Higher Education AV Advancement Pushed Forward at HETMA Summit
Updated and Refreshed: HETMA's Higher Ed Tech Summit Shines at InfoComm 2025
After three stellar years, the HETMA Higher Education Summit graced the stage at InfoComm 2025. Spanning two jam-packed days, held on Monday and Tuesday, this event dived deep into topics such as ethics, accessibility, security, and budgeting, all in an engaging, interactive atmosphere. It was more than two days of enlightening panel discussions, breakout sessions, and rounds of discussions for everyone to share their triumphs and hurdles in the higher education tech scene.
*[Top InfoComm 2025 News, Products, and Insights]***
"This year's HETMA Summit served as another cornerstone for the higher education tech space," said Joe Way, one of the summit's co-founders and executive director of Digital Spaces at UCLA. "We weren't just talking tech - we tackled the real issues, like ethics, accessibility, security, and policy, leadership, and the essential tools and skills necessary to thrive. The sense of camaraderie was palpable - we're fostering a community that's not just reacting to the ever-evolving tech landscape but actively shaping it. It was electrifying to watch higher education tech enthusiasts take center stage, voice their opinions, and set the bar high for one another on these pivotal topics."
"The 2025 HETMA Summit provided a powerful display of our commitment to the advancement of higher education technology," added Stephen Ashby, HETMA's education chair and multimedia operations specialist at Riverside Community College. "The in-depth discussions on privacy and ethical considerations in tech were particularly crucial, emphasizing the pressing need for ethical practices. I was equally astounded by the intense focus on the human element of success, underlining the significance of strong relationships and close collaboration. Furthermore, the insights into cybersecurity by design reinforced our commitment to a proactive approach in all our initiatives. This summit was a resounding testament to HETMA's dedication to offering comprehensive, future-focused resources for our community."
The summit offered three distinct themes, each involving a key keynote speaker. Dr. Don Merritt, director of Instructional Resources at the University of Central Florida, spoke about navigating ethical conundrums in education, touching on privacy, FERPA, and AV integration. Tim Albright, president of AV Nation Media, had a laid-back chat with Way, focusing on unlocking potential and forging enduring relationships. Lastly, Frank Padikkala, senior technical sales architect at Zoom, dished on security, sharing insights on how design serves as the first line of defense in securing AV spaces.
"The higher education market is a bunch of informed customers," Albright said. "The tech whizzes inhabiting these spaces are certified, skilled, and seasoned. Connecting these talented individuals with manufacturers, consultants, and integrators outside of a sales process is essential for their professional growth."
"Network, network, network," Albright emphasized during his talk. "Reach out and see who's connected to whom. You're only six degrees away from the person you need to meet."
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"For the third consecutive year, the HETMA Summit surpassed our expectations," Erin Maher-Moran, HETMA chair and IT manager of Classroom Technology at Johns Hopkins University, concluded. "The table discussions were a goldmine - higher ed tech managers swapping hacks to tackle the most pressing challenges in today's tech landscape. Lightbulbs were lighting up as colleagues connected over shared experiences with ethics, security, and strategic planning. The collaborative approach to professional development is crucial for our sector's growth."
"The HETMA Summit not only showcased the latest technology in higher education but also delved into its pivotal features, shaping the future of education-and-self-development," Erin Maher-Moran pointed out.
"In addition to discussing general-news topics, such as ethics, security, and leadership, the summit emphasized the importance of networking for the continuous advancement of the higher education technology sector," she added.
