The AV user group was formed in the late 1990's as a forum for Audio Visual and Video Conferencing managers to discuss technology issues, exchange ideas and provide support to the emerging AV support industry.  Initially the group consisted of a handful of managers from the finance industry, but today our members come from all manor of industries including Government, Public Sector, Legal, Telecoms, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare, to name a few.

The Group meets four times a year with presentation sessions including:  formal manufacturer presentations, case studies from other members and discussions on topical subjects or challenges that members face.  We aim to provide fun and informative sessions with a range of topics so there is something to interest everyone. Manufacturer's sessions are steered towards new technology and presenters who offer nothing new or "try and teach granny to suck eggs" are dispatched quickly from the meeting room!

The group maintains strong links with manufacturers who see the group as a valuable asset for end user feedback and customer relationships. Conversely we see the relationship as a great way for end users to influence roadmaps so that manufacturers develop products we actually want to buy. When members have issues with product or changes in commercial terms, the AV user Group has formed an exceptionally strong lobbying body.

Following ten years running on a fairly adhoc basis, in 2009 it was decided that if the group was to develop further, then a more formal structure was required.  A "not for profit" limited company has now been formed chaired by Owen Ellis (Morgan Stanley) with an executive management team of Roger McArdell (Barclays), Stuart Carter (MOD) and Dominic Edwards (Commerzbank).  The group is financed by manufacturers and systems integrator's sponsorship and all funds are used to deliver the events and provide refreshments afterwards.  Any surplus funds are used for member benefits such as tables at the AV awards or gifted to charity.  We maintain strong links with Infocomm the industry body, AV Magazine and SCHOMS (Standing Conference for Heads of Media Services), the AV user group for Higher Education.

We welcome new members from the end user community from any industry in the UK.  There are no membership fees, all we ask is that members participate in forums here on the website and attend the quarterly meetings as often as possible.