David Labuskes announces his retirement as CEO of AVIXA after 13 years of leadership.

During his time at AVIXA, Labuskes recognized and championed the evolution of the audiovisual industry, which shifted from being a sector focused on products and systems to becoming an industry and a profession dedicated to delivering integrated experiences that connect people to people and, in doing so, transform the world.

During his tenure, the industry expanded to include experiential designers, content creators, IT companies, and users of AV solutions across a growing range of markets. This led to the rebrand of InfoComm International to AVIXA (the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association) in 2017.

I would have never imagined the level of personal growth and fulfillment that have accompanied these many years at the helm of AVIXA. The audiovisual industry has been part of human evolution since the use of signal fires in early civilizations. The association now known as AVIXA was founded in 1939, long before most of us were born. The responsibility and privilege inherent in the role I played for a small part of that timeline would not have been possible without the talent of the executive team, industry volunteers, and dedicated AVIXA employees, who give everything they have every day to deliver on our mission. I look forward to being in the stands watching the future successes of AVIXA and this industry around the world, said Labuskes.

Ensuring that AVIXA represents the industry on a global level has been a key priority for Labuskes. Today, more than 50% of AVIXA’s revenue—from training, trade shows, certifications, and other offerings—is generated outside of North America. The association’s highest and most significant audience growth is taking place outside North America and reflects AVIXA’s transformation into a truly global community.

AVIXA’s certifications continue to be highly valued credentials that demonstrate key skill sets. In 2025, the number of professionals holding the CTS (Certified Technology Specialist) certification reached 15,000 worldwide. In addition, in 2024, AVIXA launched the Audiovisual Network Professional (ANP) certification, a credential that enables pro AV and IT professionals to demonstrate their experience integrating audiovisual systems into networks. Today, 30% of certification holders are outside North America.

Labuskes championed diversity across the association’s many platforms to ensure a wide range of voices were represented. During his tenure, the AVIXA Women’s Council and Diversity Council were established. The Women’s Council is AVIXA’s largest council, with more than 1,100 members, and attracts hundreds of attendees each year to its annual breakfast at InfoComm in North America.

In addition, Labuskes led AVIXA through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This included managing the global cancellation of in-person events, supporting a critical part of the AVIXA community through an unprecedented disruption to their business models, and supporting the wider audiovisual industry through the transformation required by remote and hybrid work environments.

During this period, AVIXA introduced and expanded new digital engagement platforms for its community, as well as reimagined event experiences through the association’s trade shows and conferences around the world.

On behalf of the AVIXA Board of Directors, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to David for everything he has done for AVIXA over the past 13 years. His vision and leadership have been instrumental in establishing the audiovisual industry as a globally relevant profession with a strong and positive outlook for the future. David not only helped redefine what our industry stands for, but also built an exceptional leadership team and a culture that is both values-driven and uniquely collaborative, said Tobias Lang, Chair of the AVIXA Board of Directors and CEO of LANG AG.

"The AVIXA Board of Directors has already begun the search for his successor, and we are confident that this exciting, attractive, and demanding role will be filled in a way that reflects the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world. I would also like to encourage all members of the global community to take advantage of Integrated Systems Europe and AVIXA’s international events as opportunities to personally thank David Labuskes for his extraordinary contributions to the association and the industry".

Before joining AVIXA in 2012, Labuskes spent nearly 14 years at RTKL Associates (now Arcadis). There, he launched the firm’s Technology Design practice and, together with a growing team of experts, helped build one of the largest and most respected technology design practices in the world. During that time, he was appointed to the Board of Directors responsible for reviewing and approving the merger with Arcadis in 2011, which enabled increased investment in the company’s growth and diversification.