The AV Life

Tim Van Woeart
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Host Tim Van Woeart of Rutgers University discusses topics relevant to the commercial AV industry.

  1. 2d ago

    344: Summer, Stadiums, and Smarter AV Systems

    As the summer moves along quickly, our hosts pause to discuss concerts, travel, major sporting events, and the approaching fall event season. The conversation highlights the community impact and logistical scale of FIFA fan festivals, stadiums, volunteers, and event production, with curiosity about the AV, IT, and project-management lessons learned behind a global event. In the PM Minute, Murphy Daley emphasizes that effective AV professionals should regularly reassess their systems, standards, software, and tools—especially as AI introduces new possibilities. The group also discusses the value of transparent product evaluation, exploring alternatives beyond familiar consultant specifications, and maintaining an open-minded approach to emerging AV solutions. Topics discussed: Summer schedules, family activities, and back-to-school timingPost-InfoComm workload and the value of taking time to decompressWildfire smoke and event disruptionsConcerts, festivals, and live-performance experiencesUpcoming travel, including Napa and San FranciscoCEDIA, HETMA, and EDUCAUSE planningFIFA events, fan festivals, and host-city experiencesStadium infrastructure and dedicated soccer venuesCommunity engagement, volunteers, and major-event logisticsFIFA event wrap-ups and lessons learnedReassessing AV project-management systems and standardsAI, product evaluation, and openness to new AV toolsThe 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/TVanWoeart Connect with The AV Life: X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

  2. Jul 20

    343: Is “Good Enough” AV Good Enough?

    On this week's AV Life Podcast, Tim Van Woeart is joined by James King, Murphy Daley, Renee Benson, and Nancy Blanchard to discuss whether "good enough" AV is still sufficient in higher education. The panel begins by recapping the successful HETMA Roadshow at Creighton University, highlighting collaboration between vendors, institutions, and smaller colleges that rarely attend major industry events.  Murphy Daley’s PM Minute focuses on asking questions, communicating openly, and never assuming something is impossible without first exploring the options. The main discussion centers on whether “good enough” AV is still sufficient in higher education. The group argues that modern AV design is less about flashy technology and more about creating reliable, consistent, easy-to-use environments that improve student and faculty experiences. They discuss accessibility, neurodivergent learners, sustainability, standardization, manufacturer feedback, AI integration, and the growing importance of end-user input in product development. The episode concludes with a call for manufacturers and integrators to listen closely to higher education professionals when designing future technologies. Topics Discussed: HETMA Roadshow recap at Creighton UniversityBenefits of regional higher education technology eventsMurphy Daley’s PM Minute: asking questions and embracing possibilityTechnology as a factor in student recruitment and retentionIs “good enough” AV really good enough?Standardization versus flashy technologyImproving the student and faculty user experienceAccessibility and supporting neurodivergent learnersSustainability through intentional technology designHigher education becoming more self-sufficient in AV planningManufacturers listening to customer feedbackAI and the future of AV managementThe 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/TVanWoeart Connect with The AV Life: X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

  3. Jul 6

    342: The Women of AV Takeover

    In a special Women of AV Takeover episode of The AV Life, Renee Benson hosts an engaging discussion with Nancy Blanchard, Murphy Daley, Brandy Johnson, and guests Gisela Ramirez & Erin Maher-Moran about leadership, mentorship, and the experiences of women working throughout the AV industry. The panel reflects on networking events from InfoComm 2026, including the AVIXA Women's Breakfast and WAVIT's Glow Up event, highlighting the importance of authentic relationships, trust, and intentional mentorship. Inspired by the women's council breakfast keynote speaker Mariana Atencio, the conversation explores building confidence, discovering purpose, and developing meaningful professional connections. The group also shares personal stories about overcoming challenges in a traditionally male-dominated industry, earning a seat at the table, and the male mentors who helped support their careers. The discussion concludes with ideas for attracting younger professionals into AV through internships, outreach, and continued mentorship to strengthen the future of the industry. Topics Discussed: Reflections on InfoComm 2026 networking opportunitiesAVIXA Women's Breakfast keynote by Mariana AtencioWAVIT and the Glow Up networking eventBuilding trust through authentic professional relationshipsMentorship and supporting women entering the AV industryPersonal experiences overcoming gender biasDeveloping confidence and finding your voiceThe importance of supportive male allies and mentorsWork-life balance and customer relationshipsRecruiting younger professionals into AVInternships, career awareness, and the future workforceThe 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/TVanWoeart Connect with The AV Life: X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

