Short answer: corporate event production is everything technical between the doors opening and the last slide: sound, screens, lighting, staging, cameras, live streaming and the people who run it all from a cue sheet. In Detroit that work happens in very different rooms, from a convention hall at Huntington Place to a restored train station at Michigan Central, and the plan has to fit the room before it fits the gear list.
We are a Detroit-based AV company, and this is how we scope and run corporate events, what to ask any production company you are considering, and what changes from venue to venue around Metro Detroit.
What corporate event production actually includes
A full production crew owns six areas. You may not need all of them, but you should know who is responsible for each one.
- Audio. Microphones matched to how each presenter works, a mixer with an operator watching levels the whole show, and speakers placed so the back row hears as well as the front. Audio is the one thing an audience will not forgive.
- Video and screens. Projection or LED walls, confidence monitors for presenters, playback for walk-in loops and videos, and switching between slides, cameras and remote speakers.
- Lighting. Clean light on faces so leaders look good in the room and on camera, plus looks for walk-ons, awards and networking. See our event lighting work.
- Staging. Stage decks, lecterns, backdrops and a layout that keeps sightlines clear and gives cameras a clean shot.
- Cameras and streaming. Image magnification (IMAG) for big rooms, multi-camera recording and live streaming and hybrid delivery for people who cannot be in the room.
- Show calling. One person runs the show from the run of show and calls every cue: mics on, video roll, lights, walk-on music. This is what separates a production from a pile of rented gear. Our guide to building a run of show shows how it works.
If you are comparing quotes, line them up against this list. A cheaper quote usually drops one of these areas, often the operator or the show caller.
Detroit venues and what changes in each
The same keynote needs a different plan depending on the building.
- Convention centers. At Huntington Place you are dealing with large halls, exclusive services and published rules for power, rigging and internet. Ask early what the building requires you to buy from them and order hardwired internet if you are streaming.
- Historic and one-of-a-kind spaces. Michigan Central has hard surfaces, long reverberation and rules that protect the building. Speaker placement, mic choice and load-in paths take more planning than in a ballroom.
- Resorts and hotels. At Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth and the downtown hotels, the venue usually has an in-house AV partner. You can almost always bring your own production company, but read the contract for patch, power and rigging fees first. Our post on hiring an outside AV company covers what to look for.
We keep notes on the venues we work in most. Browse our venue guides for the specifics.
Two Detroit examples
Ford Motor Company at Michigan Central. A high-profile corporate event inside the newly restored station. We handled video production and premium AV equipment for a space that behaves nothing like a hotel ballroom. Read the case study.
Automate Live 2025 at Huntington Place. A broadcast set and multi-platform live stream for a corporate audience split between the hall and remote viewers. Read the case study.
How a corporate production runs, start to finish
- Brief. Date, venue, headcount, agenda, number of presenters, whether you are streaming or recording.
- Quote. An itemized proposal that lists gear, crew and hours so you can see what you are paying for.
- Site visit or venue call. Power, rigging points, load-in times, internet, and any services the venue requires you to buy from them.
- Advance. Final run of show, slides, videos and speaker list, ideally a week out. See our AV planning timeline.
- Load-in and rehearsal. Set, focus lights, sound check and a rehearsal of transitions, not only speeches.
- Show. The crew runs the program from the cue sheet while you host.
- Strike. Teardown on the venue’s schedule, and recordings delivered after.
Questions to ask a Detroit production company
- Who exactly will be on my show, and will the person I plan with be on site?
- Is an operator included for audio, video and lighting, or just the gear?
- Who calls the show?
- What is your backup plan for mics, playback and the stream?
- Can I see events you have run in this venue or one like it? Our case studies are a good example of what to ask for.
FAQ
How much does corporate event production cost in Detroit?
It depends mostly on crew hours and screen size. A single-room meeting with audio, a screen and one technician costs a fraction of a multi-day general session with LED walls, cameras and streaming. The fastest way to a real number is an itemized quote based on your agenda.
Do I have to use the hotel’s in-house AV?
Usually not, but many venues charge patch, power or rigging fees when you bring in your own team. Ask for those fees in writing before you sign.
How far ahead should I book?
Book as soon as the venue and date are set. Six to eight weeks is comfortable for most corporate events, more for large conferences or busy months.
Do you work outside Detroit?
Yes. We are based in Metro Detroit and run events across Michigan and beyond, including Chicago, Las Vegas and Denver. See AV services in Detroit and our corporate event AV page.
Get a quote
Planning a corporate event in Detroit? Send us the date, venue and headcount and we will come back with a plan and an itemized quote, same day on most events. Request a proposal or call John at 248-949-1141.