Each year, thousands of AV professionals descend on InfoComm to connect, learn and explore the future of AV. But for those stepping onto the show floor for the very first time, the experience hits different.
I remember my first time like it was yesterday. And, this year, I had the honor of watching others have that moment. I took time to speak with a few of them afterward to hear how it all landed. Because first timers bring a fresh perspective. They’re a pulse check on how our industry feels to someone just entering the room.
For first-time attendees, InfoComm isn’t just a trade show; in fact, it’s a major leap into new spaces, new communities and new levels of possibility. It’s where curiosity meets connection. It’s where the AV industry becomes real — not just in terms of products but also in terms of people.
Jasmine Jones
“I’m just getting started.”
For Jasmine Jones, InfoComm 2025 was more than a conference: It was a breakthrough.
“It honestly changed my life,” she tells me. After soaking in the technology, the energy and the spirit of the AV community, Jasmine walked away not only inspired but also clear. “I’m [surer] than ever of where I’m headed,” she says. Her biggest takeaway? Belonging. “This experience lit a fire in me,” she enthuses. “I’m so grateful, and I’m just getting started.”
Caleb Thompson
“You set the tone.”
Caleb Thompson felt a shift during a panel that #GALSNGEAR hosted, featuring Heather Best, Susie Beiersdorf and me, followed by a speed networking session. “That moment made me feel like I truly belonged,” he tells me. “Y’all were really there to support us and our goals.” This gave him the confidence to move through the rest of the conference boldly, as that panel took place first thing in the morning on Day One. Thompson was especially struck by the tech on display, such as 3D motion tracking, and by how close-knit the AV world really is. His advice? “Know what you want to get out of it, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there,” he advises. “That’s where the real magic happens.”
Daniel Postilnik
“Bring your full, authentic self.”
Daniel Postilnik found connection in the most unexpected way. “I got shanghaied into an Uber to an AV karaoke night by people I had just met,” he tells me. That ride turned into a night of bonding with AVIXA education all-stars…with people who’ve spent years pouring into this community. Postilnik, who has often worked in more siloed roles, was struck by how generous and open others were with their time and their insights. “Even my most basic ‘What do you do all day?’ questions were met with generosity,” he reflects. His message to others? Don’t let the tech distract you from the people. “That’s where the real value is,” he declares.
Eddie Smyth
“We were part of something bigger.”
For Eddie Smyth, the moment hit while demoing Launcher v2. “People were pulling others over, saying, ‘Hey, look at this!’” he recollects. “That’s when it hit me: We at DisplayNote weren’t just visitors — we were part of a larger conversation.” The pace of InfoComm surprised him. It’s characterized by meetings, impromptu chats and nonstop energy, of course, but also by collaboration everywhere. “Even competitors wanted to talk, share and push the industry forward,” he relates. “That was refreshing.” His advice? “Come with a plan but be ready to throw it out,” he advises. “The best stuff happens in the unplanned moments.” And for a mental reset mid-show? “Find the puppy area,” he says. “Trust me.”
Amedeo Di Virgilio
“It felt like summer camp for creatives.”
Amedeo Di Virgilio expected corporate rigidity. You know… fancy suits (not my suits, though), sales pitches and business cards. Instead, he walked into something far more human. “I struck up a conversation with signage designers and integrators, and they welcomed me like an old friend,” Di Virgilio tells me. The vibe reminded him of summer camp, where everyone’s eager to learn, share and create. That flipped his whole expectation of what AV is. “The event’s energy was a celebration of ideas — not transactions,” he describes. As for his tip for 2026 first timers? “Set goals but leave space for connection,” he says. “And map out your sessions early. Oh, and track your steps. You’ll thank me later!”
Sophia Negyesi
“Attendees talk to hundreds of people. Be the one they remember.”
Sophia Negyesi walked into InfoComm ready to connect. What she didn’t expect, however, was how deeply seen she would feel. “The AVIXA Women’s Breakfast was everything,” she tells me. “I’ve never felt more included, more inspired or more empowered than I did in that room.” It was about the honesty of the speakers, the bond with the women beside her and the simple reminder that she’s not alone in navigating a male-dominated industry. That was the moment she knew she belonged. Even the smaller moments stuck with her: Friends who greeted her with joy and people who made her feel like her presence mattered. “That must mean something,” she says. What surprised her most? It was all the sustained energy. “Even on Day Three, the show was alive,” she says. “And the energy leaves with you.”
Her advice for next year’s attendees? “Be memorable. Stand out,” she advises. “You are your own personal brand. Never forget it.” And her mic-drop reminder? “Attendees talk to hundreds of people during InfoComm,” she says. “Be the one they remember.”
What these first-time InfoComm attendees all have in common isn’t experience. Instead, it is presence. They all showed up. They asked questions. They let themselves be surprised. And, most importantly, they led with curiosity and connection. That’s how you make InfoComm count. That’s how we make this industry better.
See you all in Vegas next year! Let’s continue to welcome this new and fresh energy.
