Should You Choose In-House AV or AV Masters?

A common topic in the events world is the selection of an AV provider. Should you choose the venue’s preferred in-house AV vendor or outsource your AV services through an external AV provider. For many event planners, the use of the in-house AV provider may be a logical choice based on their given criteria. For other, the obvious selection is to contract with an AV provider of their choice. And yet for some the right choice is a mixture of both in-house AV and an external AV company. While there may be no perfect formula to determine what you should choose, it is helpful to be educated on your options.

Considering an outside AV Vendor for your events? Event Planners leave themselves many more options when they pre-negotiate some of these production costs related to their events. We often here success stories of substantial savings in these venue contract negotiations. Consult with AV Masters in helping to determine some of the key production related charges for your next event.

  • Load-In Supervision Fees
  • Electrical Charges
  • Rigging Charges
  • Exhibitor AV Pricing
  • Event Liaison Fees
  • High Speed Internet Access
  • House Scissor Lift Charges
  • Crew Meals and Parking Rates
  • Room Access and Load-In Times
  • Room Setup Hold Fees
  • Security Charges
  • Polytak Flooring

Compare Key Differences Between In-House AV And AV Masters

In-House AV

  • Allowed to Provide AV at Your Venue
    The Venue’s Preferred Vendor
  • Specific Fee for Selecting Vendor
    Not specific to selection
  • Commissions to Venue
    Up to half of your AV costs
  • Service Charge
    Up to 23% added to your entire order
  • Pricing
    Varies greatly between locations
  • Budget Flexibility
    Typically Less Flexible
  • Design Creativity
    Varies greatly between locations
  • Team Consistency
    New Technicians at each of your show locations
  • # of Events Managed Simultaneously at Your Venue
    Many times more than just your event
  • Expertise Level of each Technician Role
    Varies greatly between locations
  • Backup Equipment Availability
    Subject to location inventory
  • Consistency of Show Execution
    New team learning your show at each venue
  • Use of Labor Broker Technicians
    High frequency of freelance labor on shows

AV Masters

  • Allowed to Provide AV at Your Venue
    Yes – Following Contracted Outside Production Guidelines
  • Specific Fee for Selecting Vendor
    At many venues yes. Negotiate in contracting phase
  • Commissions to Venue
    None
  • Service Charge
    None
  • Pricing
    Consistent on every show
  • Budget Flexibility
    Negotiate extremely competitive pricing
  • Design Creativity
    Experienced Team of Creative Show Designers
  • Team Consistency
    Familiar Technicians on every show
  • # of Events Managed Simultaneously at Your Venue
    Dedicated to your event exclusively
  • Expertise Level of each Technician Role
    Industry experts in each role of your show
  • Backup Equipment Availability
    Backup equipment on our truck for all major and requested items
  • Consistency of Show Execution
    Our same team follows you to each venue to provide a consistent show experience
  • Use of Labor Broker Technicians
    Never in key Operator roles. Set/Strike use only.
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