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The most important thing to remember when planning a large AV presentation for your next meeting, presentation, or event is that there are a million details which will inevitably clash and cause headaches! A good amount of planning, forethought, and ingenuity can be a huge help in keeping disaster at bay.

Your Venue Versus Your AV Guy
Most problems will occur between your venue and your AV professional. Many venues will offer you the services of their in house AV professional, but if you have the choice it is best to look around before committing yourself to their recommended professional. The venue will be making a commission if you use this company, and you will end up paying it. Carefully inspect your contract with both your venue and your AV company. By equipping yourself with knowledge of the fine print and details of your contracts you will be able to sidestep many potential problems.

It also important that you consider your AV needs when choosing a venue. Low hanging chandeliers, columns, and portable walls can all seriously affect the performance of AV equipment. Consult your AV professional for tips on what your venue should have to accommodate your AV plans.

Does Your AV Guy Have the Right Stuff?
Choosing an individual or organization to meet your audiovisual (AV) needs is a major responsibility. With so many professionals to choose from, what features can help you differentiate the good from the great? You can start by finding out how well your AV providers are trained and whether they're certified. Look for an organization that values continuous learning and adheres to standards of excellence - one that participates in an education or certification program.

The International Communications Industries Association® (ICIA) sets the industry standard for AV education. Upon successful completion of general testing, individuals can include "CTS" as part of their title (e.g., John Smith, CTS).

Companies can also become certified. When individual employees earn their CTS general and specialized designations, companies can qualify to become Certified Audio Visual Solutions Providers (CAVSPs). Certified companies sign a pledge to uphold the highest standards for AV professionals - committing to quality products and services to meet your complete satisfaction.

Think Outside the Box
Your AV company can probably do more than you think they can. With today’s cutting edge equipment and an experienced and well trained technician, there is no effect that can’t be created to dazzle guests at your event. Talk to your AV company to get some insight into what solutions would suit your event. Chances are, they will be able to give you ideas that you would never be able to dream up.

On a more serious note, there are a million small but important details that need to be addressed in order to ensure your event goes off without a hitch. Consult your AV company as you plan your event and make sure that you are clear on what they require to operate at their best.

Here are a few questions to ask when choosing an AV company.

1. Are they a rental company or a full-service AV staging company?
2. What can they do in your budget range?
3. Have they worked with clients hosting an event similar to yours?
4. Do they provide quality back-up equipment in the event of a malfunction?
5. How much of the equipment they use is their own? How much do they rent?
6.What type of contract do you require?
7. What types of training and certifications do your employees have?