What Is an Event Production Company? (From Someone Who Builds Events for a Living)

When most people think of an event production company, they picture speakers, lights, maybe a video screen. But as someone who lives and breathes this work every day at Centric Events, I can tell you that’s just scratching the surface.

The real value of an event production company isn’t in the equipment—it’s in the execution. The planning, the problem-solving, the strategy, the onsite support, the experience-driven decisions, and the team behind the scenes working tirelessly to ensure your event looks and feels exactly how you envisioned (or better).

In this article, I’ll break down what an event production company actually does, who needs one, what sets a great one apart, and how we do it at Centric Events here in Phoenix, Arizona. Whether you’re planning a corporate conference, a luxury wedding, or a branded activation, my goal is to arm you with clarity, confidence, and an insider’s view of how this all really works.

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What Is an Event Production Company?

In the simplest terms, an event production company is responsible for bringing the technical and logistical aspects of an event to life.

That includes:

• Audio/Visual (AV) services like microphones, speakers, projectors, and LED walls
• Lighting design and implementation
• Staging, rigging, power, and other infrastructure
• Run-of-show logistics and coordination
• Technical staffing, production management, and onsite support

But that definition still falls short. Because a true production company doesn’t just “provide equipment”—we provide solutions. Our job isn’t to drop off a bunch of gear and walk away. Our job is to understand your goals and deliver an experience that’s cohesive, professional, and unforgettable.

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The Common Misconception: “It’s Just Gear”

This is the biggest misconception I see: people think event production is just about renting things. And while yes, gear is part of it—we also rent equipment through our rental division—it’s only one piece of the puzzle.

Renting gear is like ordering flat-packed furniture online. It might look great in the photos, but now it’s your job to assemble it. If you’ve never built a sectional sofa or installed stage lighting before, it’s probably going to get messy.

A production company, by contrast, is the expert who brings the tools, assembles the vision, and makes sure everything looks and functions perfectly—from the first moment your guests walk in, to the final cue of the night.

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Who Hires Event Production Companies?

Event production companies are hired across many industries and event types, including:

• Corporate conferences and summits
• Weddings (especially luxury or destination weddings)
• Concerts and music festivals
• Brand activations and product launches
• Nonprofit galas and fundraising events
• Religious conferences and church events
• Trade shows and expos
• Government and city-run events

Each event is different. At Centric, we take time upfront to understand what success means for your event. We ask about your goals, your audience, your brand, your venue, your run-of-show—and then we engineer a production plan that matches.

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What Services Does an Event Production Company Offer?

While offerings can vary, most full-service event production companies will offer some version of the following:

1. Audio/Visual Services (AV)

This includes everything related to sound and visual presentation:

• Sound systems (speakers, subwoofers, mixers)
• Microphones (handheld, lapel, headset, etc.)
• Video walls, LED displays, projection screens
• Cameras for IMAG (image magnification) and live streaming
• Monitors, teleprompters, and confidence monitors

2. Lighting Design

Lighting can dramatically change the mood of a room. We use:

• Uplighting to enhance walls and décor
• Stage wash for speakers and performers
• Intelligent lighting (moving heads) for concerts or reveals
• Accent lighting for dinner tables or architectural elements
• Gobo projections for branding or scenic design

3. Staging and Scenic

From small stages for panels to full scenic environments with custom fabrication, we handle:

• Stage risers, skirting, stairs
• Drapery and pipe & drape
• Scenic flats, backdrops, and branded panels
• Custom-built scenic elements or furniture

4. Production Management

This is where things get next-level. At Centric, we don’t just “set and forget.” We:

• Build detailed production schedules and run-of-show docs
• Plan for contingencies and create redundancies
• Coordinate with other vendors (venue, catering, décor, etc.)
• Manage cue calling, transitions, and stage management
• Staff experienced techs, operators, and leads on-site

5. Power & Logistics

Big events need big power. We handle:

• Power distribution (especially for LED walls and lighting)
• Generator sourcing and permits (if needed)
• Rigging coordination for flown elements
• Safety, insurance, and compliance documentation

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Real-World Examples from Centric Events

Here’s what all this looks like in real life:

Luxury Wedding in Scottsdale

A couple came to us with a gorgeous Pinterest board and a dream. They had the inspiration but no idea how to make it real. We translated that vision into a technical production plan—custom-fabricated scenic pieces, precise uplighting design, and a tailored audio system for toasts and live music. We even helped coordinate with their planner and décor team to ensure the transitions from ceremony to reception were flawless.

