Blog Highlights
- Event planning focuses on logistics, while event production handles day-of management, design, and technology.
- An event production team should have backup plans and equipment to be prepared for issues that come up during the event.
- To run a great event, the planners and the production team need to work together effectively.
Corporate event organizers often assume that a great event planner can handle complex technical productions. Event planners specialize in managing logistics like choosing the right venue, working with caterers, and sending out invitations. They do not have the technical expertise to execute things like lighting, sound, staging, and broadcasting. These requirements fall under event production. This guide will act as your checklist for finding the right event production team and making sure your event looks the way you envision it and is streamed and recorded beautifully.
Event Planning vs. Production: Why the Distinction Matters
Event planning and production teams have two distinct roles. Event planning is about the logistics, so an event planner will handle things like deadlines, timing, and vendor communication. Event production is about executing your vision for the event using design, technology, and day-of management. If you’re running a high-stakes, tech-heavy event, relying only on a planner can lead to AV failures, poor broadcast quality, and an overrun budget. An event production team is a true partner that provides excellent audio-visual production to make your event impactful.
Critical Technical Questions to Ask Your Production Partner
Choosing the right event production partner starts with asking the right questions. Make sure to discuss the following topics along with anything else that’s specific to your event.
How do you handle hybrid and virtual event broadcasts?
Your technology needs to run smoothly for these events to be a success. Ask about backup internet lines, the streaming platforms the production team recommends, and the tools they will use to keep remote attendees engaged.
What is your process for technical rehearsals and contingency planning?
Great event product partners don’t just wing it. The company should do dry runs ahead of time and have backup equipment ready in case of a power failure or audio issue.
Will we have a dedicated technical director on-site?
Your event production partner should provide a single point of contact who will be responsible for managing the crew and timeline and doing any troubleshooting in real time. Multiple contacts create confusion and can cause details to be overlooked or fixes to be delayed.
Aligning Logistics With Technical Reality
The best events happen when product and planning work in perfect harmony. A good production partner will collaborate with the production team from the beginning. They will need to evaluate aspects of the event venue like power drops, rigging points, and acoustics long before event day. A good way to gauge whether a potential production partner understands this is to ask how early they need to be involved in venue walkthroughs. They should have a clear answer that indicates that they know how important these early walkthroughs are. Miller Tanner Associates’ process is designed to ensure that planning and production work seamlessly together.
Elevate Your Next Corporate Event With Miller Tanner Associates
Running a great event requires attention to logistics, technology, and design. A great event production partner knows how to plan for contingencies, prepare the technology the event needs to run smoothly, and work with event planners. MTA has the right answers to your production questions, and our team seamlessly bridges the gap between meticulous planning and top-tier production for global events. Contact us to discuss your event today.
