Arena AV ignites Hawks' game day experience

The Illawarra Hawks' game day experience is one of the best in the NBL and a large part of that is the excellent work of Arena AV.

The latter, who has been working alongside the Hawks since its foundation in 2007, takes control of all the audio and visual requirements during the foundation club's home fixtures at the WIN Entertainment Centre.

“Like the Hawks, Arena AV is proud of its Illawarra heritage and we encourage local business to use other local business as much as they can,” said Arena AV's Sean Keaveny, who’s been affiliated with the Hawks since 2001 when he was the WIN Entertainment Centre’s technical coordinator before forming his new company in 2007 - which then won the venue’s tender as preferred audio/visual supplier.

“Joining the Hawks has enabled us to showcase our entertainment technology outside of the corporate events market and help build on the game day experience which is at an all-time high.

“Much like the Hawks, we’ve grown our business from the ground up and although there have been challenges along the way, our partnership has allowed us to continue to strive for success in a highly competitive industry.”

That was just one of the similarities Keaveny drew between the two businesses, especially since the Hawks new ownership took over.

“Like the Hawks, we have to plan tactically, creatively and back up from very tight deadlines,” he said.

“Event production takes a lot of planning behind the scenes and you have to be able to adapt with short notice.

“During this pandemic, the challenges of navigating game day postponements and adhering to health orders have changed the way we can host events and I believe the partnership is doing a fantastic job - especially over the past 18 months.

“The Hawks have a proud history, which I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with for 20 years, and it feels like a new lease on life has been bestowed on the club.

“For the first time years, we have a team, led by Brian Goorjian, that can go all the way.

“I feel very lucky to be a part of the new journey and would like to thank the ownership on behalf of myself and the community for really believing in the Hawks and the Illawarra.”

Hawks co-owner and president Dorry Kordahi was thrilled to hear Keaveny's comments about the impact his ownership is having on the club.

“Arena AV has been big supporters of the Hawks for a long time, especially since I and the new ownership group took over,” Kordahi said.

"That is a testament to their loyalty as a business and that together we are building something truly special at the Hawks and within the Illawarra region.

"Sean and his team are an integral part of our game day experience, which helps us produce the best night out in the Illawarra.”

Launched in May 2007,  Arena AV was born out of the frustration of working with suppliers that professed to be the best but failed to deliver.

Since then, they've been a point of difference in a very competitive market, only investing in the best industry brands to maintain a service of excellence for their customers.

To find out more about how you too can become a corporate partner, email partnerships@hawks.com.au.