Women in the AV industry have long been trailblazers, breaking barriers, driving innovation and shaping the future of technology and integration. Their vision, leadership and expertise have left an enduring mark, inspiring progress across the field. For International Women’s History Month, Commercial Integrator sought out to honor their achievements with a special series. Throughout the month, we asked some of the most remarkable women in AV, celebrating their contributions and sharing their stories to inspire and empower others in our industry.
With the popularity of the series, we have extended #HerAVStory and welcome contributions throughout the year!
This week, we spotlight Brittany DiCesare, CTS, director of sales & operations at Control Concepts. She entered the AV industry through a passion for business and technology, starting at AVIXA in 2018. Navigating challenges like self-confidence, she credits supportive mentors for encouraging personal growth and leadership. Among her proudest achievements is launching the #HealthyAV movement to promote wellness during tradeshows, garnering significant industry support. She values the industry’s collaborative culture and advocates for greater emphasis on business training and diverse career paths to enhance retention and profitability, ensuring a brighter future for AV professionals. Read on to learn more about DiCesare’s story!
Interview with Brittany DiCesare, Director of Sales & Operations at Control Concepts
Commercial Integrator: How did you get into the AV industry?
DiCesare: My journey into the industry began before I even realized what was happening. Being a member of the worship team in high school and throughout college for a mobile church allowed me to experience load-ins, load-outs and troubleshooting. I found myself longing to find an industry where my passion for business and technology could merge. In 2018, I joined the team at AVIXA and officially entered the AV Industry as the manager of member programs. This position gave me the unique opportunity to build partnerships with AVIXA members and provide avenues for them to share experiences, learn from others and invest in the future of the industry.
CI: Have you encountered any difficulties or obstacles in your AV industry career?
DiCesare: Everyone experiences challenges and obstacles in their career. I believe it’s more important to focus on what you can learn from those obstacles and how you can help others avoid the same obstacles in their journey. One of my biggest challenges has been self-confidence. I’ve allowed doubt and fear to keep me away from opportunities that, although challenging, would have helped me grow. The biggest thing I did to help overcome this was to surround myself with people who would speak into my potential, encourage me and gently nudge me out of my comfort zone.
CI: Whom would you point to as the most influential and helpful mentors in your career? What did they do to help you?
DiCesare: While I have been blessed with amazing champions and mentors in my career, both in and out of the industry, I also don’t want to discount my part in choosing those people. I have always looked to surround myself with people I admire and respect and who possess natural strengths I don’t. The people who have influenced me most are those I saw as outgoing, direct and strategic leaders. These were characteristics I desired to grow in and thought the best way to accomplish that was to become a sponge around those leaders. Luckily those people have all been ones I’ve had the honor of partnering with in my places of employment. I think it’s important to surround yourself with people you can trust who will gently push you out of your comfort zone and into your potential.
CI: What is your proudest career accomplishment?
DiCesare: Unintentionally starting an industry-wide movement around healthy tradeshows! When I set out on my own journey around treating myself well during tradeshows, I never expected it to be noticed by anyone. When my mentor and business partner Steve Greenblatt began encouraging me to open up and share more about this decision, I thought it would be something that met a lot of friction. However, when we officially launched #HealthyAV at InfoComm24, the number of people who thanked me for talking about this subject was astounding! If I never accomplish anything else in this industry, I’m elated to be known as the healthy tradeshow person.
CI: What do you love most about working in the AV industry?
DiCesare: The familial aspect of the industry. Most want to see everyone succeed in their chosen path through our industry. I believe there are countless people you can surround yourself with you will champion you in front of others, offer coaching and guidance, and invite you to the table.
CI: How can the AV industry become even better?
DiCesare: The industry could benefit from focusing more on business-related principles, training and recruiting. There is a plethora of technology training available at our fingertips within the industry; however, business-focused training is scarce. There’s been a strong emphasis on management and leadership as the only growth path for technical positions; however, not everyone is capable or even desires management. Finding the right business-minded people and teaching them the technology side while identifying different paths for those who choose not to enter management would allow business to increase their retention rates and would likely lead to more profitable business and happier teams.
Would you like to nominate a peer or colleague — or perhaps yourself! — to be featured in this #HerAVStory series? If so, send an email to Commercial Integrator’s editorial team!
