Complete lack of concern about employees being burned out. Several good employees have left, but the CEO has stated that everyone is replaceable. I guess when you're making $1 million + like he is, you can afford to be arrogant and turn a blind eye on the little people. Laid off 2 dozen people during the pandemic but guess who still got his big paycheck? And with millions of $$ in reserves it is hard to believe that Avixa couldn't find money to retain long time, smart employees who had a connection with the industry. Current staff (not the senior leadership, who are the 1%) who have worked for the association for years are not making competitive salaries, but we stay because we still care about the AV industry and our members. This was a much better place to work under our old Executive director Randy Lemke, a genuine leader, who was unfortunately replaced by a guy who read some books on leadership and thinks he's a visionary. Maybe we didnt have "core values" as ICIA but people really cared. You can say heart, courage and trust all you want but these are empty words. Courage is discouraged, there's no trust between senior leadership and staff, and heart is a joke. It's sad that we are now overrun by people with their vanity projects that do nothing for the industry or our members but sound good to the board of directors. Many members that I have talked with are frustrated and disappointed with how the association has really gone downhill in the past 5 years because there are no real benefits unless you're a big integrator or manufacturer. Even then, Avixa screwed over exhibitors in the past few years by cancelling or moving tradeshows. Its time for new leadership that will cut the crap and refocus on being a true industry association.
