Cyber and AV Come Together with Pearl Technology Showcase

In today’s enterprise landscape, the lines between cyber and AV technology are blurring. From video collaboration platforms to digital signage networks, AV systems are increasingly IP-based and increasingly targeted. That’s why events like the Central Illinois Cyber & AV Technology Showcase matter. Hosted by Pearl Technology, this year’s showcase will bring together IT and AV professionals from across the region to preview emerging innovations, explore hands-on solutions, and connect with peers facing the same challenges.

The 2025 showcase marks a unique opportunity for corporate IT and security leaders in Central Illinois: a chance to see firsthand how AV and cybersecurity intersect, without leaving their backyard.

Why Cyber and AV Come Together

For corporate security teams, AV used to be a separate world of projectors, sound systems, and conference room control. Today, every one of those devices runs on the network. That means new vulnerabilities, new monitoring requirements, and new expectations for interoperability with enterprise IT standards.

At the Showcase, attendees will find vendors and experts addressing exactly those intersections. From penetration testing for AV endpoints to AI-driven monitoring tools, the event will highlight practical ways to strengthen an organization’s overall security posture while embracing new AV capabilities.

Innovation on Display

The Showcase is more than an exhibit hall it’s designed as a working lab for Central Illinois professionals. Attendees can expect live demonstrations of unified communications platforms, secure remote collaboration systems, digital asset management tools, and automation technologies that promise to streamline workflows without sacrificing compliance.

Hands-on interaction is central to the experience. Rather than hearing about solutions in abstract terms, corporate IT and security leaders will be able to see them in action, ask vendors direct questions, and evaluate how they might apply to their own organizations.

Regional Impact & Networking

While major technology conferences often take place in Chicago, Las Vegas, or overseas, Pearl’s Showcase provides a unique advantage to the Central Illinois community: access. Decision-makers don’t have to travel far to meet national vendors, test new products, and connect with fellow professionals.

“The Pearl Technology Showcase is on its fifth year and we are combining it with Central Illinois Cyber. This year, we’re bringing together the brightest minds in AV and cybersecurity to explore hands-on solutions, tackle real-world challenges, and spark meaningful connections all in an environment designed to inspire and empower,” said Jeremy Caldera of Pearl Technology.

The event also serves as a networking hub. IT and security leaders from healthcare, higher education, corporate, and government organizations will be able to trade insights, compare strategies, and build relationships that extend beyond the day of the showcase.

What to Expect This Year

This year’s program includes keynote sessions, breakout panels, and an expanded exhibitor floor. Highlights include sessions on risk management, demonstrations of next-generation collaboration platforms, and discussions on how AI is reshaping both cybersecurity defense and AV automation.

For corporate IT and security professionals, the Showcase is designed to deliver value on two fronts: exposure to the latest tools and a chance to forge connections with peers and experts who understand the unique pressures of the Midwest market.

What’s ahead for Cyber and AV

Now entering its fifth year, the Central Illinois Cyber & AV Technology Showcase has grown into a regional anchor for professionals balancing innovation and protection. For IT and AV leaders alike, it’s a chance to step away from day-to-day fire drills and consider what’s next with an eye toward both opportunity and security.

Registration is open now, and if last year’s attendance is any indication, spots will go quickly. For those looking to stay ahead of the curve in both AV and cybersecurity, Pearl’s showcase offers an essential stop on the fall calendar.