It was not long ago that emerging technologies viewed each other as nemeses, wary of developments that could cut into their fragile revenue streams. As the successful technologies grew, they began to see convergence as a benefit, and a way to reach ever more people: crucial in public facing engagement technology like kiosks and digital signage. Last year, KioskCom and the Digital Signage Association became the Digital Screenmedia Association. The importance of putting it all under one umbrella meant better connections and educational opportunities.

Led for the past two years by Stuart Armstrong, President of North America for software delivery provider Enqii, the DSA has grown to also include many of the major end users of the technology, giving them access to help and best practices. Fittingly, a new president was selected by the board to lead the DSA further into this decade who brings a strong personal history of marketing and technology to the executive office.

Brian Ardinger, Chief Marketing Officer at Nanonation, a big player in this space for over a decade, exudes enthusiasm when asked about his new role. On the top of the DSA’s mind: the very convergence that made up what it is today.

David Drain, the executive director of the DSA, told us in a video interview that they have brought in three Executive Vice Presidents, one for digital signage, one for kiosks, and one for mobile. The significance cannot be understated, those who integrate different technologies the best stand to gain the most.

The choice of Ardinger for President makes a lot of sense, for the job of the association is to act as a collective voice, inward and out, the exact task of a marketing director. Ardinger laid out his focus in a video interview with us: engage the member companies about the ways that technology is changing.

The DSA has certainly been up to the challenge of keeping apace of changing technology in the past as they hope to continue their success and the success of the digital out of home industry at large.