You need to know the intricate differences between event management and production before you begin orchestrating your next corporate event. Otherwise, you could waste tons of money, time, and energy working with a partner that can’t fulfill all of your requirements.
Whilst the two terms may seem synonymous with one another, are often interchangeable to the layperson, and share one or two similarities, they’re very distinct in numerous ways.
Our article looks at the role of each discipline and how they contribute towards a seamless event.
What is event management?
Event management focuses on the strategic planning of your event and encompasses areas such as:
- Budgeting
- Messaging
- Catering
- Registration
- The attendee journey
- Logistics
- Vendor coordination
- Parking and transportation
- Accommodation
- Scheduling
- Crisis management
- Insurance
An event manager will look after all of these areas from inception to completion, ensuring that they align with your objectives at every stage of the project.
They’ll act as a central point of contact throughout and will follow up with you after the event to assess its performance.
You’d opt for event management over event production if you were hosting a huge event involving a considerable number of moving parts and/or simply don’t have the in-house resources to plan an event.
What is event production?
The term event production refers to the execution of the technical and creative components of your project, such as:
- Stage and structural designs
- Graphic designs
- Lighting
- Audiovisual (AV) elements
- General AV setup
- Show scripting
- Technical rehearsals
- Set construction
Essentially, any sensory aspects that enhance the attendee experience is covered by your event production partner.
They’ll work closely with event managers to translate the event's vision into a tangible, immersive experience.
In addition, they’ll often travel to your event and rehearse everything with you beforehand, so you go in with complete confidence in your assets.
You’d opt for event production over event management if you felt comfortable handling the planning and logistics for your event internally and needed some additional creative expertise.
The key differences between event management and event production
To recap on what we wrote above (almost like a ‘Too long, didn’t read’ summary), here are the main differences you need to be aware of:
- Scope of work: Event management encompasses planning and coordination, addressing both pre-event and post-event activities. By contrast, event production focuses on the deliverables for the live execution and on the technical delivery during the event itself.
- Focus areas: Event managers handle logistical elements such as budgeting, scheduling, and vendor relations, while event producers delve into creative and technical aspects.
- Timing of involvement: Event management is integral from the event's conception through to its conclusion, ensuring all elements are planned and executed effectively. Event production typically becomes more prominent closer to the event date, focusing on the setup, execution, and teardown of technical components.
Where event management and event production come together
Whilst generally distinct from each other, event management and event production share some overlap.
Although an event manager specializes in end-to-end planning, they can also assist with elements of event production, such as the AV setup, designs, assembly, and disassembly.
They also need to ensure that the space meets the production team's technical needs in terms of internet speeds, power access, rigging capabilities, and show schedules. Constant communication between both parties is key to making sure everyone is on the same page in this regard.
An event manager may also coordinate with vendors and schedule activities, while the event producer designs the stage and manages audiovisual elements to create an engaging atmosphere.
This partnership is vital for delivering a cohesive, memorable event experience.
Why not have the best of both worlds?
At The Trade Group, we have extensive experience in both event management and production.
We’ve been in business since 1986, and during that time, we’ve helped our clients create captivating events that resonate with their ideal customers and elevate their business to the next level.
From venue selection to scenic fabrication, we can do a bit of everything.
Our comprehensive approach ensures that every detail, from strategic planning to creative execution, is handled with total precision.
If you’re interested in partnering with us for your next event, send us a note here or give us a call at 800-343-2005 to get the ball rolling.
