Frequently Asked Questions About Event AV Production
FAQs
Planning a conference, corporate meeting, or live event often comes with questions about AV production, event technology, pricing, and logistics. This FAQ page answers common questions from event planners and organizations working with Fog City Audio Visual for corporate events across San Francisco and the Bay Area.
My hotel is pushing me to use their in-house AV provider. What are the pros and cons of using them vs. Fogi City Audio Visual?
We can support your event at almost any hotel or venue in the San Francisco Bay Area. Hotels want you to use their AV team because they get a cut of the revenue. But for that reason, hotel AV can be good, but just pricey. Fog City AV can most often deliver a superior level of service at a fraction of the cost of hotel AV. You can also be assured you’ll get the same team for your repeat events, even if you go to another hotel next year.
My hotel is requires union labor, can you still do our event?
Yes! We love working in union and non-union hotels. We have a deep roster of great union technicians. We typically provide a combination of our technicians and union technicians, and making sure we comply with union regulations.
How do your prices compare to other AV companies?
We are in-line with many other AV providers, even though the quality of our gear and technician support is very high. Having said that, you will definitely find other providers who are less expensive than Fog City. Lastly, compared to hotel AV providers, we are consistently half to 2/3 what they charge.
How far in advance should we book AV production for an event?
Most conferences and corporate events should secure AV production several weeks or months in advance, especially for large multi-day events or events at busy San Francisco venues.
What AV equipment is typically needed for a conference?
Most conferences require professional technology such as sound systems, wireless microphones, projection or LED video walls, stage lighting, presentation switching, and experienced AV technicians to manage the production.
Do you work with San Francisco hotels and conference venues?
Yes. Fog City AV regularly supports events at hotels, conference centers, corporate offices, restaurants, and unique venues across San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Do you provide LED video walls for events?
Yes. We provide professional LED video wall systems that deliver high-impact visuals for conferences, keynote stages, product launches, and corporate meetings.
What areas do you serve?
Fog City Audio Visual provides AV production services throughout San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and the greater Bay Area including Santa Rosa, Monterey, Sacramento, and Stockton.
Can we rent AV gear and pickup from your warehouse?
Unfortunately we do not offer what is called “dry hire” AV rentals from our warehouse. Subject to certain minimums, we will deliver and setup gear at your location.
What's the smallest event you would support?
In our “Small Event” department, we can do a range of smaller AV setups, such as: 3 handheld mics and sound system at a downtown bar during Dreamforce, or a TV display and sound system for a product demonstration at the SF Design Center. Typically our minimum price for a setup for a new client is roughly $2000.
Other than price, what makes you so much better than hotel AV?
3 things: 1. Our People. We have the best technicians that have been with us for years. What that means for this question is that you will most likely get the same crew to your annual events, crew who know your show. 2. Our communications. Want to have multiple pre-con calls to go through the show flow? Want us to review your slide decks as they come in, making sure the videos work as expected the all the fonts are there and work? We’ll be there every step of the way! 3. Our Technology. We have the highest end AV technology at our disposal, ranging from world beating Shure Axient Microphones, to Meyer Sound speaker systems, to super bright Epson laser projectors.
Do you provide AV technicians during the event?
Yes. All Fog City Audio Visual productions include experienced AV technicians who install, operate, and manage the equipment throughout the event to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Do you support hybrid and livestream events?
Yes. Fog City AV provides livestream production and hybrid event technology including cameras, switching systems, streaming platforms, and remote presentation support.
What size events can you support?
Fog City AV supports events ranging from small executive meetings to large conferences and general sessions with audiences of up to 5,000 attendees or more.
Do you help with AV planning for events?
Yes. Our production team works with event planners to design the right audio visual setup for the venue, audience size, and event program.
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Questions about AV Tech or your forthcoming event? Get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.