What to expect from the webinar?

Covid-19 has disrupted the workplace, as has climate change and changing employee expectations of the role of the office environment.

This webinar will explore how the convergence of AV and IT has allowed businesses to adapt since the first lockdown in March 2020 and how it will continue to shape industry best practice in 2021 and beyond. AV is no longer the footnote on IT managers’ to-do lists; it is an essential ingredient for businesses that want their employees to collaborate effectively - whether that’s at home or in the office.

Topics and discussion…

What mistakes has the channel learned from the March lockdown?

• What problems or lessons were learned from the partial return to the office during 2020 that we can use to navigate the post-vaccine return to the office this year?
• How can the channel keep their customers moving in a third national lockdown and beyond?
• What technologies should we focus on and what training should we undertake to ready for the return of business?

Bridging together the AV and IT divide

• What AV solutions are already on the market that all IT managers should know and understand?
• Demystifying the jargon around AV. Is it really that different to IT?

The webinar will be joined by, Jenny Hicks, our very own head of technology and Chris Southern, our general sales manager for Enterprise Solutions, alongside Frazer Couzins Sales and Technical Consultation Director at SMART Technologies and Lieven Bertier segment marketing director at Barco to discuss what the channel has learnt since March and how to bridge that AV and IT Divide.

If you’d like to join the conversation and be part of an engaging discussion around the future of AV and IT, simply click the ‘register now’ button.

Speakers

Jenny Hicks

Jenny joined the technology industry thirteen years ago, holding roles from purchasing to sales, technical support and market development on her AV journey.  Jenny really developed a fascination with visual technology and was spurred to challenge her technical ability from early on.

In 2012 Jenny joined Midwich's technical division as an IP Video Specialist responsible for sales and technical support where she was able to further her knowledge, joining a group of specialists actively easing the ever-converging worlds of AV and IT. In 2013 Jenny progressed to UK Technology Manager, responsible for all technical brands and market development and managing the technology specialists and tech support teams.

Today as Head of Technology for Midwich Group Jenny explores new product ventures for Midwich globally, provides market analysis, acquisition rationale and central support to all group companies.  Jenny serves on the Advisory and Trends board for Avixa, has recently served as a judge for the AV experience awards and is a regular public speaker at industry events.

Chris Southern

Chris joined the technology industry over twenty years ago, during that time he has worked through all three layers of the AV industry with direct channel sales, Distribution roles and Manufacturer sales. Gaining essential knowledge each time to allow him to have a very concise understanding of most customer perspectives within the AV industry.

After working in multiple verticals including, HE/FE education market, Chris made the move into enterprise sales in 2011. This is where he found his real passion working with Blue chip companies on digital strategies and specialising in the collaboration hardware and software markets. With much of his time spent with end users and consultants from architectural level through to implementation and even onsite training.

Today as General Sales Manager Enterprise for Midwich Group Chris heads up a team of UC&C specialists that provide manufacturers with a valued service level, resellers with expertise across the range and Midwich sales staff with all they need to provide the best level of service possible in distribution.

Lieven Bertier

An experienced B2B marketer, Lieven has worked across multiple marketing disciplines in the technology industry. Since 2014 he has been part of Barco’s ClickShare team, responsible for all strategic marketing activities. He strongly believes in user experience, and is convinced that the way people work together is the number one competitive advantage for companies in today’s dynamic world. Lieven loves a good story, and always starts from user research to reflect on the role of technology and collaboration in the workplace.

Frazer Couzens

Frazer Couzens is responsible for Sales & Technical Consultation at SMART. Over his decade at SMART, he has deeply researched meetings, and what knowledge workers try to do when together. He created version 1 products like Meeting Pro, SMART Ink, the SMART Room System, the 1st single purpose co-developed “lync room system”.  Recently he developed the groundbreaking product, SMART TeamWorks. He has been a guest speaker for VMware, Enterprise Connect, Cisco Live, and Microsoft ignite/channel9.