[Luke Parnell]

Here is our AV technician job description:
“Set up, run and strike AV equipment for events throughout the Student Centers. ?Equipment you can expect to operate includes but is not limited to: ?laptops, projectors, microphones, audio mixers, lighting consoles. ?Provide excellent customer service and troubleshoot problems. ?Assist in other building operations as needed.”

We have two full time members that focus on the AV aspects of our operations.? The AV Manager supervises the AV student staff and the AV Coordinator contacts the clients to coordinate the AV details of the events ahead of time.? Both positions work on maintenance, upgrades, and other projects.? The AV students have different ‘tiers’ based on their skillsets.? Entry level will mostly do basic setups such as laptop + projector as well as support the more experienced technicians.? The more experienced technicians will run the larger events that require audio mixing, lighting cues, etc.? These technicians often serve as the point of contact as well.? If the event is not complex enough to warrant dedicated technicians then the client can contact either our information desk or reservationists who will then contact the appropriate staff member based on the issue.

Our operations have been like this for a while now but I’ll highlight some challenges.? Student turnover can be tough especially when the experienced technicians graduate or leave for other opportunities, this is why it’s important to have full time staff members that can continuously train newer staff.? Student availability doesn’t always line up with event coverage, this is another reason why it’s good to have full time staff that can handle the equipment.? Lastly, there will sometimes be clients that will insist on having ‘professionals’ run their event, this is another situation where a full time member can step in (for a higher hourly charge) or you can recommend they hire a production company.? Usually the cost of those options leads to them accepting the student staff.

Shoot me an email and I can share some documents with pricing.
laparnel@central.uh.edu

Thank you

——————————
Luke Parnell
Media Services Program Manager
University of Houston
Houston TX
(832) 842-6163
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 05-29-2024 13:17
From: Michael McKean
Subject: Event Production Model

I hope everyone’s summer is going well.  I’m exploring changing our operations to an event production model.  Currently our staff does room set ups, meets with clients, and trouble shoots if there is an issue.  I would like to transition to a model where we assign a event manager (student) to an event to serve as a point of contact for clients.  In addition, I’d like to offer Audio Visual support to larger events.  Once again, we help out with client issues, but not until something goes wrong.  That being said, I was hoping you might be able to provide me with job descriptions for A/V Technicians, Event Managers, Support Staff etc.  In addition if you have pricing for your services, that would be helpful.  

If any Student Centers have made a transition like this, can you let me know if you experience growing pains in the transition?

Thanks

Michael 

——————————
Michael McKean
Director
L.A. Pittenger Student Center
Ball State University
Muncie IN
765-285-1926
michael.mckean@bsu.edu
——————————

[EJ Thorne]

Hi, my name is EJ Thorne, and I am the Production Coordinator at NC State Student Centers. Our production operations are as follows.

We have Event Assistants and Event Managers who are student workers within Student Centers. They are in charge of setting and striking the A/V equipment  for their specific event, checking to make sure the set up matches what shows in 7pointops (diagrams, equipment, etc.), greeting the client and providing great customer service, and making sure the event runs smoothly from beginning to end. Most of our equipment (projectors, screens, wireless/lapel microphones, audio) is installed in the room, so the EA/EM is in charge of setting up the A/V table, laptop, and making sure the podium is set up correctly. Each EA starts out as a Set up Assistant, which gives them a chance to get to know the event spaces, and understand the operations side of the events to set up our event equipment (tables, chairs, stage, etc.). EMs are trained on the live sound systems (digital audio consoles, active powered speakers), and are capable of working some of the high caliber events. 

