and eventually instructional design inside the College of Engineering.   From there, the episode zooms out to the craft of communication in higher ed technology: why usability and peer proof often beat raw specs, how to explain tech value to non technical stakeholders, and why partnerships with teaching and learning centers can unlock real faculty adoption. Anchored to the month’s theme of leveling up, Andy reflects on building confidence through presenting, staying curious through ongoing learning, and using vulnerability and transparency as a practical leadership skill. Topics Discussed• Andy’s path from campus AV and classroom support into instructional design • How HETMA connections grew out of virtual conference involvement during 2020 • Why the Communications Chair role blends newsletters, partners, social, and storytelling • Translating technical features into value statements that resonate with end users • The outsized power of peer institutions, case studies, and social proof • Communicating technology investments through teaching impact, not shiny gear • Practical ways to get faculty into training, including partnering with teaching and learning centers • A real world lesson on requirements gathering and why people ask for one thing but mean another • Leveling up through presenting, starting virtual, then moving into in person formats • Authentic community storytelling through nuance, listening, and self critique Erin Maher MoranErinMaherMoran@hetma.orghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-maher-moran/ Andy Vogel, The Ohio State Universityvogel.234@osu.edu  https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-vogel/Join the conversation at community.hetma.orgThis show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for new content every day.

Recorded live as the Friday keynote session on Day 3 of the HETMA Virtual Conference, this hybrid episode combines #Roadto10K and This Month in Higher Ed AV into one fast moving conversation. The panel starts with the month’s community theme, Time to Level Up, sharing what each person has improved over the past year, what the turning point looked like, and how they decide what is worth learning deeply versus what only requires functional competence.The second half pivots into a timely industry discussion sparked by an AV Magazine piece that framed growing education AV spend as wasteful and trend driven. The panel unpacks why the tone landed as dismissive, why combining K 12 and higher ed as one story leads to bad conclusions, and how real higher ed purchasing is shaped by governance, accessibility, security, procurement, and lifecycle realities. The discussion also stresses the importance of a healthy feedback loop between campuses, manufacturers, integrators, and the rest of the channel, plus a reminder that burnout helps nobody and stepping away can be part of staying effective.Topics DiscussedLive hybrid format and why these two monthly shows were merged for the keynote Tim’s role change to Rutgers Newark and leveling up leadership, mentoring, and networking knowledge Britt’s classroom design growth and the hidden skill of time blocking and patience Gina’s leadership evolution: facilitation over fixing, plus guiding questions as a coaching tool The 80 percent mindset and why progress and learning can beat perfectionism in real operations Choosing what to learn deeply based on role, direction, and passion, including learning purely for joy Neurodivergence, hyperfocus, and the flip side of overwhelm and freeze, plus self awareness about learning style Tackling discomfort: imposter syndrome, returning to the classroom, and using external accountability Personal documentation and knowledge transfer as an emotional hurdle, and the parallel to workplace continuity The AV spending controversy, the AVWeek discussion, and HETMA’s published response pushing back on the framingArticles Discussed:Original article: https://www.avinteractive.com/news/systems-design-integration/are-educational-institutions-wasting-their-money-on-av-14-01-2026/ Discussion on AVWeek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FLQnVhkwlA HETMA response op ed: https://www.avnation.tv/2026/02/04/oped-higher-ed-is-not-wasting-money-on-av-but-we-are-tired-of-being-talked-down-to/ Join the conversation at community.hetma.org Host: Ryan GrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/ Panel Britt YenserLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/Tim Van Woeart LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-cts-45416826/ Gina Sansivero LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-sansivero/ This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for new content every day.

