October: Where Sports and AV Play as a Team

October isn’t just pumpkin season, Halloween candy and pumpkin patches, it’s the heart of sports season. My husband grew up in Brooklyn but somehow became a Cowboys fan (still investigating). I grew up with the Giants in my backyard, and after 14 years in South Florida, I’ve learned to cheer for the Dolphins too, mostly so my neighbors don’t egg my driveway or I don’t get dirty looks at Publix. Add my half-Brazilian, half-Portuguese roots and suddenly the World Cup feels like a family reunion. The rivalries are real, but here’s one thing we all agree on: sports without the right AV is just overpriced beer or trick-or-treat without candy. With the right AV, it’s unforgettable, and that’s where Almo Pro AV comes in.

Stadiums in October aren’t just about football; they’re about atmosphere. Absen PL2.5 Pro, Samsung IAC, LG’s LAPA136-GF.AUSQ, Planar TVF, and MAXHUB LM138A07 LED walls make even the nosebleeds feel like front row. Epson EB-PU2220B projectors put replays on the big board brighter than the Florida sun. Christie Griffyn 4K32-RGB lights up end zones like Broadway, and Panasonic PT-MZ880 keeps multipurpose areas covered. Peerless-AV and Chief mounts hold it all steady, while Sennheiser EW-DX mics, JBL VTX arrays, and Crown I-Tech amps make every whistle and roar shake the concrete. And if you don’t have control? Forget it. AMX and Atlona keep the show running smooth so no one fumbles the AV on 4th down.

PTZOptics belongs here too. Their 30X-NDI cameras with Hive are being used for live sports broadcasts, streaming games, press conferences, and even fan cams that rack up more views than the actual highlight reel. It’s broadcast quality without the truck, which means even smaller venues can deliver big-league streaming.

 

Gyms are catching on as well. I visited one in Bogotá that looked more like a TV studio than a gym. Netgear M4250 switches kept the feeds flowing, SoundTube pendants powered by LEA Connect 354 amps handled the sound, and Kramer processors kept the whole system easy to manage. Members were half-working out, half-starring in their own highlight reel. One guy told me he felt more scouted than he ever did in high school ball, and honestly, he wasn’t wrong.

 

Sports bars in Miami? That’s where Sundays are basically religion. A neighborhood bar turned game day into an experience with Sharp PN-M752 displays, Sony FW-98BZ53L BRAVIA Pros, and an LG LAPA136-GF.AUSQ LED wall. BrightSign XT1145 players kept replays and promos rolling, AtlasIED Atmosphere processors with Bose DS 100SE speakers made the sound clean, and Panasonic PT-MZ880 projectors expanded the view. AMX control made it simple for the bartenders to swap games between orders. Add ListenWiFi so fans could stream commentary to their phones, and suddenly no one was fighting over the volume. The owner said Sunday sales doubled. And yes, the Sennheiser wireless mic came out for Sweet Caroline after the Dolphins actually pulled off a win.

 

In Colombia, soccer stadiums are upgrading too. Imagine stepping into a venue with Absen LED walls lighting up the pitch, Barco G62 projectors handling pre-match visuals, and PTZOptics 30X-NDI cameras with Hive pushing live feeds straight to mobile apps and fan zones. Fans tune into ListenWiFi for play-by-play without missing a call, and the energy feels like Maracanã on a final. That’s the kind of AV that keeps fans in the moment instead of looking for the nearest exit.

Now let’s talk immersive experiences. Our Special Markets team has been transforming fan zones and gyms with headsets that bring the action straight into your ears. At one stadium install, fans tuned into play-by-play commentary in real time, no more missing the call because the guy behind you is arguing about fantasy football. This isn’t just AV, it’s personal, and it’s what makes a sports experience feel one-of-a-kind.

Sports bring passion. Nobody wants bad audio, laggy control, or a dead screen to ruin their game, whether they’re in a stadium, a gym, or a bar. With Almo Pro AV’s lineup, Absen, Samsung, LG, Planar, MAXHUB, Sharp, Sony, Epson, Panasonic, Barco, Christie, Peerless-AV, Chief, Sennheiser, JBL, Crown, AtlasIED, Bose, Netgear, LEA, SoundTube, PTZOptics, MicroTouch, Listen Technologies, AMX, Atlona, Kramer, and our Special Markets team, we’ve got every angle covered. The only thing we can’t do is fix your team’s record. If I could make the Giants, Cowboys, Dolphins, Brazil, and Portugal all win, I’d be running Vegas instead of writing blogs and selling AV. And since Almo Pro AV’s headquarters is in Philly, I’m obligated to say it… Go Eagles! (Don’t tell my Giants-loving heart I said that.)

