Freeman Acquires AVT Event Technologies

Event management company Freeman has acquired AVT Event Technologies, an Arlington Heights, Ill.-based provider of in-house audio/visual for U.S. hotels, it announced early this month.

Founded in 2000, AVT currently serves 21 hotels nationwide, providing full-service audio/visual, lighting, staging and production services through on-site operations that work collaboratively with facility staff to produce meetings and events. According to Freeman, those services will enable it to grow and to add value for its customers—even in a down economy.

“In today’s turbulent times, all companies are doing what they can to reduce short-term business impact, but at the same time, we continue to look for opportunities to add value for our clients,” Freeman CEO Joe Popolo said in a statement. “AVT has demonstrated they are the technology and creative leader in their space. With the addition of AVT to Freeman’s resources, we are positioning Freeman for additional growth in an important segment of the face-to-face industry.”

AVT will retain its brand and its executive leadership team, as well as its independent operations, but will also be integrated within Freeman’s larger organization; going forward, for instance, the company will be known as AVT Event Technologies, a Freeman Company.

“Becoming a Freeman company is a wise move for AVT,” said AVT CEO Martin Kwitschau. “Freeman is viewed by its customers as the premier supplier in the face-to-face industry. As part of Freeman, AVT will leverage its own premium reputation and service offerings to expand Freeman’s reach into the hospitality marketplace. We are very excited to be part of a team with the industry experience and depth that Freeman has.