Recorded live from the HETMA booth at ISE 2026, host Joe Way guides a rapid fire wrap up of what mattered most on the show floor and why this year felt like a turning point for higher ed AV on a global stage. The conversation keeps circling back to the same throughline: community, representation, and practical solutions that help campus teams do more with the same or do more with less. Along the way, the group calls out standout ideas and moments from key exhibitors including Crestron, Panasonic, Inogeni, ScreenBeam, Logitech, Biamp, Vizrt, Zoom, PlexusAV, Uniguest, Igloo Vision, Netgear, Epiphan, Diversified, Shure, CDW, XTEN-AV, and PSNI, plus broader show forces like AVIXA, ISE, Nexxt and SAVE. Expect a mix of product takeaways, industry direction, and a lot of booth energy as HETMA closes out the week and looks ahead to an even bigger return. Topics DiscussedWhy ISE 2026 felt like a global inflection point for HETMA and higher ed AV Booth based community building and what people were asking for in person Crestron booth approach and the idea of curated, role based tours Panasonic highlights and why projection and short throw still matter on campuses Inogeni, ScreenBeam, and Logitech as signals of where collaboration and capture are heading Biamp presenter lift and the push toward faster commissioning and auto tuning in learning spaces Vizrt plus Zoom and what lightweight broadcast style production could mean for education teams PlexusAV, IPMX, and the appeal of avoiding vendor lock in for AV over IP strategies Uniguest and the expansion of signage into emergency and campus wide communications Sustainability and SAVE: circular economy, manufacturing accountability, and what comes next Join the conversation at community.hetma.org.  Host:Dr. Josiah Way LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahway/ X: @JosiahWay  This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for new content every day.

HETMA opens the Virtual Conference with a candid State of HETMA conversation led by Board Chair Erin Maher-Moran, joined by board leaders and community voices including Troy Powers, Dustin Myers, Joe Way, Ryan Gray, BC Hatchett, Britt Yenser, Teddy Murphy, and Annie Foster. The panel reflects on what changed over the last year, what is working, where the organization is still stretching, and why the heart of HETMA is still member driven community building.The discussion covers growth and global momentum, the impact of roadshows and regional connection, the evolving Education Summit and conference programming, and the push to convert passive followers into active contributors. The group also highlights partnerships, sponsor relationship stewardship, and HETMA’s focus on practical pathways for professional development, including the HEX micro credential concept and mentorship ideas that help more members step into speaking, writing, and leadership.Topics discussedState of HETMA framing: transparency, celebration, visionCommunity first identity and volunteer powered momentumRoadshows and regional meetups as a growth engineInternational expansion and the Belgium eventEducation programming: virtual conference, Lunch and Learns, Education SummitEngagement challenge: moving from followers to participantsPractical ways to get involved without it becoming a second jobSponsor relationship stewardship and deliverables mindsetPartnerships with other orgs and broader industry collaborationProfessional development pathways including HEX micro credential and mentorship ideasJoin the conversation at community.hetma.org

From the HETMA booth at ISE in Barcelona, this special episode flips the mic to the people who usually stay off camera. The plus ones. Spouses and friends who helped run booth life, kept the vibe light, and somehow learned just enough AV language to survive a week on the show floor. Erica Fleming hosts a roundtable with Amy Murphy, Andrea Myers, Jay Matz, and Jessi Taylor calling in from JFK on the way home. It is funny, honest, and weirdly insightful. They talk about how they explain their partners’ jobs to normal humans, what they tell attendees who walk up asking for beer, and what it feels like to be part of a community you are adjacent to but still proud of. Then it turns into travel talk, food talk, and a rapid fire tour of Barcelona highlights, with a side quest into what McDonald’s is doing differently in Spain and Portugal. Topics Discussed• Who the plus ones are and how they ended up running booth life at ISE • Trying to describe what AV people do without knowing anyone’s exact job title • Classroom tech and support work, from help desk to designing simulation spaces • What you say when someone walks up to the booth and just stares at you • A plain language attempt at AV over IP and spanning tree issues • HDMI vs HDBaseT vs ST2110, and why everyone chooses HDMI • Favorite Barcelona moments, including the Banksy Museum and city history • Sagrada Familia reactions and the insane craftsmanship at scale • Driving in Barcelona, fear levels, and two hour dinners • Fast food anthropology: McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks, and the international menu surprises Connect with the GuestsErica FlemingAmy MurphyAndrea MyersJason Matz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-matz-1717836a/Jessi Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessi-taylor-66407b145/This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!

