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Host Tim Van Woeart of Rutgers University discusses topics relevant to the commercial AV industry.
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10 AUG 2026 · This week's AV Life heats up as storms continue to wreak havoc on life and projects across the nation. Tim Van Woeart, Murphy Daley, Renee Benson, Brandy Johnson, James King, and guest Steve Borho discuss the pressures of late-summer AV work in higher education. Murphy shares a project-management reminder: focus on what the project truly needs, especially during tense, high-emotion situations. The group explores extreme heat, severe storms, HVAC challenges during classroom installations, and the need for strong coordination among AV, IT, facilities, and campus leadership before planned power outages. They also discuss backup cooling and monitoring needs in medical-school spaces. The conversation later turns to youth sports, artificial turf, player safety, coaching, officiating, and the importance of making sports accessible and visible to young people.
Topics Discussed:
- A project-management approach centered on the project’s real needs
- Managing difficult customer expectations during project issues
- Minimum viable classroom functionality for semester openings
- Late-summer AV installations and orientation deadlines
- HVAC reliability in classrooms during installation work
- Coordination between AV, IT, facilities, and administration
- Planning for building power outages and recovery time
- Backup cooling and supervision for critical medical-school spaces
- Extreme heat, storms, tornadoes, flooding, and water restrictions
- Artificial turf, field conditions, and athlete injury concerns
- Youth sports visibility, affordability, and coaching development
- Referee conduct, parent behavior, and player safety
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at https://higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim Van Woeart:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-cts-45416826/
X (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
3 AUG 2026 · With Tim Van Woeart unexpectedly unable to host, Joe Way takes over The AV Life for an impromptu episode that turns into an engaging conversation with Nancy Blanchard of ScreenBeam. What begins as an unscripted discussion evolves into a wide-ranging look at the AV industry, higher education, and career experiences.
Joe and Nancy discuss the current state of higher education funding, the importance of supporting community colleges, consultant and manufacturer relationships, and why application-focused conversations are more valuable than feature-heavy product pitches. They also debate AI's role in AV, standardization versus customization, remote management, wireless collaboration, and the growing number of video bar products entering the market.
The episode also offers a more personal side of the guests, touching on volunteer work in the Philippines, career journeys, life in Canada versus California, and the importance of building genuine relationships within the higher education AV community. Despite its spontaneous beginning, the conversation delivers valuable insights for AV professionals across education and enterprise.
Topics discussed:
- Tim's last-minute cancellation and Joe Way's surprise takeover
- Volunteer work in the Philippines
- Higher education funding and community college opportunities
- Building long-term manufacturer and consultant relationships
- Supporting HETMA and the higher education community
- Application-based selling versus feature demonstrations
- Wireless collaboration and ScreenBeam use cases
- AI's future role in the AV industry
- Standardization versus customization in AV deployments
- Consultant best practices and customer trust
- Rapid-fire AV opinions (Zoom, Teams, ISE, AI, ecosystems)
- Career experiences, layoffs, and navigating today's AV market
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at https://higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim Van Woeart:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-cts-45416826/
X (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
27 JUL 2026 · As the summer moves along quickly, our hosts pause to discuss concerts, travel, major sporting events, and the approaching fall event season. The conversation highlights the community impact and logistical scale of FIFA fan festivals, stadiums, volunteers, and event production, with curiosity about the AV, IT, and project-management lessons learned behind a global event.
In the PM Minute, Murphy Daley emphasizes that effective AV professionals should regularly reassess their systems, standards, software, and tools—especially as AI introduces new possibilities. The group also discusses the value of transparent product evaluation, exploring alternatives beyond familiar consultant specifications, and maintaining an open-minded approach to emerging AV solutions.
Topics discussed:
- Summer schedules, family activities, and back-to-school timing
- Post-InfoComm workload and the value of taking time to decompress
- Wildfire smoke and event disruptions
- Concerts, festivals, and live-performance experiences
- Upcoming travel, including Napa and San Francisco
- CEDIA, HETMA, and EDUCAUSE planning
- FIFA events, fan festivals, and host-city experiences
- Stadium infrastructure and dedicated soccer venues
- Community engagement, volunteers, and major-event logistics
- FIFA event wrap-ups and lessons learned
- Reassessing AV project-management systems and standards
- AI, product evaluation, and openness to new AV tools
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at https://higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim Van Woeart:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-cts-45416826/
X (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
20 JUL 2026 · On this week's AV Life Podcast, Tim Van Woeart is joined by James King, Murphy Daley, Renee Benson, and Nancy Blanchard to discuss whether "good enough" AV is still sufficient in higher education. The panel begins by recapping the successful HETMA Roadshow at Creighton University, highlighting collaboration between vendors, institutions, and smaller colleges that rarely attend major industry events.
Murphy Daley’s PM Minute focuses on asking questions, communicating openly, and never assuming something is impossible without first exploring the options.
