As 2025 comes to a close, we’re looking back at the stories that defined the year in the commercial AV industry. From major trade shows and exclusive interviews to impactful acquisitions and award-winning innovations, these moments captured the attention of integrators and industry leaders alike. Commercial Integrator’s top 10 stories of the year offer a snapshot of the trends, challenges and achievements that shaped the industry. Join us as we count down the most-read stories of 2025, highlighting the events and developments that left a lasting impact on the AV community.
10. ISE, InfoComm, CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025: All the Latest News
Coming in our tenth spot, is our all-encompassing hub pages around the industry’s leading tradeshows for the pro AV community.
ISE 2025: All the Latest News
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ISE 2025, held in Barcelona from Feb. 4-7, featured a 20% larger show floor, 330 new exhibitors and an enriched content program. Highlights included tech showcases, inspiring keynote speakers and hands-on Tech Tours exploring real-world applications. New features like the Innovation Park and Esports Arena added excitement. With a focus on networking, learning and innovation, ISE 2025 brought the global AV community together to explore the latest trends and technologies shaping the industry’s future.
InfoComm 2025: All the Latest News
Photo courtesy: AVIXA
InfoComm 2025, held June 7-13 in Orlando, brought together the pro AV industry to explore trends like AI, digital signage and AV/IT integration. Highlights included the “2030 Vision” panel, the inaugural Spotlight Stage and networking events like the AVIXA Women’s Breakfast. With over 30,000 attendees from 97 countries, the event showcased innovations from brands like Shure, Barco and Sharp. InfoComm 2025 proved to be a dynamic hub for learning, collaboration and inspiration.
CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025: All the Latest News
Photo by Emerald/CEDIA Expo.
CEDIA Expo and Commercial Integrator Expo 2025, held in Denver, showcased 400 exhibitors and drew nearly 14,000 attendees. The event highlighted innovations in smart home, commercial AV, lighting, security and more. Attendees explored new technologies, interactive experiences and thought leadership sessions on the Smart Stage. The CEDIA Education Conference offered expert-led sessions to help integrators thrive. Highlights included the Launchpad for emerging brands, the Integration Awards and keynote speaker Chip Wade. With a focus on blending residential and commercial solutions, the expo provided invaluable insights and networking opportunities for integrators
9. Inside Command and Control: What Integrators Need to Know
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Coming in our ninth spot, is our command and control deep dive report. Command-and-control environments are becoming a key focus for integrators as demand grows across sectors like emergency operations, traffic control and school safety. These mission-critical spaces rely on data-driven solutions, operator-centric designs and 24/7 reliability. Experts highlight the importance of redundancy, ergonomic functionality and advanced technologies like AI and secure KVM systems. While the market offers growth opportunities, it requires specialized expertise and a consultative approach. As AI evolves, these spaces are expected to shift from reactive to predictive systems, enhancing decision-making. For integrators with the right skills, command and control presents a great opportunity.
Download the 2025 Command and Control Deep Dive Report here.
8. 2025 BEST Award Winners Announced at InfoComm
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Coming in our #8 spot is the 2025 BEST Awards, presented at InfoComm in Orlando. The awards celebrated the year’s most innovative and impactful products, services and individuals in the commercial AV industry. Recognized as a prestigious honor, the awards highlighted solutions that demonstrated exceptional innovation, functionality and value for integrators. Categories included technologies like 8K video tools, AI-driven cameras and advanced control systems. Newer categories, such as AV Person of the Year and Programming Company of the Year, spotlighted the people and services driving industry forward.
See the 2025 BEST Award Winners
7. Lean AV Projects: Best Practices for Integrators in a Tight Market
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In today’s tight market, integrators are finding creative ways to do more with less. Brandon White of Vanco shared smart strategies to help teams thrive despite smaller headcounts and tighter budgets. He emphasized the importance of playing to team strengths, simplifying system designs and leveraging manufacturer partnerships for support. By standardizing reliable components, using remote monitoring and offering strong warranties, integrators delivered value while staying efficient. While lean projects were challenging, they also became opportunities for innovation and growth. By embracing these approaches, integrators can tackle the challenges of the moment and position themselves for future success.
