Commercial Integrator March 2022 - 3

EDITOR'S NOTE
Emerald X, LLC.
100 Broadway, 14th
Floor
New York, New York 10005
800-440-2139
commercialintegrator.com | @commintegrator
Climbing Down
from the Ivory Tower
IN THIS MONTH'S FEATURE about Subaru
Park, home of the Philadelphia Union soccer
club, I argue that the key to a world-class AV
deployment is a rock-solid relationship between
integrator and client. Yes, AV integrators
deploy hardware and soſt ware solutions,
and, yes, that technology facilitates positive
outcomes. But successful fi rms like Conference
Technologies, Inc. (CTI) - integrator for the
Subaru Park project - understand that many
integrators can acquire, resell
and integrate products. Successful
integrators' core diff erentiator
is their commitment to laying a
foundation of trust and respect,
and then building upon that
foundation to forge strong client
relationships. Perhaps they even
blossom into friendships. The
outgrowths of all that are future
business, organizational success
and reputational excellence. It's
the essence of what Commercial
Integrator wants for every AV
integration professional who
consumes our content.
Looking inward, it's also what I
want for myself as editor-in-chief
of CI. I've worked as a technology
journalist covering the commercial
AV industry since November 2004. Being
aware that, over the decades, some titles
across trades have gotten a reputation for not
being especially journalistic in their editorial
approach, I sought from the outset of my
career to bring a New York Times or Wall Street
Journal ethos to whatever property I affi liated
myself with. Thus, for much of my time as
editor of Sound & Communications, although I
maintained very warm relationships with those
whom I saw a few times a year at trade shows,
I thought it important to keep a professional
distance. " I'm a journalist, " I had thought. " I'm
here to cover news, events and technology. I'm
not here for dancing, selfi es or shenanigans. "
I came to realize that I had been wrong.
During the last 12 months of Sound & Commucommercialintegrator.com
It's
about
more than just
being a better
journalist; it's
about living a
better life. The
#avtweeps
community
broadens
my mind and
educates me.
nications' existence, it started to dawn on me
that forging more personal relationships with
the #avtweeps community would help me be
a better journalist. I could go on Twitter and
gain access to expert end-user perspective
like that of Joe Way, director, learning environments,
at the University of Southern California.
I could message with Mark Coxon and get
a distributor's-eye view of the direct-view LED
market. (I could also exchange a wide array of
Bruce Buff er memes with him,
given his status as a Muay Thai
teacher.) I could exchange ideas
and encouragement with fellow
technology journalists like
Megan A. Dutta, all of whom,
like me, are trying to better the
industry by serving it.
But it's about more than
just being a better journalist;
it's about living a better life.
The #avtweeps community is
composed of fabulous, brilliant,
witty, welcoming people. They
make themselves available for
any and every editorial idea I
throw out there. They broaden
my mind, educating me about
topics like diversity, equity and
inclusion (DEI) and why it's critical for panels,
articles and webinars to amplify less-heard
voices. They coo over my 16-month-old twins,
Jelani and Gianna; likewise, I get misty when I
see their puppies, kittens and family photos,
and I celebrate their personal achievements.
These are real relationships - nay, friendships.
The days of simple product reselling are
over. In our new reality, AV integration is about
not only experiences but also people. Whether
you're a consultant, an integrator or a journalist,
climb down from the ivory tower. I guarantee
you that, once you do, you'll do your job
better. I speak from personal experience.
Dan Ferrisi, Editor-in-Chief
dan.ferrisi@emeraldx.com
@danferrisiedit
EDITORIAL
Editor-in-Chief
Dan Ferrisi, 914-383-9030,
dan.ferrisi@emeraldx.com
Chief Content Offi cer
Jason Knott, 774-505-8042,
jason.knott@emeraldx.com
Associate Editor
Zachary Comeau, 774-505-8006,
zachary.comeau@emeraldx.com
Associate Editor
Amala Reddie, 774-505-8039,
amala.reddie@emeraldx.com
Technology Editor
Robert Archer, 774-505-8049,
robert.archer@emeraldx.com
Web Editor
Alyssa Borelli, 774-505-8057,
alyssa.borelli@emeraldx.com
Design Lead
Katie Stockham, 774-505-8051,
katie.stockham@emeraldx.com
Designer
Taylor DeForrest,
taylor.deforrest@emeraldx.com
ADVERTISING SALES
Group Publisher, Connected Brands
Ray Lyons, 774-505-8017,
ray.lyons@emeraldx.com
Shawn Tobin, 774-505-8014,
shawn.tobin@emeraldx.com
Chelsea Cafi ero, 774-505-8020,
chelsea.cafi ero@emeraldx.com
Marketing
Marsha Marsh, 774-505-8023,
marsha.marsh@emeraldx.com
EMERALD CORPORATE
Executive Vice President
Brian Pagel, 770-291-5438,
brian.pagel@emeraldx.com
President and CEO Hervé Sedky
Chief Operating Offi cer Brian Field
Chief Financial Offi cer David Doſt
Chief Information Offi cer Bill Charles
Senior Vice President, Finance Melanie Pereria
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary Stacey Sayetta
Senior Vice President, Marketing Services
Joanne Wheatley
Executive Vice President, Customer Solutions
Amy Sklar
Executive Vice President, People & Culture
Ren Akinci
PRODUCTION
Creative Services Director
Manuela Rosengard, 774-505-8052,
manuela.rosengard@emeraldx.com
Director of Client Experience
Jeff rey Miller, 774-505-8055,
jeff .miller@emeraldx.com
Reprints & Eprints The YGS Group,
800-290-5460, reprints@theygsgroup.com
Subscription Inquiries 847-559-7533,
CI@OMEDA.COM
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Commercial Integrator March 2022

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