Brian Monahan aka CoachBriany

Why are you calling the AV Dude out Seth?

There are many factors besides the room and food that go into a successful meeting. Audio visual, stage layout and decorations all should be taken into account. Seth Godin’s post on How to Organize a Room is the rare occasion where somebody outside the event business understands the nuances of a successful meeting.

With that in mind, Seth Godin is one of my absolute favorite authors and his post is speaking to the choir about How to Organize a Meeting Room until he gets to this part.

VGA cables: Have more than one. Switchers are cheap. Nothing worse than having speakers stumbling around swapping laptops. And put the cables and the laptops up front, not in back to be controlled by a tech guy who doesn’t care quite as much as you (or the speaker) does.

I disagree, with his statement above. Another tip for organizing a meeting room is to have an Professional Audio Visual Partner. A professional audio visual company first and foremost realizes their goal is ensuring the presenter is comfortable and has created the proper environment to deliver their message.

I personally have been producing meetings for nearly 15 years. I lay awake at night asking myself have I covered the bases.

A live meeting is the same as a live Broadway show. We must rehearse and plan for the problems that “WILL ARISE!” We only get one opportunity to get it right. However, a Professional AV Company will have put in place the backup plans and equipment which will prevent the audience and often times the presenter from noticing.

Often times meetings are planned and audio visual support is an after thought. I recommend if you are in the business of planning meetings you develop a relationship with a top notch AV professional. Like all business a vested partner makes all the difference.

Seth, the show must go on. Please add to your list hiring an AV company that is equally invested.

P.S. We’re still friends.