The people behind the network

Peter represents Special Effects Ltd, our Hungarian member company as its Director of Possibilities. He has been an entrepreneur all his life, and has been working on the improvement of his business for 18 years. As the Chairman of AV Alliance, Peter enjoys the role of overall coordinator with a strong focus on the organization’s finances.

“Business equals fun. Get the best people and set them free. Focus on details and communication. Always improve.”

Simon is the founder of AV Alliance and served as its Chairman from 2010 to 2019. He represents our Swiss founding member Habegger AG, with headquarters in Regensdorf, outside of Zurich, Switzerland. Having spent over 27 years in the industry, Simon takes care of the network development of the AV Alliance.

“Having friends around the world is a privilege and takes myself and our business to the next level.”

Joaquin de Elias is the CEO of our AV Alliance member company Congress Rental in Argentina. With over 8 years of experience in the audiovisual industry, Joaquin brings a fresh perspective and new ideas to the AV Alliance. As a third-generation member of a family business, Joaquin has an innate understanding of what it takes to run a successful enterprise. He is passionate about bringing the next generation’s perspective to the AV Alliance and is focused on developing new ideas and objectives for the future. Joaquin is committed to driving innovation and growth within the industry and is excited to use his skills and experience to help guide the AV Alliance towards achieving its goals and objectives.

The first woman to be elected as Board Member of the AV Alliance, Laura Güimil is Account Director our AV Alliance member company 2MG.NET in Argentina. Besides having 11 years of experience in the audio visual industry, mother-of-two Laura is also an accomplished interior designer by profession. Being an integral part of the AV Alliance’s Education, Advancement, and Outreach Committee, and now the AV Alliance Board, she is committed to dedicate her time and expertise to her passion topics, such as sustainability, equity, diversity, and facilitating access to quality education.

Martin Blanchard is the owner and President of XPAV Expert’Ease, our Canadian AV Alliance member company representing Montréal and Quebec. He has been elected as member of the AV Alliance Board in April 2021.

Over the past 20 years, Martin has developed exceptional technical expertise in sound, lighting and video. He began his career working as an Account Manager for Corpav, before moving further in the same position with Duocom. He carved out an enviable position as Technical Adviser alongside companies and organizations such as Rio Tinto Alcan, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, etc.

Today, Martin has surrounded himself with an experienced team of experts that distinguishes itself through its quality of service.

Matt Emerson is the CEO of AVFX, our AV Alliance member company representing Boston, MA and Denver, CO in the United States. He was elected as member of the AV Alliance Board in April 2021.

Matt worked for CEAVCO, his family business started by his father in 1961, since 1989. In 2021 AVFX acquired CEAVCO, which formally transitioned into the former’s brand in 2024. Matt previously served as President and Chairman for multiple industry associations, as fills Board positions for different forums and organizations. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management and his Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Colorado.

Zaki Mustapa is the founder and owner of our AV Alliance member company Cantuman Wawasan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. After earning his Bachelor of Engineering degree at Imperial College London in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Zaki briefly worked at Panasonic System Engineering before founding his own audio visual equipment rental company Cantuman Wawasan 27 years ago. Cantuman Wawasan has been a dominant face in the audio visual, events and production industry in Southeast Asia for almost three decades, providing advanced technology and top-of-the-line equipment and services to a wide range of customers local and abroad. Zaki is an avid photographer and is passionate about exploring cultures, especially Japan and its cuisine.