Erin Maher-Moran sits down with Stephen Ashby from Riverside City College, HETMA Education Chair, for a grounded conversation about what it means to start the year with intention in higher ed AV and IT. Stephen shares how a student job in AV turned into a 26 year career, and why the work still feels fresh when the tech, the expectations, and the campus footprint keep evolving.They dig into what teams actually need to finish strong, from standards and documentation to training consistency, digital audio fluency, and listening to faculty feedback without defaulting to defensiveness. The key takeaway is timely: the HETMA Virtual Conference is next week, and this episode is both a preview and a nudge to show up for your own growth, plug into the community, and get in the room for the conversations that help you do the job better.  sTopics Discussed• Stephen’s path from UC Riverside student AV work to Riverside City College• Why the new year is a useful moment for intentional career reflection in higher ed• Team growth, scaling support demand, and the reality of being pulled into projects late• Standards, documentation, and why the missing step is usually not the technical one• Digital audio upskilling, including Dante and AVB as real team priorities• Turning faculty and user feedback into better support instead of background noise• What the HETMA Education Chair role actually includes, beyond Lunch and Learns• HETMA Virtual Conference preview, including AV over IP, AI, accessibility, monitoring, analytics• Why live virtual events still matter when content is available on demand• HECS credential progress and how it is meant to support career pathwaysCall to ActionRegister and join the HETMA Virtual Conference happening February 18, 19, and 20, 2026 on Zoom. Registration details are on the HETMA Community.Join the conversation at community.hetma.orgConnect with Stepheneducation@hetma.orgEducation Committee meeting, Thursdays at 12 pm PacificConnect with ErinErinMaherMoran@hetma.orgLinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-maher-moran/This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for new content every day.

PlaceOS stopped by the HETMA booth at ISE to talk about what a “smart campus” platform looks like when it goes beyond room control. Jonathan explains how PlaceOS connects AV, scheduling, Wi-Fi occupancy signals, and base building systems like HVAC so spaces can automate based on real context instead of manual touches. We also talk about why universities are a strong fit for this kind of integration work, since they often control both the rooms and the facilities systems that usually sit in separate silos. If you want to learn more, visit www.placeos.com or campus.placeos.com and connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn.

We talked with Felipe Henao and Frank Padikkala from Zoom at ISE 2026 about what Zoom is focused on for rooms and campus spaces. The conversation covers Zoom’s partnership approach on the show floor, including work with Cisco room systems and integrations that bring higher production value into Zoom. We also dig into media quality improvements and why “AV serious” matters when higher ed teams have to troubleshoot fast.

We talked with Christina De Bono from SAVe at ISE 2026 about sustainability work that ProAV teams can put into practice. The conversation covers SAVe a Second Life for reuse and end-of-life pathways, plus SAVe Certified as a structured program for building an actionable plan. We also dig into how the SAVe Ambassador network helps scale the work across regions and why higher ed AV teams can lead inside their institutions. If you are on-site in Barcelona, you can find SAVe in Congress Square at Booth CS204.

We talked with Criss Neimann from Shure at ISE 2026 about what they are showing for classrooms and collaboration spaces. The conversation covers the IntelliMix Bar Pro Kit, including design choices aimed at scalable deployments like built-in PoE+ switching and expansion options. We also dig into Microflex classroom approaches and what Shure is doing for larger spaces and production needs, including ANX4 for high channel-count wireless. If you are on-site in Barcelona, Shure is at Stand 3M300.

We talked with Henry Brown and Theo Penty from Igloo Vision at ISE 2026 about shared immersive spaces that deliver a VR-like experience without headsets. The conversation covers how Igloo rooms support group learning and collaboration, and why usability matters as much as the visuals for higher ed adoption. We also dig into Igloo Core Engine 2.0 and what changes when sessions, content, and room control are designed to be instructor-friendly. If you are on-site in Barcelona, you can experience Igloo Vision on the Fujifilm stand at 5B100.