We currently have 2 full time staff members that are in charge of all A/V and Production operations. The Production Manager supervises and schedules the EAs/EMs, and currently the temp Production Assistants. They also focus on production projects and work directly with the Director and Assistant Director of Student Centers. The Production Coordinator is in charge of all aspects of A/V and Production training for each building and event spaces. This training consists of in-house training, creating training manuals, and creating training videos. The Production Coordinator is also certified to do any in-house rigging for big events. Both Production Manager and Production Coordinator meet with event coordinators, clients, and production companies to help create, plan, and execute any light or heavy production events.  We are also the first line of defense for troubleshooting issues in the building and event spaces.

Attached to this email are some resources for you. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to me, or my Production Manager via the information below. 

Kyle Levine | Production Manager

NC State Student Centers

Email : dklevine@ncsu.edu

Studentcenters.ncsu.edu

EJ Thorne, M.M. | Production Coordinator

NC State Student Centers

P: 252.904.4531

Email: mthorne@ncsu.edu

Studentcenters.ncsu.edu

NC State University

Campus Box 7294

Witherspoon Student Center | Suite 321

2810 Cates Ave. | Raleigh, NC 27695

All electronic mail messages in connection with State business which are sent to or received by this account are subject to the NC Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 6/7/2024 12:50:00 PM
From: Luke Parnell
Subject: RE: Event Production Model

Here is our AV technician job description:
“Set up, run and strike AV equipment for events throughout the Student Centers.  Equipment you can expect to operate includes but is not limited to:  laptops, projectors, microphones, audio mixers, lighting consoles.  Provide excellent customer service and troubleshoot problems.  Assist in other building operations as needed.”

We have two full time members that focus on the AV aspects of our operations.  The AV Manager supervises the AV student staff and the AV Coordinator contacts the clients to coordinate the AV details of the events ahead of time.  Both positions work on maintenance, upgrades, and other projects.  The AV students have different ‘tiers’ based on their skillsets.  Entry level will mostly do basic setups such as laptop + projector as well as support the more experienced technicians.  The more experienced technicians will run the larger events that require audio mixing, lighting cues, etc.  These technicians often serve as the point of contact as well.  If the event is not complex enough to warrant dedicated technicians then the client can contact either our information desk or reservationists who will then contact the appropriate staff member based on the issue.

Our operations have been like this for a while now but I’ll highlight some challenges.  Student turnover can be tough especially when the experienced technicians graduate or leave for other opportunities, this is why it’s important to have full time staff members that can continuously train newer staff.  Student availability doesn’t always line up with event coverage, this is another reason why it’s good to have full time staff that can handle the equipment.  Lastly, there will sometimes be clients that will insist on having ‘professionals’ run their event, this is another situation where a full time member can step in (for a higher hourly charge) or you can recommend they hire a production company.  Usually the cost of those options leads to them accepting the student staff.

Shoot me an email and I can share some documents with pricing.
laparnel@central.uh.edu

Thank you

——————————
Luke Parnell
Media Services Program Manager
University of Houston
Houston TX
(832) 842-6163
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 05-29-2024 13:17
From: Michael McKean
Subject: Event Production Model

I hope everyone’s summer is going well.  I’m exploring changing our operations to an event production model.  Currently our staff does room set ups, meets with clients, and trouble shoots if there is an issue.  I would like to transition to a model where we assign a event manager (student) to an event to serve as a point of contact for clients.  In addition, I’d like to offer Audio Visual support to larger events.  Once again, we help out with client issues, but not until something goes wrong.  That being said, I was hoping you might be able to provide me with job descriptions for A/V Technicians, Event Managers, Support Staff etc.  In addition if you have pricing for your services, that would be helpful.  

If any Student Centers have made a transition like this, can you let me know if you experience growing pains in the transition?

Thanks

Michael 

——————————
Michael McKean
Director
L.A. Pittenger Student Center
Ball State University
Muncie IN
765-285-1926
michael.mckean@bsu.edu
——————————

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[Mary Bahan]

Hello!

 

Looking for input on when you all charge for the A/V labor.  Do all events with AV include labor charges or only specific events (specific equipment being used, client request, etc).

 

Thanks!!

