As InfoComm 2025 approaches, industry leaders are turning their attention to the technologies, trends, and challenges reshaping AV. Sean Wargo, VP of Market Insights at AVIXA, joined UC Today to unpack the latest data and offer a forward-looking view of what’s driving the sector. From software shifts to hybrid work transformations, here are the seven most important takeaways.
The Pro AV Market Is Slowing, But Still Growing
After a post-pandemic boom, the AV industry is cooling to a more sustainable pace. “It’s a bit of a mixed bag,” Wargo explained. “Growth is slowing somewhat due to a few headwinds – tariffs, lingering supply chain issues, and a continued talent shortage.”
According to AVIXA’s latest research, these pressures have led to a slightly softer growth forecast for 2025. But the good news? Momentum is still strong in key solution areas. “We’re not seeing a drop-off in demand, just a recalibration,” Wargo added.
Collaboration Tech Remains the Industry’s Powerhouse
If there’s one segment bucking the slowdown, it’s collaboration. “We’re seeing a surge in scalable, intelligent, and affordable solutions,” Wargo said, “especially for meeting rooms, classrooms – really, any shared space.”
As companies continue to navigate hybrid work models, collaboration tools are central to the journey. “Many organisations are still figuring out how best to return to the office,” he noted. “That creates huge demand for technologies that support connection, flexibility, and productivity.”
Meeting Rooms Are Smarter and More Standardised
Meeting room technology is evolving fast and becoming more uniform across enterprises. “It starts with platforms,” Wargo explained. “We’ve seen the rise of unified platforms that can be replicated across rooms and sites, giving organisations a consistent toolkit for collaboration.”
These platforms now feature AI-enhanced capabilities: smart cameras that follow speakers, adaptive microphones that tune to the room, and systems that auto-optimise for different meeting formats.
“AI plays a big role here,” he said, “though what we now call ‘AI’ is often the refinement of existing algorithms. Still, the impact is real—it’s making systems smarter, installs easier, and experiences better.”
Broadcast-Quality AV Is No Longer Niche
One of the most striking shifts is the mainstreaming of broadcast AV. “It used to be a studio-only thing,” Wargo noted. “Now, it’s extending into collaboration, education, and even corporate communications.”
Organisations want higher production values for town halls, investor updates, and internal events. “They’re saying, ‘This can’t just be a Zoom call—we want it to look professional,’” he said.
The result? AV setups that include high-end cameras, green screens, lighting rigs, and even elements of virtual production. “It’s blurring the lines between traditional AV categories,” Wargo added. “For solution providers, that’s both a challenge and a growth opportunity.”
