Discussion Highlights from the 2024 AV/IT Conference
The 2024 AV/IT Summit, held on August 1 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, brought together industry leaders to discuss the future of technology in the workplace. With a focus on AI-driven solutions, workplace redesign, and collaboration between AV and IT experts, the event provided valuable insights for businesses aiming to adapt to the changing landscape of work.
AI-Driven Solutions and System Design
The Summit highlighted the importance of AV systems being cloud-compatible and AI-ready, enabling adaptability and future-proofing as technology evolves. Standardizing components was emphasized to simplify service and training. AI is increasingly integrated into workplace tools such as room analytics and scheduling systems, driving smarter space utilization and hybrid work adaptability.
Workplace Redesign and Space Analytics
AI-powered room analytics and data-driven management were recognized as essential for optimizing modern workplaces, especially in hybrid work environments. Solutions like AI-driven people counting and enterprise-wide usage analytics help shape efficient, flexible workspaces and contribute to the rapidly growing smart workplace market projected to reach $90 billion by 2030.
Collaboration Between AV and IT Experts
A major theme was the need to break down silos between AV and IT departments. AV should no longer be treated as separate from IT but integrated into overall IT strategy and treated as an operational expense with planned upgrade cycles, similar to IT hardware. Early involvement of integrators in the design process was urged to avoid costly rework and align technology with business goals. Improving this collaboration will reduce system complexity and improve security and feature updates.
Julian Phillips, the keynote speaker at the event, linked AI's transformative power to past technological revolutions and encouraged attendees to reorganize industries and processes to realize AI's benefits. He shared an example of a promotional video of the Amalfi Coast made using an AI platform.
Steve Greenblatt from Control Concepts emphasized the importance of considering critical concerns like uptime and security in IT collaboration. Tyler Kulp from AVI Systems prioritized network resources as crucial for developing effective customer solutions and advocated for a strategic approach to operations.
C. Ann Kelly from Yale University emphasized the importance of creating spaces to support different learning styles and the infrastructure to facilitate communication among students. ENCO's Gilbert Felix discussed the essential need for technology to make schools more accessible for students with disabilities or language barriers.
The Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA) convened a panel on "AV/IT Technology's Roles in Modern Higher Ed Classrooms and Campus." The panel "The Integration Guide to Education 2024" focused on the importance of introducing technology that faculty members feel comfortable using in education. The panel "The AV/IT Handshake: How to Facilitate Technology and Teams" was held to discuss effective collaboration between AV and IT experts.
Businesses are prioritizing the creation of integrated spaces that support both in-office and remote workers. Achieving equity is important in the modern workplace, resulting in a focus on creating flexible spaces that accommodate various working styles. Companies are reconsidering how they use their spaces and prioritizing those that offer flexibility and adaptability due to fluctuating office occupancy rates.
In summary, the 2024 AV/IT Summit underscored the convergence of AV and IT through AI-ready, cloud-compatible systems; emphasized data-driven workplace redesign; and called for stronger collaboration frameworks to ensure future-ready, secure, and efficient AV deployments. These messages reflect a maturing industry moving toward integrated, intelligent, and managed AV/IT ecosystems.
- To adapt and future-proof their businesses, companies are increasingly integrating AI into workplace tools, such as room analytics and scheduling systems, for smarter space utilization and hybrid work adaptability.
- In response to the need for a more integrated and efficient workplace, businesses are prioritizing the creation of spaces that support both in-office and remote workers, focusing on equity and flexibility to accommodate various working styles.
