Biamp buys Neets, Control Systems from someone other than Crestron and Extron, and ePTZ cameras.

The AV SuperFriends talk sketchy articles pumping investment opportunities in products that don’t really exist and don’t do what you think they do. “Holograms” are not the next big thing.

Clay Stahlka from Starin shares an insider perspective in what’s going on with the commercial AV and electronics supply chain and has some suggestions on how to avoid getting stuck waiting for your gear to ship (hint: plan really, really early). Also, prices are going up because they can!

Trade shows are back! Which means lots of “awards” articles! We review one from ISE with some odd choices. Then, what is your AV department named? Is that name still valid in 2021 and if not, what should your AV department be named? Finally, what really happens when you press the “Power Off” button? LEED Green initiatives and remote power controllers and PoE shenanigans!

We review a report from Commercial Integrator about the future of distance learning (whatever that means), Larry wants to talk general pet peeves so we all throw in on what manufacturers, integrators, vendors, and even other universities are doing that bothers us, and finally Zoom designs their own commercial AV systems (and they’re sort of weird).

The AV SuperFriends are joined by Mandy Beckner of the rAVe Agency to discuss events from the distant past (e.g. 2019) and events of the far-flung future (e.g. 2021). We talk about the return to in-person events, the continued proliferation of online events, and how to create a premium experience for folks that attend in person, while balancing the new requirement of trying to make everything available online.

Marc considers the recent merger between Trox and Tierney to be a major push into the education AV market, it’s show & tell time about upcoming summer projects, and a riveting discussion of AV labor forces and the increasing trouble finding available integrators.

How do you handle staff training and professional development at your institution? Is there time set aside for each staffer to spend 5-10% of their week learning a new technology or working towards a certification? Or are you doing it wrong? Also, who’s paying for these certifications and who should be paying for them?

If the IT is an umbrella structure covering everything from networks to security to application development to PC hardware, then AV is the most IT of any IT department. We do it all and are constantly asked to do more. What’s that? You’re not part of the IT structure at your school? Well, then you’re doing it wrong.

Have y’all heard of this distance education thing? Apparently, 33% of schools are considering continuing that after COVID. I can only assume that was a poorly-worded survey question as, honestly, who is NOT going to be doing more distance education than ever before?

Also, we hate moveable furniture, and an AV integrator joins the show to provide an outside perspective of working with universities.

Embarrassing commercial AV installations at a “prestigious New York university,” is Higher Ed AV really part of professional AV (yes), and what’s the one thing you’d change about the AV industry?