What does an Event Production Agency do?

An event production agency (also called an event production company) is a company that designs and delivers events for clients, handling the creative concept, staging, technical production, suppliers and on-site crew. Clients include brands, corporate teams, festivals, promoters and public bodies.

How an event production agency works

Most projects follow this path:

  1. Brief: the client explains the event's aims, audience, date and budget.
  2. Proposal: the agency pitches a concept, budget and plan.
  3. Design: designers develop the stage set, branding and technical design.
  4. Contracting: the agency books suppliers for staging, AV, rigging and crew.
  5. Delivery: a production manager runs the build, rehearsals, show and de-rig on site.
  6. Wrap-up: the agency settles supplier costs and reports back to the client.

Agencies running several client events at once need every schedule, supplier and crew member in view. Crescat Event is tailored for event agencies and promoters doing this.

Event production agency vs event management company

A production agency focuses on the creative and technical delivery: how the event looks, sounds and is built. An event management company focuses on overall planning and logistics, such as venues, guests, travel and budgets. Many agencies offer both, so ask which parts they deliver themselves and which they subcontract.

Services an event production agency offers

  • Creative concept and event design
  • Stage, set and exhibition stand design and build
  • Sound, lighting and video production
  • Technical and production management
  • Crew, staffing and supplier management
  • Health and safety planning

Frequently asked questions

How do event production agencies charge?

Most charge a management or production fee, either fixed or a percentage of the budget, plus the cost of suppliers. Some add a mark-up to supplier costs instead of, or as well as, a fee. Ask for a breakdown when comparing quotes.

When should you hire an event production agency?

Hire one when the event needs more creative or technical work than your team can handle, such as a product launch, awards show or large conference. Agencies bring suppliers, crews and experience that are hard to build in-house.

What is an experiential agency?

An experiential agency creates brand experiences that let people interact with a product, such as pop-ups, festival activations and immersive installations. It overlaps with event production but focuses on marketing results.

Related terms