FRANK PADIKKALA
Frank Padikkala Appointed as Chairperson of the AVIXA Diversity Council
AVIXA , the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association , has announced that the association ’ s Leadership Search Committee ( LSC ) has appointed Frank Padikkala , the Kairos solution architect at Panasonic , to serve as chairperson of the AVIXA Diversity Council .
As an AV and IT expert , Padikkala hopes to bridge the knowledge gap between the two industries that have already begun to overlap in a wide array of market segments . An advocate of both training and certification , Padikkala holds a master ’ s degree in cybersecurity in addition to more than 10 AV and IT certifications .
“ The advancement of diversity within our AV community is so much more than training sessions and webinars ,” adds Padikkala . “ My biggest goal is to bring the community together for personal learning journeys through the creation of safe spaces where we can each learn from one another , learn about ourselves , and learn about the value and power of our own diversity . Everyone ’ s diversity journey is different , and inclusion is achieved through the shared and mutual acceptance of your identity and brand . The hope , with the focus on outreach efforts both locally and internationally , is that it will help to broaden our perspective and bring positive change within the global AV community .”
The AVIXA Diversity Council ’ s mission is to encourage inclusion and promote human , cultural , and systemic diversity in all forms within the commercial audiovisual industry through the utilization of professional networking , educational opportunities , leadership development , and community awareness . To learn more about the council and how to join , visit
www . avixa . org / diversitycouncil .
Solotech & Waveform Entertainment Present Esports Showcase
After the acquisition of esports live production firm Waveform Entertainment by Solotech in June , the two teams offered an immersive demonstration of their collective capability with the Solotech & Waveform Esports Showcase in Toronto .
Taking place at ACS Productions from Sept . 14-16 , the event gave viewers , consisting of esports fans , live event technicians , event promoters , and integrators alike , an opportunity to learn about esports and its place in the live event market , as well as experience a Solotech and Waveform esports production first-hand , augmented by an L-Acoustics L-ISA immersive audio deployment .
The Showcase comprised an overview of Solotech and Waveform ’ s partnership and a look into the esports market , followed by a live presentation of a championship match in the popular shooter Overwatch . Motion tracking technology Blacktrax was also demonstrated , and the event was capped by an animated short with an immersive audio mix using L-ISA technology .
“ This esports showcase was the culmination of almost two years of looking at a new potential market for Solotech ,” says Solotech Director of Business Development Mike Poirier . “ The partnership with Waveform gives both companies the resources and capabilities to become a world leader in what we think is the next phase for professional sports and entertainment .”
Altman Lighting Hires Sales Reps Jon Hyrkas & Jake Rhodes
Altman Lighting has hired two new sales representatives , Jon Hyrkas and Jake Rhodes .
As of June 1 st , Hyrkas serves as the new western regional sales manager , and Rhodes serves as product sales specialist . As the western regional sales manager , Hyrkas
JON HYRKAS & JAKE RHODES OF ALTMAN LIGHTING
represents sales in British Columbia , Alberta , Saskatchewan , Manitoba , Alaska , Hawaii , Washington , Oregon , California , Nevada , Idaho , Utah , Montana , Wyoming , Colorado , New Mexico , Arizona , Texas , and Oklahoma .
“ I ’ ve been working in theatre and entertainment for 15 years . I ’ m really excited to connect people with some of the new exciting products we are launching ,” says Hyrkas .
Expect to see Rhodes at open houses and trade shows in the western region . “ I want to make sure I get the right product in front of the right people , for the right purpose ,” says Rhodes .
New hires are a critical step in Altman Lighting ’ s plan to support the entertainment industry in 2021 . “ As the industry begins to emerge from a very difficult time , we are working hard to ensure that we are hiring sales leaders to do the best we can for our clients ,” says Nicolas Champion , VP of sales and marketing for the company .
14 | Fall 2021