After a number of years, our celebrated Head of Multimedia – Mr David Berman – is leaving us for pastures new. David has built the multimedia team up here from scratch, providing services to virtually every brand in Emap - across video, podcast, animation, and photography. As a video journalist, he’s interviewed many of our top brands, and even stepped in to host conference sessions when we’ve needed chairs. Here he's talking to Clive Couldwell about his time at Emap, the evolution of multimedia, plus the projects and moments that have defined his career.

Artificial Intelligence. It’s coming and we need to do something about it…. Apparently. But what? Really, just what has AI got to do with AV? Well, let us introduce you to Byron Tarry - the former CEO of the GPA who left the organisation in late 2024, after nearly 7 years at the helm – and who can more than cast some light on the subject. He's talking to Clive Couldwell.

When we were talking with Mel Leach the other week, it became obvious that communicating through video conferencing media, say, can be a positive, but it can also act as a lens back on to us. It made us think about the whole environment our tech now fits into, where and how the User Experience (or UX) fits into the grand plan - how can good design make sure people use AV tech effectively? User experience is not just about designing interfaces though. It touches on all aspects of designing spaces or systems, and incorporates elements of both research and design. No better person to discuss all this with then, than Greg Jeffreys, chair of AVIXA’s Standards Steering Committee - now a consultant and AV Awards judge - who’s here to explore UX and its relevance to the AV world.

David Allen and David Berman talk to Keith Dutch, Managing Director/Vice-President of Peerless-AV EMEA who gives us some insight into the company’s recent Showcase, its importance and future plans.

It’s all things Rise AV with Sanjit Hurst, Director of Global Procurement at Diversified and her mentee, Hanieh Motamedian, Pure Audio Visual’s Business Development pro. They are joined by Rise AV’s CEO, Sadie Groom and the Head of its Mentoring programme, Carla Maroussas.

In this episode we talk about leadership and how having a strong team can get you through anything with Steve Hudson, Owner/Director of Project Audio Visual and AVITdirect. Steve’s joined by AVoIPoE evangelist, Siya Fakher, Managing Director of Broadtek, and Neil Fluester one of the industry's best content creators and marketing leaders for a chat about sustainability. Tanya Houston, CEO and Founder of Wildwood PLUS & Co-Lead for the AVIXA Women’s Council UK also joins us for our discussion about navigating uncertainty in business.

AV solution architect for AV and Digital Media at the University of Hertfordshire, and Co-Chair of LTSMG (Learning and Teaching Space Managers Group), Adam Harvey, and Adele Thornton, Korbyt’s EMEA Channel Sales Lead discuss the state of the AV market with David Allen and David Berman.

We often assume everyone’s a natural on video calls, but let’s be honest, that’s rarely the case. Don't just assume staff will take to tech like a duck to water because they won't. So, how do you show up as your best self in hybrid settings, or video interviews? Clive Couldwell chats with Mel Leach – communication expert, university advisor, and mentor to young people – about how to project your best self on platforms like Teams, Zoom, and beyond.Whether you're leading meetings or interviewing for your next role, Mel shares practical, actionable tips to boost your presence and confidence on screen.

What does a good user experience look like? How should AV technologies be supporting the business? Does today's generation of customer understand that AV is about business outcomes, and not just tech? Clive Couldwell tries to answer these and other questions with the champion of service provision, Faye Bennett.  

Clive Couldwell has an amazing conversation with the LED aficionados – what they don’t know about LED and projection isn’t worth bothering about. What don’t they talk about? A fascinating history of LED development right up until the present day from the people who were there, and invaluable tips on how to evaluate the tech properly from those who know. If you’re going to take 40 minutes out of your day, this is what you should be doing – making yourself a nice cup of tea, if that’s your thing, and salivating over a posh pastry as you scoop up some of the best advice you’ll hear. Enjoy.

Specialist recruiter, Denise Hughes is a much valued member of the AV community with a deep knowledge of the industry's landscape. Who better then to author the industry's first tome - 'Your Dream Job in Audio Visual - Don't Just Fall Into It' which sets out to provide advice on everything from career planning and networking to the technical knowledge required for success, with insights and advice from notable AV professionals - see https://yourdreamjobinaudiovisual.co.uk In this episode Denise talks to Clive Couldwell about how the idea for the book came about, analyses the current state of the industry, and suggests what it could be doing to spread the AV message and attract talent.

In Part Two, more interesting observations and comment from: Mark Affection, Head of Digital AV Solutions, Information Services, University of Greenwich; Gary Keene, Audio Visual Architect, University of the Arts London; and Daniel Lee, MD, Hewshott.

After our recent Higher Education Roundtable, David Berman caught up with our guests to reflect further on some of the subjects discussed in our session, as well as talk about other issues of the day that affect the HE and corporate AV communities. Here in Part One, David talks to: Adam Harvey, Solution Architect – AV + Digital Media, University of Hertfordshire (LTSMG); Caroline Carter, Head of AV, Imperial College London; and Sheila Egan, AV Design Principal for Teaching + Learning Spaces, University College London.

AVI-SPL's XTG (Experience Technology Group) emerged in 2022. We have to admit, we took our eye off it, and guess what? It's become a fast-growing organisation that works with companies to create immersive brand and employee experiences using a mix of audio visual communications, digital signage, virtual/mixed reality, advanced visualisation, and AI. Essentially, it's a disruptor that represents a new way of thinking. It must be doing something right because Frost & Sullivan has recognised AVI-SPL XTG for the second year running with its Global Enabling Technology Leadership Award. Clive Couldwell caught up with Julian Phillips and Christine Rogers to find out more.

In 1987, Nancy Knowlton co-founded SMART Technologies Inc alongside husband David Martin in Calgary, Canada. The company's interactive whiteboard changed the way people worked and learned in meeting rooms and classrooms. Now with audio and VC company, Nureva who better to discuss the future for large room audio needs, the changing needs of IT/AV managers and how to implement best practice. Clive Couldwell asks the questions.

In the second of our InfoComm interviews with Clive Couldwell, Christine Schyvinck outlines what it takes to successfully run a diverse organisation, the challenges it brings, the role of mentoring, and the importance of recruitment as the company services an ever more diverse customer base. One of the most impressive women of her generation, Rose Shure was Shure Incorporated for 67 years. Working alongside her husband, Founder and Past President, Sidney Shure, Rose witnessed the company grow from a small maker of microphones and phonograph cartridges to a global audio electronics manufacturer. Who better to talk about diversity and running a fast moving business then than a woman who was Rose's appointee, someone who has independently gone on to make a huge mark on the AV/audio business.

The first of a group of interviews conducted by Clive Couldwell at InfoComm in Vegas, we kick off with the ever lively Joe Pham who we caught post his keynote talk. Really interesting piece about the new technologies coming your way over the next year or so. Forgive the sound quality. It was noisy... a challenge for any podcaster.

We talked in Part 1 about the way video conferencing is being used in schools, but what we didn’t address was the subject of safety. This is quite a hot topic at the moment. VC is more accessible than ever before, but how can we be certain children are protected? This episode is a must-listen. Clive Couldwell is in the chair.

Here's a question we haven't asked in quite a while: What role is AV playing in schools? Now, in quite a revealing conversation with the amazing Mina Patel, Clive Couldwell finds out. There's a lot to say. So much in fact we've split up the conversation into two parts. Here's Part 1.

Clive Couldwell talks to Jamie about business transformation, leadership, hears her honest thoughts about the UK AV industry and learns more about Jamie's passionate interest in cars. After all, the AV community does loves its wheels.