Event Technology - Audio Visual Services

How are You Marketing your Event?

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:00:54 EST

Creating a memorable and effective experience for meeting-goers can be challenging. Events and meetings need to be fresh, informative and engaging. Using technology and social media to your advantage is a step in the right direction.

We have collected some ideas on ways to help you create the best event possible. Whether it’s employing technology in an event presentation, or creating an event within an event, good event marketing ultimately makes your event memorable. Certainly an unlimited budget would be nice. However, most meeting planners must adhere to fairly stringent budgets. Here are some tips to save money when planning your next event.

Considering social media in logistical decisions on-site is another aspect of event marketing. Here, we read about some theaters in Boston setting up special seating areas for people “tweeting” during shows. Interesting how the face of meeting planning can change. Ten years ago, who would have heard of such a thing! If your event is memorable, you can bet that people will be tweeting about it (so doing everything in your power to make it a positive tweet is key!).

And, keeping pace with technology is another feather in your cap. Newer on the scene, Pinterest is taking the world by storm. You can position your brand with the click of a “re-pin”. Fresh ideas lead followers to your site ultimately. Creating interest online to promote your business is just the beginning. You can take it a step further by incorporating that exposure into your event. And, Pinterest is accessible via social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter. From large corporate events to smaller meetings, Pinterest can further your business as a tool in your overall marketing plan.

Any way you look at it, effective event marketing depends on staying current. Audiences today are much more tech-savvy, and to survive, businesses must strive to keep pace with changes and trends. Event AVL is an audio visual and lighting company that can help make your next event a memorable one. Contact us for more information.

tags: Event Marketing

How Have Smart Phones Changed How We Do Things?

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:27:17 EST

Apple has us under a spell. The iPad 3 is expected to be released soon, which has many of us thinking about its capability and features. How much better will it be? Will this replace our need for a laptop or home computer? Do we “have to have it?”

As we mentioned in previous blog entries, just five years ago, there wasn’t even an iPad. Now, iPhones and iPads are considered essential in keeping pace with technology. The portability and advanced capabilities make them particularly appealing, not only in terms of multimedia for event planning and meeting planning, but in life in general. There has been a gigantic shift in how we do things.

We came up with a multitude of ways smart phones and iPads have changed the way we think about things. Here are some activities that have either become almost obsolete in recent years due to technology, or that have now been incorporated into our smart phones so that we no longer require a computer. Can you think of other ways?

Alarm clock
Internet on a computer
Email on a computer
GPS
Banking
Weather
Listening to music
Watching the news
Games
Calculator
Camera
Watching movies
Tv and games
Paper calendar
Watch/clock
Books
Magazines
iPods
Credit cards
Movie tickets
Travel documents
Business cards
Video camera
Address book
Voice recorder
Voice search
Flashlight
Automatic car starter
Land lines and pay phones
Desktop computers

In the audio visual business, new capabilities are taking meeting planning to an entirely new level: mirroring, real time interactive capabilities and projectors, for starters. Event AVL makes it a priority to incorporate cutting-edge technology into all we provide our clients. Contact us for more information.

tags: Technology

Show Off Your Apps on the Big Screen

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:56:04 EST

Tablet technology is quickly emerging as the ultimate presentation tool. Just a few years ago, no one even knew what an iPad was. Now, iPads and iPhones are considered a “must have,” not only for individuals, but also for some businesses. In fact, it could be said that iPad popularity could potentially replace that of laptops in terms of casual use.

What makes tablets so appealing for businesses? For a relatively small investment, an iPad offers cutting-edge capabilities. In addition to offering the latest functionality, iPads are equipped with applications that make life easier: meeting apps, file apps, presentation apps, and so forth. What’s more, these devices work really well. For presentation purposes, you can engage your audience with mirroring technology and “real time” applications. The capabilities that iPads offer just scratch the surface of their increasing importance for businesses.

What does this mean for meeting and event planning? For starters, it offers an interactive and real time approach that can greatly enhance a presentation, given the right forum and audience. Businesses provide meeting presentation information via mobile device(s), and the audio visual company connects it to the technology needed to project to the big screen, and the presentation can begin. That’s a slight oversimplification, but you get the idea.

Pictured is a recent event in Boston where Event AVL coordinated the audio visual details with a mobile device. The result: a very impressive presentation.

Show off your new apps at the big meeting in real time! Given time to set up everything, Event AVL will have your iPad projecting to the big screen! Contact Event AVL for details on incorporating iPad and iPhone technology into your meeting presentation.

tags: Technology, Presentation Tips, Boston

Combining Creativity with Technology

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:31:45 EST

Creativity – it means different things to different people. In its literal sense, creativity describes when someone creates something original of value - a vision.

But often, you can’t put a finger on what exactly classifies creativity. That’s because we all have our own definitions. To some, creativity is a “left brain-right brain” thing, similar to when someone says, “I’m not creative – I’m analytical.” And, to some degree, there is truth in that. A stereotypical artist might create a work of art, defying all sense of logic.

Yet, when channeled properly, creativity often goes hand-in-hand with logic. For example, using creativity to solve business problems is a desired skill in business today. Thinking outside of the box. Discovering new ways of doing things. Brainstorming new ideas. Motivating a team. Problem-solving. These are all examples of using creativity to accomplish goals.

At events and business meetings, creativity is paramount - not only to strategize ways of accomplishing a vision and theme as determined by a meeting planner, but to also develop innovative solutions to either technical or logistical challenges. Creativity used in this manner is what businesses need today, especially in an economy like we are experiencing now. It’s about taking it to the next level and creating solutions.

As Pablo Picasso once said, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” There are numerous things you can do to stimulate your creativity. You can keep a journal and record creative thoughts. You can try new things. You can take classes to learn new skills, and once you do, you will apply that knowledge in new, creative ways. Part of being creative is learning to appreciate differences.

Event AVL is a creative company. It is also a logical, technically-based and innovative business. Combining both of these attributes is what makes us good at what we do – audio visual and lighting services. While technology dictates a lot of our processes, we weave creativity into everything we do.

tags: Vision, Problem Solving

What Does it Mean to be Client-Driven?

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:43:47 EST

It’s true – more than likely during your career, you probably have heard business people complain about clients, or perhaps infer that clients “get in the way” of getting a job done. If you step back and consider that closely, it’s easy to see what a contradiction that truly is! Without clients or customers, there would be no job to do in the first place!

So, what does it really mean to be client driven? It’s a lot of things, actually. It’s being responsive. Being forward-thinking. Making your client shine. Taking ideas to the next level. Being innovative. Making recommendations that will benefit the client and help them attain their goals (not just benefit your bottom line). Providing value. Differentiating yourself. Adhering to budgets. Having the courage to try something different. Offering creative solutions.

We could probably fill an entire blog post with ideas about client-driven actions. And, while “client-driven” might technically be an adjective, it should be a verb. It represents actions you take to ultimately help your customer meet and exceed their goals.

In the meeting planning industry, being client-driven isn’t optional – whether it’s problem-solving, staying current with technological trends, providing original ideas, or just being accessible for your client. You must engage the client on their level, and your goal is to make your client look good! That is what differentiates a good meeting planner from a mediocre one. While you might know your services are exceptional, your client might not realize this until you relate your experiences to their particular issues and circumstances. That comes with listening and building trust.

The next time you feel or witness frustration with a client, remember that by focusing on client-driven actions, you will ultimately build a lasting, great working relationship.

tags: Client-Driven, Event Planning