accountability that is based on teamwork. That is the accomplishment that gives me the most satisfaction at this point in my career. The next will be the ability to provide very satisfying lifestyles for the people on our team - a clear and prosperous future for all the people who have helped get us to where we are today.
Advanced Staging Productions is an Event Technology Management company, offering so much more than simply AV. We present ourselves that way because we provide our clients with more than just equipment and the technicians to run it. We truly integrate ourselves into their event team and approach their technical needs with an eye toward how it will help them to achieve their event goal.
We ask questions and seek to fully understand their goals and then provide them with the best, most efficient and most effective way to get there. By realizing we are but one cog in the large wheel that is required for a successful event, we can provide expertise based on our more than 27 years of experience to help ensure that everything runs more smoothly. For us, it is never about the technology, rather always about how that technology can be used toward reaching a common end.
We invest ourselves in our clients’ success and create part- nerships well beyond any single event resulting in a long term commitment to provide them with the right solutions to their presentation needs.
When it comes to involvement with industry organizations, we are active in many, including locally, nationally and inter- nationally. Locally, our main industry organization is MPI (Meetings Professional International). We are longtime members and have forged many lasting relationships over the years with clients and vendors alike, and even with our competitors. It is a close knit community, and we can all learn from the experiences of others.
By keeping an open mind we can best help others. By being a resource, and that means developing and maintain- ing relationships outside our area of expertise, we further strengthen our client relationships. Nationally and interna- tionally, we have been chosen as the Philadelphia area rep- resentative by two industry organizations aimed at improving our industry, furthering educational opportunities and avail- ing members of best practices, shared experiences, train- ing, referrals and cross rental opportunities.
The Rental and Staging Network (RSN) is a North America- based organization of the top event staging companies in 24 major metropolitan areas within the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The Audio Visual Alliance (AVA) is a similar organization that is international with members in 36 countries worldwide. The global perspective this group pro- vides us has been immensely rewarding.
Moving forward, I foresee Advanced Staging Productions continuing to provide best-in-class service by staying on top of technology trends, listening to our customers’ needs, and anticipating the newest solutions. Our expertise lies in being able to produce events that are technically sophisticated and which require a high level of management in order to succeed. We will continue to service our clients’ current needs at that high level, while always seeking new ways for them to engage their audience.
In a nutshell, we will keep doing what we do best and con- tinue to find new ways to meet our clients’ growing demands.
At the same time, I hope that the industry continues to push the envelope creatively, while expanding the boundaries of what is deemed acceptable for corporate events. Recent economic challenges seem to have taken some of the steam out this kind of innovative thinking, as many are look- ing more to price points than what effect and impact an event can have on their company’s bottom line.
Metrics have been put in place to measure the value of an event, but many of them have been inwardly focused on the cost and bottom line to the expense of doing something that just might have an even bigger impact, though costing a little more. My feeling is, don’t be afraid to do something different. Take a little risk and stop trying to do the same thing as last year (with 20 percent less budget). But that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Even simple events can have more impact just by being properly man- aged and executed and having the right solution... which is not always the same solution.
For those starting out in our industry, my advice is to have true passion for what you do. You have to love it. You have to have passion for what you are doing, and you have to love the people and the process as much as the result, along with the gratification you get from experiencing a really cool show. Then take that passion and learn. Learn as much as you can. Be a sponge. Work on as many different kinds of events as possible. Experience all aspects of the industry, and don’t be afraid to take on a challenge for which you might not necessarily be ready.
Don’t lie and don’t complain. Smile. Get a mentor and put yourself out there. Become known as someone who is pro- fessional, reliable and courteous.
Following the old saying “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” will help you in building a strong reputa- tion that will serve you well throughout your whole career.
Mid-Atlantic EVENTS Magazine 79
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92