AVIXA today introduced the AV Industry Pledge for an Equitable Future, a pledge that any individual or company can sign “to advance inclusive behavior across their company and the industry.”

The pledge is part of AVIXA’s “promise to help drive positive change in the pro AV industry,” the association announcement says.

“AVIXA is calling on the entire audiovisual industry to champion further equity and full representation across every aspect of the AV world,” the announcement says.

“The diverse thought and experience of women, LGBTQ+, Black, Latino, Asian, Indigenous and disabled persons as well as veterans expands industry knowledge, workplace success, business performance, and innovation, and represents a better future for the AV community,” according to the AVIXA announcement.

“Together we have an opportunity to create a world in which we embrace individuals from all backgrounds,” said AVIXA CEO David Labuskes in the association announcement. “We recognize there is much work to be done and this commitment is merely the beginning.

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“I am certain that we are laying a cornerstone that can be built upon and change at least a little part of the world for the better. And that is how big changes begin,” he said.

Inside AVIXA AV Pledge for an Equitable Future

The AV Pledge for an Equitable Future is a commitment to:

• Foster Awareness: Positive change starts with understanding and acknowledging the existence of systemic racism, leaning in to tough conversations, and analyzing how we can contribute to creating a better world.
• Take Action: Pledge to set measurable goals, follow through on findings, and commit resources toward the goal.
• Be Accountable: Share your progress with AVIXA and industry peers – the challenges and successes so everyone can learn.

Individuals who sign the pledge are asked to consider joining AVIXA’s Diversity Council and participate in future council events, take part in diversity and inclusion surveys, as well as participate in future Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) events.

AVIXA has compiled a list of resources to “help AV professionals on this journey, including an inclusive language style guide which can help avoid biases perpetuated by words and phrases that can reinforce stereotypes and create false power dynamics; as well as a 30-minute unconscious bias training video created in partnership with NonProfit HR,” according to the association announcement.

The AVIXA Diversity Council is also launching an anonymous DEI survey, asking for demographics information such as gender identity, race/ethnicity and sexual orientation and delving into the availability of resources and programs provided by AV employers.

The survey was developed by Diversity Council members and, when combined with the results of AVIXA’s annual member survey, it “will help establish a benchmark for the AV industry to measure future progress,” the association announcement says.

“Participation in this pledge will enable data-driven insights and scalable solutions, challenge our thinking, and enhance processes and practices that will ultimately reduce bias, diversify talent pools, and cultivate innovation,” said AVIXA Diversity Council Chairwoman Charmaine Torruella, who is also global managed services account manager at Verrex.