3 Days. 3 Themes. Cutting-Edge AV Insights.

Why Register for LAVNCH WEEK 12?

Featuring

Steph BeckettManaging Editor
rAVe [PUBS]
Gary Kayye Founder
THE rAVe Agency
Florian RotbergManaging Director
invidis Consulting GmbH
Kelvin ThompsonVice Provost, Online Strategy & Teaching Innovation
University of Louisville
Murphy DaleyAuthor & Program Manager
Mark Donovan Director of Commercial Applications
Audio-Technica
Doug GreenwaldFounder/CEO
ProjX360
Chester LeeVP of Sales
Lumens Integration Inc.
Brandon HarpDirector of Digital Experiences
McCann Systems
Jordan ScalesEducation Account Manager (A+) Education Sales
Crestron
Ryan BudvitisSr. Market Development Specialist
Shure
Mark CoxonDirector of Strategy and Markets, XTG
AVI-SPL
Robert DetwilerSenior Director, Product Management
Planar
Brad MalonePresident and Principal Consultant
Twin Star Consulting Company
John PfefferPrincipal Technology Architect for Learning Spaces
University at Buffalo
Hal TruaxVP
PCD
Ely StacyManager, Solutions Design, Americas
Disguise
Michael PevelerVice President, Sales
AtlasIED
Hilary McVickerBusiness Development Consultant
Robert HeiseExecutive Vice President / General Manager
Global Display Solutions
Bryan MeszarosCEO
OpenEye Global
Brice McPheetersVP, Product and Planning
Nanolumens
Andrew DormanAccount Executive
Diversified
Frank KolavoOwner
Computer Comforts
Graham KellyDirector, Sales
TD SYNNEX
Jeremy CodiroliVice President, Global Supply Chain
AVI-SPL
Alesia HendleyBusiness Development Manager – Southeast
Sennheiser
Misty ChalkVice President of Sales, Americas
BrightSign
Jimmie SingletonManager, SLED
AVI-SPL
Sean HobdaySVP, Sales, Global Supply Chain
Zones
Lisle WaldronManager, Multimedia and Audio-Visual Services
The University of Trinidad and Tobago
Michelle MontazeriBoard Member
DSF
Brad KoernerProduct Marketing
Megapixel
Greg KoernerAcademic Technology Manager
Michigan State University – Health Sciences IT
Craig UnderwoodDirector of AV Engineering
Moravian University

Tuesday,
October 28

12:30 p.m.

Welcome to Experiential Signage Day!

with Steph Beckett, Gary Kayye

12:35 p.m.

How AI and Managed Services Are Disrupting Digital Signage

with Florian Rotberg

Digital signage has evolved from being the largest digital canvas to a business-critical infrastructure in the experience economy. But what does it take to keep these networks secure, scalable, and future-ready?

In this keynote, discover:

  • AI in Action – From pilots to real-world impact
  • Managed Services & Remote Management – Simplifying complexity
  • Cybersecurity & Reliability – Why resilience matters
  • Global Best Practices & Market Insights – Trends shaping Europe, America, and Asia

Join us for an exclusive look at the trends, drivers, and data that will define the next era of digital signage.

1:20 p.m.

How Planar’s Komodo Series Redefines Fine-Pitch COB MicroLED

with Steph Beckett and Robert Detwiler

In this session, Planar’s Robert Detwiler joins Steph Beckett to discuss the Komodo Series — a new line of ultra-fine pixel pitch COB MicroLED video wall displays built for precision and reliability. Hear how Komodo integrates HELIOS LED processing, 8K support and energy-efficient design to meet the demands of corporate, broadcast and hybrid collaboration spaces.

1:35 p.m.

Measuring What Matters in Digital Signage

with Steph Beckett, Brandon Harp, Mark Coxon and Misty Chalk

It’s not enough to put content on a screen — today’s decision-makers want proof of impact. This session will explore how to measure the success of digital signage, from engagement and dwell time to ROI and operational efficiency. Panelists will share real-world examples of how metrics and analytics are being applied in retail, corporate, and campus settings, along with pitfalls to avoid.