National Corporate Conference (Carvana)

Carvana came to us with a theme and a vision, but no clear plan. Our team pitched multiple stage designs and lighting concepts, created a cohesive AV plan, and coordinated with their in-house team to deliver a polished, fully branded experience. We also helped source additional vendors, created a run-of-show, and were on-site the entire time to ensure it ran perfectly.

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Why Planning Is Everything

We like to say: if the event feels effortless, we’ve done our job right.

What most attendees never see is the hours (sometimes weeks) of pre-production work that happens before a single cable is plugged in. Our team builds detailed schedules, renderings, floor plans, tech cue sheets, gear manifests, and truck packs.

We run backups. We test redundancies. We even bring extra microphones or confidence monitors just in case something changes on-site. Why? Because it always does.

That’s the difference between “just gear” and actual production.

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What Makes a Great Event Production Partner?

There are a lot of AV companies out there. But not all of them operate at the same level.

Here’s what I recommend looking for if you’re evaluating a production partner:

• Reputation: Do they have consistent 5-star Google reviews? Are they known in your local market?
• Specialization: Do they understand your type of event? Not every company does both weddings and conferences well.
• Process: Do they ask smart questions? Or are they just trying to send a quote fast?
• Experience: Have they done events at your venue before? Can they talk through common pitfalls?
• Team: Will you have a project manager who knows your event inside and out?
• Transparency: Are they clear on pricing and scope? Or is everything vague and upcharged later?

At Centric, we’ve built our process to give clients peace of mind. From the first call to final load-out, our clients know: we’ve got this.

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What to Watch Out For

A few red flags to be aware of:

• “Commission breath” – If you feel like you’re being rushed to sign, take a step back. A great sales process should feel like a collaboration, not a hustle.
• No site visit or planning questions – If they don’t ask about load-in access, rigging points, or show cues… run.
• Too cheap to be true – Good production isn’t cheap, and cheap production isn’t good.
• Generic proposals – Every event is different. You should expect a tailored quote, not a copy-paste list.

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FAQs About Event Production Companies

Do I need an event planner AND a production company?
Sometimes. Planners and production companies often collaborate. The planner handles flow, décor, and guest experience. We handle technical execution and logistics. For smaller events, we’ve stepped in as a hybrid. But for larger ones, having both is ideal.

What’s the difference between in-house AV and an independent production company?
In-house AV is often a contracted vendor inside a hotel or venue. They’re convenient—but not always your best option for quality, creativity, or price. An independent company like Centric is hired directly by you, giving you more control and often better execution.

How far in advance should I book an event production company?
Ideally 3–6 months for mid-sized events, and 6–12 months for major conferences or large weddings. But we’ve pulled off some incredible things in 2–4 weeks when needed.

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Final Thoughts: What We Believe at Centric

Here’s how I would define it:

“An event production company takes your vision, brings it to life, and handles execution from cradle to grave.”

That’s what we do at Centric Events. We don’t just show up with equipment—we show up with ownership, foresight, and experience.

Whether you’re planning a 1,000-person corporate summit or an intimate wedding under the stars, our job is to make sure everything looks right, sounds right, and feels unforgettable—for your audience, and for you.

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Need Help With an Upcoming Event?
We’d love to chat. Whether you’re early in planning or knee-deep in logistics, we can help bring clarity to the process and elevate your entire event.