Your audio-visual (AV) partner plays a crucial role in the success of your event. Whether you’re hosting a fundraiser, organizing a trade show, or planning a major sales meeting, you need an AV company that knows what they’re doing and gets results.
Planning a corporate event is complicated. The last thing you need is to waste your precious time worrying about whether or not your sound system or visual displays will work properly on the big day. You need to make sure your provider offers the corporate AV services you need and can demonstrate a proven track record.
AV event companies are not all created equal. You should always do your due diligence and get all your concerns addressed before you sign a contract. We’re breaking down the 8 questions you should ask when choosing the right AV company for your corporate event.
You need to understand the scope of services provided by your AV partner and make sure there are no gaps between your needs and their offerings. There’s a big difference between a full-service AV company like Catalyst and a smaller, more targeted provider.
Some AV companies basically operate as equipment rental providers. They can advise you on the tech you need, but they don’t offer managed event support and production services. Other companies offer full-service support, handling each and every technical aspect of your event, from equipment selection and installation to stage design, live broadcasting, and managed AV services.
You also need to get a sense for how much you can customize equipment setups and services. If you have specific requirements, like the need for outdoor AV setups or accessibility accommodations, you need to make sure your provider can handle those.
Experience is one of the most important qualities to look for when choosing an AV company, especially for complex or large-scale events. Ask for case studies, testimonials, or references so you can hear directly from past clients. This helps you determine if the company is well-equipped to handle your needs.
Different event formats require unique technical approaches, and you need to know your provider is up to the task. For example, if you’re planning to live-stream the event, make sure your company has experience producing hybrid and virtual events. Evaluating past work is often the most informative part of the process.
You should ask your AV company what services they provide during the planning stage and after curtain call. Some of these services are essential, such as equipment setup and teardown, while others may be optional.
Examples of pre- and post-event services include the following:
Pre-production AV services:
Post-production AV services:
Some companies only offer installation and equipment rentals, but a true AV management company will also provide real-time support during the event itself. Even the most straightforward AV systems need to be monitored and controlled by someone with specialized knowledge and training.
You should confirm that your provider will have a team of technicians assigned to test, manage, and troubleshoot setups to ensure everything goes smoothly. Having a team of experts to handle the AV at your event can take that stress off of your shoulders so you can focus on your tasks without distractions.
When you’re planning a major corporate event, you’re juggling a lot of distinct, yet interconnected elements. Sticking to your budget is paramount. You should always ask your AV provider how they price their services.
Examples of event AV pricing structures include:
Make sure you understand any and all potential hidden fees. You should also ask about your AV provider’s refund and cancellation policies and how unexpected last-minute changes might affect pricing.
Expecting the unexpected is essential when managing corporate events. From equipment malfunctions to last-minute scheduling changes, you need to know that your AV partner has a system in place to quickly and efficiently solve problems as they arise.
It’s a good idea to inquire about your AV company’s approach to handling unforeseen challenges. Ask them to recount a past event where something went wrong and describe how they responded. If they don’t have the ability to adapt to sudden changes and issues, then it’s best to choose a different company.
Not all AV companies own their own equipment, but it’s usually a good idea to work with one that does. Some companies work with third-party providers and don’t do their own maintenance and storage. This means they’ll have less insight and control when it comes to the age, condition, and functionality of the equipment they’re using for your event.
There’s also a financial consideration—if the AV company doesn’t own their gear, you’re likely paying for them to rent it and then mark it up. That added cost is passed along to you, often without any added value.
You should also ask about equipment transportation. If your company uses and stores their own gear, where do they store it? When and how will it be transported to your venue, and how will they make sure it gets there safely and securely? These are all important questions to ask because you need to know your equipment is reliable and will arrive in good condition.
Before you sign a contract, it’s crucial to ask direct questions. But it’s also a good idea to ask one or two open-ended questions.
A question like this gives the company the chance to make their final pitch. They’ll explain why you should work with them over other providers, and you may end up learning about AV services, challenges, and opportunities you hadn’t even considered.
You need AV services that not only meet your needs, but expand your reach and elevate your message. From immersive sound and stunning visual displays to reliable online streaming and virtual networking tools, technology can help you tell your story and dazzle your audience.
As a full-service AV management company, Catalyst is 100% dedicated to delivering high-caliber, cutting-edge solutions for corporate events across diverse industries. Our scalable offerings are tailored to each individual client and their needs.
Reach out to schedule a consultation, get your questions answered, and tell us about your event.
