Editor’s Note: This article featuring Kim Franklin and her 2026 predictions is part of Commercial Integrator’s series running throughout the month of January. In this series, we spotlight forward-looking insights from some of the pro AV industry’s most notable luminaries.
As we look ahead to 2026, the pro AV industry stands at the cusp of exciting opportunities and transformative trends. To explore what lies ahead, Commercial Integrator turned to Kim Franklin, chief marketing officer at Ampetronic | Listen Technologies, for her expert predictions on the technologies and strategies that will shape the future of pro AV.
Kim Franklin 2026 Predictions
Commercial Integrator: Without getting into any specific vendor or particular branded solutions, what technology category or solution area do you see as 2026’s ripest, most profitable growth opportunity for pro AV integrators and installers? Explain your reasoning.
Kim Franklin: We believe the biggest growth opportunities for 2026 are solutions that improve real-world experiences, especially audio, communication and accessibility. They scale across various types of venues, solve problems, and deliver value that end users immediately understand, making them easier to sell and expand.
Commercial Integrator: Which emerging AV technologies do you think are overplayed? Which ones do you think will truly transform the practice of integration in the coming years?
Franklin: Overplayed: Flashy tech with no clear purpose, especially “AI for AI’s sake.”
Transformative: Solutions that quietly make systems easier to use, manage, and maintain. If it reduces friction for users and operators, it’s not just hype, it’s progress.
Commercial Integrator: What’s the single most pressing challenge that professionals in the pro AV industry must tackle right now? And how would you suggest tackling it?
Franklin: Staying relevant. Success now depends on understanding people, not just products. The industry needs to invest in education, simplify solutions and focus on outcomes. The integrators who lead will be the ones who make technology feel effortless.
Commercial Integrator: Finish this sentence: 2026 will be remembered as the year that the pro AV industry…
Franklin: shifted from installing technology to delivering experiences that work for everyone.
Stay tuned with Commercial Integrator as we gather year-end insights and 2026 pro AV predictions from the brightest minds in the industry. If you’d like to be featured, contact our editorial team (Alyssa Borelli, Amala Reddie and Dan Ferrisi).