2:05 p.m.

Talking DSF Priorities and the NYC Signage Social With Michelle Montazeri

with Steph Beckett and Michelle Montazeri

Steph Beckett sits down with Michelle Montazeri, a board member of the Digital Signage Federation, to hear what DSF is focused on heading into 2025 and 2026. She also discusses the details of the October 13 Signage Social at Google in New York City and explains why now is the perfect time to get involved with DSF.

2:20 p.m.

The State of Experiential Signage: Where Storytelling Meets Strategy

with Steph Beckett and Hilary McVicker

What does “experiential” really mean in 2025 — and where is digital signage headed next? In this 15-minute session, industry veteran Hilary McVicker joins Steph Beckett for a candid conversation about how technology, content, and audience expectations are reshaping experiential environments. From data-driven storytelling to immersive, responsive design, they’ll unpack what’s working, what’s not, and how AV professionals can stay ahead as creative and technical boundaries continue to blur.

2:35 p.m.

Designing QSR Signage That Works

with Steph Beckett, Robert Heise, Bryan Meszaros and Sean Hobday

Digital signage in quick service restaurants is more than a menu board — it’s a communication tool that shapes customer decisions, improves operations, and strengthens brand consistency. This panel will take an educational look at how signage strategies and technologies are being applied in the QSR space today. Experts will share best practices on content design, hardware selection, system integration, and long-term management, as well as common pitfalls to avoid. Attendees will walk away with a clearer understanding of what makes QSR signage effective and how to apply those lessons to their own projects.

Wednesday,
October 29

12:30 p.m.

Welcome to EdTech Day!

with Steph Beckett, Gary Kayye

12:35 p.m.

Keynote: Learning Spaces for the Always-On Generation

with Gary Kayye

Broadcasting live from his UNC classroom, Gary Kayye will explore how AV technology shapes modern learning environments. Using the tools he relies on to teach every week, he’ll show how reliable audio, seamless content sharing, and hybrid-ready design empower today’s students and educators. This keynote brings the classroom experience directly to LAVNCH WEEK — offering a firsthand look at the technology making better teaching possible.

1:20 p.m.

From Classroom to Conference Room: Real-Time Audio That Works Anywhere

with Gary Kayye, Mark Donovan

Clear, reliable audio is the foundation of every learning and meeting experience — whether you’re in a classroom, a lecture hall, or a corporate conference room. In this fireside chat and live demonstration, Audio-Technica will showcase how its solutions support seamless, real-time audio across spaces and even between remote locations. Attendees will see firsthand how consistent, intelligible sound can be delivered without complex setups, making hybrid learning and collaboration more effective for everyone.

1:35 p.m.

The Hybrid Campus: What’s Working, What’s Next

with Steph Beckett, Kelvin Thompson, Jimmie Singleton, Andrew Dorman and Lisle Waldron

Hybrid and flexible learning environments are now the norm in higher education, but what does it actually take to make them work? In this session, campus technology leaders and industry partners will share lessons learned from recent deployments — from designing active learning classrooms and supporting hybrid teaching to ensuring reliability at scale. Panelists will discuss what students and faculty really need, the role of collaboration technologies, and where institutions are focusing their next investments.

2:05 p.m.

Inside Computer Comforts’ Next-Gen EVOLVE and VIBE Designs

with Steph Beckett and Frank Kolavo

Join Frank Kolavo from Computer Comforts for an inside look at how classroom furniture and AV integration are evolving to meet the needs of modern learning environments. In this exclusive product demo, Frank will showcase what’s new with the EVOLVE lectern — designed for flexibility, accessibility and seamless technology integration — and offer a look at the VIBE AV table. See how thoughtful design can simplify installs, support collaboration and create smarter spaces for both instructors and students.

2:30 p.m.

