Hello, everyone! Happy 2026! This year, I expect both physical and cybersecurity to be big topics in the AV community and beyond. Of course, we discuss convergences a lot in AV. We talk about AV and broadcast, AV and IT, AV and security. I do see these two industries becoming more closely intertwined in the next year, and the lines between AV and security integrators blurring quite a lot. 

What do you think? Are the lines blurring to you or am I just a journalist shouting a bunch of nothing from my ivory tower? Time will tell. Or you will tell me. I’m cool with either. 

Anyway, enjoy this newsletter, and I look forward to sending you 11 more this year.

COLUMNS

Here’s the Latest From the Blogsquad.

FEATURED SURVEY

rAVe January 2026 Temperature Check Survey

A new year always brings new expectations — and plenty of questions. As the AV industry heads into 2026, priorities are shifting around technology, security, budgets and how AV teams work alongside IT. This month’s Temperature Check looks ahead, asking AV professionals what they expect the next year to bring, where they see the biggest opportunities and challenges, and how prepared they feel for what’s coming next. Share your perspective and help set the tone for the year ahead.

NEWS

What You Need to Know.

TymbreIQ Launches a Smarter, More Human Approach to Fire Station Alerting

Bogen Communications Partners With Alertus to Enhance Integrated Emergency Communication

On Dec. 18, Bogen Communications LLC announced their partnership with Alertus Technologies. The partnership aims to integrate Bogen Communications’ paging […]

Z-Wave Alliance Highlights Growing Adoption of Z-Wave Long Range Devices 

AVI-SPL Selected by GDIT to Support US Army Europe and Africa AV Services 

AVI-SPL has been selected by General Dynamics Information Technology as a subcontractor to deliver audiovisual, collaboration and integrated meeting […]

Acoem Deploys Gunshot Detection System to Protect Utility Infrastructure 

UPCOMING EVENT

A Smarter Way to Navigate ISE 2026: The Technology in Practice Tour

AVNation and AV Buyers Club are bringing the Technology in Practice Tour (sponsored by EVONA 2030) back to ISE 2026. Join us Thursday, Feb. 5, for the only free show-floor tour designed specifically for AV and IT technical end users.

Tim Albright, Gary Kayye and I launched the Technology in Practice Tour at ISE 2025 to help technical end users and in-house integrators cut through the noise and spend meaningful, face-to-face time with the manufacturers building technology that actually impacts their day-to-day work.

MEDIA

Videos We Think You’ll Love.

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