 

 

Mary

 

Mary Bahan

Coordinator of Event Planners

Campus Box 2650

Normal, IL 61790

309-438-5852

mebahan@ilstu.edu

 

 

Confidentiality Notice: This message is intended for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or the employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.

 

If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by email reply or by telephone at 309-438-8351 and immediately delete this message and any attachments.

 

——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 6/13/2024 12:17:00 PM
From: Marvin Thorne
Subject: RE: Event Production Model

Hi, my name is EJ Thorne, and I am the Production Coordinator at NC State Student Centers. Our production operations are as follows.

We have Event Assistants and Event Managers who are student workers within Student Centers. They are in charge of setting and striking the A/V equipment  for their specific event, checking to make sure the set up matches what shows in 7pointops (diagrams, equipment, etc.), greeting the client and providing great customer service, and making sure the event runs smoothly from beginning to end. Most of our equipment (projectors, screens, wireless/lapel microphones, audio) is installed in the room, so the EA/EM is in charge of setting up the A/V table, laptop, and making sure the podium is set up correctly. Each EA starts out as a Set up Assistant, which gives them a chance to get to know the event spaces, and understand the operations side of the events to set up our event equipment (tables, chairs, stage, etc.). EMs are trained on the live sound systems (digital audio consoles, active powered speakers), and are capable of working some of the high caliber events. 

We currently have 2 full time staff members that are in charge of all A/V and Production operations. The Production Manager supervises and schedules the EAs/EMs, and currently the temp Production Assistants. They also focus on production projects and work directly with the Director and Assistant Director of Student Centers. The Production Coordinator is in charge of all aspects of A/V and Production training for each building and event spaces. This training consists of in-house training, creating training manuals, and creating training videos. The Production Coordinator is also certified to do any in-house rigging for big events. Both Production Manager and Production Coordinator meet with event coordinators, clients, and production companies to help create, plan, and execute any light or heavy production events.  We are also the first line of defense for troubleshooting issues in the building and event spaces.

Attached to this email are some resources for you. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to me, or my Production Manager via the information below. 

Kyle Levine | Production Manager

NC State Student Centers

Email : dklevine@ncsu.edu

Studentcenters.ncsu.edu

EJ Thorne, M.M. | Production Coordinator

NC State Student Centers

P: 252.904.4531

Email: mthorne@ncsu.edu

Studentcenters.ncsu.edu

NC State University

Campus Box 7294

Witherspoon Student Center | Suite 321

2810 Cates Ave. | Raleigh, NC 27695

All electronic mail messages in connection with State business which are sent to or received by this account are subject to the NC Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 6/7/2024 12:50:00 PM
From: Luke Parnell
Subject: RE: Event Production Model

Here is our AV technician job description:
“Set up, run and strike AV equipment for events throughout the Student Centers.  Equipment you can expect to operate includes but is not limited to:  laptops, projectors, microphones, audio mixers, lighting consoles.  Provide excellent customer service and troubleshoot problems.  Assist in other building operations as needed.”

We have two full time members that focus on the AV aspects of our operations.  The AV Manager supervises the AV student staff and the AV Coordinator contacts the clients to coordinate the AV details of the events ahead of time.  Both positions work on maintenance, upgrades, and other projects.  The AV students have different ‘tiers’ based on their skillsets.  Entry level will mostly do basic setups such as laptop + projector as well as support the more experienced technicians.  The more experienced technicians will run the larger events that require audio mixing, lighting cues, etc.  These technicians often serve as the point of contact as well.  If the event is not complex enough to warrant dedicated technicians then the client can contact either our information desk or reservationists who will then contact the appropriate staff member based on the issue.

