The AV Life

Hosts Tim Van Woeart, Murphy Daley, Nancy Blanchard, Renee Benson, Brandy Johnson, James King, and guest Joe Way discuss a busy season of AV travel, industry events, project management, and year-end planning. Murphy shares a PM Minute focused on resilient, mission-driven teams that adapt quickly, support one another, and keep AV installations moving when unexpected issues arise. Joe recaps recent events including EDUCAUSE, InfoComm América Latina, CABSAT, the HETMA Golf Classic, and sustainability-focused programming, noting that AV professionals worldwide face many of the same challenges. The crew also discusses travel pressures, budgeting for professional development, the end-of-semester push, daylight saving time, and an “attitude of gratitude” challenge for November.Topics discussed:Travel challenges and international workMurphy Daley’s LinkedIn Live office hoursTeamwork and morale in project managementMission statements and shared project goalsManaging unexpected AV installation issuesExtreme Ownership and proactive planningJoe Way’s global AV industry travelHETMA Golf ClassicEDUCAUSE collaboration and higher ed technology partnershipsAV sustainability and the SAVe conferenceInfoComm América Latina and global AV marketsYear-end budgets, professional development, and gratitudeThe AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at 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/TVanWoeartConnect with The AV Life:X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

Happy Halloween from The AV Life! This week, the crew opens the floor for the spooky, strange, and occasionally unsafe things AV professionals have encountered in the wild. Our reghoular hosts Tim Van Woeart, Nancy Blanchard, Murphy Daley, and Renee Benson welcome higher education AV professionals Will DeWitt, Tim Neviska, Philip Leimbach, Aaron Baker, Steve Borho, and Stephen Richards. They share memorable “AV nightmares,” including unreliable classroom systems, unsafe projector installations, equipment theft, legacy video-conferencing support, and frustrating equipment-access designs. The group reflects on the evolution from heavy CRT projectors, VCRs, VGA, and AV carts to modern classroom technology, while emphasizing practical support habits such as clear cable labeling and color-coding. They also discuss instructor preferences for chalkboards, whiteboards, and interactive displays, along with maintenance challenges. The episode closes with a lively Halloween lightning round covering candy corn, trick-or-treat traditions, full-size candy bars, and favorite seasonal treats.Topics discussed:Leadership transitions and change in higher educationHaunted classrooms and spooky campus legendsUnsafe projector installations and AV safetyProjector theft and campus equipment securityScooters as campus IT/AV transportationEarly-morning videoconferencing support emergenciesLegacy CRT projector maintenanceRoom-PC design and cable-access challengesColor-coding and labeling for faster troubleshootingVCRs, VGA, AV carts, and classroom technology nostalgiaChalkboards, whiteboards, and interactive display preferencesHalloween candy and trick-or-treating debatesThe AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at 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/TVanWoeartConnect with The AV Life:X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

Jenn Steinhardt of AVI-SPL and AVIXA’s Diversity Council joins our hosts this week on The AV Life Podcast. Jenn shares the story behind moderating AVIXA’s webinar with Dr. Temple Grandin, discussing neurodiversity, visual thinking, STEM, and why many people in AV feel they have found where they belong.The group also reflects on recent HETMA, EDUCAUSE, and sustainability events, the value of industry connection, and the pressures of constant travel. They discuss a shared sense that the AV industry is busy and growing but also navigating an uncertain, “weird” period shaped by supply-chain concerns, changing conditions, and lingering post-pandemic effects. James underscores the importance of engaging qualified experts and maintaining safety standards in AV installations.Topics Discussed:Jenn Steinhardt’s role with AVI-SPL and AVIXA’s Diversity CouncilAVIXA’s webinar featuring Dr. Temple GrandinNeurodiversity, visual thinking, and careers in AVTemple Grandin’s influence and connection to technology professionalsThe value of accessible webinar programmingHETMA golf tournament and Prism Scholarship supportEDUCAUSE and future Orlando eventsAV sustainability conference updates from UCLAProfessional travel, burnout, and work-life balanceCurrent AV market activity and industry uncertaintySupply-chain, tariff, and economic concernsSafety, qualified expertise, and responsible AV installation practicesThe AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at 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/TVanWoeartConnect with The AV Life:X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

This week Tim Van Woeart, Murphy Daley, and James King discuss communication, neurodiversity, and leadership in higher education AV. Murphy announces the Audible release of her AV Project Management Handbook and uses it to explore a key project-management lesson: teams receive information differently, whether through print, digital tools, audio, email, text, or real-time messaging.Tim connects the conversation to a Temple Grandin webinar moderated by Jenn Steinhardt, highlighting the value of recognizing visual, auditory, and written learning preferences. The hosts emphasize making room for people who think differently and intentionally building AV career pathways rather than having people simply “fall into” the field. They also preview a future conversation with Steinhardt on neurodiversity, invite listeners to the annual Halloween episode, and look ahead to next summer's InfoComm 2027 in Orlando, Florida.Topics Discussed:Reflecting on last week’s Cornell Seven conversationCuriosity, empathy, and avoiding quick judgmentMurphy Daley’s AV Project Management Handbook audiobook releaseCommunication preferences across project teamsChoosing effective formats for project updates and documentationBuilding productive communication rhythms with supervisorsLessons from the Temple Grandin webinarNeurodiversity advocacy in higher education AVMaking space for different thinkers and learning stylesDeveloping intentional career pathways into AVPrism Scholarship fundraisingUpcoming Halloween episode, Disney planning, and InfoComm 2027The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at 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/TVanWoeartConnect with The AV Life:X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

