If you run a business or work in public relations, then you know that public events make up a big part of your corporate identity. If people have a negative experience at an event you are hosting, they associate that negative experience with the company it represents, as they should. Simply put, in the corporate world, you must put forward the right image, and you must ‘get it right on the night’.
Of course, you may or may not personally be an expert in live event production, you may not know the difference between a spotlight and a floodlight, but that is what the production company is there for; to produce this event with you on the technical end. Given that, how do you make sure that the company you are partnering with to produce your live event is going to give you the results you are after? Well, it might actually be easier than you think if you know what to look for.
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Here are three important (yet overlooked) elements of a great live event production company that you should be on a lookout for:
A simple, easy to navigate, professional-looking website
An unprofessional looking website is not really a deal-breaker if you are looking for a site that sells computer parts or lists movie times or something, so why should it matter for a live event production company? Well, a live event production company is in the business of presentation. If they cannot present themselves well, then there is a good chance that they will not be able to present you well, either. It’s elementary!
Excellent communication skills
When it comes down to live event production, what some event production companies forget is that they must put the client, and the client’s vision, first. If you call an event production company and they just quote a price and tell you, “Alright! See you there!”, then they are probably not too interested in your vision. This tends to happen with some of the more prominent event production companies, who see each client as just another job. I am not bashing anyone here; just my two cents on the topic. Anyway, when partnering with an event producer, remember that you are not just looking for someone who will go to work for you – you are looking for someone who will work with you.
Professionalism
This one is, of course, obvious. However, professionalism entails different things in different industries, so it is worth defining what professionalism is when it comes to live event production: Knowledgeable crew, an intensive pre-production process, and respect for the client’s wishes. A lot of this comes through in the pre-production process, where there should be a back and forth between you and the crew. They should keep you informed of all the technical decisions and plans they are making on their end in terms of the equipment being used, timelines, logistics arrangements and so on, while at the same time asking for as much input from you as possible. They should also document every step of the production as part of the pre-production process.
If you are looking for a presentable, communicative and professional event production company to partner with, you cannot go with Eminence. With over a decade of experience, well-grounded strategy, an ability to think on our feet, a good sense of humor and a lot of hard work, we will ensure your event turns out to be the most unforgettable night of your life.