On Collaboration 2026: Vanco International

AVT Question: Please share insights into the trends and solutions shaping the modern workplace and collaboration spaces.

Thought Leader: Mark Corbin, President at Vanco International

Many people hear the term “workplace” and automatically think “office,” but that’s a narrow point of view. Around half of American workers are frontline employees, meaning that instead of sitting at a desk, they perform in-person, customer-facing, or operational work. These tasks cannot be offshored or replaced by AI. Solutions designed to both support the needs and acknowledge the realities of frontline work will deliver ROI for years to come.

Frontline work is often very fast-paced—across verticals ranging from retail and hospitality to education and healthcare. No one has time to navigate complex menus or preconfigure a room prior to a meeting or event; simplicity, reliability, and user friendliness are paramount.

That’s doubly true given that frontline workers experience far higher turnover rates than white-collar employees. You can’t assume a stable user base; AV systems must be totally self-explanatory. That starts with clear system labeling, uniform control interfaces, and standardized rack designs that reduce troubleshooting complexity, but also includes smart audio presets, remote monitoring, and user-friendly tools that don’t require retraining every time the team changes.

In 2026, I expect to see more workplace AV designed to prioritize the needs of frontline workers. These systems will be consistent, reliable, and simple enough for seamless adoption. By delivering digital signage, video distribution, and audio systems that frontline workers can understand and operate on day one, you can help businesses succeed at exactly the point where they interface with their own customers.