People of the AV Alliance | Simon Ackermann

The best origin stories of any organization will always be intertwined with the people who made them a reality. This is why we cannot talk about the AV Alliance without also talking about Simon Ackermann, the founder of our association.

In our new blog series we shine the spotlight onto the People of the AV Alliance, those formidable men and women who, professionally speaking, are much more used to working behind the scenes, creating unforgettable events or managing organizations and businesses that they or their families brought to life.

Habegger AG

Simon Ackermann is not only the founder of the AV Alliance, but also of Habegger AG, an international service provider in live communication that covers multiple disciples: events, scenography, exhibitions, film production and event venues around the world. Headquartered in Regensdorf, Switzerland, Habegger’s journey as a service provider in audiovisual technology started in 1982, and has since grown into a leading provider in the event industry with four offices in Europe (including our Vienna-based Member, Habegger Austria) and delivering over 2,000 local and international projects a year. In October 2017, Simon Ackernann and Nico Ubenauf, CEO of our German Member satis&fy established Live Matters GmbH, bringing their businesses under the new holding company.

The AV Alliance, our global network of the leading event technology suppliers, was founded in 2010. Representing Habegger AG, Simon served as Chairman of the Board for nine years, before handing over the baton to our current Chairman, Peter Muller (Special Effects Ltd.) in April 2017 while remaining an active Member of the Board to this day, continuing to lend his vast experience and knowledge of the AV industry to help guide the AV Alliance on its journey.

In this interview we asked Simon – among many other things – about his vision behind bringing together leading event technology suppliers around the world, and the values he wished Members to represent from the very start.

What was your initial idea and vision behind creating the AV Alliance?

My vision was to build a global network that brings together the very best companies in the AV and event technology sector. I wanted to ensure that clients, wherever they are in the world, could rely on the same high standards of quality, expertise, and reliability, delivered by trusted local partners.

Did you have an example of a similar network in mind when you decided to form our association?

No, there wasn’t a direct example or template for what I wanted to create. The idea came from my own experiences in the industry and the realization that there was a real need for a collaborative, international network that put quality and trust first.

From where did you know the original Members of the AVA?

I knew many of the founding members for years through industry projects, events, and personal connections. That mutual trust and understanding were crucial in getting the Alliance off the ground.

From the early days, Simon was determined to find the best privately owned AV rental companies around the world. Many of the first Members of the AV Alliance are still part of our network, a testament to their commitment to Simon’s vision and our core values, as well as to their industry peers. Since 2010 we have grown exponentially, currently being represented by 95 Members globally, without compromising on the original purpose and the mission of the AV Alliance.

What are the most important values that you have wished for the AV Alliance to represent in the event industry?

Quality, reliability, and fairness were always at the core. I also wanted the Alliance to stand for transparency, trust, and a genuine willingness to work together as partners rather than competitors.

What was the gap in the market that you wanted to fill with the AV Alliance?

I saw a clear gap: clients needed access to top-tier AV services globally, but with the consistency and personal touch that only local experts can provide. There was no network that guaranteed the same high standards everywhere, so that’s the gap we set out to fill.

As the Founder and former Chairman, what were the biggest challenges that you had to face in the early years of the AV Alliance, uniting companies across different markets in different countries?

The biggest challenge was bringing together companies from different markets and cultures and uniting them around common standards and values. Building trust and a spirit of partnership among businesses that were sometimes competitors required a lot of openness, patience, and communication.

What are your favorite memories of those initial years?

My favorite memories are definitely the first meetings, where we turned an idea into a real network—and the friendships that developed from those early days. There was a real sense of excitement and shared purpose.

What are your thoughts on the evolution of the AV Alliance and what it has become over the years?

I’m incredibly proud of how the AV Alliance has grown. What started as a small group has become a global benchmark for quality and innovation in our industry, with more than 90 members worldwide.

Where do you see the association in the next decade?

I see the AV Alliance continuing to grow, expanding into new markets, embracing new technologies, and leading the way in sustainability and professional development within our industry.

If you could give one piece of advice to your past self on the brink of creating this global network, what would it be?

Be patient, stay open to new ideas, and focus on building strong relationships—because creating a global network takes time and trust.

Where do you see future potential for the AV Alliance to expand and strengthen its own position within the AV industry?

I see huge potential in further international expansion, adopting innovative technologies, and driving the industry forward with sustainable solutions and ongoing training and education.

Thank you, Simon!

Next time we sit down to chat with fellow Board Member and CEO of Congress Rental, Joaquin de Elias.