Encore AV is one of the largest and most well-known in-house audio visual (AV) vendors that partners with event venues around the world. But bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to corporate AV providers. In fact, many of Encore’s clients say they’ve experienced problems with communication and coordination when working with the company, and that expectations weren’t clear and upfront.
Fortunately, there are many alternatives to working with an in-house AV provider like Encore. Depending on your contract with your event venue, you may have the option to bring in an independent corporate AV provider like Catalyst that offers more tailored, customized corporate AV services.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the best alternatives to Encore AV for corporate events and explore how to choose the right provider for your needs.
Encore (previously known as PSAV) is a major player in the AV corporate event industry. However, the company has also been subject to concerns and criticisms from both employees and customers alike.
Some reasons for Encore’s mixed reputation include:
Most venues will allow you to hire external AV help. However, you often need to negotiate this into your contract, so make sure you review the terms carefully.
Look for any clauses about exclusive AV contracts or union labor laws that restrict your ability to hire externally. Some venues require you to use their in-house AV, while others may charge fees if you choose to hire a separate AV company. In some cases, your venue may allow you to bring in outside AV for your general session, but require you to use Encore AV for your breakout sessions.
It’s a good idea to ask the venue’s event coordinator directly to confirm their policies. Any restrictions can be negotiated around during the contracting stage.
When searching for an AV company for your corporate event, it’s essential to look into their past projects. Have they been successful? Do they have experience that’s relevant to your needs? Do they have a reputation for good-quality service? It’s also a good idea to ask an AV company if they have a designated portfolio of work.
Customer testimonials are one of the best ways to get an idea for whether an AV company is a good fit. If past clients are happy with their work and would recommend their services to others, that’s a good sign that you can trust the company to be a reliable partner.
The event planning process is complicated. It can be difficult to keep track of all the moving pieces and avoid miscommunications and delays. Experienced AV providers know how to streamline their processes and take the stress and confusion out of AV planning.
A good AV company will work with you well in advance of your event date to ensure they understand your goals and concerns, are familiar with the venue, and are prepared for any unforeseen hurdles. They’ll also stick around for cleanup and offer post-production services as needed.
Event production is about more than just choosing the best technologies and equipment. It’s about creating a truly memorable experience for your guests and delivering your message effectively. Because they have exclusive contracts with venues, Encore and many other in-house AV vendors know that they don’t have to go the extra mile for their clients.
Dedicated AV providers like Catalyst have to compete with other companies. We know how important communication, trust, and collaboration are in the event planning process, and we make sure we understand your vision and offer tailored solutions.
In addition to the quality of services a company provides, it’s also important to consider the range of those services. While some companies primarily focus on equipment rentals and basic tech support, other providers like Catalyst go above and beyond to offer specialized technology, extensive planning and design, management and production, and so much more.
If you’re planning a large event that has several moving parts, you may want to invest in a full-service company that can offer customized solutions. You can also build longer-term partnerships. Having a dedicated company like ours means you’re not constantly having to start from scratch at every new venue. Our team will learn the ins and outs of your show and company culture so we can offer personalized, tailored solutions and a consistent experience every time.
As a trusted AV provider, Catalyst works with industry leaders and event planners from around the world to design and execute corporate events. From live conferences and charity concerts, to expos and trade shows, to virtual and hybrid events, we have the experience and specialized expertise to handle all of your AV needs.
Get in touch to learn more about our work and schedule your free event consultation.
Yes, PSAV acquired the company in 2019 and has since rebranded to just be known by the Encore name.
Encore is a major provider of in-house AV services, with vendor contracts all over the world. However, many businesses and event planners report issues with coordination and communication when working with Encore. Additionally, using in-house AV often means you’re paying hidden fees and markups.
More often than not, you aren’t required to work with in-house AV. Some event venues are flexible when it comes to hiring external contractors, while others have exclusive contracts with AV companies like Encore.
It’s always a good idea to check with your venue to learn about your options. If possible, try to do so before you book that location so you have additional flexibility. There are many negotiating tactics you can use in order to ensure you’re allowed to bring in the outside AV you need, but it’s important to advocate for yourself before you sign on the dotted line.
Encore AV is one of the largest and most well-known in-house audio visual (AV) vendors that partners with event venues around the world. But bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to corporate AV providers. In fact, many of Encore’s clients say they’ve experienced problems with communication and coordination when working with the company, and that expectations weren’t clear and upfront.
