Poor AV performance at a critical event can bring in devastating outcome upon your reputation. The venue and lightning all become meaningless if the audience cannot hear or view things.
Considering how essential it is for any event, be a soiree or a major celebration, it is natural that you’d start searching for a reliable equipment supplier right away. And you will be overwhelmed with the long list of companies that pop-up on the search engine. That’s because it’s pretty easy these days to establish yourself on the digital platforms. Design an exciting website with quirky event photos, and there you go!
All of this could be quite deceptive. It’s hard to filter out the relevant ones from those who are inexperienced or fraudulent. Here are a few points that will help you pick a top-rated AV Company for your next big event:
Set Vision for Your Event
It’s wise to put things in perspective at your end before hiring assistance. You must have a vivid idea of the tone and aesthetic feel you aim to integrate into your event.
Ideally, you should hire AV experts before signing the venue contract. A right AV agency will help you understand if the venue in question will work for your needs. Not only that but they also play around with the tech, trying to bring a creative solution to the table. You should give it a shot if you think it fits your event needs and it will enhance the feel of it. Begin by determining the AV equipment you need.
Relevant Experience
Despite all the tech advancements, the AV industry comprises mainly of the older lot. As per 2018 survey, only 9 percent of the people in this field are under 34 years.
Even though it means a better experience, but there is a high chance that this sector lacks flexibility. And the old AV gear they use is unlikely to work for the significant event that you are planning. Therefore it’s wise to look for a corporation that provides high-spec material. Make sure they have a proven track record. This comes about by handling diverse projects of varying scales.
Use Grapevine
Dig into the company details. Before going any further, you must make sure that the company is legit. An authentic one will happily direct you to the glowing testimonials they have received from their previous clients.
Ask them to provide comments and photos from the recent event. Apart from the client, check how the attendees rate that event. As per Eventforte 2015, 86% of the clients believe that attendee satisfaction is their best gauge on event success.
If the company has repeat business, it is evident that they are doing something right. Nonetheless, that should not stop you from asking around. Get reviews and recommendations to know if they will be able to cater to your requirements.
Examine the Equipment
Since the equipment for every event differs from another. Probably, the company you are considering doesn’t deal with the supplies you need. So they will be renting it from external entities, which will raise the overall expenditure. Additionally, there is a chance that they might get stuck during operation of the equipment.
There are so many audio visual renting companies out there so the selection is a bit overwhelming. We also recommend that you should find out the kind of equipment a rental company is using. Scrutinize its rating, technical strength, and digital details. The study by Endless Events 2018 reveals that 86% of the event marketers firmly believe that technology shares a direct relationship with the success of their events.
Align your Budget
Work out with the technical producer to find the budget. Do not keep it a secret. Instead, talk openly about your financial limitations. A company with a solid reputation will provide you all the possible options that you can go for. Honest ones in the field would know how to enhance your event digitally and still keep it under control.
As mentioned earlier, there are multiple categories of AV suppliers in the field. You must start with those that fall under a reasonable budget. Going for the expensive ones is not a wise move, to begin with. Ask your selected provider if they have dealt with similar events in the same budget scale. This will give you peace of mind, and you can proceed with confidence.
Final Thoughts
At times, you have to go with your gut feeling. Perhaps the company you are considering has a strong reputation, but you have this instinct that something is not right. In such a scenario, have a face-to-face meeting with them. Get a feel for the company. Do they have the skills to implement your concept? Can they deliver what you imagine for your event?
If all scales are in their favor, get it going. Otherwise, start looking for another one.
With all these tips in hand, we are sure your next big event will turn out to be a rock!