This week Tim Van Woeart and Murphy Daley have a wide-ranging conversation that begins with Murphy’s upcoming project-management office hours, her new audiobook, and the Spanish translation of her AV Project Manager Handbook. The discussion then takes a serious turn toward the Cornell fraternity sexual-assault case, higher-education responsibility, Greek-life culture, bystander intervention, personal accountability, and the importance of speaking up when something is wrong. Both hosts emphasize that allegations should be distinguished from established facts while discussing the broader lessons around safety, respect and values. Tim connects the conversation to his own fraternity experience and the responsibility of organizations to establish and maintain standards. Murphy expands the discussion into personal character, choosing relationships that make us better people, and recognizing potentially dangerous situations. Murphy also shares a personal AV-industry experience involving inappropriate behavior at a late-night installation, illustrating why professionals need to feel empowered to establish boundaries and speak up. The episode ultimately returns to a recurring AV Life theme: kindness, respect, awareness, accountability and maintaining strong professional values.Topics discussed:  Murphy Daley's upcoming AV/IT Project Management Office HoursMurphy's AV Project Manager Handbook audiobookThe upcoming Spanish translation of Murphy's bookInfoComm and Murphy's potential trip to FloridaSpanish language and regional dialectsThe Cornell Seven case and its renewed attentionSexual assault, safety and responsibility in higher educationGreek organizations, fraternity/sorority culture and organizational standardsBystander intervention and the importance of speaking upParenting, teaching young people about awareness and personal responsibilityRespect, kindness, professional boundaries and workplace cultureAn AV-industry experience involving inappropriate behavior during an installationThe AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at 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/TVanWoeartConnect with The AV Life:X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

The crew welcomes Mike Pederson of Iowa State University and Seth Warner of Plexus AV for a discussion of the 2026 AV landscape. Join hosts this week Tim Van Woeart, Murphy Daley, Renee Benson, Brandy Johnson, James King as they explores why AV over IP is having its biggest impact yet, from scalability and flexibility to the growing need for interoperability through technologies such as Dante, NDI, and IPMX. They emphasize that successful AV over IP deployment depends on thoughtful network design, bandwidth, clocking, QoS, IP addressing, and early collaboration with IT. The conversation also examines constrained budgets, rising prices, supply-chain uncertainty, and delayed projects. Finally, the panel separates practical AI uses—such as proactive room monitoring, image and audio validation, and safety checks—from vague marketing claims, stressing precise terminology, human oversight, and adaptability.Topics Discussed:Rave Pubs’ 2026 AV industry temperature checkAV over IP as the year’s highest-impact AV trendScalability and future-proofing AV systemsInteroperability across AV ecosystemsDante, NDI, and the promise of IPMXAV over IP network design and bandwidth requirementsQoS, IGMP snooping, clock leadership, and packet lossStatic IPs, DHCP reservations, and avoiding IP conflictsCollaboration between AV, IT, network, and security teamsBudget pressure, price increases, tariffs, and project delaysComponent availability, memory costs, and inventory strategiesAI hype versus practical automation and room-monitoring applicationsThe AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at 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/TVanWoeartConnect with The AV Life:X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

This week on The AV Life Podcast, hosts Tim Van Woeart, Murphy Daley, and James King continue the value of regional and national AV trade shows, with Joe Way joining later in the discussion. They explore how limited budgets, travel time, and return on investment require manufacturers, integrators, and end users to attend events more strategically. The group agrees that trade-show floors remain useful for discovery, but longer conversations over meals, in meeting spaces, and during follow-up visits often lead to a clearer understanding of project needs and solutions. Murphy proposes virtual project-management office hours to include professionals—such as project and warehouse managers—who rarely attend shows. The hosts also discuss the need for technically informed project management, training opportunities tied to CTS renewal, evolving regional-show formats, and the cancellation of the Seattle CAVLO event. The episode closes with HETMA Golf Classic/AV Expo and Higher Ed AV Awards updates.Topics discussed:Return on investment for regional and national AV trade showsPrioritizing events amid limited manufacturer budgets and staffingThe value of meaningful follow-up conversations beyond the show floorPurposeful, targeted trade-show attendanceDifferent trade-show goals for technical staff, managers, and presentersAccess barriers for project managers and warehouse managersVirtual project-management office hours and community-buildingThe importance of AV knowledge in project managementCTS renewal credits and vendor training opportunitiesTrade-show design, including space for deeper conversationsRegional roadshows and the Seattle CAVLO cancellationHETMA AV Expo, Golf Classic, and earlier Higher Ed AV Awards nominationsThe AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at 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/TVanWoeartConnect with The AV Life:X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

