Interview with Fabrizio Rossi, the First CTS and “DOUBLE CERTIFIED” CTS-D and CTS-I in Italy

Fabrizio Rossi is the CEO of tt group and, between September and December 2023, achieved all three CTS certifications: CTS, CTS-D, and CTS-I. We interviewed Fabrizio to learn more about his experience in the world of AVIXA certifications.

Why did you decide to take the CTS exam? What motivated you to pursue the CTS-D and CTS-I certifications as well?

I’ve known the AVIXA world for many years and, throughout my professional experience, I’ve met many colleagues especially in the UK and Germany who already held CTS certification. However, I had never seriously considered getting certified myself. In recent years, my company, tt group, has started working in international markets where the CTS certification is often required in tenders, and that gave me the motivation to begin this certification journey.

While studying for the exam and through subsequent work experiences, I came to appreciate the great value of having well-defined deliverables to share with stakeholders, as well as the benefit of having a shared knowledge base for coordinating the many professionals involved in the AV world. It’s also extremely helpful to adopt a working methodology that is interoperable with all other disciplines we collaborate with architects, designers, general contractors, civil and electrical works companies, network administrators, and integrated security managers.

Once I understood the advantages of AVIXA’s structured approach to the AV world, it was a natural step to further strengthen my skills through the CTS-D certification for Design and the CTS-I certification for Installation. It added method and value to my professional profile, to my collaboration with colleagues and partners, and ultimately, it improved my company and the quality of our daily work.

How do you think the CTS, CTS-D, and CTS-I certifications will help you in your professional growth?

In Italy, AV installations are too often left to improvisation lacking in both preliminary design and planning, as well as in systematization and measurable results. Despite this unsystematic approach, great results are sometimes achieved thanks to the skills and “good will” that certainly abound in our country.

tt group has always had its core business in Command and Control Room solutions, where the value of structured and well-designed systems has long been recognized. However, today, the entire landscape of professional AV applications from corporate environments to digital signage, retail, and broadcast faces increasingly multidisciplinary and complex challenges. This demands a more orchestrated approach, where every actor follows the conductor rather than acting as a soloist.

In this rapidly evolving context, the CTS-D and CTS-I certifications represent essential benchmarks for any professional who wants to enter the market with objective credentials that serve as a guarantee for both public and private clients commissioning complex AV systems.

What advice would you give to those preparing for these exams?

There are many ways to approach these exams. Having solid professional field experience is extremely valuable and helps greatly when answering the test questions. However, experience alone no matter how extensive is not enough. It’s essential to understand the basic elements of delivering an AV solution, from design to maintenance.

Another important aspect, especially for those not fully fluent in English, is to study some technical terminology in English. Fortunately, there are many learning resources available from the documentation provided online by AVIXA, to web pages, video courses, webinars, and books.

Is there any specific experience related to the CTS, CTS-D, CTS-I, or AVIXA in general that you’d like to share?

Just a few days ago, during the ISE trade fair in Barcelona, I found myself in an interesting situation. During a conference I was attending, I became involved in a small “technical dispute” about how to measure the contrast ratio of a LED wall under specific room conditions. The observations shared by the international panel were all technically valid and insightful, but they each focused on partial aspects, overlooking key elements.

When I was asked for my opinion, I simply presented some considerations I had studied during the CTS-D course. Initially, I didn’t mention my source, and my comments were well received, but the debate continued. Once I had the chance to conclude my explanation, I mentioned that my arguments were drawn from the international standard ANSI/AVIXA V201.01:2021 ISCR (Image System Contrast Ratio), which I had studied in depth during my CTS-I and especially CTS-D certifications. At that point, the discussion immediately ended with unanimous agreement on the standard’s position.

It was clear that the strength of my reasoning alone wasn’t enough what ultimately convinced everyone was referencing the authority of the standard and my certification, which qualified me to interpret it. That experience made me appreciate the true value of CTS certifications even more.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank for supporting you during this journey?
I’d like to thank my colleagues at tt group they are all extraordinary professionals who teach me every day how to turn challenges into opportunities to learn and grow together. They supported and encouraged me throughout this journey and took on extra work during my long study sessions. In the coming months, it will be their turn to take on this challenge… good luck to them all!