The IT manager who turned his opinion around
This IT manager is not the only one. We see this pattern time after time. Board members and managers think that bigger is always better. More screens means bigger impact, right?
But when his board members took their seats around our integrated boardroom table, something special happened. For the first time in years they looked at each other during conversations. The technology was there (cameras, microphones, displays), but fully integrated into the table.
“It felt like we were having real conversations again,” he later said. “No distractions. Just focus on what matters: the decisions.”
That’s exactly what it’s all about. Technology that support, not dominates.
The traditional boardroom with screens
You know how it is. You’re in a boardroom with screens on the wall. What do you look at during presentations? At the speaker or at the screen? And what do the rest of the board members look at?
Usually at the screen. Naturally, as that’s where the information is.
But in this way, something essential disappears: human contact. Eye contact and non-verbal communication. The subtle signs that are crucial when making important decisions.
Traditional boardrooms have three fundamental problems:
Visual dominance
Screens attract all the attention. Conversations revolve around presentations, not people. You see board members constantly looking at screens instead of at each other.
Technical distraction
Buttons and systems that don’t always work. The focus shifts from content to operating technology. Valuable meeting time is lost due to technical problems.
Impersonal appearance
Spaces that feel like control rooms or technical command centers. Cold, businesslike, distant. The exact opposite of what you want for confidential board meetings.
The result? Meetings that are less effective than they should be.
The new norm: integrated technology
The best boardrooms today choose a radically different approach. All technology is hidden in the conference table. No screens on the walls. No visible cameras. No complicated control panels.
So what happens to the technology then?
It’s still there. But fully inegrated. Cameras that arise from the table at the push of a button – they’re built into the design. This way, the participants at the table are captured perfectly from the front. And because this component in the table only slides up a few centimeters, participants can still look at each other, and those in the video call feel as if the speaker is looking directly at them. There are microphones that you don’t see, but pick up sound perfectly. And the displays are integrated into the table under a glass panel.
And with a new approach, you can even go one step further. By integrating screens into the table, you maintain eye contact with your conversation partners. Neither of you have to look at a wall. You keep looking at each other while looking at the same information together.
The result is surprisingly simple:
- A space that feels like a luxurious meeting room, not a control room
- Technology that works without you having to think about it
- Focus on people and conversations, not on equipment
More information about the Quarta Boardroom
Concrete advantages you’ll notice immediately
Humanized meetings
Without screens that attract all the attention, there’s more eye contact. Conversations become more natural. Trust grows faster. You see board members who feel more involved in discussions.
Unique appearance
A boardroom without visible technology exudes class. It shows that you choose quality and innovation. External takeholders immediately feel impressed by the stylish, elegant setup.
Better decision-making
More attention for one another means better communication. Subtle signs that you notice by making eye contact. More room to notice non-verbal communication. Discussions that go deeper because people feel safer.
Future-proof
Because all technology is integrated, you can easily adapt to new developments. Hybrid meetings, new platforms, future innovations – everything fits perfectly.
For which organisations this works well
Not every company has the same needs. A human-centered boardroom is especially interesting if you:
Use meetings for strategic decision-making
Board meetings, management consultations, investment decisions. Moments when personal contact and trust are crucial.
Value representation
Your boardroom is the organisation’s business card. External stakeholders, investors, key clients – they get their first impression of your professionalism here.
Think uniqueness and experience are important
Organisations where design, uniqueness, and innovation are part of the identity. Where the boardroom is more than just a meeting room.
Frequently asked questions and misunderstandings
“Without big screens I can’t present well”
This isn’t true. Presentation screens will be integrated in the table. Because you’re sitting closer, you have a perfect view of the displays in the table – whether it’s a PowerPoint or Excel sheet.
“This will probably be very expensive”
Oftentimes, the investment is not bad compared to complex traditional AV installations. In all honesty, because the table is custom-made, the investment is slighty higher than a traditional boardroom. So it’s customised, but not necessarily more expensive. After all, the furniture in a boardroom is often already custom-made. In addition, the technology isn’t much more expensive. The displays in the table are much cheaper than big 90″ screens or LED solutions in the wall.
“Our people are used to traditional settings”
Adjusting goes surprisingly fast. Usually, people feel the difference after one meeting. No trouble with technology and not constantly having to turn your head to a screen leads to more focus on content. Everyone appreciates that.
Practical implementation: from idea to reality
Every organisation is different. Together, your meeting culture, space, budget, and preferences determine the best solution. That’s why we always implement customized solutions.
How does such a journey start?
It begins with an exploratory conversation of 15 to 30 minutes. We listen to your challenges, review your current situation, and explain various options.
During that conversation, you’ll gain:
- Insights on the possibilities within your space and budget
- Explanations of different concepts with pros and cons
- Indications of prices for the options that suit you best
- A clear picture of the journey and timeline
After the conversation, we’ll invite you to come experience it for yourself.
Because talking about ‘screenless’ boardrooms is one thing. Experiencing it is very different. That’s why you’ll be invited for a demo at AVEX. Or you can visit one of our clients who make their Quarta boardroom available as reference.
This way, you, your team, and the board members can experience this unique concept. You’ll immediately notice the difference in dynamics, the elegant look and the natural way of meeting. Once everyone agrees, we’ll continue.
From boardroom to experience
The best boardrooms are not technical showrooms anymore. They’re spaces that revolve around people. Where technology supports without dominating. Where important decisions are made in an environment that calls for trust and connection.
That IT manager worded it nicely: “We should’ve done this years ago.” His board finally feels connected again. Meetings became more effective. And external stakeholders are immediately impressed by the stylish, professional look.
That’s exactly what a good boardroom does. It doesn’t just facilitate meetings, it creates experiences that enhance decision-making.
Your next step
Do you want to discover if a human-centered boardroom suits your organisation?
Schedule a no-obligation exploratory conversation. In 15 to 30 minutes you’ll get a clear picture of the possibilities, which options suit you best and what this means budget-wise and for your planning.
Because in the end, meetings are not about technology. They’re about people who make the right decisions together. Technology should support that without standing in the way.
And if you experience how a ‘screenless’ boardroom feels, you’ll immediately understand why more and more organisations make this choice. Just like that IT manager whose opinion shifted.
Marco Kramer is account manager at AVEX and has more than 15 years of experience with boardroom installations. He helps organisations with the shift to future-proof meeting solutions that combine technology and human contact optimally.
