Staff Profile: Tilman Schafer-Martin

Tilman (Tilly) was recently appointed head rigger for AVPartners at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC).

Tilly’s sense of adventure has meant he’s had an extremely diverse and exciting career all over the world. Tilly says “experience through misadventure seems to be my tagline!”

Tilly has worked as a gold prospector, concierge, cook, room-service attendant, tent manager, warehouse manager, time-share sales associate, caterer, glassy, bartender, short filmmaker, wicker furniture salesman, house sitter, babysitter and rouse-about – and now rigger!

Most recently, Tilly worked in Exhibitions with Perth Expohire, prior to moving to AVPartners.

He is excited to take up the role after working as a casual Rigger with AVPartners at PCEC since 2014. Tilly says “PCEC is a central hub for some of the most significant events in Perth. The diversity of the people and characters you get to meet and work with is more than reason enough to keep coming back.”

Tilly loves the events industry and sees it as an interesting way to peek into the world around you – in all its diversity – from one place.

One of his favourite events to work on was CANCEC, an annual Canadian defence and business exhibition. Tilly says “I remember having to push past some high ranking military brass waiting in security checks because I had a chair to deliver. It was quite an extraordinary experience.”

“It was a lot of fun and sent me down the path I’m still on now.”

Tilly was born in Guatemala on Lago De Attitlan, Panajachel, and moved with his mother to Australia. He has three brothers dotted around the world of which he is the eldest but in his words “certainly not the wisest.” With family scattered evenly around the world, Tilly is proud to represent the clan down-under.

In his free time, Tilly enjoys cooking, filmmaking and watching a good (or cheesy) film. Some favourites include Black Dynamite, Aliens, City of God and Children of Men.

A big welcome to Tilly to the AVPartners team!