We talked with Joe Andrulis from Biamp at ISE 2026 about what they are showing for larger higher ed spaces like classrooms and auditoriums. The conversation covers Parlé Presenter Lift and the idea of voice lift that does not require instructors to manage microphones. We also dig into MAX Connect with Auditorium Mode and why content sharing to personal devices can matter in big rooms. If you are on-site in Barcelona, Biamp is at Stand 3D700.

We talked with Katie Watts from Vizrt at ISE 2026 about what they are showing for enterprise and education video workflows. The conversation covers Zoom-focused tools like InteractifAI for adding broadcast-style graphics and interactions to meetings, and CaptivAIte for AI-driven keying in Zoom rooms without a green screen. We also touch on TriCaster Vizion and how Vizrt’s live production stack scales from small teams to bigger campus productions. If you are on-site in Barcelona, Vizrt is at Stand 4Q500.

We talked with Dan Wallace and Ron Epstein from Epiphan Video at ISE 2026 about what they are showing for higher ed capture and streaming. The conversation covers the Pearl lineup, including Pearl Nexus, and why appliance-based lecture capture still matters when you are deploying at campus scale. We also dig into the EC20 PTZ camera and what changes when cameras are managed as a fleet through Epiphan Edge. If you are on-site in Barcelona, Epiphan is at Booth 4R660.

We talked with Ryan Willden from INOGENI at ISE 2026 about what they are showing for BYOM and hybrid room workflows. The conversation covers TOGGLE ROOMS for flexible laptop and room PC use, plus CAMTRACK as a voice-activated multi-camera switching approach. We also dig into IP2USB, including why bridging NDI and RTSP to USB matters for modern room designs and how Dante audio fits into that path. If you are on-site in Barcelona, INOGENI is at Booth 2W640.

We talked with Brad Hintze from Crestron at ISE 2026 about what they are showing for higher ed classrooms and collaboration spaces. The conversation covers Collab Compute for Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms, plus deployment details that matter when you are standardizing at scale. We also dig into intelligent video setup improvements, including AutoMeasure and ArUco markers, and how Crestron is approaching flexible audio with pods and AV over IP. If you are on-site in Barcelona, Crestron is in Hall 3 at Stand 3H300.

In this conversation with Jay Lyons we catch up on the latest from Logitech. We dig into the Rally ecosystem, including Rally AI Camera Pro, and what campuses have been asking for around tracking, control, and room predictability. We also talk through the Rally Camera Streamline Kit and why camera control, not just camera placement, is often the real friction point in classrooms. If you are on-site in Barcelona, Logitech is in Hall 2 at Booth 2K100, with the Connected Classroom at Stand 2W100.

CDW is at ISE 2026 focused on the part of higher ed AV that is hardest to standardize: turning technology choices into repeatable, supportable campus experiences. In this conversation with Mike Peters and Tim Russell, we talk about moving beyond “shipping tin” into end-to-end work that connects sourcing, design, implementation, and managed services. They also dig into why specs only matter when they map to the student experience, and how institutions can keep consistency across distributed and international footprints. If you are building a roadmap for the next refresh cycle, this is a useful listen.

PlexusAV is at ISE 2026 making the case that AV over IP should be built on open standards, not proprietary lock-in. In our quick conversation with Jim Reinhart, we dig into why IPMX matters for higher ed, and how real interoperability changes the long-term support and refresh story. We also talk about practical migration paths, including gateways that let campuses connect existing HDBaseT rooms into an IPMX network without ripping everything out. If you are on-site in Barcelona, you can find PlexusAV in Hall 5, Booth 5J700.

Panasonic’s ISE 2026 story is focused on what higher ed teams feel every day: keeping display and projection fleets stable, supportable, and easier to manage at scale. In this quick conversation with Joe Dolce, we dig into new remote monitoring capabilities aimed at clearer diagnostics and more preventative maintenance, plus education support programs designed to reduce downtime. We also talk about the practical path from projection to dvLED, including modular approaches that fit real refresh cycles instead of one-off special projects. If you are on-site in Barcelona, Panasonic is at Booth 3J500.