110: The Gray Matter Moment: The State of Tradeshows | The AV/IT Amplifier Podcast
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In this reflective solo episode, Ryan broadcasts from the HETMA booth at InfoComm, just minutes before the show floor opens. He offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the quiet chaos that unfolds as vendors scramble to finalize their booths — a scene all too familiar to AV professionals. But the episode quickly shifts gears into a thoughtful “Gray Matter Moment” about the evolving role of trade shows in the AV industry. Ryan unpacks how events like InfoComm have shifted from product announcement spectacles to essential hubs for education, connection, and peer learning. With companies now controlling their own marketing channels and timing, the true value of in-person gatherings lies in the informal conversations, community building, and professional development opportunities they enable. It’s a meditation on relevance, timing, and what makes trade shows like InfoComm still worth showing up for.
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ryan@higheredav.com
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Voiceovers by Chris Dechter:
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