London’s event scene is built on precision, creativity, and trust. Companies like AV Productions, EMS Events, Fisher, London Event Productions, and Penguins lead the way, offering more than just equipment. They bring the full spectrum: powerful audio systems, intelligent lighting, immersive stage design, hybrid streaming platforms, and sustainable production methods.
For event managers, corporate marketers, and in-house teams, the choice isn’t about who has the biggest LED screen or projectors; it’s about who can deliver a complete experience. The right partner makes your conference seamless, your product launch memorable, and your hybrid event globally accessible without a glitch.
This guide highlights the agencies shaping London’s live and virtual events, showing you their strengths, specialities, and what to ask before signing a brief. By the end, you’ll know exactly which production company matches your event’s scale, ambition, and standards.
How we picked these companies
Our selection criteria reflect what matters most to event planners:
- Experience: Long track records and strong client lists.
- In-house AV capability: LED screens, lighting, sound systems ready to deploy.
- Venue knowledge: Proven work in central London’s hotels, museums and heritage sites.
- Hybrid readiness: Live streaming, digital platforms, delegate engagement tools.
- Sustainability: Landfill-free builds, material re-use, carbon offsetting.
- Scale: Ability to handle both intimate meetings and stadium-sized events.
- Value for money: Transparent quotes and a clear scope of services.
This framework helps cut through marketing spin and focus on reliability, technical depth, and return on investment.
At-a-glance shortlist
Here’s a compact comparison. Use this to pick your 2–3 deep dives.
| Company | Best For | Key Services | Notable Strengths / Differentiators |
| AV Productions | Conferences, product launches | AV hire, LED walls, staging, hybrid streaming | Own inventory, experienced project managers |
| EMS Events | Hybrid events & tech-heavy shows | AV hire, staging, streaming | 25+ years, large London stock base |
| Fisher Productions | Prestige venues & creative design | Scenic design, AV, technical production | High-end creative builds, heritage venue expertise |
| London Event Productions | Corporate & private events | AV, staging, production management | Known for venue partnerships and a flexible approach |
| Penguins | Corporate conferences & incentives | AV, event production, incentive travel | Strong corporate client base |
| Better Green Productions | Sustainable set design | Scenic, eco-friendly staging | Zero landfill, re-use focus |
| Wonderland Agency | Experiential activations | Creative concepting, immersive design | Brand-driven, experiential campaigns |
| Purple Patch Group | Conferences & internal comms | AV hire, show calling, staging | Trusted by corporate communications teams |
| Marble LDN | Youth culture & music | Experiential events, content | Creative edge, cultural insight |
AV Productions
AV Productions is a full-service London technical production and AV hire company active since 1997, supporting corporate events, launches, conferences, hybrid/virtual and more.
Core services
- AV hire: Audio systems, microphones, speakers, lighting, and visual displays.
- LED video wall supply & hire.
- Staging, set & scenic design, rigging.
- Hybrid/virtual & live streaming support.
- Project management, technical support, logistics.
Notable facts/credibility points
- We claim over 31,000 pieces of AV equipment in our Central London hub.
- We support over 11,000 events across London.
- We’ve been active for 25+ years in the industry.
Why choose them (strengths)
- A strong in-house inventory reduces reliance on third-party rentals and minimises coordination risks.
- Established reputation and scale, they can flex for both smaller corporate events and larger launches.
- Hybrid & virtual experience already built in (they emphasise over 700 live event streams in their record).
- Central London location helps with logistics, fast response in tight windows.
What to ask when briefing
- Ask for a breakdown: What elements (crew, kit, setup, fallback) are included vs extra.
- Confirm their streaming platform, latency tolerance, and backup plan.
- Ask about rehearsals, load-in windows, and crew turnaround.
- Inquire about sustainability: Material reuse, waste, transport emissions.
EMS Events
A London-based AV and production company, EMS Events offers in-house technical services, hybrid & live event production, and stage/set build capabilities.
Core services
- AV hire: Audio, visual, LED video walls, lighting.
- Event production: Live, virtual & hybrid.
- Stage/set design & build, branding & printing, bespoke builds.
- Exhibition & display services (shell scheme, display boards).
- Interpretation services (AV interpretation).
Notable facts/credibility points
- Over 25 years’ experience, having delivered 20,000+ events.
- They stock over 30,000 pieces of AV equipment in their Central London hub.
- They hold a large London facility (~18,000 sqft) for staging and rapid deployment.
- They promote a commitment to sustainability practices.
Why choose them (strengths)
- Strong technical depth and in-house team (no heavy outsourcing), clearer accountability.
- Good reputation in hybrid, streaming, and large-scale deployment.
- Proximity to venues helps mitigate risk (late changes, urgent replacements).
- A diverse service palette (interpretation, exhibition, print) means fewer vendors to coordinate.
What to ask when briefing
- Ask for examples of hybrid events and streaming performance metrics.
- Clarify which components are in-house vs. outsourced in their quote.
- Ask about redundancy (duplicate kit, backups).
- Check their H&S, rigging policies, and insurance, especially for staged/rigged elements.
- Inquire about their sustainability policy, carbon offset, and packaging reuse.
Fisher Productions
Fisher Productions is a London-based event production house with decades of experience, known for blending creative design, scenic builds, and technical execution.
Core services
- Set/Scenic & creative design/build.
- Technical production (audio, lighting, visual) supporting those creative builds.
- Full event management for corporate, brand, and private events.
Notable facts/credibility points
- They list “hybrid” capabilities, meaning they’re adapting to the current demand for virtual/integrated events.
- They show a presence in high-end and prestige events (private, brand) via their portfolio.
