Conference Technologies

What Conference Technologies does

Conference Technologies (CTI), founded in 1988 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is the largest privately held audiovisual integration and live event production provider in the United States, operating from 47 US office locations plus a UK office and serving customers worldwide through the PSNI Global Alliance. The company employs 501-1000 people and remains independent under founder/CEO John Laughlin. CTI operates across three interlocking service lines: (1) AV system integration, encompassing design, engineering, installation, and programming of audio-visual systems for corporate, education, healthcare, government, justice, house of worship, broadcast, manufacturing, mission critical, retail, sports and entertainment markets; (2) live event production, including webcasting, trade shows, staging and lighting, virtual events, live streaming, and projection mapping; and (3) managed AV services, anchored by the CTI Complete support package and CTI Scout remote monitoring offering.

Technically, CTI builds on a commercial AV integration stack comprising Crestron control systems, Crestron DM NVX AV-over-IP, Q-SYS audio processing, Extron and AMX control programming, Crestron Flex video conferencing, and complementary display, audio, and conferencing technologies from partners including LG, Cisco (Webex), Microsoft (Teams Rooms), Barco, Sony, Yealink, Logitech, Shure, Avocor, Biamp, VuWall, and Legrand. CTI differentiates through certified programmer depth (Crestron Masters, Q-SYS certified, Biamp Tesira, Barco Gold+) plus a U.S. Department of Labor-registered 2-year AV technician apprenticeship and an internal CTI-University training portal. The company maintains specialized Justice and Mission Critical Divisions and operates AVNation, an industry media property.

CTI's business model is primarily enterprise field sales with project-based, custom-quoted engagements supplemented by recurring managed-services contracts. Revenue streams span one-time AV integration projects, one-time live event production, recurring managed services (CTI Complete, CTI Scout), and event equipment rentals. Go-to-market relies on direct sales coverage from 47 US offices plus the PSNI Global Alliance for global reach. The company has executed an aggressive roll-up strategy, completing or announcing at least eight acquisitions between 2021 and 2026 (including AVNation Media, AVSIGroup, Delta AV, MP Productions, LightWerks, Candeo Vision, Streamline Solutions, Nomad AV Systems, Valley Communications Systems, and Texolve Digital), driving both geographic and capability expansion. Named customers include PayPal, FedEx, Garmin, Red Bull, Bayer, Vanderbilt, First National Bank of Omaha, University of Michigan, Iowa State University, Wisconsin Center District, Subaru Park, and the George and Barbara Bush Foundation.

Name

Conference Technologies

Legal name

Conference Technologies

Website

https://cti.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Conference Technologies (CTI) is the largest privately held audiovisual integration and live event production provider in the US, designing, installing, and supporting AV systems and live events for corporations, universities, government agencies, courts, and entertainment venues across 47 US office locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audio Visual Integration Services

NAICS

Indoor and Outdoor Display Advertising (541850), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Computer Peripheral Equipment, Nec (3577)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid Event AV & In-Room Integration (Room Kits, Switching, Capture, Projection) (THAHAOAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Virtual Events (All-Hands, Town Halls, Product Launches) (MPAGAOAI), Virtual Event Platforms & Production Services (Streaming, Engagement, Moderation) (MPAGAOAO), Simultaneous Interpretation, Translation & Conference Audio (Interpretation Booths, Infrared) (THAHAEAJ), Virtual Trade Shows & Expos (Digital Booths, Lead Capture) (MPAGAOAB), Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management (THAHACAM)

Keywords

• Audio visual integration
• Live event production
• Managed AV services
• Control room solutions
• Classroom AV systems

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. AV System Integration: Design, engineering, installation, and integration of custom audio visual systems for corporate, education, government, healthcare, house of worship, sports, and broadcast markets. One-time project-based revenue with service contracts available for ongoing maintenance.
2. Live Event Production: Professional live event production services including AV rental equipment, sound reinforcement, staging and lighting, webcasting, trade shows, video mapping, and virtual events. Project-based revenue for events ranging from small meetings to stadium concerts.
3. Managed AV Services: Ongoing AV managed services including remote monitoring, preventative maintenance, on-site support, and service agreements. Recurring revenue through service contracts (CTI Complete program).
4. AV Equipment Rental: Rental of AV equipment for events including live streaming systems, audio/video production equipment, show staging, and complete event production rental packages.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Conference Technologies (CTI) is the largest privately held AV integration and events provider in the United States. The company designs, engineers, installs, and supports commercial audio visual systems for corporate, education, government, healthcare, justice, sports, and live event markets, and produces live events including webcasting, trade shows, staging and lighting, virtual events, live streaming, and projection mapping. It also offers ongoing managed AV services including remote monitoring, preventative maintenance, and the CTI Complete service package for installed systems.

