AVIXA has appointed an events industry specialist as its new CEO, turning to an executive with more than 25 years’ experience in B2B technology events to lead the global professional AV trade association.
Marco Pardi, who will succeed David Labuskes on 1 January 2027, joins from Informa, where he oversaw a global portfolio of technology events, digital services, and training. His career
has centred on the events and information services sector, with no previous professional AV industry role identified in the association's announcement.
For an organisation that produces InfoComm and co-owns ISE, the
commercial value of that experience is clear. AVIXA board chair Tobias Lang highlighted Pardi's track record of revenue growth, alongside his experience in technology-driven industries and ability to operate internationally.
Lang also emphasised the incoming CEO's commitment to representing the AV industry and advocating for its wider value.
AVIXA's decision to appoint a leader whose career has been built in
the events business marks a departure from the background of his predecessor, who came to the association with experience in AV and technology design. It remains to be seen how Pardi
will balance the association's commercial activities with its wider responsibilities to the industry it represents.
The appointment follows a 12-month search process, where senior AVIXA volunteers evaluated applications from more
than 100 global candidates. Pardi takes the reigns from previous CEO, David Labuskes, who will retire on 31 December 2026.
Pardi commented: “It is an honour to be leading AVIXA.
Very few non-profit organisations in the tech space have the brand reputation, global reach, and programmatic diversity of this Association. As the professional AV industry has broadened in scope, appeal, and
value, AVIXA has kept pace with these developments, fully embracing the convergence with IT and related disciplines without compromising the passion and commitment which sit at the core of its identity.”