AV Events

Samantha Powell serves as the Manager of Industry Advocacy on the Content Creation Team at AVIXA. She is responsible for working with Pro-AV and IT subject matter experts to create InfoComm education sessions, webinars, podcasts, and DEI content for AVIXA’s various channels. She also cultivates relationships with valued strategic partners and serves as a host on AVIXA TV, which is the premier video destination for the AV industry, attracting integrators, IT managers, end users, and key decision-makers worldwide. Samantha’s role helps AVIXA realize its strategic goal of serving as the catalyst for growth and the information hub for the pro-AV and IT industry.

Abi brings over two decades of experience in live-streaming, online video content production and commercial innovation across fashion, music, gaming, sport, culture, and broadcast. At M2A Media, Abi leads the development of strategic commercial partnerships, helping drive the company’s global expansion and bringing new value to rights holders, broadcasters, and platform partners navigating the future of live and on-demand video. Previously, as Chief Commercial Officer at JACKSHOOT, she oversaw complex live broadcasts for some of the world’s most iconic institutions and brands, including BAFTA, the Royal Opera House, the BRIT Awards, Harrods, TikTok, Meta, and the Royal Household.

Known for her strategic vision and creative-commercial leadership, Abi has repeatedly delivered breakthrough moments in the evolution of live online broadcast — including consulting on the development of YouTube Live, TikTok’s first professional multi-cam live stream, Instagram’s first UK multi-cam production, and Facebook’s first live stream in HD. Her career is defined by high-pressure delivery, team-building excellence, and her ability to create new revenue models around emerging technology. Her experience with DRM and security of content over the public internet began with the earliest iterations of the technology and continued throughout some tent pole moments for high value video online. 

Abi Hemingway is an active member of Rise Women in Broadcast and was nominated for a RISE Award in 2023.

John Naylor leads Ross Research Labs (RRL), the innovation engine at Ross Video that tackles the “new to us” challenges by rapidly exploring and de-risking emerging technologies, processes, and integrations. Under John’s direction, RRL operates as a hands-on hub for building proof-of-concept demos and conducting field research, paving the way for smoother adoption across product teams.  As VP of Product Security, John also spearheads Ross's initiatives to enhance the security maturity of its products, development practices, and internal training programs—ensuring scalable and sustainable security standards organization-wide.

Frank Padikkala is an award-winning Technology Architect, Evangelist, Keynote Speaker and Social Media Influencer in the AV/IT space. With a background in IT/Cybersecurity, he advocates for the utilization of converged networks and technologies to create seamless user experiences. He places Innovation and Inclusion as his core values.

Frank works at Zoom as a Snr. Technical Sales Architect - Zoom Spaces. He's previously worked at some of the leading tech innovators like Audinate, Panasonic and Diversified. Frank also served as the chair of the AVIXA Diversity Council until 2023. He is passionate about community building and creating opportunities to build Diversity and Equity in the AV industry. He’s won numerous awards for his industry efforts including AVNation’s 2022 AV Professional of the Year, Commercial Integrator’s 2022 Industry 40 under 40 list and Installation Magazine’s 2021 ProAV Influencer Watch List.