5 Questions Every Experiential Agency Should Ask Their AV Vendor

February 23, 2026

AV technology acts as a bridge between abstract creativity and the physical world. Experiential agencies are masters of branding, style, and emotional connection. The AV companies they work with bring these concepts to life through tangible, immersive experiences.
Putting on spectacular events requires careful planning and a reliable AV team. From stunning screens and projectors to interactive tech, your AV has a huge effect on the success of your event. But not all AV vendors are created equal. You need to ask a few key questions to find the right partner.

Today, we’re discussing the importance of AV in experiential activations and bringing you the top five questions experiential agencies should ask vendors.

The Role of AV in Experiential Events

Experiential events need to be memorable and evoke real emotion to stand out. Engaging the senses is the key to reaching these goals. The right technology can prompt emotional responses and tell a story through visual and auditory cues.

Event production solutions like spatial audio systems, interactive displays, and projection mapping all make the viewer feel like they’re an active part of the story. This plays a critical role in persuading audiences.

Why Choosing the Right AV Vendor is Crucial

Not every AV team can handle experiential events. Some companies rely on standard setups and basic tech support. While this may be perfectly fine for small meetings and events, it’s not what experiential agencies need. 

To create corporate events that inspire guests and motivate action, you need a long-term partnership with a trusted vendor. This allows you to develop a mutually beneficial rapport with a team who understands you, your audience, and your goals.

5 Questions To Ask Your AV Partner for Experiential Events

1. “How Do You Design AV Systems For Emotional Impact?”

Some companies focus exclusively on specs and equipment selection. But the right vendor will also have a keen understanding of experiential marketing principles. They’ll be able to explain exactly how they utilize technology to help you tell an impactful story.

2. “Do You Own Your Own Equipment?”

An AV company like Catalyst who owns and maintains its own equipment can’t pass the buck onto the rental company if something goes wrong. They’re responsible. Not only do you bypass excessive rental fees, but you also get better-quality systems.

It allows you to mix-and-match equipment and alter settings to suit your needs. The equipment is maintained in-house and updated more frequently, ensuring you get access to modern capabilities. It also eliminates any learning curve for support technicians since they already have experience operating the various components.

3. “How Do You Address Unexpected On-Site Issues?”

Event-day technical problems are rare with proper testing, but they can still happen. The mark of a good AV vendor is how they respond.

Ask your vendor what their contingency plan looks like. They should have backup equipment and be able to give you a clear step-by-step troubleshooting process. Ask for a specific example of a time when something went wrong and how they fixed it. This can give you a better understanding of how they actually react in stressful situations.

4. “Have You Managed Experiential Activations in the Past?”

A strong track record is a must for any AV vendor working with experiential agencies. Ask about past activations and focus on specific examples of how they used technology to craft emotional connections. 

You can also ask to see a portfolio of their event designs so you can see past projects and determine if their work is up to your standards.

5. “Who Will Be There on the Day of the Event?”

Less-than-reliable companies sometimes send their best representatives for your first consultation, only for you to be left with a subpar support team on the day of your event. You want to make sure that your on-site technicians are reliable, capable, and genuinely invested in creating immersive experiences. 

You can always request to meet with the support team, event managers, and technicians before you commit to hiring a vendor. Reading reviews from existing clients also helps. 

Get Unmatched Support and Build Your Experiential Partnership With Catalyst

Agencies looking to scale their events and tell real stories need AV providers that know how to leverage technology to hit their goals.

When you work with Catalyst, you don’t just get an AV vendor. You get a long-lasting partner that merges technical expertise with creative vision. Our team of skilled AV professionals approach every event with the focus and tailored services they deserve.

Contact us today with questions and tell us your story. We can’t wait to work with you!