Our operations have been like this for a while now but I’ll highlight some challenges.  Student turnover can be tough especially when the experienced technicians graduate or leave for other opportunities, this is why it’s important to have full time staff members that can continuously train newer staff.  Student availability doesn’t always line up with event coverage, this is another reason why it’s good to have full time staff that can handle the equipment.  Lastly, there will sometimes be clients that will insist on having ‘professionals’ run their event, this is another situation where a full time member can step in (for a higher hourly charge) or you can recommend they hire a production company.  Usually the cost of those options leads to them accepting the student staff.

Shoot me an email and I can share some documents with pricing.
laparnel@central.uh.edu

Thank you

——————————
Luke Parnell
Media Services Program Manager
University of Houston
Houston TX
(832) 842-6163
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 05-29-2024 13:17
From: Michael McKean
Subject: Event Production Model

I hope everyone’s summer is going well.  I’m exploring changing our operations to an event production model.  Currently our staff does room set ups, meets with clients, and trouble shoots if there is an issue.  I would like to transition to a model where we assign a event manager (student) to an event to serve as a point of contact for clients.  In addition, I’d like to offer Audio Visual support to larger events.  Once again, we help out with client issues, but not until something goes wrong.  That being said, I was hoping you might be able to provide me with job descriptions for A/V Technicians, Event Managers, Support Staff etc.  In addition if you have pricing for your services, that would be helpful.  

If any Student Centers have made a transition like this, can you let me know if you experience growing pains in the transition?

Thanks

Michael 

——————————
Michael McKean
Director
L.A. Pittenger Student Center
Ball State University
Muncie IN
765-285-1926
michael.mckean@bsu.edu
——————————

[EJ Thorne]

Hi Mary,

So we currently charge for AV labor per hour starting the hour prior to client access and ending the hour after the event end time and all priority locations require staffing. We charge a slightly higher rate for Event Managers since they are typically assigned the events in larger spaces or with a higher level of sound needs. We will occasionally assign both an event assistant and manager to an event if the event is complex and requires more than one staff person. Estimated labor charges are shared with clients during the planning process so they know what kind of charge to expect.

EJ

—

EJ Thorne, M.M. | Production Coordinator

NC State Student Centers

P: 919.632.2731

Studentcenters.ncsu.edu

NC State University

Campus Box 7294

Talley Student Center | Suite 3244

2810 Cates Ave. | Raleigh, NC 27695

All electronic mail messages in connection with State business which are sent to or received by this account are subject to the NC Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 6/14/2024 10:17:00 AM
From: Mary Bahan
Subject: RE: Event Production Model

Hello!

 

Looking for input on when you all charge for the A/V labor.  Do all events with AV include labor charges or only specific events (specific equipment being used, client request, etc).

 

Thanks!!

 

 

Mary

 

Mary Bahan

Coordinator of Event Planners

Campus Box 2650

Normal, IL 61790

309-438-5852

mebahan@ilstu.edu

 

 

Confidentiality Notice: This message is intended for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or the employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.

 

If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by email reply or by telephone at 309-438-8351 and immediately delete this message and any attachments.

 

——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 6/13/2024 12:17:00 PM
From: Marvin Thorne
Subject: RE: Event Production Model

Hi, my name is EJ Thorne, and I am the Production Coordinator at NC State Student Centers. Our production operations are as follows.

We have Event Assistants and Event Managers who are student workers within Student Centers. They are in charge of setting and striking the A/V equipment  for their specific event, checking to make sure the set up matches what shows in 7pointops (diagrams, equipment, etc.), greeting the client and providing great customer service, and making sure the event runs smoothly from beginning to end. Most of our equipment (projectors, screens, wireless/lapel microphones, audio) is installed in the room, so the EA/EM is in charge of setting up the A/V table, laptop, and making sure the podium is set up correctly. Each EA starts out as a Set up Assistant, which gives them a chance to get to know the event spaces, and understand the operations side of the events to set up our event equipment (tables, chairs, stage, etc.). EMs are trained on the live sound systems (digital audio consoles, active powered speakers), and are capable of working some of the high caliber events. 

