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Pro AV news, trends, and expert voices for the AV industry

Pro AV Today, hosted by Ben Thomas, covers the latest developments in professional audio-visual technology, including new products, industry trends, and the people driving change across the AV sector. The show gives AV professionals, integrators, and technology buyers a consistent source of expert-driven news and analysis. Published on MarketScale, it reaches a targeted B2B audience across the professional AV industry.

121 episodesHosted by Ben Thomas
Channel Brief·Pro AV Today · 121 episodes
Updated Jun 22, 2026

Infrastructure and workforce shortages reshape AV and energy sectors

Pro AV Today argues that real-world convergence—of AV with IT, utilities with AI, fiber with federal funding—is now outpacing hype. The channel grounds this in concrete deployment data, labor metrics, and cross-sector case studies.

Pro AV Today's thesis is that the AV industry and adjacent infrastructure sectors (energy, healthcare, security) are moving past theoretical convergence into operational reality, but face critical bottlenecks: labor shortages, permitting delays, and the need to align innovation with mission-critical reliability. The channel proves this through on-site reporting from industry events, interviews with named executives, and quantified labor and market data rather than product announcements.

Drawn from InfoComm 2026 felt different: less specs, more… and 3 more →

“This year felt different. Less specs, more real problem-solving.”

InfoComm 2026 episode

By the numbers

72%

AV integrators cite talent shortage as biggest profitability threat

$422B

Pro AV market projected value by 2029

9%

U.S. electricity usage data centers could reach by end of decade

$42.5B

Federal broadband funding through BEAD and related programs

What the channel argues

InsightAV systems now sit on IT backbone; majority of upgraded conference rooms require network-centric workflows.→
DataData center inventory grew 26% in 2023; capacity constraints expected through 2025 as AI surges.→
DataHospital employment dropped nearly 100,000 between Feb 2020 and Sept 2021; one-third of healthcare professionals considered leaving.→
DataPro AV market projected to reach $422 billion by 2029, intensifying need for scalable support and labor solutions.→
DataNearly 28% of rural Americans lack access to adequate fixed broadband; fiber is only sustainable long-term solution.→
DataGen Z expected to make up over 30% of workforce by 2030; B2B brands must rethink storytelling and authenticity.→

What you'll learn

•AV professionals must now operate as IT systems integrators, not just audiovisual specialists, as cloud and hybrid work blur boundaries.
•Labor shortages are the binding constraint on growth across AV, energy utilities, and healthcare, not technology or demand.
•Federal infrastructure funding (BEAD, grid modernization) is real money; deployment success depends on cross-stakeholder coordination and long-term planning, not speed.
•AI adoption in utilities and defense is moving past pilots into measured ROI, but only where applications are tied to concrete operational outcomes.
•Portable and rugged AV systems are mission-critical infrastructure in crisis response and field operations, not luxury or enhancement features.

What to do about it

→Audit and expand recruitment beyond traditional AV talent pools; invest in mentorship and IT cross-training to address the 72% integrator shortage crisis.
→For AV and energy infrastructure teams, prioritize long-term fiber and network planning over quick fixes; coordinate with federal funding programs and local utilities to avoid duplicative or obsolete deployments.
→As a B2B brand or AV vendor, pivot messaging away from specs toward mission outcomes and community trust; Gen Z buyers and new IT decision-makers expect authenticity and demonstrable value, not feature lists.

Who and what shows up

Kumar Sokka

Role not specified

Discussed security industry transformation and the balance between innovation and operational stability amid shifting buyer dynamics.

Fredrik Nilsson

Vice President of the Americas, Axis Communications

Spoke on how AI, cloud computing, and new compression standards are reshaping security technology deployment in 2025.

Maile Keone

Role not specified

Discussed high-quality sound design and assistive audio technologies including AuraCast and NFC pairing as accessibility innovations.

Ben Thomas

Host, Pro AV Today

Conducted on-site reporting from InfoComm, Connected America 2025, and other industry events; shaped the channel's focus on real-world deployment and infrastructure constraints.

Questions this channel answers

Q

How do AV integrators solve the talent shortage without losing profitability?

Expand recruitment beyond AV circles, invest in IT skills training, use service innovations like LinkLab to scale reach without local staff, and build mentorship programs to increase industry accessibility and retention.

Talking Recruiting, Retention and Everything in Between … →
Q

Why is the AV and IT convergence happening now, and what changes for integrators?

Cloud adoption, hybrid work normalization, and pandemic-driven infrastructure rebuilds have placed AV systems squarely on the IT backbone. AV professionals must now operate within network-centric workflows and collaborate with IT, HR, and compliance leaders on deployment, not just audio and video specs.

Real-World IT Practices Are Streamlining AV Deployments … →
Q

What is holding back data center and fiber infrastructure deployment at scale?

Power capacity, cooling, complex permitting (especially routing through restricted areas), and skilled labor shortages. Strategic long-term planning and cross-stakeholder coordination are essential to deploy efficiently and avoid wasteful duplicative efforts.

Data Center Construction Demands Are Surging But Power, … →
Q

Is AI adoption in utilities and defense moving beyond pilots into real value?

Yes, but only where applications are tied to concrete operational outcomes. According to IBM's 2024 Enterprise Generative AI report, 64% of CEOs face pressure to accelerate AI adoption; utilities are realizing ROI surpassing initial pilot outcomes, particularly in smaller operations like rural co-ops.

Unpacking Practical Applications for AI in Utilities wit… →
Q

How are hospitality and healthcare using AV and technology to drive business outcomes?

Both sectors use personalization and integrated technology to improve guest and patient experiences and staff retention. In healthcare, AV remote monitoring and communication platforms ease nurse burnout and address workforce gaps; in hospitality, 71% of consumers expect personalized interactions, making seamless technology integration a key revenue driver.

AV’s Expanding Role in Healthcare: How AV Tech Is Easing… →
Topics:AV and IT convergence in enterprise deploymentWorkforce shortages and recruitment across AV, utilities, and defenseData center power, permitting, and fiber infrastructure constraintsAI and simulation in healthcare, security, and defense trainingRural broadband and federal funding coordination
Themes:Convergence is operational, not theoretical: AV, IT, and energy infrastructure now demand unified workforce and strategic planning.Labor and permitting are the new scarcity: technology and funding are available; skilled people and regulatory clarity are the bottlenecks.Mission-critical reliability outweighs innovation hype: deployment, scalability, and trust beat specs and press releases.

Industry context

Workforce planning and infrastructure readiness have become critical operational challenges as organizations deploy AI-powered automation across integrated systems, requiring alignment between technical capability and labor availability.

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