6. Gary Plavin of Laia Technologies on Bold Vision for Americas
Image composed by CI Staff.
Coming in at #6, is Gary Plavin, president of LAIA Technologies North America, shared his ambitious vision for expanding the company’s presence in the U.S., at ISE 2025. Plavin highlighted LAIA’s new PTZ camera lines — C-Pro, Broadcaster and Broadcaster Pro — designed to deliver broadcast-quality capabilities to diverse markets, including houses of worship. With a focus on value, simplicity and integrator support, LAIA aims to democratize high-end technology. Plavin emphasized the company’s commitment to building a strong North American team and fostering an integrator-focused approach to meet the evolving needs of the industry.
5. Tariffs and their effects: Everything Integrators Should Know
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As we look back on the year, the integration industry — and much of the business world — has faced mounting uncertainty surrounding the economic climate. Following the president’s “reciprocal” tariffs plan, CI’s Dan Ferrisi delved into the ripple effects of these policies on integrators. His comprehensive report shed light on the significant challenges tariffs have posed, from rising costs to disrupted supply chains and unpredictable project pricing. U.S. tariff policies, particularly increased levies on Chinese imports, sparked price hikes and unease across the industry. Companies like Crestron and NETGEAR responded with strategies like surcharges and supply chain diversification, while experts underscored the need for proactive communication, adaptable contracts, and long-term planning to weather the storm.
4. 26North Partners to Acquire AVI-SPL
Logos courtesy AVI-SPL.
In June, news broke of 26North Partners’ plans to acquire a stake in AVI-SPL, the global provider of audiovisual and unified communications technologies, from Marlin Equity Partners and other shareholders. AVI-SPL serves over 86% of Fortune 100 companies. The company, led by CEO John Zettel, has over 4,400 employees and operates in more than 70 offices worldwide. 26North, founded by Josh Harris, viewed AVI-SPL as a resilient and essential business poised for long-term growth. The acquisition aligned with 26North’s strategy of investing in high-quality, middle-market companies with strong fundamentals.
3. Rob Aarnes and Adrienne Zimoulis of ADI: An Exclusive Interview
(L-R): Adrienne Zimoulis, senior director of communications, and Rob Aarnes, president, both of ADI. Image courtesy of ADI | Snap One.
Coming in the third spot is an exclusive interview with ADI president Rob Aarnes and Adrienne Zimoulis, senior director of global communications, for an update on ADI | Snap One’s ambitious plans. Of course, the two organizations came together in a blockbuster Resideo acquisition last year.
#2 2025 TNT Award Winners Announced at ISE
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Coming in our second spot, is the 2025 Top New Technology (TNT) Awards, presented at ISE 2025 in Barcelona, celebrated the most innovative products and solutions in the commercial and residential AV industries. Hosted by Commercial Integrator and CE Pro, this prestigious program highlighted cutting-edge advancements across categories like audio, video, automation and digital signage. Winners included standout innovations such as Genelec’s Smart IP PoE Subwoofer, Shure’s Microflex Wireless systems and Samsung’s OHDX Outdoor Signage.
See the complete list of winners here.
#1 AV Excellence: The Next Generation — CI’s 40 Under 40
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Each year, Commercial Integrator proudly unveils its 40 Influencers Under 40 list — a tradition that started back in 2014 and has only gained momentum since. Fast forward to 2025, and the 40 Under 40 has cemented itself as our most anticipated annual highlight. In fact, it topped this year’s charts as our #1 most-read story! This list offers a front-row seat to the rising stars of commercial AV — young innovators and trailblazers whose impact on the industry far exceeds their years. We’re already buzzing with excitement to see who will make the cut for next year’s class!