  4. Jul 3

    341: Three Tims Talking Tech

    In this special episode of The AV Life, host Tim Van Woeart is joined by Tim Albright (AVNation) and Tim Neviska (HETMA) for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, professional growth, and the state of the AV industry. Tim Albright discusses the inspiration behind his new book, Building on Ashes, sharing lessons about resilience, failure, and the importance of developing a personal operating system while continually passing knowledge to others. The conversation then turns to InfoComm 2026, where the group reflects on attendance trends, higher-quality conversations, changing trade show dynamics, and the value of discovering innovative products through guided tours. Tim Neviska shares his transition into retirement, remaining active through HETMA while exploring new opportunities. The episode wraps up with a lighthearted discussion about the popularity of the name "Tim," mentorship, welcoming new AV professionals into the industry, and the importance of always continuing to learn and share knowledge. Topics Discussed: Tim Albright's new book Building on AshesLearning from failure and developing resilienceBuilding a personal operating system for career growthSharing knowledge and mentorship in the AV industryReflections on InfoComm 2026 attendance and engagementQuality vs. quantity of trade show attendeesValue of guided booth tours and discovering new technologyHETMA's role in supporting higher education AV professionalsTim Neviska's retirement and next career chapterBringing new professionals into higher education AVIndustry trends and professional developmentThe story behind three AV professionals all named Tim The 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/TVanWoeart Connect with The AV Life: X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

  5. Jun 22

    340: Live from InfoComm 26 - Day 3

    Missing Tim Van Woeart for the final live report from InfoComm, our hosts fight through the noise of the HETMA happening happy hour below to wrap-up InfoComm 2026. The group debated whether traditional booth tours still provide value for experienced AV professionals, with manufacturers emphasizing the importance of demonstrating new technology, gathering customer feedback, and showcasing concepts that can’t be replicated over a video call. The conversation shifted to how end-user feedback directly influences product development, the increasing focus on cybersecurity in AV, and the overall health of the industry. The panel also reflected on memorable networking experiences, the standout Peerless-AV party, and the importance of reconnecting with colleagues across higher education and commercial AV. Although attendance felt lighter than previous years, everyone agreed the conversations were higher quality, making InfoComm 2026 a successful and encouraging event. Topics Discussed: Value (or lack thereof) of booth tours for experienced AV professionalsDemonstrating products that can’t be appreciated remotelyManufacturers using InfoComm to gather customer feedbackHow customer suggestions shape future AV product developmentTailoring booth experiences for technical end usersBuilding stronger relationships between manufacturers and higher educationGrowth of cybersecurity awareness within the AV industryOverall impressions of InfoComm 2026 attendance and qualityNetworking and reconnecting with industry peersHighlights from the Peerless-AV party and networking eventsCanadian attendance and international travel observationsFinal reflections and biggest takeaways from the weekThe 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/TVanWoeart Connect with The AV Life: X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