Gisela Ramirez, Sales Director - LATAM

About the Author

Gisela Ramirez

Sales Director – LATAM

Exertis Almo

September in LATAM AV: Closing Strong, Setting Up Bigger Wins

September is the last stretch of Q2 for us, and if I’ve learned anything in this industry, it’s that this month decides who walks into Q3 relaxed and who walks in scrambling. If you wait until November, you’ll be the one calling your customer to explain why their install is stuck on a boat. I have made those calls before and they are not fun.

One story that always sticks with me is from Colombia. A partner decided to hold off until November, thinking Buen Fin and year-end would be their big moment. By then, they were buried in freight delays, chasing approvals, and stressing about credit. Their competitor, who moved in September, was already delivering and winning market share. That was a turning point for me. In LATAM, the ones who move first, win first.

And I see it happening across the region right now. In Costa Rica, companies are already building hybrid rooms with LG displays, Barco ClickShare, and Netgear switching so they are ready before year-end. Guatemala is finalizing education projects with NEC projectors and Aver cameras. Chilean boardrooms are running Epson projection with Yamaha audio, while in Peru, lobby spaces are coming alive with LG DVLED walls and Legrand infrastructure. Honduras has events buzzing again with SoundTube and Peerless-AV solutions, and in Jamaica, resorts are securing Samsung outdoor displays, Yamaha audio, and Legrand cabling so their guests never miss a beat.

Puerto Rico is another great example. A university there recently upgraded lecture halls with Samsung professional displays and Listen Technologies systems. Because they moved early, everything was installed and ready before students returned. No delays, no excuses, just results. Their integrator looked like a rock star.

That is why I tell every partner the same thing: September is not a filler month. It is the launchpad. Budgets are getting finalized, projects are being scoped, and the smart integrators are locking in orders before the supply chain circus kicks off. I have watched it play out again and again. The ones who act in September spend December delivering. The ones who don’t spend December apologizing.

The lesson is simple. Don’t be the integrator explaining delays. Be the one delivering. With Almo Pro AV behind you, you have the brands, the credit, and the logistics strategy to make it happen.

Gisela Ramirez, Sales Director - LATAM

About the Author

Gisela Ramirez

Sales Director – LATAM

Exertis Almo

Emerging AV Trends Shaping the Future of Government Facilities

Government facilities are undergoing a technology modernization – and AV technology is at the heart of it. From city halls and courthouses to command centers and public safety offices, agencies are investing in smarter, more secure, and more scalable AV systems to meet the demands of hybrid workforces, citizen engagement, and operational resilience.

At Almo Pro AV, we work in partnership with resellers and integrators to help them stay ahead of the curve. Let’s look at the top technologies shaping the future of public sector AV – and how you can leverage them to grow your business.

  1. AV Over IP: The Backbone of Scalable Government Infrastructure

Kramer kds7mngrAV over IP is rapidly replacing traditional AV distribution in government buildings. It offers flexibility, centralized control, and cost-effective scalability – especially for multi-site deployments and command centers.

Integrator Insight: Agencies are prioritizing TAA-compliant, secure AV-over-IP solutions that integrate with existing IT infrastructure. Almo’s product portfolio includes vetted, standards-based systems ready for federal and SLED environments.

Featured Product: Explore Kramer’s reliable AV over IP solutions, such as the KDS-7-MNGR, for seamless video distribution.

  1. Hybrid-Ready Meeting Spaces

PTZOptics Move 4kVirtual and hybrid meetings are now standard in government operations. Agencies need AV setups that support remote testimony, live streaming, and real-time collaboration with high security and accessibility.

Integrator Insight: Focus on UC platforms with ADA-compliant features, real-time captioning, and EO 14028 alignment. Almo offers training and sales enablement to help you map product features to policy requirements.

