Audiovisual and videoconferencing success at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha

Each member of the team is now certified at Level 1 and has additional AV knowledge so they can provide the very best AV expertise and practices. Certified at Level 3, Mr. Barsan is one of only three gentlemen in the region with such a qualification.

Training and certification is directed by MVP International, a support program that assists Marriott, Renaissance, and Ritz-Carlton properties across 36 countries. Mr. Barsan provides essential technical support within the hotel itself to ensure the success of every videoconference event.

Arriving at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha in 2004, Mr. Barsan studied electronics and computers at University before gaining his expertise as a service engineer and working in television stations to learn the skills that he now uses on a daily basis.

As video conferencing becomes a necessity, it is vital to have the right people in place to assist clients and ensure that their needs are met. "It is extremely expensive and time-consuming to travel across the world for an interview or conference," states Mr. Barsan. "Companies are beginning to realize this and are now using video conferencing as a tool for recruitment and business meetings."

Now more than ever, technology such as the advanced systems installed at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha have been exposed to all levels and types of industry that may never previously have contemplated the use of such equipment. Video conferencing certainly proved to be an invaluable tool for the Doha Asian Games Organization Committee as they used the hotel's facilities to confer with international organizations and committees on every aspect of every sport in the Asian Games, 2006.

Utilizing high-tech equipment (including Polycom View Station), software and accessories to enhance video and audio quality, The Ritz-Carlton, Doha 50-inch screen and 384K ISDN lines or LAN connectivity make a lifelike conferencing interaction possible. This technology enables an organization to meet at a distance in the most comfortable and cost effective way possible.

The advanced method of meeting allows more flexibility in coordinating the schedules of busy delegates, who may be able to spare hours for a meeting, but are unable to allocate the 2 or 3 days required for travel.