Luxury Hoteliers Magazine 2nd Quarter 2019 | Page 27

In the year 2000, AVMS settled into their first Seattle warehouse, continuing to utilize in-person, hospitality-first, technically proficient teams, to set-up, operate, and teardown specialized events for hotel partners that did not have a dedicated staff to provide high-level audiovisual solutions. AVMS provided their partner hoteliers with a customized extended services business model, and promising to assist hotels in providing superior event experiences. This business model proved to be convenient and very profitable for all the AVMS partners, which then became an integral ingredient for their mutual success for over two decades. The roots of AVMS’ vision, and core values emerged from these days. Following through with educating new team members on how to deliver these same values has transcended AVMS into becoming a leader in the audiovisual industry. This realm has catapulted AVMS’ positive growth and made them an employer of choice. During March of 2006, AVMS moved from their original location to their current warehouse at 814 6th Avenue South, Seattle, Washington. With nearly one hundred team members in 2006, they have now more than tripled their labor force and have expanded operations across the United States. In 2008, Hobie noticed that he was continually receiving emails from avms.net, the email address of Audio Visual Management Services. He then got the idea to approach Jim Jungsten, the CEO at the time, about acquiring Audio Visual Management Services. After some months of due diligence, Jim agreed to sell his company to Hobie with the idea both companies would be stronger in hotels and event support operations across the United States. From 1999 to 2019, AVMS has spawned from two friends and a truck, demanding better experiences for their customers to over three hundred full-time team members driving their passion for hospitality and vision of delivering superior service as a means to drive long-term relationships. AVMS’ clients are discerning hosts, producers of business events and first-time planners, who appreciate the experience and loyalty they provide. They reinforce their core values with customers and employees to deliver high- quality service and maintain their collaborative culture. ILHA 27