Decibel Events AV Vetting Checklist.xlsx

	A	C
1	How to Use This Checklist
2	A two-minute guide before you start
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4	What this is
5	This is a free, view-only template from Decibel Events. To use it, open it in Google Sheets, click File, then Make a copy, and edit your own version. Then take it to your next venue walkthrough and have every AV provider answer in writing. The golden rule: never sign in-house AV until you have an outside number to compare it to.
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7	How to use it
8	1	Fill in the event details at the top of the AV Checklist tab: event, venue, dates, the provider you are evaluating, and who completed it.
9	2	Work through each section with that provider. Use a separate copy for each provider so you can compare answers side by side.
10	3	Type the provider's response in the “Their Answer / Notes” column, and check the box once you have a clear answer.
11	4	Watch for red-flag answers: a bundled quote with no itemization, no named producer or show caller, “we have never had a problem” in place of a real backup plan, diagrams that are not to scale, or pressure to sign before you have priced it elsewhere.
12	5	The golden rule: never sign in-house AV until you have an outside number to compare it to.
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14	How to make your own copy (Google Sheets)
15	This master sheet is view-only, so make your own editable copy before you fill anything in:
16	1	Open the sheet in Google Sheets.
17	2	Click File, then “Make a copy.”
18	3	Name your copy, choose a folder in your Google Drive, and click “Make a copy.”
19	4	Edit your copy freely. The original stays clean for everyone else.
20	Prefer Excel? Click File, then Download, then “Microsoft Excel (.xlsx)” to fill it in offline. Tip: make one copy per provider so you can compare bids directly.
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22	Talk to Decibel
23	Decibel Events is an independent corporate event production company with no hotel commission arrangements working against you. If you want an honest outside quote, or a second opinion on an in-house number, reach out.
24	Website:	decibelevents.com
25	Get a quote:	decibelevents.com/contact
26	Phone:	703.953.4493
27	Location:	Washington, DC
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