Recorded on April 23, 2026:
In this episode of The AV Life, host Tim Van Woeart is joined by Brandy Johnson, Nancy Blanchard, virtual Murphy Daley,and special guest Chris Kelly, Managing Editor for Higher Ed AV Media. The crew reflects on a successful NAB Show, noting a pivot toward “quality over quantity” in leads. Excitement builds for InfoComm 2026, with plans forming for a multi-state “HETMA mobile” road trip involving a minivan and several industry veterans.
The conversation shifts to casinos as conference venues before pivoting to major tech news regarding Tim Cook’s transition out of his role at Apple and what a hardware-focused successor means for the company’s AI strategy. As AV professionals in academia, the group discusses AI becoming a “Gen Ed” requirement for students and the necessity of daily AI engagement for staff.
The episode concludes with a review of the AI-centric film Mercy and a breakdown of upcoming HETMA roadshows spanning from Omaha to Belgium.
Topics Discussed:
- NAB 2026 Recap: Analyzing the shift toward high-quality leads and booth experiences
- InfoComm Travel Logistics: Navigating airline discounts and Southwest/Delta promo codes
- The HETMA Road Trip: Planning a “minivan” journey from Jersey to Vegas for InfoComm
- Casino-Based Conferences: Discussing the atmosphere and logistical challenges of events at casino resorts
- Las Vegas Experiences: Personal anecdotes regarding gambling, dining at Capo’s, and wedding chapels
- Apple Leadership Transition: Implications of Tim Cook stepping down as President of Apple
- Hardware vs. Software Focus: Predicting Apple’s future trajectory under new hardware-centric leadership
- AI in Higher Education: The rise of AI as a core general education requirement
- Workplace AI Training: The importance of using AI tools for at least one hour daily to stay relevant
- AI Ethics and Cinema: A review of Chris Pratt’s Mercy and AI’s role in the legal system
- 2026 HETMA Roadshows: Upcoming events at Marshall, Creighton, Buffalo, and Belgium
- Podcast Recruitment: Opening the floor for listeners to join The AV Life as future guests
The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at higheredav.com.
