There are many good AV vendors in the market, but choosing the right supplier is crucial for the success of your event. Getting the right partner means feeling in safe hands because not only do they know what they are doing, they will also become your technical advisor. Picking the wrong AV partner can result to careless glitches, no proper flow, and more stress. When choosing the right AV supplier for your event, consider these tips:
Do Your Research
Well, that’s pretty obvious. You can’t work with a professional AV company without an online presence, anyone for that matter. Check their works, photos, videos, and most of all, their client feedback. It’s also good to learn the basic terminologies and common AV mistakes to help you assess the credibility of your potential AV partner. Look around and shortlist the ones who participate in the most successful events in town.
Get in Touch
After coming up with your list of AV vendors, it’s time to reach out. But wait, how do you reach out? First, know your goals. What do you want for your event? What kind of services do you plan to acquire? When do you want to hire your AV? When you feel confident about your needs, you can directly ask a quotation. If not, prepare your list of questions and observe how they attend to your inquiry.
Don’t Get Sidetracked by Lower Quotes
If you’re determined to get the right technical team, a good AV company often doesn’t offer the best price (At least from a client’s perspective). Take note that you are not merely renting the equipment, rather, you are hiring a group of experts to run a glitch-free show. When an AV company presents you with a higher quote, don’t just disregard and move on with the other. Try tackling questions and find out their edge.
Pay a Store Visit
One way to ensure that the AV vendor that you’re about to work with is a direct supplier and not subcontracting is to pay an inventory check at their store. The quality of their equipment and the way they keep things in place will give you an idea of how they manage setups and teardowns. It’s also a good way to personally get acquainted with the team.
24/7 Availability
Let’s be honest, working at events is not a 9:5 job. It’s neither a job on your desk and when the day is over, you finish it the next day. Part-time event planners who happen to work a regular job in the day often organize meetings after office hours. As an AV company, dedication at work regardless of the timing is a must. An AV company with a good team will adjust to your schedule and work diligently to reach your goals for your event.
“ The right AV partner is all about authenticity and efficiency at work. If you have a team with good culture — a team that understands you well and vice versa, it is easier to communicate and achieve your goals because you are comfortable with the people whom you’ll be working most of the time — your AV partner. Most of all, having the right amount of knowledge in AV and the ability to learn and trust the experts will set your success above the rest.”