Tips for Working with Hotel A/V
Since my current job is in said industry, I figure’d I’d write a quick something about how to work with in-house hotel A/V companies (many of these things can be applied to outside A/V companies).
- Please don’t bring in your own equipment and expect it to work. Typical scenario: client comes in; client wants to use In-House AV Co.’s laptop but has their own projector they like to use; presentation goes south; client mad. It may sound like a cheap sales-pitch, but PLEASE, if you’re going to rent something from an A/V company, rent everything. The reason being is that the techs for said A/V company tend to know their aresenal of gear better than they know your stuff: they’ve dealt with their gear plenty of times, know the ins/outs as well as all the weird quirks gear sometimes have. That being said, if you want to bring in your own stuff, see #2:
- Be patient…at least for a little while. Problems happen with gear. It’s just the way it is. Techs are there to help you with your problems. So when your PowerPoint isn’t showing up on the tripod screen and you’re not sure why, give the tech a second to figure it out. I, and every other tech, understand that most meetings are stressful: you’re expected to give a professional, working presentation on-time to your guests. Just do us a favor: don’t get pissy right away, don’t offer up your own solutions (unless you really know what you’re doing), and don’t ask us why it’s not working. Your problem will be fixed.
- Respect Union boundaries. If a tech can’t run audio, power, or do something like that, ask them why. If it’s because the hotel you’re in has a Union presence, then leave it at that. Ask the tech if they would kindly call the electricians (or whatever other department you need) to run power, etc. Don’t yell at them because they’re not doing something they’re not supposed to do. We have to respect the Unions and the work they do, and you should too. There aren’t a lot of union-heavy hotels around anymore, but they do exist.
So there you go. A few small tips that might help you interact with your in-house/outside A/V company. Keep in mind, however, that the above tips should only be excercised if the tech you’re dealing with is a decent person. If they’re not, well, then I don’t know what to tell you.
And, a special tip for outside A/V companies working in a hotel with an in-house A/V company: don’t be dicks to the in-house guys unless they’re not treating you with respect. We all work in the same industry, we all have similar interests, we all have similar stories to tell. Put your bullshit ego aside, and hopefully the in-house guys will do the same.