Awards

This award highlights important contributions made by industry individuals to the science of AV. The award calls attention to the AV and information communications industries by recognizing pioneers who made scientific breakthroughs resulting in new AV technologies that impacted the manufacture and sales of novel products enjoyed by audiences worldwide.

2021 Adele De Berri Pioneers of AV Award

Cory Schaeffer
QSC, LLC.
President and Founder, Community Professional Loudspeakers

Cory Schaeffer co-founded Listen Technologies in 1998 and was instrumental in growing the company into a leading brand of assistive listening systems. She holds two patents for her contributions to the ListenPoint product line, which revolutionized the concept of a "complete audio infrastructure" system for small to mid-sized rooms. Schaeffer served a four-year term on AVIXA’s Board of Directors and leads the AVIXA Women’s Council Southern California Group.

This award recognizes Certified Technology Specialist™ holders (CTS, CTS-D and/or CTS-I) who are achieving rewarding and successful careers in the audiovisual and information communications industries.

2021 CTS Holder of the Year Award

Kelly Perkins,
Hall Technologies

Kelly Perkins has built her 15-year career on educating and promoting the audiovisual industry. She earned her CTS in 2009 and launched an internal company training program to facilitate and encourage others to earn their certifications. She is also the architect of NSCA’s Ignite program, which connects students and schools to the AV industry. .

Jennifer Goodyer
RTSales, Inc..

Jennifer Goodyer is very active with the AVIXA Women’s Council and founded the South Florida AVIXA Women’s Council Local Group as well as its book club. Goodyear serves on the council’s Global Onboarding Committee, and STEM Outreach and marketing sub-committees. Her involvement motivated her to earn her CTS, the first in her company. She then began educating manufacturers on the benefits and spearheaded offering CTS education to their customers and employees.

This award highlights important contributions made by an individual to the professional development, education, and training of the AV industry. These contributions have impacted audiences worldwide. This award is presented annually for outstanding achievement in AV education for that particular year.

2021 Educator of the Year Award

Chrissy Sara, CTS, CTS-I
Sony Electronics Inc.

Chrissy Sara is the first woman to conduct AVIXA’s CTS and CTS-I certification courses, She is a spirited instructor and passionate supporter of the CTS program and those in pursuit of it. A dedicated volunteer, she teaches a CTS study group, providing resources and continuous encouragement.

2021 Event Design of the Year Award

Matt Wellin
AV Chicago

Matt Wellin’s AV career has spanned more than two decades. Today, as a Project Manager at AV Chicago, he led the 2021 Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards, a true hybrid event hosted for 50 local attendees and live streamed to thousands. In this project, Wellin focused on the clients’ desire to not only expand viewership through streaming technologies but to bring a sense of community by organizing live remote watch parties at award-winning locations.

Harald Thiel Volunteer of the Year Award

Kristi Ross-Clausen
Arrow Audio Inc.

After retiring from a career as a K-12 music/theatre teacher, Kristi Ross-Clausen joined the AV industry as Quality and Customer Advocate for Arrow AV Group. She serves on AVIXA’s Membership Committee, Live Events Council, Live Events Advisory Committee, CTS Item Writing Committee, Women’s Council (Wisconsin co-chair), and is Chair of the CTS Technical Committee. .

Juan Jose Vila
Equipson

Juan Jose Vila started collaborating with AVIXA in 2016 and helped introduce the association in Spain. He promoted the advantages of CTS certifications and collaborated in the implementation of the AV Technologist (AVT) Challenge throughout the country. He also regularly presents to students on careers in the AV industry as well as supporting many AVIXA initiatives in Iberia and Latin America.

This award's overall purpose is to call out an individual recognized by association members and the industry as worthy of a lifetime achievement award. Two major criteria are applied — the career accomplishments and the individual's contribution to the AV industry through AVIXA. The Mackey Barron Distinguished Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed on an industry member by the association. 

Read about how AVIXA renamed the Distinguished Achievement Award in memory of Mackey Barron.

2021 Mackey Baron Distinguished Achievement Award

Fred Bargetzi (awarded posthumously)
Crestron Electronics, Inc.

Fred Bargetzi, a 30-year Crestron veteran, was instrumental in guiding the evolution of the pro AV industry into the world of digital transformation and IoT through his leadership and technology invention. When he started his career at Crestron in 1990, the company produced hard-button panels and monochromatic touch panels. Under Bargetzi’s leadership, the control industry blossomed to its current state of control via many devices including personal devices. Bargetzi’s name is on 22 patents that have defined the pro AV industry’s transformation from analog to digital, such as control via ethernet (e-Control)..

This award recognizes women who are achieving rewarding and successful careers in the audiovisual and information communications industries.

2021 Women in AV Awards

Brandy Alvarado-Miranda
BAM Marketing

Brandy Alvarado-Miranda is the Chair of the AVIXA Women’s Council and began the council’s local groups. She is passionate about the AV industry and giving women in the industry an equal opportunity at the table. Her inspiration comes from a number of positive mentors she’s had in her career.

This award calls attention to the AV industry by recognizing that young people are achieving rewarding and successful careers in the audiovisual and information communications industries.

2021 Young AV Professionals Awards

Melissa Baglio
AV Chicago

Melissa Baglio began her career touring on Broadway, becoming a master electrician and leading an all-female team. An advocate for industry standards, she has initiated training programs for staff and freelancers. Baglio is motivated by empowering women, introducing young professionals to opportunities in technology, and helping to make the AV industry inclusive and a better environment for people from all backgrounds.