Making Waves (AV Magazine)

Specialist recruiter, Denise Hughes is a much valued member of the AV community with a deep knowledge of the industry's landscape. Who better then to author the industry's first tome - 'Your Dream Job in Audio Visual - Don't Just Fall Into It' which sets out to provide advice on everything from career planning and networking to the technical knowledge required for success, with insights and advice from notable AV professionals - see https://yourdreamjobinaudiovisual.co.uk In this episode Denise talks to Clive Couldwell about how the idea for the book came about, analyses the current state of the industry, and suggests what it could be doing to spread the AV message and attract talent.

In Part Two, more interesting observations and comment from: Mark Affection, Head of Digital AV Solutions, Information Services, University of Greenwich; Gary Keene, Audio Visual Architect, University of the Arts London; and Daniel Lee, MD, Hewshott.

After our recent Higher Education Roundtable, David Berman caught up with our guests to reflect further on some of the subjects discussed in our session, as well as talk about other issues of the day that affect the HE and corporate AV communities. Here in Part One, David talks to: Adam Harvey, Solution Architect – AV + Digital Media, University of Hertfordshire (LTSMG); Caroline Carter, Head of AV, Imperial College London; and Sheila Egan, AV Design Principal for Teaching + Learning Spaces, University College London.

AVI-SPL's XTG (Experience Technology Group) emerged in 2022. We have to admit, we took our eye off it, and guess what? It's become a fast-growing organisation that works with companies to create immersive brand and employee experiences using a mix of audio visual communications, digital signage, virtual/mixed reality, advanced visualisation, and AI. Essentially, it's a disruptor that represents a new way of thinking. It must be doing something right because Frost & Sullivan has recognised AVI-SPL XTG for the second year running with its Global Enabling Technology Leadership Award. AV Magazine caught up with Julian Phillips and Christine Rogers to find out more.

In 1987, Nancy Knowlton co-founded SMART Technologies Inc alongside husband David Martin in Calgary, Canada. The company's interactive whiteboard changed the way people worked and learned in meeting rooms and classrooms. Now with audio and VC company, Nureva who better to discuss the future for large room audio needs, the changing needs of IT/AV managers and how to implement best practice.

In the second of our InfoComm interviews, Christine Schyvinck outlines what it takes to successfully run a diverse organisation, the challenges it brings, the role of mentoring, and the importance of recruitment as the company services an ever more diverse customer base. One of the most impressive women of her generation, Rose Shure was Shure Incorporated for 67 years. Working alongside her husband, Founder and Past President, Sidney Shure, Rose witnessed the company grow from a small maker of microphones and phonograph cartridges to a global audio electronics manufacturer. Who better to talk about diversity and running a fast moving business then than a woman who was Rose's appointee, someone who has independently gone on to make a huge mark on the AV/audio business.

The first of a group of interviews conducted at InfoComm in Vegas, we kick off with the ever lively Joe Pham who we caught post his keynote talk. Really interesting piece about the new technologies coming your way over the next year or so. Forgive the sound quality. It was noisy... a challenge for any podcaster.

We talked in Part 1 about the way video conferencing is being used in schools, but what we didn’t address was the subject of safety. This is quite a hot topic at the moment. VC is more accessible than ever before, but how can we be certain children are protected? This episode is a must-listen.

Here's a question we haven't asked in quite a while: What role is AV playing in schools? Now, in quite a revealing conversation with the amazing Mina Patel, Clive Couldwell finds out. There's a lot to say. So much in fact we've split up the conversation into two parts. Here's Part 1.

Clive Couldwell talks to Jamie about business transformation, leadership, hears her honest thoughts about the UK AV industry and learns more about Jamie's passionate interest in cars. After all, the AV community does loves its wheels.

In this episode, we talk with Laila Hede Jensen about her almost 20 years experience in the pro AV industry, digital signage trends, attracting young talent and why she decided to set up her own consultancy.  

