01/24/2026
Hey friends, clients, and fellow techs —
I’ve had a handful of people reach out asking what’s been going on with AV-ator and why things have been quieter over the past year, so I wanted to share a quick update:
As many of you know, I launched AV-ator in 2022 in response to what many of us experienced as the “competency crisis” — with the goal of setting a higher, more reliable standard by booking directly with clients and working with technicians I trust. What started as just me eventually grew into a roster of 100+ technicians, supporting large-scale corporate and live events in Denver and beyond.
In 2024, through a combination of good timing, friend & family support, and a whole lot of luck, I was able to step into the opportunity to buy back my childhood home in Southern Oregon. The intent from the start wasn’t personal gain, but to responsibly develop it into a shared-use space — Crazy 8 Ranch — for events, training, and creative work that could support the same mission AV-ator was built on.
Since then, I’ve been deeply involved in the install of a new state-of-the-art system at the historic Ross Ragland Theater Education & Outreach, working closely with their team and developing training curriculum. I’ve also partnered with On The Verge and SCORI Hub, Klamath & Lake Counties in Klamath Falls, where AV-ator Studios is taking shape as a dedicated studio and consulting space.
That same period also came with a significant ankle injury, which forced a much-needed pause and refocus at a time when the company may have been growing faster than it should have — a bit of a blessing in disguise — and I’m fully back on my feet now.
Behind the scenes, I’ve been rebuilding the foundation: working on a new set of websites and clearer brand lanes — AV-ator for event labor, AV-8R as the in-house AV arm for Crazy 8 Ranch, and AV-ator Studios for studio, creative, and consulting work. A big part of that effort is making sure the new website structure supports continued client acquisition and growth. With the intent of maintaining a strong Mountain region presence while building out a West Coast division and branching out nationally over time.
The long-term goal is to bring all of this together: a venue I own, an AV company rooted in real-world experience, and hands-on training — including an annual AV boot camp / retreat — to establish verifiable standards for technicians, not just résumés and word-of-mouth.
None of this exists in a vacuum. AV-ator was built alongside incredible clients and production partners in Denver and beyond — including Productav, Image Audiovisuals, GigRent, Encompass Event Group, Encore Global, Spectrum AV, AVFX, Pro Tech Event Solutions, Sigma Worx, BT Sound, Bickenhill Productions, Speer AV, and many others. Those relationships are still core to what we are building.
AV-ator isn’t gone — it’s been growing quietly behind the scenes. I appreciate everyone’s patience, and I’m excited about what’s coming next!
-Josh