Featured Product: PTZOptics Move 4K offers built-in auto-tracking capabilities and comes native with NDI® HX3 for unparalleled performance and versatility.

  1. Digital Signage for Public Messaging and Wayfinding

SpinetiX media playerDigital signage is becoming essential for real-time alerts, multilingual communication, and interactive wayfinding in public buildings. Agencies are replacing static signage with dynamic, remotely managed displays.

Integrator Insight: Offer signage solutions with emergency alert integration and remote content management. Almo’s partners benefit from access to exclusive signage platforms and deployment support.

Featured Product: SpinetiX iBX440 is the digital signage player that makes
video walls accessible to everyone.

  1. Assistive Listening and Accessibility TechListen Technologies

Accessibility is a legal and ethical priority. Agencies are upgrading council chambers and courtrooms with assistive listening systems, captioning, and inclusive interfaces.

Integrator Insight: Almo’s team helps you spec and source ADA-compliant solutions, including induction loops, IR systems, and real-time translation tools.

Featured Product: Auri™, powered by Listen Technologies, is the first Auracast™ broadcast audio-based solution for assistive listening.

  1. Sustainable and Energy-Efficient AVViewSonic ViewBoard

Sustainability is now a procurement priority. Agencies are seeking energy-efficient AV systems, recyclable components, and eco-conscious installation practices.

Integrator Insight: Almo offers EPEAT-certified displays and consults on green AV design to help you meet agency sustainability goals.

Featured Product: The EPEAT Gold-rated 65” ViewBoard series from ViewSonic is made with over 90% post-consumer recycled materials.

Why Almo Pro AV Is the Perfect Public Sector Partner

court roomChoosing the right technology is only part of winning in the public sector. The other part is having a partner who understands the entire procurement and deployment ecosystem – and that’s where Almo Pro AV excels.

✓ Deep Public Sector Expertise

Our dedicated public sector team has decades of experience navigating government buying cycles – from GSA contracts to SLED procurements. We speak the language of contracting officers, compliance reviewers, and IT security leads.

✓ Bid and Compliance Support

We help our partners position themselves competitively in bids by providing:

    • TAA and NDAA compliance documentation
    • RFP-ready technical narratives
    • Grant eligibility guidelines
    • Sales Enablement & Training

command and control centerWe train your sales staff to position secure AV solutions to government buyers, aligning product features with mandates like EO 14028, CISA OT guidance, and directives. Government buyers value reliability and expertise – we show up with both.

✓ Exclusive Product Access

As Christie Digital’s exclusive distribution partner for the Secure Series III, we give you a competitive edge – delivering a high-demand, compliance-ready display that your competitors can’t source through standard channels.

✓ Integration Support

We don’t just ship boxes. We understand each agency’s mission. Our technical specialists consult on system design, ensuring that your deployments align with security policies, accessibility standards, and command-center workflows.

Partner with Almo Pro AV and Lead the Future of Government AV

Public sector AV is evolving fast. Agencies need partners who understand the mission, the mandates, and the technology. With Almo Pro AV, you get more than a distributor – you get a strategic ally.

Let’s build smarter, safer, and more connected government spaces – together.

Contact an Almo Pro AV representative to get started.

AV Ecosystems: Because ‘Just Plug It In’ Never Works Out That Way

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me “We just need a screen and maybe a speaker,” I could retire early and start an LED ministry on the beach. Let’s be honest. AV is not a bunch of parts you slap on a quote to check a box. It’s an ecosystem. Everything has to work together or nothing works at all. When you get it right, the tech fades into the background and the experience takes the lead.

Here’s a real one from a client in Raleigh. High-end financial firm, fancy chairs, gorgeous space, zero tech harmony. Meetings were starting late, execs were sharing content through personal hotspots, and the poor IT guy was one coffee away from quitting.

We stepped in and flipped the script.

We gave them a Sony Pro BRAVIA 98 inch display that actually made spreadsheets look exciting. Dropped in an AVer CAM570 with smart AI framing so no one had to babysit the camera. Ran Legrand Wiremold cable management to keep the conference table looking sharp. Deployed a Netgear M4250 AV Line switch to handle bandwidth like a pro. Then added a Nureva HDL410 audio system that made the whole room sound like everyone had a mic, even the quiet ones in the back. Everything was integrated clean with Chief and Middle Atlantic gear.

