AV Trade Talk

AV Trade Talk: Meet John Greene of New Era

New Era Technology VP of Sales & Marketing John Greene shares details of the winding road that ultimately led him to the audio-visual trade as well as some of the fun that took place during InfoComm 2019 and the now-annual event known as #AvRaoke (including an apology to Cory Schaeffer of QSC for his early departure). John also shares thoughts on ways tech integration firms and architects & interior designers can work better together (amen!). Many thanks and huge hugs to Starin Marketing and Chris Neto for inviting us to be part of BASE CAMP at InfoComm19 where indie podcasts like AV Trade Talk were provided a station to record episodes like this one.

AV Trade Talk: Meet the Content Marketing Pros @ Pivot Communications

Pivot Communications is an innovative content marketing firm that develops revenue-driving lead generation programs for hi-tech and professional AV companies, serving a global client base. What's that mean? More effective ways to target, engage, and sell more to your ideal audience. Find out what that really means and why you should consider this offering in this short episode. Pivot Communications Managing Partner, Jane Johnson, and Client Services Manager (and CTS-holder) Christa Bender, also share what they were excited to see during InfoComm 2019, where this podcast was recorded. Many thanks and huge hugs to Starin Marketing and Chris Neto for inviting us to be part of BASE CAMP, where indie podcasts like AV Trade Talk were provided a station to record episodes like this one.

AV Trade Talk: Catching up with the HTA (Home Technology Association)

Katye McGregor Bennett catches up with Director of Certification for Home Technology Association (HTA), Josh Christian. In this episode, Josh talks about what's new with the organization, including the newly enhanced HTA Budget Calculator and its many purposes—not only for integrator use, but as a tool to get the conversation started and the door opened with architects, designers, and builders. In fact, HTA is even making it available for other brands to use. Learn all about it and more here. 

AV Trade Talk: Introducing Caregiver Smart Solutions

After his father was diagnosed with cancer and having spent his career in technology, Ryan Herd of residential tech integration firm One Sound Choice assumed there were plenty of eldercare resources that would tell him how his dad was doing. Was he getting up, using the bathroom, making his coffee, opening the fridge? What he found out was that not only does this not exist but that he and his team had the answers. Download and tune-in to learn about Caregiver Smart Solutions, hear Ryan's pitch, and find out how the company intends to "change the world!"

AV Trade Talk: Catching up on residential networking trends and ways Access Networks is helping tech integration pros deliver bulletproof Wi-Fi

The network is not just the life-blood of the residential tech experience, it's the foundation of the home's tech infrastructure. Because of this, its role as a critical component of a project can't be overlooked. Access Networks shares why enterprise-grade gear should be a standard offering, how Access Networks works closely with integration pros to select, source, and support their networking needs, and how the company provides value-added services like site surveys and pre-configured packages in addition its enterprise grade and AN Wireless offering. Subscribe, download, and tune-in!

AV Trade Talk: Bet you didn't see this coming! A chat with AtlasIED's Gina Sansivero and Michael Peveler.

AtlasIED is one of the best known audio brands in the Pro AV space but, do you know why? AV Industry veterans Gina Sansivero and Michael Peveler discuss the brand's legacy, its new lineup being shown at InfoComm19, Cisco Live!, and AEEE 2019 (all in the same two-week timeframe), and the more than 20+ new talented partners have joined the company in the last year alone. SCOOP ALERT! How about the inside line on how to get in the running for a 2019 Indian Scout motorcycle? You'll learn about all that and more in this episode of AV Trade Talk. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

AV Trade Talk: Time-tested and data-driven, why D-Tools is still #1 after all these years. A chat with Tim Bigoness.

After 20+ years as the audiovisual industry's leading system design and integration software solution provider, D-Tools knows a thing or two about the most effective and efficient ways to accomplish the intensive process that tech integration entails. In this episode, I catch up with my good friend, Tim Bigoness, CMO of D-Tools, and Corey Krehel, CTO, to discuss what it takes to deliver a world-class, data-driven platform and software solution — the two being different and that difference being an important one. They also share some SCOOP about new features being introduced at InfoComm19 and it's possible we discuss a few other things too. If you're involved in selling, integrating, or supporting tech integration and are into eliminating redundant, profit-sucking processes, this show is for you. Subscribe, download and tune-in!

AV Trade Talk: Talking Tech Summits, Leadership Conference, Awards, and More with CEDIA's Robert Keeler & Giles Sutton

In this episode, Katye catches up with Robert Keeler and Giles Sutton of CEDIA who share updates on the regional events known as the Tech Summits and the newly redesigned CEDIA Leadership Conference and CEDIA Awards, which are now co-located and taking place July 24-26 at the Drake Hotel in Chicago, IL. We also talk about the annual tradeshow CEDIA Expo taking place in Denver, CO September 10-14 and of course, we share some laughs and learn a lot along the way. Not sure what CEDIA is? It's a global residential technology industry association, the acronym standing for Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association, of which 3,700+ trade professionals around the world are members. Don't worry, this isn't just for those in the audiovisual trade, interior designers, architects, electricians, builders, and specifiers will enjoy and appreciate what the industry has to offer. Download and tune-in. Lots of industry info shared in this episode of AV Trade Talk!

AV Trade Talk: Thoughtful Rebranding, Talking to Joe Whitaker About his Company's Rebranding Effort, Why it Happened and What Went into it

Consolidating multiple businesses into one isn't an easy task. Hear how Joe Whitaker went about his company's rebranding effort, why it happened and what went into the transition from Thoughtful Home, Thoughtful Restaurant, and other brands into one, Thoughtful Integrations. Joe also shares valuable tips and insights for integration pros to consider when putting together events, how to involve vendors, partners, and local businesses, and ways to align with the NKBA, NAHB, CEDIA, and other organizations to increase your brand's visibility with the adjacent trades and their customers. We talk about Gary Vee and the influence on Joe's approach to business and the importance of Business Karma and being a good partner to your community. Which, includes ways integration pros can help communities prepare, survive, and recover from natural disasters such as that what is happening across the midwest currently. Bring a notebook when you listen to this one, lots of great takeaways and actionable insights!

AV Trade Talk: Meeting Melissa Price of Leon

Nearly every brand in the AV space wants to have a closer connection with designers and the design trades. Leon Speakers is leading the charge and taking a bullish approach, appointing a new Director of Strategy, interior designer Melissa Price. Melissa has a lot to share with the AV trade in terms of what's needed and how big a factor technology concealment is in the commercial interior design space. She's got big plans for Leon, too. Listen and learn how she and the Leon team are doubling down on design in 2019.