We currently have 2 full time staff members that are in charge of all A/V and Production operations. The Production Manager supervises and schedules the EAs/EMs, and currently the temp Production Assistants. They also focus on production projects and work directly with the Director and Assistant Director of Student Centers. The Production Coordinator is in charge of all aspects of A/V and Production training for each building and event spaces. This training consists of in-house training, creating training manuals, and creating training videos. The Production Coordinator is also certified to do any in-house rigging for big events. Both Production Manager and Production Coordinator meet with event coordinators, clients, and production companies to help create, plan, and execute any light or heavy production events.  We are also the first line of defense for troubleshooting issues in the building and event spaces.

Attached to this email are some resources for you. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to me, or my Production Manager via the information below. 

Kyle Levine | Production Manager

NC State Student Centers

Email : dklevine@ncsu.edu

Studentcenters.ncsu.edu

EJ Thorne, M.M. | Production Coordinator

NC State Student Centers

P: 252.904.4531

Email: mthorne@ncsu.edu

Studentcenters.ncsu.edu

NC State University

Campus Box 7294

Witherspoon Student Center | Suite 321

2810 Cates Ave. | Raleigh, NC 27695

All electronic mail messages in connection with State business which are sent to or received by this account are subject to the NC Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 6/7/2024 12:50:00 PM
From: Luke Parnell
Subject: RE: Event Production Model

Here is our AV technician job description:
“Set up, run and strike AV equipment for events throughout the Student Centers.  Equipment you can expect to operate includes but is not limited to:  laptops, projectors, microphones, audio mixers, lighting consoles.  Provide excellent customer service and troubleshoot problems.  Assist in other building operations as needed.”

We have two full time members that focus on the AV aspects of our operations.  The AV Manager supervises the AV student staff and the AV Coordinator contacts the clients to coordinate the AV details of the events ahead of time.  Both positions work on maintenance, upgrades, and other projects.  The AV students have different ‘tiers’ based on their skillsets.  Entry level will mostly do basic setups such as laptop + projector as well as support the more experienced technicians.  The more experienced technicians will run the larger events that require audio mixing, lighting cues, etc.  These technicians often serve as the point of contact as well.  If the event is not complex enough to warrant dedicated technicians then the client can contact either our information desk or reservationists who will then contact the appropriate staff member based on the issue.

Our operations have been like this for a while now but I’ll highlight some challenges.  Student turnover can be tough especially when the experienced technicians graduate or leave for other opportunities, this is why it’s important to have full time staff members that can continuously train newer staff.  Student availability doesn’t always line up with event coverage, this is another reason why it’s good to have full time staff that can handle the equipment.  Lastly, there will sometimes be clients that will insist on having ‘professionals’ run their event, this is another situation where a full time member can step in (for a higher hourly charge) or you can recommend they hire a production company.  Usually the cost of those options leads to them accepting the student staff.

Shoot me an email and I can share some documents with pricing.
laparnel@central.uh.edu

Thank you

——————————
Luke Parnell
Media Services Program Manager
University of Houston
Houston TX
(832) 842-6163
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 05-29-2024 13:17
From: Michael McKean
Subject: Event Production Model

I hope everyone’s summer is going well.  I’m exploring changing our operations to an event production model.  Currently our staff does room set ups, meets with clients, and trouble shoots if there is an issue.  I would like to transition to a model where we assign a event manager (student) to an event to serve as a point of contact for clients.  In addition, I’d like to offer Audio Visual support to larger events.  Once again, we help out with client issues, but not until something goes wrong.  That being said, I was hoping you might be able to provide me with job descriptions for A/V Technicians, Event Managers, Support Staff etc.  In addition if you have pricing for your services, that would be helpful.  

If any Student Centers have made a transition like this, can you let me know if you experience growing pains in the transition?