Now their meetings start on time, nobody’s crawling under the table with a USB-C adapter, and the CEO stopped cursing during video calls. Progress.

Let’s hop down to Myrtle Beach. A boutique hotel wanted to upgrade their banquet space. They do weddings on Saturdays and corporate meetings Monday through Friday. One mic system wasn’t cutting it and the projector looked like it came from a garage sale.

We gave them an LG 136 inch All-in-One LED that stole the show. Installed a Shure MXA910 ceiling mic that catches every “I do” and every quarterly forecast. Added an Absenicon display in the lobby running BrightSign XT5 for customized welcome messages and event branding. Listen Technologies handled their ADA audio compliance. And they’re running everything off Atlona’s Velocity platform. It’s simple enough for the front desk to use, but powerful enough for back-to-back events.

Now they’re booking more events, charging more per room, and the tech just works. Imagine that.

Down in Guatemala City, a university needed hybrid learning across multiple classrooms. What they had was a mess. Different brands in every room, spotty audio, and teachers wasting half their class time setting up.

We standardized the setup. Epson PowerLite projectors. Sharp interactive displays. PTZOptics cameras with AI-powered tracking so teachers can walk and teach without losing the shot. BrightSign controls their content campus-wide. Netgear handles the network backbone. One ecosystem, one support path, one happy IT team.

And let’s talk about AI. If your system isn’t leveraging AI today, you’re already behind. From auto-framing cameras to predictive audio leveling, AI is the new teammate in the room. It doesn’t just make things smarter. It makes things smoother. Faster. Simpler. That’s the real win.

The truth is, when AV is done right, people don’t talk about the tech. They talk about how great the space feels. That’s the goal. And we get there by building real ecosystems, not tech Frankensteins.

So whether you’re designing a boardroom in Raleigh, a venue in Myrtle Beach, or a classroom in Bogotá, stop cobbling. Start connecting.

You bring the vision. We’ll bring the brands and the brains to make it all work.

Gisela Ramirez, Sales Director - LATAM

About the Author

Gisela Ramirez

Sales Director – LATAM

Exertis Almo

Smart Signage, Real Strategy: What AV Pros Should Be Pitching

Let’s talk about digital signage, but not in the tired way. I’m not here to pitch “content on a screen” and call it a day. This is about real strategy, real control, and solutions that actually scale. The industry’s evolving, and as CTS-certified AV pros, we need to lead with options that aren’t just flashy. They need to be functional, intuitive, and built to handle the chaos behind the curtain.

Now, if you haven’t looked into Autora, it’s time. It’s our own platform and yes, I’m biased, but also right. It’s been flying under the radar, and that’s exactly why it’s such a smart play. Autora DSM is clean, cloud-native, and built for teams who want control without needing an IT translator every time they schedule a slide. The platform recently powered a full digital signage rollout across Texas A&M University. We’re talking hundreds of displays across campuses with centralized scheduling, emergency override capability, and branded content templates that even non-designers can update without breaking something. It’s signage that respects both the tech and the people using it. The feedback has been strong. IT teams love it. End users adopt it. Everyone wins.

Now for the usual suspects.

BrightSign is still the MVP when you want a rock-solid player that just gets it done. A retail chain in Puerto Rico used BrightSign players triggered by motion sensors for in-store promos. Ads played when customers reached for a product. No extra clicks, no wasted airtime, just smart, reactive content that helped move inventory.

Carousel deserves a nod too, especially when design flexibility matters. One municipality used it to manage content across multiple public buildings and gave each department the ability to manage its own screens. It kept things decentralized without going rogue, and the admin team didn’t need to babysit anyone through the process.

When you need to impress, tvONE steps in. We used CORIOmaster for a luxury hotel video wall that needed multiple inputs, layout changes, and scheduled zones without losing quality or giving the tech team a heart attack. No fuss, no delays, just a stunning lobby experience that made a serious first impression.

And of course, behind every great signage setup is clean distribution.

That’s where Atlona and WyreStorm come in. A client in Brazil needed signage throughout their HQ along with meeting room scheduling and VC integration. We tied everything together with WyreStorm handling signage feeds and Atlona managing signal control across the rooms. It worked, looked good, and stayed future-proof.

Here’s the takeaway.