Product overview

Conference Technologies (CTI) is the largest privately held AV integration and events provider in the United States, offering a comprehensive portfolio of audio visual solutions and live event production services. The company's product ecosystem spans three core areas: (1) AV System Integration including design, engineering, installation and integration of audio visual systems; (2) Live Event Production covering webcasting, trade shows, staging and lighting, virtual events, live streaming, and video mapping; and (3) Managed Services including AV managed services, remote monitoring, preventative maintenance, and the CTI Complete service package. CTI serves diverse markets including corporate, education (K-12 and higher education), financial services, government, healthcare, house of worship, justice/courtrooms, live events, manufacturing, mission critical workspaces, public sector, retail, and sports and entertainment. The company operates from 47 US locations plus the UK, serving customers worldwide through the PSNI Global Alliance, and has built its portfolio through numerous acquisitions including MP Productions, Streamline Solutions, Nomad AV Systems, Delta AV, LightWerks, Candeo Vision, and others. Key products include video walls and digital signage solutions, control systems and programming (Q-SYS, Crestron, Extron, AMX), virtual communication and webcasting platforms, and specialized justice AV systems for courtrooms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CTI Connect: Unified communications and collaboration solution platform.
• CTI Complete
• CTI-U
• Closer College
• CTI ACED

Products and services

• AV System Integration End-to-end design, engineering, installation, and integration of custom audio visual systems for corporate, education, government, healthcare, house of worship, sports, and broadcast markets, delivered as project-based engagements.
• Live Event Production Professional live event production services including AV rental equipment, sound reinforcement, staging and lighting, webcasting, trade shows, video mapping, and virtual events for organizations ranging from small meetings to stadium concerts.
• AV Managed Services Recurring managed AV services including remote system monitoring, preventative maintenance, on-site technical support, and service agreements for installed audio visual systems across all markets and applications.
• CTI Complete Comprehensive managed services package providing 24/7 support through the CTI Care customer experience team, including on-site technical service, programming upgrades, quarterly reliability checks, proactive system testing, and system lifecycle planning for installed AV systems.
• Control Room Solutions Command and control center AV technology for mission-critical environments including energy and utilities, transportation, security operation centers, process control, situation rooms, and patient command centers, with over 20 years of dedicated experience.
• Higher Education Technology AV and education technology solutions for colleges and universities, including tri-modal classrooms, interactive whiteboards, projectors, LED displays, digital signage, sound masking, room acoustics, and help desk systems with PASS certification.
• K-12 Education Technology K-12 education AV technology including AV/IP intercom, classroom control systems, and PASS-certified full-scope system design for secure and engaging learning environments in K-12 school districts.
• Justice/Courtroom AV Secure AV solutions for courtrooms, correctional facilities, and law enforcement agencies featuring evidence presentation technology, virtual courtroom capabilities, remote collaboration, and mobile AV systems, with over 3,500 installations completed across 42 states.
• Virtual Communication and Webcasting Webcasting, webinars, and video conferencing solutions providing one-way and two-way communication capabilities including streaming, on-demand viewing, polling, Q&A, screen sharing, and unified delivery platforms for groups from 2 to 500 participants.
• Staging and Lighting Professional staging and lighting design services including LED technology, moving lights, light changers, spotlights, podium enhancements, and CAD drawings for events ranging from conference rooms to stadiums.
• Trade Show AV Trade show and exhibit AV solutions including press events, product launches, galas, fashion shows, concerts, booth technology, and exhibit displays supported by venue partnerships and local coverage.
• Projection Mapping Video/projection mapping services using specialized software and powerful video projectors to map video onto 3D surfaces including buildings, museums, churches, event spaces, and interactive rooms.
• Security and Access Control Security and access control solutions including video cameras, system software and panels, credentials and readers, and mass communication systems with emergency alerting capabilities for schools, campuses, and similar environments.
• Control Systems Programming and Integration AV control system programming and configuration across Q-SYS, Crestron, Extron, and AMX platforms, including touch panel user interface design, scheduling system setup, and room automation for lighting, shade control, input switching, and display systems.
• Video Wall and Digital Signage Solutions Video wall panels and monitors including LED, LCD, and 4K displays, with content development, content management, and network management services for corporate, retail, healthcare, and hospitality environments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,500 Justice/courtroom installations completed across 42 states
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments12 records

