AVI-SPL announces the sale of its hotel, equipment rental, and event production services division to Freeman Audio Visual, an integrated marketing solutions company.
The former division of AVI-SPL specialized in association trade shows, business meetings, and special events. With this acquisition, Freeman adds to its present brands such as Encore Event Technologies, Stage Rigging and Alford Media. Staging and AV rental employees will join the Freeman team.
AVI-SPL says this sale advances its strategic focus on its core business of delivering collaboration solutions that help businesses and global enterprises connect, share knowledge resources and effectively manage technology investments. The company will concentrate on pro-AV design, build and integration, product sales and managed services.
John Zettel, CEO of AVI-SPL, says farewell to the division in a letter posted to the company’s website:
“AVI-SPL’s rental, staging and hotel services division has been a part of the AVI-SPL family for the past 32 years providing in-house AV support for hotels and convention centers and supporting events with AV equipment rental, video production and live event production services. Freeman has an equally rich history rooted in values that mirror those of AVI-SPL – operating with the utmost respect for their employees, maintaining a firm dedication to operational excellence, sustainability, profitability and customer service. We plan to continue to partner with Freeman on live event opportunities, and wish Freeman and their new team members much success.”
AVI-SPL’s hotel presence will become part of Freeman’s Encore Event Technologies. The resulting combination gives Encore Event Technologies and Freeman AV Canada nearly 300 in-house and extended service hotel properties throughout North America.
“The acquisition is an important milestone for Freeman as it works to grow their international presence, beginning with the Americas region and through new opportunities in Mexico and Puerto Rico,” says Ken Sanders, president of Freeman Audio Visual. “We look forward to welcoming AVI-SPL rental, staging and hotel services group into our Freeman AV and Encore families so that, together, we can deliver an expanded suite of experts, resources and solutions, as well as exceptional customer results across an expanded geography.”
The deal closed on September 30. The two companies are choosing not to disclose financial information about the acquisition, but say they will work together to manage the transition of all AVI-SPL’s hotel, rental and staging accounts, employees and operations, as well as communicate related developments in the coming months.
