David Labuskes, CEO of AVIXA, has announced his plans to retire at the end of 2026, following a period of leadership that began in 2012.
AVIXA says that during his time as leader, Labuskes recognised and championed the evolution of the AV industry from one focused on products and systems to a profession delivering integrated experiences that connect people to people.
Under his leadership, the industry expanded to include experiential designers, content creators, IT companies and users of AV solutions across a growing cross-section of markets. This evolution led to the rebrand of InfoComm International to AVIXA (the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association) in 2017.
David Labuskes, CEO of AVIXA, said: “I would never have predicted the level of personal growth and fulfilment that 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 civilisation. The association now known as AVIXA was established in 1939, well before most of us were born.
“The responsibility and privilege inherent in the role I played for a tiny part of that timeline could not have been fulfilled without the brilliance of the executive team, industry volunteers and dedicated AVIXA employees who give 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.”
Ensuring AVIXA represents the industry globally has been a central focus for Labuskes. Today, more than 50 percent of AVIXA’s revenue – from training, trade shows, certifications and additional offerings – is generated outside North America. The association believes its highest and most impactful audience growth is taking place beyond North America.
In 2025, the number of AVIXA’s CTS (Certified Technology Specialist) holders reached 15,000 worldwide. In addition, AVIXA launched the Audiovisual Network Professional (ANP) certification in 2024, enabling pro AV and IT professionals to demonstrate expertise in integrating AV into networks. Today, 30 percent of certification holders are based outside North America.
Labuskes also championed diversity across the association’s platforms to ensure a broad range of voices were represented. During his tenure, AVIXA established both its Women’s Council and Diversity Council. The Women’s Council is now 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, including the global cancellation of live events and significant disruption to members’ business models. During this period, AVIXA supported the wider AV industry as it adapted to remote and hybrid working environments, while also introducing new digital engagement platforms and reimagining its global trade shows and conferences.
Tobias Lang, chair of the AVIXA board of directors and CEO of LANG AG, said: “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, he also built an exceptional leadership team and a culture that is both values-driven and uniquely collaborative.
“The board has already begun the search for his successor, and we are confident that this exciting and demanding role will be filled in a way that reflects the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world. We also encourage members of our global community to use Integrated Systems Europe and other international AVIXA events to personally thank David Labuskes for his remarkable contributions.”
Before joining AVIXA in 2012, Labuskes spent nearly 14 years with RTKL Associates (now Arcadis), where he established the firm’s technology design practice. He later served on the board of directors that reviewed and approved RTKL’s merger with Arcadis in 2011.
