The program of the fifth Congreso AVIXA: AV today, more present than ever, was very engaging for the different profiles of Spanish-speaking professionals within the audiovisual industry. With an audience of 5,240 participants in 39 sessions, 48 percent more than the previous edition, the congress organized by AVIXA (the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association) presented an extensive program in which 60 experts shared their knowledge with the audience that attended virtually during the four days of the event.
This time the event was divided into four themes, according to the main profiles of professionals in the AV industry: models and business strategy for industry leaders, business development with a focus on marketing and sales, practical tools for technicians and installers, and new technology trends for designers and AV integrators.
“After going through times of change and uncertainty, it was no surprise that the overall conversation at the congress revolved around the importance of people in the AV industry. From the role of employees in the hybrid model to ways to understand customer needs and how to make life easier for end users,” says Rodrigo Casassus Coke, CTS, senior director of development for Latin America and the Caribbean at AVIXA. “Our industry depends on all its members’ talent, creativity, and professionalism, so it is essential that the human being remains at the center of the discussion.”
From the opening conference, Ervin Flores, Latam Partner Account Manager for Microsoft Teams Rooms, spoke about the challenges organizations face adapting to the new reality of hybrid work. The challenge goes beyond the technological gap that companies must bridge as leaders confront the need to modify their organizational culture and find flexible models in which their employees feel comfortable and productive at the same time.
Identifying the future leaders in charge of the business is a pending task for companies still operating under a family business model, something prevalent in the Spanish-speaking audience around the world. Gabriela Molina, CTS, co-founder of Proyecciones Digitales, recommends generating a collaborative culture in which all employees can listen, learn, and share ideas. This way it is much easier to identify those with a leadership profile and start working on their development.
Concepts such as “quiet quitting,” talent attraction, and retention also had a space for discussion during the Congreso AVIXA. “Anticipate the needs and lack of availability of workers,” recommends Juan Carlos Alcazar of Grupo Covix. “We would have liked to do it before the pandemic, but we have already implemented it, and we solve part of the lack of talent by hiring in advance.”
Encouraging teamwork and discovering that the best partners are usually found at the next desk was one of the findings of the panel dedicated to marketing on the second day of the congress. “The marketing specialist can solve many needs in the way of a proposal and negotiation,” says Isabel Arrabal, head of Marketing and Communication at DENEVA, emphasizing the importance of involving all company departments in ongoing projects.
Ethics and responsibility in the daily work of designers and AV integrators were some topics highlighted on the day dedicated to AV Design. Recognized specialists such as Antonio Vaca, Project Manager at Dextra Electronics Mexico, and Carlos Salomon, CTS, CEO of Salomon Consultants, discussed them in the different sessions on the fourth day of the event.
Exercise effective communication, gathering the necessary information, giving context, and having empathy with technical support colleagues are critical elements to solving problems and failures in an AV system, agreed with the panelists of the session on technical support, moderated by Ivan E. Alegria Hasbún, head of Projects and Facilities in Nytec Chile.
The Congreso AVIXA was an excellent opportunity for networking among AV professionals from Spanish-speaking countries. The new WhatsApp and Telegram channels became natural spaces to continue the conversation, while more participants contributed articles on the AVIXA Xchange platform.
According to the results of the congress, the most active professionals connected mainly from Mexico, Colombia, Spain, Peru, Argentina, and Chile. Acreditta, the allied company and specialist in digital certificates issued 766 digital badges to recognize the participation of professionals.
The Congreso AVIXA had the valuable support of sponsors Biamp and Wesco | Anixter, in addition to partners Acreditta, Edutechnia, ISE, Latinmedia Group, Ticher Institute, Install Magazine, and ISP Integration.
The Congreso AVIXA platform will offer access to the recordings of all sessions in an on-demand scheme that will be available until November 30.