Chris Netto joins The AV Life Podcast this week for a candid discussion about the evolving AV trade show and road show landscape. The panel examines lower attendance at major events, the rapid growth of regional roadshows, rising exhibit costs, and the need for clearer return on investment. They agree that meaningful conversations, meals, and follow-up meetings often create more value than booth traffic alone.The conversation also explores the convergence of residential, commercial, IT, broadcast, and higher education AV; the growth of studios and video-first communications; and the importance of audio, lighting, acoustics, and network design in AI-enabled spaces. Finally, the group calls attention to project managers, technicians, and other behind-the-scenes professionals who are often unable to attend industry events despite being essential to successful AV projects.Topics discussed:CEDIA attendance and the state of major AV trade showsGrowth and saturation of regional AV roadshowsEvent scheduling conflicts and audience fatigueTrade-show costs, exhibitor budgets, and ROI expectationsThe value of relationship-building over booth trafficReaching underserved secondary and regional marketsCommercial and residential AV market convergenceAV’s expanding presence at NAB, EDUCAUSE, and broadcast-adjacent eventsCorporate studio growth and video-first communicationsNetwork, lighting, acoustics, and audio requirements for AIProfessional development challenges for project managers and techniciansMaking industry events more accessible to behind-the-scenes AV professionalsThe AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at 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/TVanWoeartConnect with The AV Life:X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

How can technology be used as a learning tool in a classroom and not as a distraction? This week on The AV Life Podcast, hosts Tim Van Woeart, Brandy Johnson, and Nancy Blanchard discuss the growing debate over technology in education. The group examines New Jersey's bell-to-bell student cellphone ban, distractions caused by phones and AirPods, social media bullying, and the importance of face-to-face interaction. They also consider whether schools should limit laptop and Chromebook use, while emphasizing that technology remains essential for preparing students for modern workplaces.The conversation expands into the importance of teaching traditional life skills—including cursive, financial skills, home economics, and hands-on trades—alongside digital skills. The group also discusses how changing technology policies could affect AV manufacturers and classroom technology solutions.Finally, the panel discusses the realities of the higher-ed calendar and offers manufacturers some blunt advice: give higher-ed teams September to get through the chaos, then start making those calls in October. Topics Discussed:First-day-of-class AV experiences at RutgersNew classroom technology deployments and startup issuesStudent workers and their role in campus IT/AV supportBringing younger talent into the AV industryNew Jersey's bell-to-bell cellphone banPhones, AirPods, social media, distractions, and student behaviorTechnology's role in classroom pedagogyWhether schools should limit laptop and Chromebook useBalancing digital education with traditional life skillsHands-on education, home economics, shop classes, and financial skillsHow education technology policies could affect AV manufacturersHigher-ed schedules, Educause, manufacturer outreach, and October as the better time to connectThe AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at 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/TVanWoeartConnect with The AV Life:X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

Tim Van Woeart hosts Troy Hanna of 22 Miles alongside Murphy Daley, Renee Benson, Brandy Johnson, and Nancy Blanchard for a conversation about AV and software migrations, with digital signage as the primary example. The discussion examines why organizations migrate platforms—from acquisitions and discontinued relationships to dissatisfaction with existing systems or a desire to consolidate multiple solutions under one umbrella.Murphy Daley used Dolly Parton as the inspiration for her PM Minute, speaking about Dolly's enormous talent and every reason to put herself first, but instead she was known for lifting other people up, encouraging them, and sharing generously.Troy stresses identifying a project owner, understanding the end user's needs, planning for unknowns, and maintaining communication throughout a migration. He offers three memorable rules: don't panic, don't recreate the past, and think beyond the features.The conversation also explores proof-of-concept deployments, vendor feedback, hardware/software partnerships, digital signage's evolution from AV-adjacent technology, and the growing importance of integrated solutions.Topics Discussed:Murphy's PM Minute: The Dolly Parton Lesson for Project ManagersWhy organizations migrate AV and software platformsCommon migration triggers: acquisitions, company changes, dissatisfaction, and consolidationThe project manager's role in migration projectsThe five phases of project managementProject owners versus project managersIdentifying end users, stakeholders, and subject-matter expertsPlanning for unknowns and unexpected requirementsDigital signage CMS migration challengesCleaning up legacy data and the "garbage in, garbage out" problemProof-of-concept and pilot programsCustomer feedback driving product developmentPartnerships between manufacturers, resellers, CMS providers, and end usersDigital signage's evolution from AV-adjacent to an integrated AV communication solutionThe AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at 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/TVanWoeartConnect with The AV Life:X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337