Fortunately, there are many alternatives to working with an in-house AV provider like Encore. Depending on your contract with your event venue, you may have the option to bring in an independent corporate AV provider like Catalyst that offers more tailored, customized corporate AV services.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the best alternatives to Encore AV for corporate events and explore how to choose the right provider for your needs.
Encore (previously known as PSAV) is a major player in the AV corporate event industry. However, the company has also been subject to concerns and criticisms from both employees and customers alike.
Some reasons for Encore’s mixed reputation include:
Most venues will allow you to hire external AV help. However, you often need to negotiate this into your contract, so make sure you review the terms carefully.
Look for any clauses about exclusive AV contracts or union labor laws that restrict your ability to hire externally. Some venues require you to use their in-house AV, while others may charge fees if you choose to hire a separate AV company. In some cases, your venue may allow you to bring in outside AV for your general session, but require you to use Encore AV for your breakout sessions.
It’s a good idea to ask the venue’s event coordinator directly to confirm their policies. Any restrictions can be negotiated around during the contracting stage.
When searching for an AV company for your corporate event, it’s essential to look into their past projects. Have they been successful? Do they have experience that’s relevant to your needs? Do they have a reputation for good-quality service? It’s also a good idea to ask an AV company if they have a designated portfolio of work.
Customer testimonials are one of the best ways to get an idea for whether an AV company is a good fit. If past clients are happy with their work and would recommend their services to others, that’s a good sign that you can trust the company to be a reliable partner.
The event planning process is complicated. It can be difficult to keep track of all the moving pieces and avoid miscommunications and delays. Experienced AV providers know how to streamline their processes and take the stress and confusion out of AV planning.
A good AV company will work with you well in advance of your event date to ensure they understand your goals and concerns, are familiar with the venue, and are prepared for any unforeseen hurdles. They’ll also stick around for cleanup and offer post-production services as needed.
Event production is about more than just choosing the best technologies and equipment. It’s about creating a truly memorable experience for your guests and delivering your message effectively. Because they have exclusive contracts with venues, Encore and many other in-house AV vendors know that they don’t have to go the extra mile for their clients.
Dedicated AV providers like Catalyst have to compete with other companies. We know how important communication, trust, and collaboration are in the event planning process, and we make sure we understand your vision and offer tailored solutions.
In addition to the quality of services a company provides, it’s also important to consider the range of those services. While some companies primarily focus on equipment rentals and basic tech support, other providers like Catalyst go above and beyond to offer specialized technology, extensive planning and design, management and production, and so much more.
If you’re planning a large event that has several moving parts, you may want to invest in a full-service company that can offer customized solutions. You can also build longer-term partnerships. Having a dedicated company like ours means you’re not constantly having to start from scratch at every new venue. Our team will learn the ins and outs of your show and company culture so we can offer personalized, tailored solutions and a consistent experience every time.
As a trusted AV provider, Catalyst works with industry leaders and event planners from around the world to design and execute corporate events. From live conferences and charity concerts, to expos and trade shows, to virtual and hybrid events, we have the experience and specialized expertise to handle all of your AV needs.
Get in touch to learn more about our work and schedule your free event consultation.
Yes, PSAV acquired the company in 2019 and has since rebranded to just be known by the Encore name.
Encore is a major provider of in-house AV services, with vendor contracts all over the world. However, many businesses and event planners report issues with coordination and communication when working with Encore. Additionally, using in-house AV often means you’re paying hidden fees and markups.
More often than not, you aren’t required to work with in-house AV. Some event venues are flexible when it comes to hiring external contractors, while others have exclusive contracts with AV companies like Encore.
It’s always a good idea to check with your venue to learn about your options. If possible, try to do so before you book that location so you have additional flexibility. There are many negotiating tactics you can use in order to ensure you’re allowed to bring in the outside AV you need, but it’s important to advocate for yourself before you sign on the dotted line.
Are you planning a shareholder meeting, conference, product launch, trade show, or other type of major event? You need to make sure the production value matches the quality of your event’s content. Working with a reliable, proven leader in audio visual event production like Catalyst ensures your event runs smoothly, exceeds the expectations of your audience, and has the impact you want.
Get in touch today to schedule a free consultation, learn more about our services, and tell us about your event.