You might remember one of our recent stories — Holiday Gift Ideas for AV Installers: 2019 Edition — featuring plenty of holiday gift ideas for AV installers. Quick! If you haven’t already ordered something from there, time is running out!
… But, also, don’t sweat it, because there is one gift you can get for the pro AV installer that won’t require potentially-late shipping: tickets to pro AV events and/or entry to a certifications/training class.
Ok, it’s not the most exciting gift in the world. And it’s not easy to wrap. But it may be the best gift for your giftee.
There are several reasons why students and professional AV technicians decide to attend AV training. Many students embark on it to build credentials for a career as an installer, technician, programmer or project manager in the AV industry. Others that are already working in the AV industry leverage training in order to advance their careers.
The industry’s training options make it such that professionals never have to stop learning. AVIXA recently celebrated its 12,000 CTS certification and many AV manufacturers have certification programs that ensure installers stay updated on what’s new.
Meanwhile, the Electronic Systems Professional Alliance (ESPA) also offers training and certification for entry-level Electronic Systems Technicians (ESTs).
Pro AV trade shows are more expensive to attend, depending on the show, but equally worth the time for networkers and installers trying to learn more about the industry as a whole. These could include InfoComm, Almo E4 Experience, Big Book of AV, etc. etc.
Here are some tips to getting the most out of those shows.
Read Next: How To Determine Which AV Industry Certifications Are Most Valuable
Seriously, if you’re a boss, colleague, or family member of someone in pro AV, this is a really thoughtful — and, importantly, useful — gift.
