What Does It Take to Put on a Major Arena Show?

It doesn’t seem to matter what the main attraction is–from the Super Bowl to a sold-out pop music performance–arenas bring thousands of people together for an amazing experience. However, most people can’t fathom the sheer amount of preparation and work required to make large shows go smoothly. There are so many various factors for planners to consider, and if even one of them doesn’t go as planned, the entire production could fall apart. That means preparation down to the most minute of details is crucial, and leaving adequate time in the schedule for things to go a little bit wrong is simply a prerequisite.

So, what does it really take to put on a major arena show?

Power: Keeping the Lights On

An arena production centers around the electrical and electronic systems. If your planning doesn’t take key power-reliant systems into account, your entire event is at risk for disaster. A great first step in planning is to compile a checklist of what needs to be powered. This checklist can be handed off to the production team to double and triple check that every system is running smoothly in advance. Pair this checklist with a map of power hubs and their connections to the stage, and ensure the team is knowledgeable in their use well in advance. And because power load requirements are variable across systems, do your research well ahead of time; if there are issues, work with engineering consultants to acquire the necessary power.

Experience: It’s Everything

Communication is, at its core, about trust, and as an event approaches, time only becomes more precious and scarce. The success of the event hinges on consistent, trustworthy communication without the need for second-guessing. And when relatively small issues, like the personal needs of the artist, emerge, there has to be a hierarchy of communication or else the head planner will get bogged down in details. Entrusting an unforeseen problem to a professional with whom you have previously relied upon is an invaluable asset. Therefore, when bringing a team together or involving outside consultants, prioritize industry experts and professionals accordingly.

Planning: The Problem and the Solution

A major arena production relies almost entirely on the thoroughness of its planning, yet that amount of planning is, in itself, a huge undertaking. Making sure that your team has ample experience, access to resources like power checklists, and is familiar with potential hiccup contingency plans can be crucial to your event’s success. Consulting with the experienced team at VER can bring the vision of your event to life. With advanced equipment including lighting, A/V, LED, media servers, rigging, and stage design, and a pool of veteran professionals to bring it all together, your event’s planning and execution will be smoothly carried out to a world-class degree.