  6. Jun 19

    339: Live from InfoComm 26 - Day 2

    Day two of The AV Life's live coverage from InfoComm 2026 focuses on the momentum building across the show floor as attendees juggle booth demonstrations, networking events, and evening receptions. Murphy shares the overwhelming response to her AV Project Management Handbook, including selling out the books she brought on her first day. The panel also highlights one of the week's most impactful events—the AVIXA Women's Council Breakfast—where NBC journalist Mariana Atencio delivered a keynote centered on trust, human connection, and leadership. The discussion expands into the growing importance of manufacturer partnerships, integrated AV solutions, and collaboration across the industry rather than standalone products. Topics Discussed: Day two observations from InfoComm 2026Navigating the expanded convention floorMurphy Daley's AV Project Management Handbook successIndustry partnerships and integrated AV ecosystemsPTZOptics technology demonstrationsSony partner ecosystem and solution-based demonstrationsAVIXA Women's Council Breakfast with Mariana Atencio's keynote on trust and leadershipHETMA networking events and happy hoursThe 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/TVanWoeart Connect with The AV Life: X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

  7. Jun 17

    338: Live from InfoComm 26 - Day 1

    Recorded live from InfoComm 2026, hosts Tim Van Woeart and Murphy Daley, along with live reports from Renee Benson (Sony Electronics), Brandy Johnson (PTZOptics), and Nancy Blanchard (ScreenBeam) from the HETMA booth on the first day of InfoComm 2026! The group shares their first impressions of the opening day, discussing attendee traffic, the redesigned exhibit hall layout, and the excitement of reconnecting with colleagues across the AV industry. Brandy highlights PTZOptics' collaboration with LayerJot and Intel showcasing AI-assisted medical cart tracking, while Renee discusses Sony's new P Series displays and the industry's growing focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. Murphy previews conversations around AI-assisted project management and the continued evolution of her AV Project Management Handbook.  The conversation also covers travel delays, networking, HETMA activities, staying hydrated in the Las Vegas heat, and what each guest hopes to accomplish during the remainder of the conference. Topics Discussed: Opening day attendance and show floor observationsHETMA community booth and member activitiesRedesigned exhibit hall layout and attendee flowPTZOptics, LayerJot, and Intel AI medical cart demonstrationSony's new P Series professional displaysSustainability and power efficiency in AV technologyAI applications in AV project managementNetworking and reconnecting with industry colleaguesFlight delays and travel challengesPlanning meetings and maximizing time during InfoCommPreview of upcoming Day 2 and Day 3 coverage The 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/TVanWoeart Connect with The AV Life: X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

  8. Jun 15

    337: The One To Start InfoComm 2026

    This week's AV Life Podcast is the one to start InfoComm 2026! Join our full panel of hosts Tim Van Woeart, Nancy Blanchard, Murphy Daley, Brandy Johnson, Joe Way, and James King as they welcome guests Michael Gunderson of Highland Community College and Steve Borho. The lively conversation includes reflections on previous InfoComm experiences and looks ahead at preparing for this year's InfoComm with tips on maximizing networking opportunities, navigating the show floor, and taking advantage of HETMA events and campus tours. Michael shares practical advice for first-time attendees, emphasizing the importance of getting oriented before tackling the massive exhibit floor. Joe highlights several HETMA initiatives, including the Qualified Buyer Happy Hour, Education Summit, booth activities, and networking opportunities designed to connect higher education AV professionals with manufacturers. The group also celebrates the 2026 HETMA Hall of Fame inductees, recognizing their lasting contributions to higher education AV. Additional discussions cover AV-over-IP trends, professional development, campus tours, and the value of building authentic relationships throughout the industry. Topics Discussed: Tips for first-time InfoComm attendeesNavigating and organizing time on the show floorHETMA booth activities and networking eventsQualified Buyer Happy Hour programHigher Ed AV Summit and educational sessionsCampus technology tours at UNLVAV-over-IP adoption and future trendsBuilding vendor and peer relationshipsAV Project Manager Handbook audiobook plans and course development2026 HETMA Hall of Fame inductees and their contributionsThe 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/TVanWoeart Connect with The AV Life: X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheAVLifePod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theavlife3337

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About

Host Tim Van Woeart of Rutgers University discusses topics relevant to the commercial AV industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Tim Van Woeart
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    196
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Tim Van Woeart
  • Show Website
    The AV Life