Ep. 3 - Industry Insights with Dan Ferrisi: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities in A/V
Always on the Hunt with Leo Golubitsky
Release Date: 01/28/2025
Always on the Hunt with Leo Golubitsky
This week on "Always On The Hunt", Leo speaks with Alesia Hendley, Business Development Manager at Sennheiser, Social Media Influencer, blogger, story teller, advocate for diversity in AV, and at her core, a highly capable sound engineer and technician who still knows how to get hands-on and make systems work. In this episode, Alesia unpacks how social media and storytelling are reshaping B2B engagement, proving that even in a hardware-driven industry, personality opens doors. From her InfoComm panel engagements to sneaker meetups, Alicia’s take on "unconventional" paths will make you...
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Join us on Always on the Hunt as we sit down with industry veteran Michael Lakhter— a true rainmaker with over 25 years of experience transforming startups into industry leaders and leading industry leaders in Sales, with his powerful outlook and performance. In this insightful episode, Michael shares his journey from humble beginnings in Ukraine to becoming a top sales force in the AV world, revealing the mindset, strategies, and relationship-building secrets that keep him at the top of his game. We discuss the importance of proactive leadership, the power of trust and responsiveness,...
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In this episode of Always on the Hunt, host Leo welcomes special guest Matt Bernath, a powerhouse in the luxury home services industry and president of VITAL. Together, they dive deep into the core challenges and opportunities facing business owners, from team building and company culture to financial mastery and personal leadership. Matt shares his inspiring journey, marked by growth and a passion for impact, showcases his financial expertise, strategic vision, and knack for asking bold questions. Matt shares insights on transforming struggling businesses into thriving, profitable ventures,...
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In this week’s episode of Always on the Hunt, we’re thrilled to welcome Nick Begleries, a seasoned expert in the audiovisual (AV) industry with over 20 years of experience. As the VP of Commercial Sales at Philips Professional Display Solutions, Nick has an impressive track record of leading sales teams for top manufacturers, including Planar, Samsung, and NanoLumens. Join Leo and Nick as they delve into the changing landscape of the AV industry, discuss effective sales strategies for both channel and distribution, and share insights on what it takes to succeed in a competitive...
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Welcome back to Always on the Hunt! This week, we're joined by Peter Melvin—a true rock star in the AV industry and the self-proclaimed "purveyor of fun", a title he most certainly lives up to. Peter's infectious energy and optimistic outlook have made him a favorite in the field, and we're excited to delve into his journey of building connections and fostering a positive work culture. We'll discover Peter's unique approach to sales that prioritizes curiosity over the hard sell, as well as the significance of being genuine in a corporate environment. He opens up about key figures in his...
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Welcome back to Always On The Hunt! This week Leo sits down with Curtiss Singleton, a man recognized by Commercial Integrator Magazine as a “Living Legend”. With over three decades of experience, Curtiss has a long track record of leadership that has inspired teams, driven transformative growth, successfully navigated companies through challenging turnarounds, and he’s still got plenty left in the tank! Join us as Curtiss shares insights on his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of culture, mentorship, and how to build winning teams. Curtiss shares hard-earned...
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Welcome back to Always on the Hunt! In this episode, host Leo dives deep into the intricate world of the audiovisual (AV) industry with Kurt DeYoung, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience. As the Chief Revenue Officer at Nanolumens, Kurt has been pivotal in turning the company around, driving growth, and forging strategic partnerships across various verticals, including retail, corporate, entertainment, and healthcare. Kurt shares his fascinating journey from starting out in a small AV manufacturer to tackling challenges in healthcare technology and his impactful...
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In this episode of Always on the Hunt, we welcome Todd McCandless, a global product sales and marketing leader with a wealth of experience from launching an integration firm to pivotal leadership roles in one of the largest A/V manufacturers. Todd shares captivating insights from his remarkable journey, including the launch and acquisition of his own integration firm, his tenure at Barco, and his passion for Formula One racing, which he's turned into the number one independent F1 podcast: The Parc Fermé F1 Podcast Join Leo and Todd as they delve into the world of audio/visual technology,...
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Welcome back to Always On The Hunt! In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of Artificial Intelligence and its transformative impact on the Audio-Visual industry. Host Leo is joined by the insightful Alexander Oddoz-Mazet, a seasoned expert from the Unified Communications and Collaboration space, who led Microsoft Team's AI Go To Market Strategy. Together, they discuss how AI is revolutionizing the way we meet, interact, and manage technology in the AV realm—shifting from traditional methods to innovative, AI-driven solutions. Alexander shares his extensive experience leading...
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In this enlightening episode of Always on the Hunt, we welcome Jason Sayen, a seasoned process architect with over 30 years of experience in the luxury AV industry. With a strong background in Lean Six Sigma methodologies, Jason helps businesses redefine their operational frameworks and eliminate process voids through effective workflow documentation. Join us as Jason shares his journey from sales leadership at major audio brands to becoming a sought-after consultant in process optimization. Discover how his unique approach empowers companies to activate workflows, enhance communication,...
info_outlineIn this episode of Always on the Hunt, host Leo Golubitsky welcomes Dan Ferrisi to discuss the evolving landscape of the commercial A/V and security industries.
Dan Ferrisi is a technology journalist who covers the commercial A/V and electronic and physical security industries. Currently serving as group editor, commercial and security, Emerald, he oversees the Commercial Integrator and Security Sales & Integration brands. With a focus on helping integrators run their businesses better, Dan and his team have a mission-driven approach to journalism, leaning heavily on business best practices and adaptive evolution to drive greater efficiency and profitability. He’s active on the trade show scene and maintains an active presence on social media, including and especially as part of the #avtweeps community.
With two decades of experience in technology journalism, Dan shares his unique insights into key trends, including the shift from hardware to software-centric solutions and the growing significance of user experience.
Together, they delve into the ongoing challenges and opportunities surrounding talent acquisition in the industry, highlighting innovative approaches such as internship programs and diversity initiatives. Dan expresses the urgent need for integrators to adapt and evolve in a post-COVID world.
Listeners will gain actionable advice on how to navigate their careers in this exciting space, focusing on mentorship and continual learning as crucial components for success. Whether you're a new candidate considering a career in AV or a seasoned integrator looking for ways to enhance your business, you’ll want to hear these valuable insights and pragmatic approaches for your professional journey.
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