Why me?
I’ve often heard from clients that ARS ‘has to work’, that it will ‘make or break’ their presentation or event. And that’s why I’m there, to provide them that assurance. But I’m also curious as to why they express or reiterate those concerns.
At the risk of those in the AV industry, who provide and perform the functions of audience response technology, that may think I’m being critical of them, I'm certainly not. When I’m onsite, they are the same people that I work alongside. I value their assistance. Their 'primary' functions are often necessary to help me see through on the assurance I provide our clients.
I also know that, behind the scenes, they are focused on other important components of our client event (sound, projection, video, cabling, microphones, etc.) of which they are more proficient at than I am and they have to devote their time and energy towards in similar preparation. When I’m not requested at an event, they perform the function of an ARS operator in a secondary or tertiary role, at best, behind their other AV tasks onsite.
At my most recent events, I’ve had three different AV techs tell me:
“I’m glad I don’t have to do that.”
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
“How did you do that?”
Why me? That’s why. I wear the ARS Hat.