Event Production, Event Planners, and Event Management - What You NEED To Know

Event planning and event production are two distinct but complementary aspects of the event industry. While both roles contribute to the success of an event, they have different responsibilities and requirements.

Event planning is the process of organizing an event from start to finish, with the aim of ensuring that the event runs smoothly and meets the expectations of the client and attendees. Event planners are responsible for managing all aspects of the event, from selecting the venue and vendors to coordinating logistics, such as transportation and accommodations. They also work with the client to establish a budget and timeline, as well as create an event design that reflects the client's vision.

Unlike event production companies, event planners do not typically own any of the equipment needed for an event. Instead, they act as a middleman, connecting the client with vendors who can provide the necessary equipment and services, such as catering, lighting, and sound systems. Event planners often have established relationships with vendors, which enables them to negotiate better prices and secure preferred services for their clients.

Event Production companies, on the other hand, are sources of specialized equipment and technicians needed to produce an event. They own and rent out equipment, such as lighting, sound systems, and staging, and provide trained technicians to operate the equipment and manage the production aspects of the event. Event Production companies are responsible for creating the technical design of the event, including determining the equipment needed and setting it up.

While Event Planners and Event Production companies have different roles, they often work together to ensure that the event is successful. Event Planners rely on Event Production companies to provide the necessary equipment and technical expertise to create the desired atmosphere for the event, while Event Production companies rely on event planners to handle the logistical and creative aspects of the event.

Wouldn’t it be nice to get both services under one roof? Well, that’s exactly what Event Management companies do! Event Management is a broader term that encompasses both event planning and event production. While event planning and event production are distinct roles within the event industry, event management involves overseeing all aspects of an event, from conceptualization to execution. Event managers are responsible for the strategic planning, design, and execution of an event. They work closely with clients to understand their vision and objectives for the event, and then develop a comprehensive plan to achieve those goals. Unlike Event Planners, Event Managers often have in-house event production capabilities. This means that they own specialized equipment and employ trained technicians to operate it. This enables them to provide a one-stop-shop solution for clients, where they can manage both the logistical and technical aspects of the event. However, event managers still rely on vendors and other service providers to deliver certain aspects of the event. For example, they may hire catering companies, floral designers, or transportation companies to provide specific services.

Event Management is a more comprehensive approach to organizing an event, where the Event Manager oversees both the logistical and technical aspects of the event. While event planners act as a middleman and event production companies provide specialized equipment and technicians, event managers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of the event and ensuring its success.

One of the unique characteristics of All On Stage is that we are Event Managers! We have the technical knowledge and equipment as an Event Production company, but we also handle many of the Event Planning needs as well. This ensures the client’s wants and needs are not lost in translation, and that the client isn’t paying a markup on equipment prices! We like to think of that as a win-win!