Your audio-visual (AV) partner plays a crucial role in the success of your event. Whether you’re hosting a fundraiser, organizing a trade show, or planning a major sales meeting, you need an AV company that knows what they’re doing and gets results.
Planning a corporate event is complicated. The last thing you need is to waste your precious time worrying about whether or not your sound system or visual displays will work properly on the big day. You need to make sure your provider offers the corporate AV services you need and can demonstrate a proven track record.
AV event companies are not all created equal. You should always do your due diligence and get all your concerns addressed before you sign a contract. We’re breaking down the 8 questions you should ask when choosing the right AV company for your corporate event.
You need to understand the scope of services provided by your AV partner and make sure there are no gaps between your needs and their offerings. There’s a big difference between a full-service AV company like Catalyst and a smaller, more targeted provider.
Some AV companies basically operate as equipment rental providers. They can advise you on the tech you need, but they don’t offer managed event support and production services. Other companies offer full-service support, handling each and every technical aspect of your event, from equipment selection and installation to stage design, live broadcasting, and managed AV services.
You also need to get a sense for how much you can customize equipment setups and services. If you have specific requirements, like the need for outdoor AV setups or accessibility accommodations, you need to make sure your provider can handle those.
Experience is one of the most important qualities to look for when choosing an AV company, especially for complex or large-scale events. Ask for case studies, testimonials, or references so you can hear directly from past clients. This helps you determine if the company is well-equipped to handle your needs.
Different event formats require unique technical approaches, and you need to know your provider is up to the task. For example, if you’re planning to live-stream the event, make sure your company has experience producing hybrid and virtual events. Evaluating past work is often the most informative part of the process.
You should ask your AV company what services they provide during the planning stage and after curtain call. Some of these services are essential, such as equipment setup and teardown, while others may be optional.
Examples of pre- and post-event services include the following:
Pre-production AV services:
Post-production AV services:
Some companies only offer installation and equipment rentals, but a true AV management company will also provide real-time support during the event itself. Even the most straightforward AV systems need to be monitored and controlled by someone with specialized knowledge and training.
You should confirm that your provider will have a team of technicians assigned to test, manage, and troubleshoot setups to ensure everything goes smoothly. Having a team of experts to handle the AV at your event can take that stress off of your shoulders so you can focus on your tasks without distractions.
When you’re planning a major corporate event, you’re juggling a lot of distinct, yet interconnected elements. Sticking to your budget is paramount. You should always ask your AV provider how they price their services.
Examples of event AV pricing structures include:
Make sure you understand any and all potential hidden fees. You should also ask about your AV provider’s refund and cancellation policies and how unexpected last-minute changes might affect pricing.
Expecting the unexpected is essential when managing corporate events. From equipment malfunctions to last-minute scheduling changes, you need to know that your AV partner has a system in place to quickly and efficiently solve problems as they arise.
It’s a good idea to inquire about your AV company’s approach to handling unforeseen challenges. Ask them to recount a past event where something went wrong and describe how they responded. If they don’t have the ability to adapt to sudden changes and issues, then it’s best to choose a different company.
Not all AV companies own their own equipment, but it’s usually a good idea to work with one that does. Some companies work with third-party providers and don’t do their own maintenance and storage. This means they’ll have less insight and control when it comes to the age, condition, and functionality of the equipment they’re using for your event.
There’s also a financial consideration—if the AV company doesn’t own their gear, you’re likely paying for them to rent it and then mark it up. That added cost is passed along to you, often without any added value.
You should also ask about equipment transportation. If your company uses and stores their own gear, where do they store it? When and how will it be transported to your venue, and how will they make sure it gets there safely and securely? These are all important questions to ask because you need to know your equipment is reliable and will arrive in good condition.
Before you sign a contract, it’s crucial to ask direct questions. But it’s also a good idea to ask one or two open-ended questions.
A question like this gives the company the chance to make their final pitch. They’ll explain why you should work with them over other providers, and you may end up learning about AV services, challenges, and opportunities you hadn’t even considered.
You need AV services that not only meet your needs, but expand your reach and elevate your message. From immersive sound and stunning visual displays to reliable online streaming and virtual networking tools, technology can help you tell your story and dazzle your audience.
As a full-service AV management company, Catalyst is 100% dedicated to delivering high-caliber, cutting-edge solutions for corporate events across diverse industries. Our scalable offerings are tailored to each individual client and their needs.
Reach out to schedule a consultation, get your questions answered, and tell us about your event.
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.
We work events both nationally and internationally. No matter where you are, Catalyst can come to you.
(818) 818-6117
info@thecatalystcompanies.com