The main discussion centers on whether “good enough” AV is still sufficient in higher education. The group argues that modern AV design is less about flashy technology and more about creating reliable, consistent, easy-to-use environments that improve student and faculty experiences. They discuss accessibility, neurodivergent learners, sustainability, standardization, manufacturer feedback, AI integration, and the growing importance of end-user input in product development. The episode concludes with a call for manufacturers and integrators to listen closely to higher education professionals when designing future technologies.
Topics Discussed:
- HETMA Roadshow recap at Creighton University
- Benefits of regional higher education technology events
- Murphy Daley’s PM Minute: asking questions and embracing possibility
- Technology as a factor in student recruitment and retention
- Is “good enough” AV really good enough?
- Standardization versus flashy technology
- Improving the student and faculty user experience
- Accessibility and supporting neurodivergent learners
- Sustainability through intentional technology design
- Higher education becoming more self-sufficient in AV planning
- Manufacturers listening to customer feedback
- AI and the future of AV management
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at https://higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim Van Woeart:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-cts-45416826/
X (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
6 JUL 2026 · In a special Women of AV Takeover episode of The AV Life, Renee Benson hosts an engaging discussion with Nancy Blanchard, Murphy Daley, Brandy Johnson, and guests Gisela Ramirez & Erin Maher-Moran about leadership, mentorship, and the experiences of women working throughout the AV industry. The panel reflects on networking events from InfoComm 2026, including the AVIXA Women's Breakfast and WAVIT's Glow Up event, highlighting the importance of authentic relationships, trust, and intentional mentorship. Inspired by the women's council breakfast keynote speaker Mariana Atencio, the conversation explores building confidence, discovering purpose, and developing meaningful professional connections. The group also shares personal stories about overcoming challenges in a traditionally male-dominated industry, earning a seat at the table, and the male mentors who helped support their careers. The discussion concludes with ideas for attracting younger professionals into AV through internships, outreach, and continued mentorship to strengthen the future of the industry.
Topics Discussed:
- Reflections on InfoComm 2026 networking opportunities
- AVIXA Women's Breakfast keynote by Mariana Atencio
- WAVIT and the Glow Up networking event
- Building trust through authentic professional relationships
- Mentorship and supporting women entering the AV industry
- Personal experiences overcoming gender bias
- Developing confidence and finding your voice
- The importance of supportive male allies and mentors
- Work-life balance and customer relationships
- Recruiting younger professionals into AV
- Internships, career awareness, and the future workforce
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at https://higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim Van Woeart:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-cts-45416826/
X (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
3 JUL 2026 · In this special episode of The AV Life, host Tim Van Woeart is joined by Tim Albright (AVNation) and Tim Neviska (HETMA) for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, professional growth, and the state of the AV industry. Tim Albright discusses the inspiration behind his new book, Building on Ashes, sharing lessons about resilience, failure, and the importance of developing a personal operating system while continually passing knowledge to others.
The conversation then turns to InfoComm 2026, where the group reflects on attendance trends, higher-quality conversations, changing trade show dynamics, and the value of discovering innovative products through guided tours. Tim Neviska shares his transition into retirement, remaining active through HETMA while exploring new opportunities. The episode wraps up with a lighthearted discussion about the popularity of the name "Tim," mentorship, welcoming new AV professionals into the industry, and the importance of always continuing to learn and share knowledge.
Topics Discussed:
- Tim Albright's new book Building on Ashes
- Learning from failure and developing resilience
- Building a personal operating system for career growth
- Sharing knowledge and mentorship in the AV industry
- Reflections on InfoComm 2026 attendance and engagement
- Quality vs. quantity of trade show attendees
- Value of guided booth tours and discovering new technology
- HETMA's role in supporting higher education AV professionals
- Tim Neviska's retirement and next career chapter
- Bringing new professionals into higher education AV
- Industry trends and professional development
- The story behind three AV professionals all named Tim
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at https://higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim Van Woeart:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-cts-45416826/
X (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
22 JUN 2026 · Missing Tim Van Woeart for the final live report from InfoComm, our hosts fight through the noise of the HETMA happening happy hour below to wrap-up InfoComm 2026. The group debated whether traditional booth tours still provide value for experienced AV professionals, with manufacturers emphasizing the importance of demonstrating new technology, gathering customer feedback, and showcasing concepts that can’t be replicated over a video call.
The conversation shifted to how end-user feedback directly influences product development, the increasing focus on cybersecurity in AV, and the overall health of the industry. The panel also reflected on memorable networking experiences, the standout Peerless-AV party, and the importance of reconnecting with colleagues across higher education and commercial AV.
Although attendance felt lighter than previous years, everyone agreed the conversations were higher quality, making InfoComm 2026 a successful and encouraging event.