Digital signage isn’t a “nice to have” anymore. It’s a key part of AV ecosystems. If you’re not leading with flexible, scalable options, someone else will. Autora DSM gives us a major advantage in that conversation and it’s the one I’m bringing to the front of the line.

Let me know if you want to dive deeper or see how these platforms play in real-world installs. I’ve got examples, and I’ve got time.

Gisela Ramirez, Sales Director - LATAM

About the Author

Gisela Ramirez

Sales Director – LATAM

Exertis Almo

Where Talent Meets Teamwork: The Real Magic Behind Pro AV

You can spec the sharpest display, install the cleanest rack, tune the tightest DSP—but without connection? It’s just a bunch of impressive parts sitting quietly.

AV isn’t about isolated greatness. It’s about what happens when individual talent meets collective purpose—when the right people and the right gear sync up to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

This industry runs on collaboration—and that’s my favorite part.

Every Piece and Every Person Matters

On the surface, a polished AV system looks seamless. But behind that experience is a network of sharp minds, skilled hands, and real-time teamwork.

  • Displays shine because someone spec’d the right brightness.
  • Tom KehrAudio hits because someone knew how to tune it.
  • Control works because someone thought through the end-user experience.

Individual talent makes it shine—but collaboration is what makes it unforgettable.

A few weeks before Easter, one of our audio pros, Tom Kehr, CTS-D, CTS-I, helped me figure out what questions to ask the AV tech at my church to spec headsets. That gave me exactly what I needed to take to our always-friendly and responsive partner, Sean at Shure, who helped me choose the best headset option available in time for the Easter program. Just a few small pieces of gear—but a perfect example of how great results come from people working together and sharing what they know.

This Industry Runs on Connection

Compatibility. Sync. Collaboration.
These aren’t just tech specs—they’re the values that keep ProAV moving.

Jennifer FisherWe play well with others. We share what we know. And we show up—online, onsite, at trainings, and at events. Trade shows and demos give us a chance to exchange more than information—we share a little of ourselves. That’s where real bonds form, and those connections make everything we do together stronger.

Whether it’s our in-house technical lead Eric Olson, CTS, hopping on a call to break down complex specs… or my west coast LG BDM counterpart, Jennifer Fisher, turning a long-lead DVLED project into a ready-to-ship solution by combining two of LG’s 136” all-in-one DVLED bundles with a connector kit—saving time and serious money… or Daryl from LG following up on an RMA on his day off to make sure it’s approved in time for a grand opening.

Darryl SeeseIt’s these behind-the-scenes wins that turn potential into real results.

Almo: Collective Support in Action

At Almo, nothing moves alone—including our reseller and dealer partners.

Our culture is rooted in integrity, innovation, teamwork, and treating people like family. That’s how we show up for each other—and it’s why we’re able to support the AV industry in such a meaningful way.

Every win is backed by a crew that makes it happen:

  • Sales reps who stay sharp to offer real solutions
  • BDMs who bring product expertise and project support
  • LinkLab specialists who step in with programming, drafting, and install services when you need them
  • Warehouse teams who pack with care and move fast
  • Buyers who keep gear in stock
  • Behind-the-scenes pros in registrations, claims, inside sales, IT, and marketing—working together to deliver the best experience for everyone involved

We don’t just move product—we help move the whole project forward.

The Best Part of AV? The People.

This industry doesn’t just run on tech. It runs on people who care.

People who dig into design, stay up on specs, and solve problems under pressure.
People who build not just systems—but experiences—for the people who use them, and with the people who help bring them to life.

And we have a good time doing it. I’m proud to be part of that.

LG team

Together Is How It Works

AV isn’t a solo gig—it’s a team effort from start to finish.

When strong products and sharp professionals sync up, the result is something no single piece could achieve alone.

So here’s to the techs, the trainers, the reps, the warehouse teams, and our vendor and reseller partners. To the folks who ask smart questions, find better answers, and always make time to help.

When we plug in, sync up, and support each other — we build systems that work, and an industry that works even better.

Tiff Jones-Morton headshot-frame

About the Author

Tiff Jones-Morton | DSCE

BDM – Brand Specialist

Supported Manufacturers: LG Business Solutions (NE, SE, MW)

Contact Exertis Almo for product info, inventory availability, or to start a quote.

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