Most event planners think they just need AV. They’re dead wrong.
They spend six figures (or more) on screens, sound, and lighting—only to wonder why their audience zones out, disengages, or forgets the event entirely.
Here’s why:
AV is just equipment. It’s the raw materials, not the experience. And if you’re not thinking about the experience, you’re leaving massive impact (and ROI) on the table.
The Hard Truth About Event Impact
Our team talks to planners every day. Their priorities? Checklists, gear, setup, budgets.
What rarely gets discussed?
The moments that create lasting impact.
The flow that keeps attendees engaged and emotionally connected.
The experience that makes an event unforgettable.
Here’s the reality: Your event doesn’t need bigger screens, louder speakers, or more lights.
What it actually needs is AV + Production.
Because one without the other? It’s like buying a high-end sound system and blasting static.
AV vs. Production: The Difference That Changes Everything
🔹 AV is the gear. The screens, the lights, the speakers. The things you can see and touch.
🔹 Production is the experience. The flow, the energy, the seamless execution that makes people feel something.
Without production, your event is just a collection of expensive equipment sitting in a room.
With production? Your event has energy, momentum, and unforgettable moments.
The Real Cost of Ignoring Production
Too many organizations pour massive budgets into AV alone, assuming great gear = a great event.
But when you ignore production, here’s what happens:
🚨 Your audience zones out. There’s no energy, no engagement—just people checking their phones.
🚨 Transitions feel awkward. Your speakers struggle with poor timing, and the event feels disjointed.
🚨 You lose emotional impact. Attendees hear and see everything, but they don’t feel anything.
🚨 You waste money. You spend six figures on tech but fail to generate real engagement, which means no ROI.
The result?
A forgettable event. No excitement. No connection. No long-term impact.
And that’s not just a creative problem—it’s a business problem.
How to Fix It (and Make Your Event Unforgettable)
So, how do you stop making this six-figure mistake?
Start with the End in Mind
What do you want attendees to feel, remember, and take away from your event?If you can’t answer that clearly, you’re already at risk of losing impact.
A well-produced event doesn’t just “happen.” It’s designed with intentionality—every moment, every transition, every experience.
Shift Focus from “Tech First” to “Experience First”
Instead of asking:
“What AV do we need?”
Ask:
“How do we create an engaging, emotionally-driven experience?”
Once you answer that, then bring in AV to serve that vision.
Invest in the Right Production Partner
Production isn’t an afterthought—it’s the difference between a forgettable event and an unforgettable one.
The right production team doesn’t just set up gear. They design and execute an experience that creates connection, impact, and ROI.
At Stratum, we specialize in exactly that. We don’t just provide AV—we create seamless, high-energy, engaging experiences that drive results.
The Bottom Line
If your event isn't hitting the mark, the problem isn’t the gear—it’s how you use it.
The best events aren’t the ones with the most tech.
They’re the ones people remember. The ones that create energy, emotion, and connection.
The ones that leave a lasting impact.