If you work in AV, you’ve undoubtedly been buried under a mountain of acronyms. HDMI, DSP, AVoIP, ADA, PoE, EDID, HDCP—the list goes on. Keeping up with it all can feel like trying to decode a secret language, but at HETMA’s 2025 Virtual Conference, we’re embracing the madness. That’s why this year’s event is aptly titled Alphabet Soup—a playful nod to the jargon-filled world of AV in higher education.
Taking place February 19–21 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST each day, the conference is more than just a lineup of sessions—it’s an interactive, community-driven experience where learning happens organically. And if you’ve attended before, you know that the real magic happens after-hours. The HETMA Happy Hour has no scheduled end time, and in previous years, conversations have stretched well past seven hours—a testament to how engaging, fun, and valuable the discussions can be.
What Makes the HETMA Virtual Conference Different?
Most conferences start by seeking out presenters and letting them propose topics. We flip that model on its head.Instead of waiting to see what people want to present, we decide on the topics we want to learn about—the pressing questions that impact our work in AV for higher education. Once we’ve identified those, we seek out the best subject matter experts to lead discussions, ensuring that every session is packed with insight, expertise, and real-world applications.
But here’s the real kicker: the audience steers the conversation. Unlike rigid, pre-scripted presentations, HETMA sessions are known for going completely off the rails—in the best way possible. Attendees frequently guide discussions into unexpected territory, tackling real challenges and exchanging ideas in ways that a traditional lecture-style format never could. Often, what the presenters originally planned never actually gets discussed, because the audience takes things in a more relevant and meaningful direction.
This dynamic approach makes the HETMA Virtual Conference the perfect place to be if you want to engage directly with manufacturers, vendors, and other industry professionals in a way that’s candid, interactive, and genuinely useful.
Session Highlights: Learning, Debating, and Maybe a Bit of Chaos
This year’s Alphabet Soup lineup is filled with sessions that cut straight to the core of what higher ed AV professionals need to know:
- Designing Classrooms with ADA Compliance – Accessibility in education is critical. This session explores how to design AV systems that meet ADA standards while still being functional and intuitive for instructors and students alike.
- PTZ – Cameras, Now with More Cowbell – Because you can never have enough cowbell, right? This session dives into the latest PTZ camera technologies and how they’re shaping lecture capture as well as hybrid and remote learning.
- Ctrl+Alt+Delete: Cross-Platform Collaboration for Higher Ed AV – In a world where classrooms use a mix of hardware manufacturers, software platforms, and operating systems, getting them all to work together can feel like an impossible task. This session explores strategies for seamless interoperability, tackling everything from integrating different control systems to ensuring a smooth user experience across Windows, macOS, Linux, and beyond.
- AV/IT Resources in PWI & HBCUs & How They Impact the Student Experience – How do AV and IT investments differ between Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)? This discussion explores the disparities, challenges, and opportunities for growth.
- AV Training for Faculty: Will Micro-Credentialing Assist in End-User Training? – Could micro-credentialingbe the key to getting faculty to actually learn how to use the tech in their classrooms? Let’s talk about it.
- One Button to Rule Them All – Really – Just One? End-User Automation – We’ve heard it a million times: “Make it simple.” But can one button really do it all? This session debates the promise and pitfalls of simplified automation.
- BYOD – Interfaces/Taps/Wireless Tethering Beyond Conference Rooms – BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is here to stay. But how do we extend it beyond just conference rooms and into everyday higher ed AV setups?
- Is USB-C All You Need? – USB-C is everywhere, but is it really the all-in-one AV solution manufacturers are promising?
- Scope of Work – More Network, Less AV – The shift toward network-based AV is undeniable. What does this mean for system design, installation, and long-term support?
Keynotes and Special Events
Beyond the regular sessions, Alphabet Soup features some must-see keynote events:
- State of HETMA Address – Get an inside look at where HETMA is headed, what’s changing in the AV industry, and what it all means for higher ed professionals.
- A Great Conversation About FLEXspace – FLEXspace is reshaping how we think about flexible learning environments. This conversation dives into how institutions can leverage it for better classroom design.
- Live Recording of brAVe [space] – If you haven’t checked out brAVe [space] yet, now’s your chance to catch a live recording of this engaging and thought-provoking AV podcast with HETMA’s own Britt Yenser!
Join the Conversation
The HETMA Virtual Conference isn’t just about passive learning—it’s about active participation. Whether you’re looking to deepen your knowledge, challenge existing ideas, or just enjoy some good-natured AV debate, this is the place to be.
And don’t forget the HETMA Happy Hour—where the best conversations happen. No script, no agenda, just AV professionals hanging out, sharing ideas, and sometimes talking shop for hours on end.
So grab a spoon and dive into the Alphabet Soup of AV. See you February 19–21!
REGISTER HERE! https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tsuZcF59SGaf7ThJM63dvQ#/registration
