David Labuskes, CEO of AVIXA, has announced his intention to retire at the end of 2026, marking the conclusion of a 14-year tenure that reshaped both the association and the wider audiovisual industry.
Since taking the helm in 2012, Labuskes has been a driving force behind the industry’s shift from a product- and systems-focused sector to one centred on delivering integrated experiences that connect people and transform how organisations communicate. Under his leadership, the AV industry broadened to embrace experiential designers, content creators, IT specialists and end users across an increasingly diverse range of markets.
This evolution culminated in a defining moment for the association in 2017, when InfoComm International was rebranded as AVIXA (the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association) reflecting a more expansive and future-focused identity.
“I would have never predicted the level of personal growth and fulfillment that accompanied these many years at the helm of AVIXA,” said Labuskes. “The audiovisual industry has been a part of human evolution since the use of signal fires in early civilization. The association now known as AVIXA was established in 1939, well before most of us were born. The responsibility and privilege inherent within the role I played for a tiny part of that timeline was one that could not have been fulfilled without the brilliance of the team of executives, industry volunteers, and dedicated AVIXA employees giving everything they have to deliver on our mission every day. I look forward to being in the stands watching the future successes of AVIXA and our industry around the world.”
A cornerstone of Labuskes’ leadership was positioning AVIXA as a truly global organisation. Today, more than half of the association’s revenue including training, trade shows, and certifications, is generated outside North America. The fastest audience growth is also occurring internationally, underscoring AVIXA’s transformation into a global professional community.
Professional certification has remained central to AVIXA’s value proposition during this period. In 2025, the number of CTS (Certified Technology Specialist) holders reached 15,000 worldwide. Building on this momentum, AVIXA introduced the Audiovisual Network Professional (ANP) certification in 2024, bridging the gap between pro AV and IT disciplines. Today, 30% of AVIXA certification holders are based outside North America.
Labuskes also championed diversity and representation across the association. During his tenure, AVIXA established both the Women’s Council and the Diversity Council. The Women’s Council has since become AVIXA’s largest council, with more than 1,100 members, and continues to attract hundreds of attendees to its annual breakfast at InfoComm in North America.
His leadership was further tested during the COVID-19 pandemic, as AVIXA navigated global event cancellations and supported members through unprecedented disruption. During this period, the association accelerated its digital engagement strategy and reimagined its trade shows and conferences to meet the demands of remote and hybrid work environments.
“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,” said Tobias Lang, Chair of the AVIXA Board of Directors and CEO of LANG AG. “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, he also built an exceptional leadership team and a culture that is both value-driven and uniquely collaborative.
“The AVIXA Board 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 our global community to use the upcoming Integrated Systems Europe show and all international AVIXA events as opportunities to personally thank David Labuskes for his remarkable contributions to the association and to our industry.”
Prior to joining AVIXA, Labuskes spent nearly 14 years at RTKL Associates, now Arcadis, where he founded the firm’s Technology Design practice and helped build one of the world’s most respected technology design teams. He later served on the Board of Directors that approved RTKL’s merger with Arcadis in 2011, enabling further global growth and diversification.
As AVIXA prepares for its next chapter, Labuskes’ legacy remains firmly embedded in the association’s global reach, professional standards and experience-driven vision for the audiovisual industry.
