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As a meeting planner, we’re faced with tough choices every day. From selecting venues to coordinating stakeholder travel, the details are endless.
Selecting an AV provider might be one of the biggest – and toughest – choices to make. The decision to stay in-house or to go with an outside vendor is a constant conundrum. With such fierce competition, it’s important to understand the value.
In today’s blog post, we’re looking at the top benefits of using an in-house AV provider.
Knowledge of the Venue
Knowing you’re getting the most out of your space is imperative. When discussing your audio-visual needs, no one will know the space better than someone who lives and breathes it every day. From infrastructure to technology, chances are likely that your in-house AV team has already executed something similar before and is not only equipped to answer every question, but can help you get creative with event design and bring your exact vision to life.
One Contact
In-house AV teams are strongly connected with the hotel venue team as a whole, meaning your event will be rooted in solid working relationships and good communication. Plus, an added benefit to having your team in-house is that there’s a single point of contact for you to manage.
Imagine having a change to your plans. How much easier would it be just to contact your venue, knowing that they will take care of the rest? When you can limit how many participants you have in the chain, planning your event will be much easier and less stressful.
Fast Room Turnover
One of the biggest advantages to having an AV team in-house is that most of the equipment is already installed: rigging points, projectors, etc. So, what does that mean for us planners? Rooms can be adjusted on the fly with little-to-no setup time, and your meeting (even if it has a strict agenda!) can run smoothly.
For example, for events with a lot of breakout rooms or last-minute room usage, it’s a lot easier for in-house teams to accommodate last-minute changes because they know the space. Outside AV companies have to coordinate separately with the venue.
Sustainable
When you think “in-house AV,” start thinking “sustainability.” You might not realize it, but by choosing an in-house AV vendor, your meeting’s carbon footprint is reduced. Venues that have their own provider are local and invest in energy-efficient technology. That means there’s no shipping, technician travel, per diem costs, and no personally-owned equipment malfunctioning during transport. As planners, we have enough things to worry about; damaged equipment during transportation should not be one of them.
Conclusions
With in-house AV, you’re signing up for a venue-supported, seamlessly aligned experience. Using an in-house supplier is convenient, efficient, and ultimately ensures a smoother, more impactful experience for your attendees as well.
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I organize several conferences monthly, and sideshows, entertainment, and presentations must accompany the speech. This makes easy-to-use and high-quality AV equipment critical. So, I plan to get an in-house AV. Thanks for mentioning sustainability. I’m happy that I can help reduce carbon footprint through in-house AV. But is this solution efficient when it comes to last-minute changes? Regardless of how much I plan, anything may happen.
Candice, this post is a fantastic read and a valuable resource for any meeting planner! I particularly appreciate the emphasis on sustainability, as we must consider our environmental impact in all aspects of event planning. The blend of expertise, seamless communication, and lower stress that comes with an in-house AV team will undoubtedly help create a memorable and impactful experience for attendees.
This blog post is a great reminder of the benefits of using in-house AV for your events! But imagine that a meeting planner once had to deal with a last-minute change in their event’s audio-visual needs. Luckily, they had an in-house AV team who was familiar with the venue and could make the necessary adjustments quickly, saving the planner from a major headache!
It emphasizes the advantages of having dedicated AV teams in-house, such as cost savings, greater control over event production, and improved communication. By investing in AV infrastructure and expertise, organizations can enhance their events and create more impactful experiences for their audiences.
After attending an event last year where the in-house AV team seamlessly handled a last-minute venue shift, Candice’s insights resonate deeply with me. The emphasis on sustainability by choosing in-house also highlights a crucial, often overlooked benefit. As someone who constantly seeks to reduce my carbon footprint, it’s enlightening to see the connection between AV choices and environmental impact.
I can totally relate to the challenges of being a meeting planner, Candice. Your insights into the benefits of using an in-house AV provider are truly valuable. I’ve had my fair share of experiences with AV choices, and having one contact and fast room turnover, as you mentioned, can make a world of difference in ensuring a seamless event. Your perspective on sustainability is also something more planners should consider. Thanks for sharing your expertise on this topic!