Tech Managers Unite: Real-World Perspectives on EdTech

with Steph Beckett, Jordan Scales, Ryan Budvitis, John Pfeffer and Michael Peveler

Behind every classroom, lecture hall, and collaboration space is a team of technology managers making sure learning runs smoothly. In this panel, higher-ed AV/IT directors, classroom technology managers, and campus support leaders will share candid insights into the challenges they face — and the solutions that actually work. Representatives from leading manufacturers will join to respond to these perspectives, offering insight into how their companies are designing tools and systems to support evolving needs in higher ed. Attendees will leave with practical strategies, lessons learned, and a clearer view of how campus leaders and manufacturers can work together to improve modern learning

Thursday,
October 30

12:30 p.m.

Welcome to ProAV Day!

with Steph Beckett, Gary Kayye

12:35 p.m.

The Human Side of AV: Where Technology Meets Storytelling

with Alesia Hendley

In an industry defined by innovation and technology, it’s easy to forget the most important element in every design: the human experience.

In this dynamic keynote, creator and AV professional Alesia Hendley explores how today’s most impactful audiovisual environments go beyond function — they tell stories. Drawing from the worlds of creative production, integration, and experience design, she breaks down how technology can be used not just to connect systems, but to connect people.

1:20 p.m.

Scaling Real-Time Power: Disguise in Action for the ProAV Market

with Steph Beckett and Ely Stacy

From concert tours to corporate studios, Disguise helps creators and integrators design, visualize, and control complex visual environments — all from one real-time platform. In this 15-minute demo, Disguise will showcase how its end-to-end software and hardware ecosystem, including the new X1 platform, brings high-performance workflows to every level of AV. See how teams can instantly adapt content across LED, projection and XR environments in real time, bridging the gap between creative intent and technical execution.

Whether you’re experimenting with real-time content for the first time or delivering arena-sized shows, Disguise has made its technology more accessible than ever — with scalable solutions for every industry and project size.

1:35 p.m.

From Lamps to MicroLED: The Evolution of LED Displays

with Steph Beckett and Brice McPheeters

LED has transformed the ProAV industry — from the earliest installations to today’s cutting-edge microLED solutions. This panel will explore how LED has evolved, the breakthroughs that made large-scale adoption possible, and what’s next as pixel pitches shrink and new applications emerge. Panelists will share how integrators, manufacturers, and end users are approaching LED today, what trends are driving the market, and where the technology is headed.

2:05 p.m.

How Integrators Can Stay Profitable Amid Rising Costs

with Steph Beckett, Graham Kelly and Jeremy Codiroli

Margins are tightening, costs are climbing, and client expectations have never been higher. In this 15-minute fireside chat, TD SYNNEX helps us unpack how integrators can protect profitability without sacrificing value. From smarter supply-chain strategies and financing programs to bundling services and rethinking recurring revenue, this session explores the real-world tactics integrators are using to stay sustainable in a changing market.

Attendees will leave with actionable ideas they can apply immediately — no buzzwords, just business.

2:20 p.m.

Lumens OIP Bridge — The AV Connectivity Game Changer

with Gary Kayye and Chester Lee

Video and audio technologies are more advanced than ever — yet connecting them together remains a challenge.

Lumens OIP Bridge changes that. It handles all kinds of AV protocols — including HDMI, USB, IP, Dante and NDI — to create a seamless communication bridge across local networks.

From wireless and multi-point BYOD & BYOM collaboration to AV-over-IP transmission and IMAG applications, OIP Bridge simplifies AV connectivity and enhances real-time interaction. OIP is already installed worldwide, transforming meeting rooms, training centers and digital display installations — find out how it can transform your AV.
Connect, switch and convert with Lumens OIP Bridge.

2:30 p.m.

AV Project Management for Dummies

with Steph Beckett, Doug Greenwald, Murphy Daley, Brad Malone and Hal Truax

Project management can make or break an AV install — yet it remains one of the most challenging parts of the job. From juggling client expectations and managing scope creep to keeping timelines and budgets under control, even experienced teams know how quickly projects can go sideways. In this panel, industry experts will break down the fundamentals of successful AV project management in plain language. You’ll hear insights from integrators, project managers, and industry leaders on the tools, strategies, and day-to-day practices that actually work. Whether you’re new to project management or looking to refine your approach, this session will leave you with practical takeaways you can apply on your next job.