Contact Us Today
February 23, 2026

AV technology acts as a bridge between abstract creativity and the physical world. Experiential agencies are masters of branding, style, and emotional connection. The AV companies they work with bring these concepts to life through tangible, immersive experiences.
Putting on spectacular events requires careful planning and a reliable AV team. From stunning screens and projectors to interactive tech, your AV has a huge effect on the success of your event. But not all AV vendors are created equal. You need to ask a few key questions to find the right partner.

Today, we’re discussing the importance of AV in experiential activations and bringing you the top five questions experiential agencies should ask vendors.

The Role of AV in Experiential Events

Experiential events need to be memorable and evoke real emotion to stand out. Engaging the senses is the key to reaching these goals. The right technology can prompt emotional responses and tell a story through visual and auditory cues.

Event production solutions like spatial audio systems, interactive displays, and projection mapping all make the viewer feel like they’re an active part of the story. This plays a critical role in persuading audiences.

Why Choosing the Right AV Vendor is Crucial

Not every AV team can handle experiential events. Some companies rely on standard setups and basic tech support. While this may be perfectly fine for small meetings and events, it’s not what experiential agencies need. 

To create corporate events that inspire guests and motivate action, you need a long-term partnership with a trusted vendor. This allows you to develop a mutually beneficial rapport with a team who understands you, your audience, and your goals.

5 Questions To Ask Your AV Partner for Experiential Events

1. “How Do You Design AV Systems For Emotional Impact?”

Some companies focus exclusively on specs and equipment selection. But the right vendor will also have a keen understanding of experiential marketing principles. They’ll be able to explain exactly how they utilize technology to help you tell an impactful story.

2. “Do You Own Your Own Equipment?”

An AV company like Catalyst who owns and maintains its own equipment can’t pass the buck onto the rental company if something goes wrong. They’re responsible. Not only do you bypass excessive rental fees, but you also get better-quality systems.

It allows you to mix-and-match equipment and alter settings to suit your needs. The equipment is maintained in-house and updated more frequently, ensuring you get access to modern capabilities. It also eliminates any learning curve for support technicians since they already have experience operating the various components.

3. “How Do You Address Unexpected On-Site Issues?”

Event-day technical problems are rare with proper testing, but they can still happen. The mark of a good AV vendor is how they respond.

Ask your vendor what their contingency plan looks like. They should have backup equipment and be able to give you a clear step-by-step troubleshooting process. Ask for a specific example of a time when something went wrong and how they fixed it. This can give you a better understanding of how they actually react in stressful situations.

4. “Have You Managed Experiential Activations in the Past?”

A strong track record is a must for any AV vendor working with experiential agencies. Ask about past activations and focus on specific examples of how they used technology to craft emotional connections. 

You can also ask to see a portfolio of their event designs so you can see past projects and determine if their work is up to your standards.

5. “Who Will Be There on the Day of the Event?”

Less-than-reliable companies sometimes send their best representatives for your first consultation, only for you to be left with a subpar support team on the day of your event. You want to make sure that your on-site technicians are reliable, capable, and genuinely invested in creating immersive experiences. 

You can always request to meet with the support team, event managers, and technicians before you commit to hiring a vendor. Reading reviews from existing clients also helps. 

Get Unmatched Support and Build Your Experiential Partnership With Catalyst

Agencies looking to scale their events and tell real stories need AV providers that know how to leverage technology to hit their goals.

When you work with Catalyst, you don’t just get an AV vendor. You get a long-lasting partner that merges technical expertise with creative vision. Our team of skilled AV professionals approach every event with the focus and tailored services they deserve.

Contact us today with questions and tell us your story. We can’t wait to work with you!

Contact Us Today

Frequently Asked Questions

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Ensure Your Event Exceeds Expectations With Cutting-Edge AV Production

Are you planning a shareholder meeting, conference, product launch, trade show, or other type of major event? You need to make sure the production value matches the quality of your event’s content. Working with a reliable, proven leader in audio visual event production like Catalyst ensures your event runs smoothly, exceeds the expectations of your audience, and has the impact you want.

Get in touch today to schedule a free consultation, learn more about our services, and tell us about your event.