Recorded on August 18, 2026
Join this week’s panel as they discuss how the AV industry continues improve its recognition of women in the AV industry. Brandy Johnson introduces her new LinkedIn Women of AV Hall of Fame award, beginning with the recognition for Renee Benson. The group reflects on women’s representation in AV, the industry’s progress away from booth-babe culture, and why inclusive representation benefits both teams and customers. Nancy shares firsthand concerns about investment-firm ownership, including pressure for short-term financial performance and its effects on employees and business development. Murphy connects the conversation to project management: successful organizations must understand the difference between ongoing operations and the projects that sustain them, while listening to experienced people at every level. The episode closes with the upcoming HETMA Golf Classic and EDUCAUSE activities.
Topics Discussed:
- Brandy Johnson’s LinkedIn Women of AV Hall of Fame
- Recognition of Renee Benson’s industry and community contributions
- Women’s representation and leadership in AV
- Progress beyond booth-babe culture at industry events
- Inclusion as a business and customer-experience priority
- Women as AV end users and decision-makers
- HETMA’s women-forward perspective in higher education
- Private equity and investment-firm involvement in AV
- Layoffs and short-term financial pressure
- Acquisitions and strategic alignment in AV
- Project management versus ongoing operations
- Listening to experienced teams during organizational change
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at higheredav.com.
