A client of ours, who had already signed her contract, recently used the information in this blog post to negotiate 30% off her venue bill.

That says to me that hotels value the planner’s future business MUCH more than they want to get these extra fees. Keep negotiating – and do your best to fight these fees BEFORE you sign the contract.

Kenny Green, Owner, Lumina
http://luminatechnical.blogspot.com/

Not to knock in-house AV (where so many of us got our start) but with the convenience of being on-site, comes some draw backs that everyone should beware of.

Your point about in-house not being as familiar with larger,more sophisticated events is well taken.

But I particularly appreciate your tips about fighting the fees. These days, it seems, if they aren’t imposing a “corkage” fee for using off-site AV services, they are charging for power or some other service that they say would be free if you use in-house AV. As you say, the hotel wants your business far more than they want the fee so fighting can only save you money.

Also, hiring an off-site technician is a great idea to ensure you get the dedicated attention from an experienced pro that will give you peace of mind even when you are using in-house AV.

Thanks for contributing so much to the discussion!

It’s pretty dog-eat-dog these days and the hotels do have the advantage. However, the thing we should all be trying to achieve is the best outcome for the event. If event planners are forced to use second-rate AV services by their event venue, who wins? Sure, they hotel will get the business, this time. But why would the planner go back if they can’t have the quality of service they need? As you said, it’s very short term thinking.

Thanks again for your input!

This post was mentioned on Twitter by lyksumlikrish: Full service vs. in-house audio visual for your event: The real story http://bit.ly/63rrKX
#eventprofs…

If the hotel is throwing fees at you for using a 3rd party company then fight, fight, and fight some more. They want your business far more than they want the fee. I suggest negotiating them out of the contract straight away during your site selection, that is when you bear the most power.

Also, for simpler events where you do use in-house AV but want a dedicated technician, consider hiring your own person. In house companies are charging up to $1,100 – $1,500 a day for someone who is green, or whom they brought in from a freelance service, which is a craps shoot at best. Why not bring in the freelance guy yourself, pay a fraction of the cost, and if you like him/her, you hire them next time too and tell all your planning friends about them.

I have also written a few editorials about corkage fees and the questionable nature of the liquidated damages clauses in contracts. It’s so frustrating to see clients roped into unfair situations with shoddy service because they’re intimidated into using a certain service provider. I’m all for healthy competition, it’s how we thrive and become better at our trade. But this situation is ridiculous and doesn’t do anything but line the pockets of the providers – at least in the short term…

Thanks for the mention and keep spreading the good truth!!
Midori Connolly, Chief AVGirl
http://www.twitter.com/GreenA_V