John Cheatham, MDiv, CTS-D, CTS-I

I’m happy to share that I’ve obtained a new certification: Certified Technology Specialist - Installation (CTS-I) from @AVIXA!

@chris_neto The best PMs are flexible based on the type of project they get. Timelines should reflect the customer needs as well as the effort needed for AV to install, commission, and train (as needed). #AVInTheAM #AVTweeps

Q1 Is the future of AV project management more about adaptability than predictability? As AV moves into hybrid and digital spaces, do we need a new kind of project timeline model? #AVinTheAm #AVtweeps

@chris_neto When AV is an afterthought, the AV cost goes up (lacking infrastructure). It also isn’t ready on Day 1, when the customer usually wants. Optimally, AV should come in as part of the Design Team - it saves overall cost and headaches! #AVInTheAM #AVTweeps

Q3 What happens when AV is treated as an “afterthought” in a construction-driven project timeline? How early should AV teams be brought into construction scheduling to ensure successful integration? #AVinTheAM #AVtweeps

@chris_neto Sometimes. The best projects have AV involved during DD. However, PM methods should at least echo traditional construction methods, to be in lock step with the GC PM. #AVInTheAM #AVTweeps

Q5 Has AV integration finally shifted from being “final phase” to being an essential part of construction planning? Should AV have its own distinct project management methodology, separate from construction models? #AVinTheAm #AVtweeps

@chris_neto Communicate early and often with the whole project team. In a perfect world, be the consultant for the architect (so you create the infrastructure drawings) and the integrator for the GC (to be on their schedule), all the while working with the customer, too. #AVInTheAM #AVTweeps

Q2 How do AV project managers handle shifting completion targets caused by other trades? How can AV PMs better communicate dependencies between trades like electrical, millwork, and IT? #AVinTheAm #AVtweeps

@chris_neto The first sentence is answered by the second. A Gantt chart helps show dependencies and what happens with delays. Getting on the GC schedule and tight coordination (early and often 2 way communication) is vital. #AVInTheAM #AVTweeps

Q4 Why are AV timelines often compressed at the end of a project and how can we prevent that? Has the AV industry outgrown the construction-style Gantt chart approach or is it still essential? #AVinTheAM #AVtweeps

@chris_neto Happy birthday! It was fun seeing you yesterday - hope you got that ice cream cake you wanted!

🥳 Thank you for all the Birthday messages 🥳 #grateful

@chris_neto @starin_mkg @DTEN_Global Such a fun time! Didn’t even think to grab a pic - it was great catching up, though.

AV networking in ATL 🥳 #avtweeps

I'm excited to be starting a new role as the Engineering Manager for @avisplinfo in Atlanta - leading the team that I've been part of for the last few years. #AVTweeps #ProAV #Leadership

@chris_neto I’ve seen both horrible and great DIY (in-house) installs. I’ve also seen both horrible and great “certified” (integrator) installs. Training, care, and professionalism go a long way! #AVTweeps #AVInTheAM

Q2 What impact could a corporate DIY AV installation have on the long-term maintenance and troubleshooting of the system? Does "certified" installer or programmer mean more today than say 10 years ago? #AVinTheAM #Avtweeps

I just got my CTS-D certificate in the mail within a day of getting a card celebrating 10 years of my CTS. Strange how those lined up. Guess I just wanted some mail from @AVIXA! #alwayslearning #avtweeps

I’m happy to share that I’ve obtained a new certification: Certified Technology Specialist - Design (CTS-D) from @AVIXA!

It seems ironic that the @arborday is sending my household surveys every year on large amounts of paper. Wouldn’t it make more sense to have people opt into the paper version if they can’t do digital? If any organization would be trying to save trees, wouldn’t it be this one?

@chris_neto I’ve seen cool AV stuff in many of those cities (some in person but most through case studies). I don’t think there’s an epicenter of AV; collectively we do AV all over the world! #AVInTheAM

Q5 The next 2 weeks #AVinTheAM is on Holiday. What City in the world would u consider the Epicenter of AV & Why? Vegas? Orlando? NYC? Dubai? Tokyo? London? Other? Take into consideration Digital Out of Home, theaters, events space, venues, smart city, WOW factors, etc. #AVtweeps

@chris_neto Upgrading a room that is currently working, even if the AV equipment is over a decade old, can be a struggle for non-techy people to understand. #AVInTheAM

Q4 In the business of AV we often say "It depends". Though we are rooted in Science we usually bend the rules. In that vein what is the toughest in AV to prove a Return on Investment? What about ROI in business departments such as Marketing, Biz Dev, Training, etc? #AVinTheAm

@chris_neto A meeting without video is called a phone call, but still a meeting. A meeting without audio is called a staring contest, not a meeting. #AVInTheAM

Q3 LED has been getting a lot of press (ie Vegas Sphere) but behind the scenes, Audio is making all the noise (Pun Intended). Have u seen an increase in demand for better audio in all AV & Conf. spaces? Is the demand for better audio equal to or greater than video? #AVinTheAm

@chris_neto Speed of install always factors into my labor estimate, as does if it’s a new product, since the installers would need to learn it. A great time saving one is the CAT-terminated speakers/mics/amp like the kits that @Biamp offers. #AVInTheAM

Q2 Does the speed of the physical installation factor into your labor estimates & product choices. Are product feat. part of the feedback field technicians give back to the product specifiers & sales in terms of speed? What types of time-saving feat. have won you over? #AVinTheAm

@chris_neto Definitely projector throw distance is the hardest to break. Zoom lens help a bit. #AVInTheAM

Q1 Which "standard" is the hardest to break. In order of importance how do u rank each & why? Did I miss a rule? -Exact Throw distance of a projector -Placement of a front-of-room Camera (Above vs Below vs Side) Display -Height of a Display Off The Finished Floor #AVinTheAm

@frankpadikkala Good to see you, @frankpadikkala!

Today marks one year that I've been at @avisplinfo! I've had so much fun working with the team, learning a new side of AV design, and the whole time working from home. #AVTweeps