Where do you hail from and where do you reside?
I am of Armenian descent, born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon. In the early 1990s, my family briefly relocated to France before deciding to return to our home country.
Throughout my career, I had several opportunities to move to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Due to my personal and professional success, I initially chose to stay in Lebanon. However, as the political situation in the country began to deteriorate, I reconsidered my options.
In 2007, a reputable Dubai-based Systems Integration company approached me with an attractive offer. I saw this opportunity as a pivotal moment and decided to make the move to Dubai. I have been proudly calling the UAE my home ever since.
How did you get into AV?
My fascination with technology and being able to fix things around the house is what I think led me to a career in AV. Even as a child, I was dismantling my battery-operated toys to create new electronic marvels. This early passion guided me to study electrical and electronics engineering, paving the way for my professional journey that began at a telecommunications company in Lebanon. However, it was my move to Dubai that truly opened the doors to the AV industry. I stayed with the system integration company for a few years and then transitioned to working for video manufacturers such as Cyviz and Sharp before moving into pure audio with Shure. I’ve closed the loop now by working for Q-SYS, an Audio Video and Control solutions company.
What do you do for kicks in your spare time? Any favourite sports teams or pastimes?
I’m not a big fan of traditional sports; I’m more of a doer rather than a spectator, so I don’t have a favourite team because I don’t watch sports. For me, hobbies are mostly about adrenaline. I get my kicks from sports that are more on the extreme side like snowboarding and Kitesurfing. Growing up around the Mediterranean, the sea has been a big part of my life, so I feel very comfortable in the water. Scuba diving, freediving, and spearfishing are a big part of the activities I do in my spare time. Family time is also important to me; it’s a weekend at the beach and camping when the weather starts cooling down in Dubai.
How do you feel the AV industry has fared post-Covid and with today’s crises and supply issues?
Like many others, the AV industry faced significant challenges during the pandemic, but this led to a rapid evolution in the sector. With in-person gatherings restricted, the industry shifted towards remote collaboration tools and virtual event solutions. Since then, the AV industry has been navigating a new normal, and there’s understandably higher demand for hybrid event technologies that blend physical and digital experiences. This demand has spurred innovation but also highlighted the need for resilient supply chains. The global chip shortage which began during the pandemic has continued to affect production, with experts predicting impacts into 2024 and possibly 2025. This shortage has led to backorders on a wide range of equipment, from audio and video to lighting.
Companies that already used newer, more readily available chips found themselves at an advantage, while others have had to divert resources to redesign products around these newer chips.
In addition to hardware challenges, the AV industry has also faced rising costs and shortages of raw materials, further complicating production and delivery schedules. Despite these hurdles, the industry has shown resilience and adaptability, with many companies finding innovative ways to meet customer needs and continue operations. The crisis has underscored the importance of flexible and adaptable business models and the need for investment in technology that can withstand such global disruptions.
What are your thoughts on its future, including potential pinch points?
As the world continues to fight various crises, the AV industry’s journey is a testament to its ability to innovate and adapt in the face of adversity. The lessons learned during this period will likely shape the industry’s approach to supply chain management, product development, and customer engagement for years to come. The industry will likely continue to face challenges with supply chain disruptions and global economic uncertainties. However, its resilience and capacity for innovation suggest that it will continue to find ways to thrive. Companies that can navigate these complex issues effectively will likely emerge stronger, with a greater ability to adapt to the rapidly changing technological landscape. The ongoing digital transformation, and the increasing importance of AV technology in everyday life, provide a positive outlook for the industry’s future. The key will be for companies to remain agile and responsive to the evolving market demands and external pressures.
How’s business at Q-SYS?
The business is doing great. The company is performing well, especially with the recent developments and strategic expansions.
Q-SYS is investing heavily in helping customers create high-impact spaces for hybrid, remote, and in-person environments, which is becoming an increasingly important focus for end users. This involves integrating cutting-edge AV solutions and AI-driven automation to enhance collaboration and meeting experiences. Additionally, we’ve recently introduced significant updates to our cloud-based monitoring and management system, Q-SYS Reflect. This platform now includes robust features such as real-time health monitoring, customisable alerts, and enhanced remote management capabilities, making it easier for businesses to deploy and scale their AV systems. The updates also include a new pricing structure designed to be more accessible and scalable for users.
The return of the entertainment and hospitality market has also positively impacted business. Sight and sound are important human senses; vision is our primary source of information, and sound is essential for communication. This is the business we are in.
Ultimately for us, it’s all about creating memorable and impactful experiences for our customers by enhancing communication, collaboration, and entertainment environments.
How are you settling into your new role?
I haven’t had time to think about it, honestly. It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since I joined Q-SYS and helped the company establish its presence in the Middle East. And here I am now, as I answer your questions, moving to a larger experience centre in Dubai which is the main hub for our Middle East customers. But if I had to sum it up in a couple of words, I would say it’s challenging and exciting. I am lucky that senior leadership have a clear vision of the future, and I have an amazing team to back me up and make the vision a reality.
Any exciting news you’d like to share – forthcoming products/developments etc – and plans for 2024 and beyond?
We are always working to elevate experiences and redefine the expectations of end-users. For the last few years, we have focused our efforts on expanding our Video and Control solutions and software offerings, and I can confidently say that those efforts paid off. We will continue to innovate in these areas, with announcements coming soon, while not forgetting that we are an Audio company at our core (no pun intended!). Audio is still a significant part of our business, and we strive to innovate in this area as much as others, so expect some announcements there as well.
