Backstage Pass: A Conversation and Q&A with Tom and Steve Alford

 

Steve Alford, President, and Tom Alford, Executive Vice President, of Alford Media joined Backstage Pass to talk about the events industry, evolving technology and what makes Alford Media successful. They also answered the burning questions listeners wanted to know.

Over 35 years in the events industry, Alford Media has experienced the evolution and changes in the industry. Steve said the industry is trending up over the past ten years, and technology continues to change. “The big challenge today,” Tom said, “is finding new and exciting ways to present information that grabs people’s attention.”

What do Tom and Steve think are the next big technological trends in the industry? Steve believes 5G will play an important role in increased speed and bandwidth in ballrooms and event spaces. Tom said there is now a backward trend in the utilization of lower resolution LED; people who want bigger screens at a lesser price-point. Due to advances in technology, lasers are now cheaper than before, which Tom sees as an old trend becoming a new one.

In terms of what makes their organization successful, both agreed it is the people working at Alford Media that are the difference-makers in providing exceptional service and results for their customers. . As Tom put it, “If you don’t have the right people in place, all the best tech in the world isn’t going to get you there.”

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Pro AV Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Pro AV Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication. A new episode of the Pro AV Show drops every Thursday.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

student success
The AI-Powered Edge in Education: How LearningClues Is Enabling Student Success with Co-founder and CEO Dr. Perry Samson
June 30, 2025

As AI continues to reshape education, institutions face a growing challenge in ensuring students succeed without compromising engagement or integrity. Today’s college students are often juggling jobs, family, and coursework, leading to limited study time and increased dropout risk. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 40% of full-time undergraduates and 74% of…

Read More
AI Strategist
Why Enterprises Need an AI Strategist and Why It Should Be a Marketer
June 30, 2025

In this episode of The Marketing AI SparkCast, Aby Varma, founder of Spark Novus, a leading consultancy that partners with marketing leaders to adopt and scale AI responsibly and strategically, talks with Nicola Smith, Senior AI Programs Advisor at Southwest Airlines. They explore how enterprises can move beyond tool experimentation to embed AI into…

Read More
first 90 days
HealthSearch Partners’ Neill Marshall and Kurt Mosley Urge New CEOs to Listen First, Diagnose Early, and Lead with Purpose in the First 90 Days
June 30, 2025

CEO turnover across U.S. hospitals is accelerating. Hospitals and health systems announced 146 CEO changes in 2023—a 42 percent increase over the 103 exits recorded in 2022, according to a Challenger, Gray & Christmas report. As more leaders transition into new roles, the importance of making a good first impression has intensified. The early…

Read More
tech talent
The DisruptED World of Tech Talent with TEKsystems: Future-Proofing the Workforce Through Inclusive Hiring and Non-Traditional Education
June 27, 2025

In a workforce reshaped by automation, accelerated AI adoption, and persistent labor shortages, the demand for skilled tech talent has never been more urgent—or more difficult to meet. The traditional pipelines, namely college degrees and four-year institutions, are no longer producing enough candidates to meet the explosive growth in tech roles. With tech jobs…

Read More