On Thursday, June 9, the AVIXA Women’s Council (AWC) hosted its annual breakfast.

Melanie Spring, a self-titled “approachable badass and chief visionary”, gave the keynote speech at the well-attended event. Spring asked attendees “What if we all showed up as ourselves—without wondering who wouldn’t like us or what they might say?”. Spring then shared tips on how to define a personal brand, and how to speak the truth with confidence and authenticity.

“It was great seeing so many people attending this year’s breakfast and hearing such a dynamic speaker,” said Tammy Fuqua, developer partner manager, QSC, and co-chair of the AVIXA Women’s Council. “Melanie Spring’s high energy and ‘be authentic’ message was exactly what the council needs during this time of revitalization of the council.”

At the breakfast, the Council honored industry icon Cory Schaeffer, who is set to retire from QSC at the end of the month. Schaeffer has been highly active with AVIXA—she served two terms on the association’s Board of Directors, and was one of the first members of the Women’s Council. She co-leads AWC’s Southern California Group, and many women in the ProAV industry consider Schaeffer a mentor and friend. In 2021, Schaeffer was honored with AVIXA’s Adele De Berri Pioneer of AV Award, which recognizes pioneers who made scientific breakthroughs resulting in new AV technologies that impacted the manufacture and sales of novel products enjoyed by audiences worldwide.

“My favorite part of this year’s breakfast was honoring one of my favorite people in AV, Cory Schaeffer, for her dedicated service to the AVIXA Women’s Council,” concluded Fuqua. “Without her tireless efforts I can truly say the council would not be where it is today.”

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