Thanks

Michael 

——————————
Michael McKean
Director
L.A. Pittenger Student Center
Ball State University
Muncie IN
765-285-1926
michael.mckean@bsu.edu
——————————

[michael.gjesdal@sdstate.edu]

Hey Michael.? I oversee our “State Tech” Student AV technicians here at SDState.? ?We operate our own mini AV production company that is housed in our Student Union. This is not something we transitioned to recently as this group has been established since the 80’s.? I joined State Tech as a student in 2007.? I graduated, worked AV in other fields elsewhere and now i’m back on year 6 running this group.?

Our student staff handles the vast majority of all AV needs outside of Classrooms, Athletics, Music, Theatre and a few very high-profile events. My crew consists of about 12 student staff. Most are “Student Technicians”,? I have one student in an “Equipment Manager” role and one “Student Manager” role.? Our group used to be larger 12-20 people when we had “Student Coordinators”? This last April we set a new record of 52 events serviced in one month. This includes anything from a stage deck to a music festival.??

Our main services are small sound systems and portable staging – though we do much more.? Now that all classrooms and the majority of conference rooms have built-in audio and video, we don’t do as much video as we used to (rolling displays and projector/screens), but we are doing more video production (cameras/content mixed to zoom).? Being that our small staff is handling such a large amount of complicated events, I no longer train on the fundamentals (other than signal flow).? My staff is trained on how to deploy systems and get through events. I meet with each customer that is requesting assistance. I help them choose an AV package and take their concerns off of the technical side. My Equipment Manager and myself are well-versed in most areas of Audio, Video, Lighting, Staging. We prep equipment so that it can easily be deployed in the field by a tech based on what was talked about in our planning meetings.? My Student Manager does the majority of the staff training with my direction and helps schedule appropriate staff for each event. I don’t have my “State Tech” staff on meeting room events within the facility, our Union Managers are trained to assist with that as needed.? My Tech staff generally does not get involved directly with the client until setup for the event begins.? I coordinate all the details from the customer to the tech staff. I tried to close that gap, but it just didnt work.? Class schedules, illnesses, etc. just made it impossible to provide a consistent service to customers. But on event day, the technician(s) are very much the ones communicating with the client.? I typically don’t set foot on-site at the events unless we are in a pinch or i’m just there as quality control.? I work very few events now.?

All of our resources are booked within EMS and the billing goes through that as well.? We use “Shifts” in MS Teams for scheduling staff and the rest of Teams for communication.

We are in the middle of (finally) updating our pricing for our services. For now, I can show you our current pricing for most of our services. (Link – Pricing on the right-hand side) I’d be happy to discuss further via email/zoom with our proposed changes and talk through any other details you have questions on.? I’d be willing to talk about the equipment we use. What works and what has not been great.

Apologies for my rambling and wandering explanation.

Best,

——————————
Michael Gjesdal
Event Services Operations Manager
South Dakota State University
Brookings SD
(605) 688-4963
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 05-29-2024 13:17
From: Michael McKean
Subject: Event Production Model

I hope everyone’s summer is going well.  I’m exploring changing our operations to an event production model.  Currently our staff does room set ups, meets with clients, and trouble shoots if there is an issue.  I would like to transition to a model where we assign a event manager (student) to an event to serve as a point of contact for clients.  In addition, I’d like to offer Audio Visual support to larger events.  Once again, we help out with client issues, but not until something goes wrong.  That being said, I was hoping you might be able to provide me with job descriptions for A/V Technicians, Event Managers, Support Staff etc.  In addition if you have pricing for your services, that would be helpful.  

If any Student Centers have made a transition like this, can you let me know if you experience growing pains in the transition?

Thanks

Michael 

——————————
Michael McKean
Director
L.A. Pittenger Student Center
Ball State University
Muncie IN
765-285-1926
michael.mckean@bsu.edu
——————————

[Deanna Cahoon-Draus]

Thanks for sharing about Shifts Michael! I had never heard of that tool within Teams before, but will definitely be looking into it. We use another website, but being included in Teams is convenient and cost-effective.