Ideal customer profiles9 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• LGcoreTechnology or IntegrationLG is listed as a featured manufacturing partner of CTI, providing commercial display solutions including Cisco Certified Displays for seamless video conferencing integration.
• CrestroncoreTechnology or IntegrationCrestron is a featured manufacturing partner providing control systems, DM NVX AV-over-IP, AirMedia wireless presentation, Crestron Flex video conferencing, and XiO Cloud management platform. CTI is a certified Crestron integrator and Crestron Certified Masters Programmer.
• LegrandcoreTechnology or IntegrationLegrand AV is listed as a featured manufacturing partner providing AV infrastructure solutions.
• ShurecoreTechnology or IntegrationShure is listed as a featured manufacturing partner providing professional audio equipment including microphones and wireless systems.
• AvocorcoreTechnology or IntegrationAvocor is listed as a featured manufacturing partner providing interactive display and collaboration solutions.
• CiscocoreTechnology or IntegrationCisco is listed as a featured partner providing Webex video conferencing and collaboration solutions. CTI integrates Cisco Webex Rooms, and LG Cisco Certified Displays are used in deployments. CTI is a Cisco Premier Partner.
• Q-SYScoreTechnology or IntegrationQ-SYS is listed as a featured partner providing audio processing and control platform. CTI has certified Q-SYS programmers and integrates Q-SYS solutions across markets.
• BarcocoreTechnology or IntegrationBarco is listed as a featured partner providing projection and display solutions. CTI is a Barco Gold(+) OX Certified Partner.
• SonycoreTechnology or IntegrationSony is listed as a featured manufacturing partner providing professional display and imaging solutions.
• YealinkcoreTechnology or IntegrationYealink is listed as a featured partner providing video conferencing endpoints and collaboration devices.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft is listed as a featured partner with CTI providing Microsoft Teams Room solutions and integration services.
• LogitechcoreTechnology or IntegrationLogitech is listed as a featured partner providing video conferencing cameras and peripherals for AV installations.
• VuWallcoreTechnology or IntegrationCTI is a VuWall Gold Partner for control room video wall management solutions.
• BiampcoreTechnology or IntegrationCTI has Biamp Tesira Certified programmers for audio DSP solutions in control rooms and AV installations.
• PSNI Global AlliancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCTI is a member of PSNI Global Alliance, a global network of AV integrators enabling worldwide project coverage and collaborative service delivery across international markets.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ford Audio-Video: U.S. commercial AV integrator providing design, installation, and service for corporate, education, government, and house-of-worship markets — overlapping heavily with CTI's vertical mix and project-based delivery model.
• HB Communications: Northeast-based commercial AV integrator serving corporate, education, and healthcare clients with design, integration, and managed services — directly comparable regional competitor to CTI's eastern U.S. offices.
• Solutionz: U.S. commercial AV integrator with a network of regional offices offering design, integration, and managed services to corporate, education, and government customers — directly comparable to CTI's local-office-plus-national-coverage model.
• Whitlock: National AV integrator providing design, integration, managed services, and live event production across enterprise, government, and education — a direct peer to CTI in both project integration and recurring managed services.
• Kinly: Global AV and unified communications integrator with significant U.S. and European presence, offering design, integration, and managed services — overlapping with CTI's corporate and government work and competing via PSNI-adjacent global reach.
• AVI Systems: One of the largest U.S. commercial AV integrators, offering design, integration, and managed services across corporate, education, government, and broadcast — overlapping almost entirely with CTI's portfolio and similar in scale.
• Diversified: National AV integrator with strong live event production, broadcast, and managed services practices serving Fortune 500, sports, and public-sector clients — a direct head-to-head competitor for enterprise RFPs alongside CTI.
• Verrex: Corporate-focused AV integrator with offices across the U.S. delivering design, integration, and managed services for enterprise boardrooms and collaboration spaces — comparable in customer profile and recurring managed services to CTI.

Broad incumbents

• Crestron Electronics: Major manufacturer of AV control, video conferencing, and AV-over-IP hardware that CTI integrates; relevant as an upstream incumbent whose direct enterprise sales and Crestron Masters program shape CTI's competitive and partnership economics.

Others

• PSNI Global Alliance: Global network of AV integrators of which CTI is a member; competing member firms (e.g., internationally based PSNI partners) compete with CTI on multi-country enterprise rollouts and bid for the same global managed services contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CTIAV

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A9 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Conference Technologies