Topics Discussed:
- Value (or lack thereof) of booth tours for experienced AV professionals
- Demonstrating products that can’t be appreciated remotely
- Manufacturers using InfoComm to gather customer feedback
- How customer suggestions shape future AV product development
- Tailoring booth experiences for technical end users
- Building stronger relationships between manufacturers and higher education
- Growth of cybersecurity awareness within the AV industry
- Overall impressions of InfoComm 2026 attendance and quality
- Networking and reconnecting with industry peers
- Highlights from the Peerless-AV party and networking events
- Canadian attendance and international travel observations
- Final reflections and biggest takeaways from the week
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at https://higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim Van Woeart:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-cts-45416826/
X (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
19 JUN 2026 · Day two of The AV Life's live coverage from InfoComm 2026 focuses on the momentum building across the show floor as attendees juggle booth demonstrations, networking events, and evening receptions. Murphy shares the overwhelming response to her AV Project Management Handbook, including selling out the books she brought on her first day.
The panel also highlights one of the week's most impactful events—the AVIXA Women's Council Breakfast—where NBC journalist Mariana Atencio delivered a keynote centered on trust, human connection, and leadership. The discussion expands into the growing importance of manufacturer partnerships, integrated AV solutions, and collaboration across the industry rather than standalone products.
Topics Discussed:
- Day two observations from InfoComm 2026
- Navigating the expanded convention floor
- Murphy Daley's AV Project Management Handbook success
- Industry partnerships and integrated AV ecosystems
- PTZOptics technology demonstrations
- Sony partner ecosystem and solution-based demonstrations
- AVIXA Women's Council Breakfast with Mariana Atencio's keynote on trust and leadership
- HETMA networking events and happy hours
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at https://higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim Van Woeart:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-cts-45416826/
X (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
17 JUN 2026 · Recorded live from InfoComm 2026, hosts Tim Van Woeart and Murphy Daley, along with live reports from Renee Benson (Sony Electronics), Brandy Johnson (PTZOptics), and Nancy Blanchard (ScreenBeam) from the HETMA booth on the first day of InfoComm 2026!
The group shares their first impressions of the opening day, discussing attendee traffic, the redesigned exhibit hall layout, and the excitement of reconnecting with colleagues across the AV industry. Brandy highlights PTZOptics' collaboration with LayerJot and Intel showcasing AI-assisted medical cart tracking, while Renee discusses Sony's new P Series displays and the industry's growing focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. Murphy previews conversations around AI-assisted project management and the continued evolution of her AV Project Management Handbook.
The conversation also covers travel delays, networking, HETMA activities, staying hydrated in the Las Vegas heat, and what each guest hopes to accomplish during the remainder of the conference.
Topics Discussed:
- Opening day attendance and show floor observations
- HETMA community booth and member activities
- Redesigned exhibit hall layout and attendee flow
- PTZOptics, LayerJot, and Intel AI medical cart demonstration
- Sony's new P Series professional displays
- Sustainability and power efficiency in AV technology
- AI applications in AV project management
- Networking and reconnecting with industry colleagues
- Flight delays and travel challenges
- Planning meetings and maximizing time during InfoComm
- Preview of upcoming Day 2 and Day 3 coverage
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at https://higheredav.com
Connect with Tim Van Woeart:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-cts-45416826/
X (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
15 JUN 2026 · This week's AV Life Podcast is the one to start InfoComm 2026! Join our full panel of hosts Tim Van Woeart, Nancy Blanchard, Murphy Daley, Brandy Johnson, Joe Way, and James King as they welcome guests Michael Gunderson of Highland Community College and Steve Borho. The lively conversation includes reflections on previous InfoComm experiences and looks ahead at preparing for this year's InfoComm with tips on maximizing networking opportunities, navigating the show floor, and taking advantage of HETMA events and campus tours.
Michael shares practical advice for first-time attendees, emphasizing the importance of getting oriented before tackling the massive exhibit floor. Joe highlights several HETMA initiatives, including the Qualified Buyer Happy Hour, Education Summit, booth activities, and networking opportunities designed to connect higher education AV professionals with manufacturers. The group also celebrates the 2026 HETMA Hall of Fame inductees, recognizing their lasting contributions to higher education AV. Additional discussions cover AV-over-IP trends, professional development, campus tours, and the value of building authentic relationships throughout the industry.
Topics Discussed:
- Tips for first-time InfoComm attendees
- Navigating and organizing time on the show floor
- HETMA booth activities and networking events
- Qualified Buyer Happy Hour program
- Higher Ed AV Summit and educational sessions
- Campus technology tours at UNLV
- AV-over-IP adoption and future trends
- Building vendor and peer relationships
- AV Project Manager Handbook audiobook plans and course development
- 2026 HETMA Hall of Fame inductees and their contributions
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at https://higheredav.com.
Connect with Tim Van Woeart:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-cts-45416826/
X (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/TVanWoeart
Connect with The AV Life:
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337
Host Tim Van Woeart of Rutgers University discusses topics relevant to the commercial AV industry.
Information
| Author | Joe Way, PhD, CTS |
| Organization | Higher Ed AV Media |
| Categories | Technology |
| Website | www.spreaker.com |
| theavlife@higheredav.com |
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