Keeping the line open
Catie Owen interviews Amsterdam-based AV specialist ACS ’ s Jarno de Boer and gets his insights into the relationship between event organisers and AV suppliers
CO : How does ACS service the global industry ? JB : Our AV company is divided into three parts . The hotel division is in Amsterdam , Rotterdam , and Utrecht . The second part is what we call venue services , where we are an in-house service in the two largest conference centres in The Netherlands . Third , we have an international business , where we serve our clients directly for their conferences and events . CO : How has ACS developed its range of offerings ? JB : We established a system of building noise-reducing rooms that we build in exhibition halls for larger conferences , like the cardiologist ESMO and IBTM World . If a venue doesn ’ t have enough rooms we build temporary conference rooms , also , which break down so that the show floor is clear again . We work year-onyear with our clients to build configurations that work for their event , including these rooms and
Jarno de Boer
our AV systems . We also have a spin off from conferences which have become a speciality : award shows . It started with building rooms , then expanded into creative theatres and smaller theatres for special interest groups .
CO : How did your partnership come about with IBTM World ?
JB : We ’ ve partnered with IBTM for quite some years now . With IBTM , we focus on the educational programmes and build spaces specifically for that . In previous years we built a content area , or special theatres – which was interesting . It evolved in the same way that ACS evolved , with us building ‘ black boxes ’ in an area with 600 seats , and small theatres – some with inflatable walls , some more open and accessible , or soundproofed . We also work with associations , like AIPC and the ICCA membership ; we ’ re quite involved in the industry .
CO : When organisers are hiring an AV service , what should they be paying more attention to ? JB : Definitely the combination of dreams and budget , as most people want something really special . There ’ s also a lot based on trust , asking how well you will work together and how to maximise the impact of the event . We see a lot of proposals where the ideas are beautiful , but then the budget kicks in . I ’ ve worked for 15 years as a PCO , travelling around the world and negotiating with venues , with partners , and it ’ s much easier when we ’ re open about a realistic budget . It should be a broader discussion .
For example , if you have a budget and say to us ‘ I have X amount available ’, we work out together ►
www . exhibitionworld . co . uk Issue 2 2023 35