Running an AV company has never been tougher than it has over the last 12 months. We are very grateful to be working again, but the constraints of the new world order are quite debilitating, as ESSA’s director Andrew Harrison, has highlighted here previously.

The theme in AV is a common one that you hear across many industries: We’re short of labour, particularly skilled freelance AV technicians who we depend upon.

During the pandemic, many freelancers reinvented themselves as virtual event engineers. They learnt about filming, streaming and how to use specialist mixing software, so when the economy reopened, they were sucked up by broadcasters. Other technical freelancers left events for industries less affected by Covid disruption, reducing our freelancer base by 30%.

Thankfully some skilled labour is returning to events, but it’s slow. Last-minute drop-outs are also an issue, due to Covid or the offer of higher rates elsewhere, so resourcing every single event is a challenge.

There are additional cost pressures caused by a 40% increase in freelance rates and a 30% increase in transport costs as well as long lead times for new AV equipment caused by a global chip shortage.

We are facing some very significant challenges in AV and therefore this impacts the wider industry. But, as we know through our work with ESSA, the industry is buoyant and as long as we work together, adapt innovate, and continue to drive standards, we will survive.  

AV companies are adapting by supporting the industry’s desire to reduce its carbon footprint. They have supported hybrid technologies and are re-using more, for example, providing LED framework systems, as opposed to wooden sets covered in single-use felt.

The next few months will be tough, for the reasons above, but with understanding and support, I believe that the pressures will begin to ease as we enter 2023 and beyond. 

Published in Hospitality & Events North magazine's August/September issue