In this episode we talk with Faye Bennett our AV Consultancy of the Year Winner and returning guest Iffat Chaudhry of Involve about AV Awards entries, the importance of consultancy roles, imposter syndrome, screen fatigue, remote vs hybrid, attracting and retaining staff, plus some ‘breaking news’ and what we’re looking forward to at ISE.

In Episode 5 of Making Waves, Mike Lammas talks about being an AV Award winner, the importance of training, inclusivity, disability, and his amazing support dog, Ron.

In our fourth episode of Making Waves we ask the question, why in 2023 is there still a need to talk about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and well-being?  This session is hosted by AV Magazine's David Allen and Amit Patel, with special guests Iffat Chaudhry and Rachel Hunt.   

In the third episode of Making Waves we explore extended reality and its impact on multiple areas, from the workplace and training through to entertainment. We begin the show in style with an interview with Jeremy Dalton, PwC's head of AR and VR in which he shares his insight into the use of these immersive technologies in the workplace. You can hear more from Jeremy soon as he is a presenter and panellist at AVWorks, AV Magazine's free virtual conference exploring AV's pivotal role in the workspace. It's taking place on Friday 2 October and we have an incredible line-up including speakers from Google, the BBC, Uber, Bloomberg, WeWork and Zaha Hadid Architects. For more information and to register visit avworks.avinteractive.com. Later in the episode we bring you highlights from a panel debate on alternate realities that took place at ISE, at the beginning of the pandemic that has changed our world. The comments made in the session are even more relevant now as VR, AR and MR are being adopted even more heavily to allow society to function. From healthcare and education through to corporate, the session explored how different sectors are  adopting and benefiting from alternate realities. Joining AV Magazine editor Zoe Mutter on the panel was Glenn Kelly, Head of Production, The Imaginarium Studios; futurist, Amelia Kallman; Badal Dixit, CEO, PearlQuest Interactive; and Vincent McAtamney, Founder and Technology Director, VINTEC Immersive. The interview with Jeremy Dalton begins at 00:52 seconds and the panel debate begins 23 minutes into the episode.

In the second episode of AV Magazine's Making Waves podcast we explore workforce development, training, recruiting new talent and creating a diverse audio visual workforce. To kick off the show, Chris Hope, co-founder of The Loop Lab joins editor Zoe Mutter to talk about the important role his team is playing in empowering young adults, people of colour and women to enter the AV industry. By encouraging the next generation of AV professionals to join the world of AV, helping develop the skills they need and striving for diversity and inclusion, The Loop Lab is driving the industry forward whilst ensuring there are no barriers preventing anyone pursuing a career in AV. In line with this episode's themes, later in the show we bring you highlights from a fascinating panel discussion that took place on the main stage at this year's ISE which saw AV Magazine's Clive Couldwell; ALL-Wave AV’s Kuldip Kamat; AVIXA’s Joseph Valerio; and CEDIA’s Ian Bryant and Amanda Wildman gather to discuss AV workforce development and how best to recruit new talent. The AV industry’s future prosperity depends on attracting talented people. This session presents research highlighting the scale of the issue, and showcases ways in which AV companies can engage with schools, military veterans and workforce agencies to build more pipelines into AV careers.

In the first episode of Making Waves - a new podcast from AV Magazine exploring innovation, creativity and business in the audio visual world - we take a look at how Covid-19 is impacting the industry and what the AV world might look like post-pandemic. Chris Mcintyre-Brown, associate director, Futuresource talks to AV Magazine editor, Zoe Mutter about the effects felt by different sectors as life went into lock down. We then bring you highlights from a session hosted by AV Magazine group editor, Clive Couldwell as part of AVNation’s Learn From Home Virtual Summit in which avitaas principal consultant, Brock McGinnis; AVI-SPL vice-president, Daniel Rogers; Level 3 president, Jeremy Elsesser; and Kraftwerk director of sales and marketing, Kevin Murphy discuss how AV will evolve following this pandemic.