——————————
Deanna Cahoon-Draus
University Center Programs Specialist
University of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI
(715) 425-3986
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 06-10-2024 16:28
From: Michael Gjesdal
Subject: Event Production Model

Hey Michael.? I oversee our “State Tech” Student AV technicians here at SDState.? ?We operate our own mini AV production company that is housed in our Student Union. This is not something we transitioned to recently as this group has been established since the 80’s.? I joined State Tech as a student in 2007.? I graduated, worked AV in other fields elsewhere and now i’m back on year 6 running this group.?

Our student staff handles the vast majority of all AV needs outside of Classrooms, Athletics, Music, Theatre and a few very high-profile events. My crew consists of about 12 student staff. Most are “Student Technicians”,? I have one student in an “Equipment Manager” role and one “Student Manager” role.? Our group used to be larger 12-20 people when we had “Student Coordinators”? This last April we set a new record of 52 events serviced in one month. This includes anything from a stage deck to a music festival.??

Our main services are small sound systems and portable staging – though we do much more.? Now that all classrooms and the majority of conference rooms have built-in audio and video, we don’t do as much video as we used to (rolling displays and projector/screens), but we are doing more video production (cameras/content mixed to zoom).? Being that our small staff is handling such a large amount of complicated events, I no longer train on the fundamentals (other than signal flow).? My staff is trained on how to deploy systems and get through events. I meet with each customer that is requesting assistance. I help them choose an AV package and take their concerns off of the technical side. My Equipment Manager and myself are well-versed in most areas of Audio, Video, Lighting, Staging. We prep equipment so that it can easily be deployed in the field by a tech based on what was talked about in our planning meetings.? My Student Manager does the majority of the staff training with my direction and helps schedule appropriate staff for each event. I don’t have my “State Tech” staff on meeting room events within the facility, our Union Managers are trained to assist with that as needed.? My Tech staff generally does not get involved directly with the client until setup for the event begins.? I coordinate all the details from the customer to the tech staff. I tried to close that gap, but it just didnt work.? Class schedules, illnesses, etc. just made it impossible to provide a consistent service to customers. But on event day, the technician(s) are very much the ones communicating with the client.? I typically don’t set foot on-site at the events unless we are in a pinch or i’m just there as quality control.? I work very few events now.?

All of our resources are booked within EMS and the billing goes through that as well.? We use “Shifts” in MS Teams for scheduling staff and the rest of Teams for communication.

We are in the middle of (finally) updating our pricing for our services. For now, I can show you our current pricing for most of our services. (Link – Pricing on the right-hand side) I’d be happy to discuss further via email/zoom with our proposed changes and talk through any other details you have questions on.? I’d be willing to talk about the equipment we use. What works and what has not been great.

Apologies for my rambling and wandering explanation.

Best,

——————————
Michael Gjesdal
Event Services Operations Manager
South Dakota State University
Brookings SD
(605) 688-4963
——————————

Original Message:
Sent: 05-29-2024 13:17
From: Michael McKean
Subject: Event Production Model

I hope everyone’s summer is going well.? I’m exploring changing our operations to an event production model.? Currently our staff does room set ups, meets with clients, and trouble shoots if there is an issue.? I would like to transition to a model where we assign a event manager (student) to an event to serve as a point of contact for clients.? In addition, I’d like to offer Audio Visual support to larger events.? Once again, we help out with client issues, but not until something goes wrong.? That being said, I was hoping you might be able to provide me with job descriptions for A/V Technicians, Event Managers, Support Staff etc.? In addition if you have pricing for your services, that would be helpful.??

If any Student Centers have made a transition like this, can you let me know if you experience growing pains in the transition?

Thanks

Michael?

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Michael McKean
Director
L.A. Pittenger Student Center
Ball State University
Muncie IN
765-285-1926
michael.mckean@bsu.edu
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