Getting to Know our Supplier Member - Brent Beatty

Tell us a bit about yourself

I was born in Winnipeg but moved to Calgary when I was 2. During my younger years I loved to skateboard (and was featured in Thrasher Skateboard magazine with 2 full page photos in July of 1981) and played in several bands and toured Canada before going to school to train in Television. I have 3 kids (Josh, 23 and 15-year-old twins, Max & Liz) and my amazing and supportive wife Jennifer (Holly) Beatty.

How did you join the industry? Was it a straight path?

I fell into the industry, as most musicians do, with their careers. My first professional gig after school was the Banff Television Festival where I still remember pinning a lapel mic on Ed Asner (Lou Grant for the old folks in the crowd). I did AV for 15 years before moving into hospitality.

Social Media: What do you recommend following on social media?

I love this gal and her positive messages of making your own magic happen: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins/

Inspiration: What might you consider doing if you could get over your fear?

Skydiving but… I am exceptionally afraid of heights (yes an AV guy afraid of heights)

Professional: What is the best advice you have ever received?

From JW Marriott who once said “It’s better to make a wrong decision than no decision at all”.  This is true no matter where you are in the workforce.

Personal: What is the last big change you made in your life?

The last big thing I did was relocate to Ottawa in July 2014. I took a position with an organization everyone thought was a fraud and it was… but it led me back to the live events industry and in April 2016 to the position I am in today because our FMAV CEO Bill Brown took a chance on a disrupter…so…it all worked out in the end!

Networking: What is the best mistake you ever made at a networking event?

I can’t think of a best mistake but once I forgot to pack “black” pants for the tradeshow booth for Tête à Tête. That morning after finishing setup I had to run to le Chateau and buy pants at the last minute. My new rule was don’t talk to your kids while you are packing…focus focus focus!! Lol

Favourite Quote:

“At the end of the day, you are solely responsible for your success and your failure. And the sooner you realize that, you accept that, and integrate that into your work ethic, you will start being successful. As long as you blame others for the reason you aren’t where you want to be, you will always be a failure.” Erin Cummings