GPA serves as the one global source for audio, video and unified communications solutions. And, as the largest GPA stakeholder, AVI Systems, a prominent and respected systems integrator in the U.S., is a major part of the exclusive network of 31 regional business units serving in more than 50 countries and 164 cities. Together, their global footprint is wholly vested in collective organizational success.
On December 11, AVI Systems and GPA announced new office locations in the largest financial centers of the world. Simultaneous livestreaming of the grand openings will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 1 p.m. EST. Following that, there will be tours of the facilities and exhibitions from select technology manufacturer partners.
Ahead of the grand openings, Commercial Integrator sits down with AVI Systems and GPA to get a firsthand look at this exciting global expansion. Moreover, we touch on an organization-wide commitment to enhancing the customer experience for clients across the globe. AVI Systems’ Jeff Stoebner, GPA’s Byron Tarry and AVEX International’s Wissam Choucair express their excitement about the expansion efforts, while also underlining the need for a global presence in the AV industry.
A Grand Launch
Photo courtesy: AVI Systems.
“…[B]eyond the technology, each office can showcase the differentiated tools, people and infrastructure that power GPA’s programmatic approach to global delivery and support.” Byron Tarry, CEO, GPA
According to Choucair, managing director of AVEX International, the launch serves as a “…significant signal to our customers and partners, underscoring our substantial investments in these locations to establish a truly global organization.” Indeed, the livestreaming event is a first of its kind, including coordinated ribbon-cutting ceremonies in each different location. As Stoebner, CEO of AVI Systems, underscores, the concurrent openings across major markets symbolizes the synergy of collaboration and technology in the AV industry. “It also demonstrates [our] leadership in the U.S., Europe and other markets,” he adds. Some of these markets include Chicago, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, Madrid and Sao Paulo.
Emphasizing the necessity of establishing the new locations, Tarry, CEO of GPA, remarks, “Our global customers face the complexities of geographical diversity. It is a foundation to what they are trying to solve with collaboration technologies.”
In his opinion, the “global” aspect of GPA lies in understanding the realities of operating in a global environment. “We cannot be credible advisors to global enterprises if we have a myopic regional view, let alone create proof cases for ourselves of the power of diversity of ideas and perspectives that come from a global mindset,” Tarry opines. Thus, the launch of the new locations across financial centers aligns with an organization-wide need to bring operations closer to current and future customers.
Global Delivery and Support
Stoebner expands further on the offerings in each location. For example, he notes that both London and New York are the foremost markets for multinational companies. “New York City (Manhattan) is our fastest growing market — it’s amazing to watch,” he proclaims. According to Stoebner, each of the markets are currently very active, with customers reconfiguring spaces to try to best align to today’s hybrid work reality. He adds, “We take seriously our responsibility to provide easily accessible and highly experiential spaces to help them evolve and mature their ‘collaborative workplace’ technology strategies.”
Photo courtesy: AVI Systems.
“Clients recognize the immense value of taking a localized solution and effortlessly transforming it into a globalized one.” Wissam Choucair, managing director, AVEX International
Choucair echoes this sentiment, adding that having dedicated and personalized experience centers in these vibrant cities allows a strategic positioning at the heart of innovation and commerce. “[We’re] providing a centralized hub for clients to immerse themselves in cutting-edge audiovisual technologies,” he states. Moreover, he underlines how London’s diverse and influential business landscape offers an ideal setting to showcase the adaptability and scalability of technology solutions across various industries and market segments.
According to Tarry, the working offices can showcase innovative, progressive and globally scalable technology in real-world workplace environments. “But, equally importantly, beyond the technology, each office can showcase the differentiated tools, people and infrastructure that power GPA’s programmatic approach to global delivery and support,” he states.
Summing up the overall mindset, Choucair remarks, “This commitment to personalized service and cutting-edge technology defines our approach at every step, reinforcing our dedication to delivering excellence in the audiovisual realm.”
Significance for Integrators
With multinational companies and integrators now in the early stages of deploying AV collaboration technologies to meet global standards, Stoebner believes that the launch could not have come at a better time. He explains, “[Being global] is important for integrators because it is important for [the] customers.”
AVI Systems’ New York office as part of the global expansion effort by GPA.
Photo courtesy: AVI Systems.
Choucair chimes in to observe that, in today’s dynamic landscape of hybrid work and virtual communication, the need for cutting-edge and standardized audiovisual technology is escalating. “Clients recognize the immense value of taking a localized solution and effortlessly transforming it into a globalized one,” he opines. For integrators, this global approach ensures enhanced accessibility and innovation, as well as adaptability to worldwide trends, all supported by a locally attuned support system. Choucair proclaims that this comprehensive approach to customer experience “…ultimately cultivates a dynamic and responsive business environment,” which is paramount for integrators with an eye to keep their businesses moving forward.
Tarry illuminates the difference between an international organizational mindset and a global one. As he puts it, “I like to use the analogy of a hub and spoke network versus a mesh network.” He then elaborates, “GPA is built upon the sum of its collective knowledge…the power of collaborative thinking and consensual decision making.”
As Tarry explains it, GPA is not U.S.-based, nor U.K.-based, nor like any other organization exporting itself to dots around the globe. Rather, at GPA, the perspective of each “dot” carries equal weight in developing a truly global mindset and organizational approach. “It’s that foundation that has powered GPA from humble informal beginnings of an ‘idea for better’ to the globally recognized industry and market leader it is now,” he adds. “As a respected business consultant once said, it’s our ‘unfair advantage!'”
Concluding Thoughts
Photo courtesy: AVI Systems
“We take seriously our responsibility to provide easily accessible and highly experiential spaces to help them evolve and mature their ‘collaborative workplace’ technology strategies.”
Jeff Stoebner, CEO, AVI Systems
Having the proverbial boots on the ground, close to customers, is key, Stoebner says. He further reveals that, while GPA has the cultural, operational and practical local diversity of presence in more than 170 city locations in 50 countries, it still offers only one business structure and engagement model. He thus concludes, “[This effectively reduces] risk and optimizes outcomes for multinational customers seeking a common employee and customer experience. Nothing else comes close!”
For additional photos of the new offices, click on “View Slideshow.”