Why choose them (strengths)
- Strong in creative, bespoke, showpiece production, when your event needs visual impact, not just “sound and lights”.
- Good at integrating design + technique, fewer gaps between concept and execution.
- Experience in high-profile and heritage settings (they often propose themselves as able to work in London’s special venues).
What to ask when briefing
- Ask for examples of major London venue events or heritage/heritage-listed buildings.
- Ask about structural constraints, load-in capacity, and who manages venue coordination.
- Clarify how their creative build is sourced (in-house or subcontracted).
- Inquire about the use or sustainability of scenic builds.
London Event Productions
A boutique corporate production firm in London, specialising in heritage and premium venues, serving financial, brand, and charity sectors.
Core services
- Full event production services (AV, staging, technical) in premium London venues.
- Entertainment, venue partnerships, specialist production in heritage venues.
- Production management and creative coordination.
Notable facts/credibility points
- They emphasise heritage venues, meaning experience in spaces with constraints (listed status, limited rigging).
- Their LinkedIn profile states they bring “technical expertise specifically aimed at the palace and museum circuit.”
Why choose them (strengths)
- Good pick when your venue is sensitive (heritage, museums, historic sites), they likely have experience working under constraints.
- More personalised, boutique service vs large mass-market providers.
- May offer flexibility and closer attention to bespoke projects.
What to ask when briefing
- Ask for prior case studies in heritage or listed buildings.
- Clarify rigging limits, venue permission norms, and structural load capacities.
- Understand their backup and escalation strategies, as they may offer less redundancy than larger firms.
- Ask who handles insurance, H&S, and risk in older buildings.
Penguins
Penguins Events is a UK event and incentive company that also provides AV and event production services, integrating live events, digital, and incentive/travel components.
Core services
- Event production and AV services (sound, visuals, staging).
- Corporate events: conferences, launches, awards.
- Incentive travel, employee engagement, experiential / brand activations.
- Virtual/digital event support integration.
Notable facts/credibility points
- They mention having “a large stock of in-house equipment” to allow flexibility and budget control.
- They serve clients across professional services, automotive, healthcare, and retail, showing diversity.
Why choose them (strengths)
- Ideal when your event includes incentive travel, audience engagement, or non-technical components, they already combine event + travel expertise.
- Good for corporate clients wanting fewer vendors to manage.
- In-house AV capability gives them more control over pricing and logistics.
What to ask when briefing
- Ask for their AV-only credentials (past work where they led technical) to separate travel/engagement from core production.
- Clarify how they coordinate between the AV team and the incentive/travel team, who leads escalation.
- Ask for demos of virtual/hybrid work they’ve done.
- Ask about redundancy, backup kit, and fallback streaming strategies.
Compare & Choose: Decision Checklist
Before you commit, use these filters. They’ll save you from costly surprises:
- Scope clarity: Is the company quoting AV kit only, or full production (design, crew, logistics)?
- Inventory: Do they own the LED walls, sound rigs, and lighting, or hire them in? In-house stock usually means better control and fewer failures.
- Venue experience: Have they worked in your chosen hotel, museum, or conference centre before? It speeds permissions, rigging, and logistics.
- Hybrid resilience: What’s their plan for streaming? Do they have backup encoders, duplicate feeds, or latency management?
- Crew & show calling, Who’s running the show? Ask about producers, showcallers, and rehearsals.
- Health & Safety, Do they carry insurance, public liability, and rigging certification? Ask for documentation.
- Sustainability: What happens to set materials post-event? Can they guarantee reuse or recycling?
- Budget transparency, are crew overtime, trucking, or rehearsals included? Hidden costs sink budgets.
- Contingency planning: What if your keynote cancels, or your hybrid platform glitches? The best firms have answers ready.
| 👉 Pro tip: Shortlist 2–3 companies and request itemised, apples-to-apples quotes. |
Must Have Services With Event Production Services
Event production services bring together the essentials that make an event work, from audio-visual setup and stage design to lighting, sound, and live streaming. These services ensure every element runs smoothly, creating a seamless experience for audiences both in the room and online.
1. AV & Technical Production
This is the backbone: lighting, sound, video, and control systems. Expect engineers, rehearsals, and contingency planning. Strong AV teams own the latest gear, which means lower hire costs and fewer third-party delays.
2. Stage, Set & Scenic Design
The creative layer that frames your event. From branded backdrops to bespoke scenic builds, design is where message meets aesthetics. Increasingly, clients request eco-materials and modular designs that can be reused.
3. Hybrid & Virtual Events
Hybrid means integrating in-room audiences with online delegates. Look for broadcast-quality cameras, stable streaming encoders, and engagement tools (polls, Q&A, networking). Ask about latency; anything above 5 to 7 seconds can kill interactivity.
Sustainable Event Production
This is no longer optional. Check for:
- Landfill-free policies.
- Reuse of scenic flats and furniture.
- Sustainable logistics (local crew, low-emission trucking).
- Carbon offsetting or measurement reporting.
Pricing Expectations & Procurement Tips
Budgets in London vary widely. As a guide:
- Small conference (100–200 delegates): £10,000–£25,000 for AV + staging.
- Medium corporate launch (500+): £40,000–£80,000.
- Large hybrid/broadcast event: £100,000+ depending on crew and kit.
Pricing models you’ll encounter:
- Day rates for technicians and crew.
- Itemised AV hire (sound, lighting, video, staging separately listed).
- Turnkey fee (one line for the whole job, good for corporate procurement).
- Retainer for clients with multiple events a year.
Red flags:
- Quotes missing rehearsals or overtime often get added at the last minute.
- No mention of trucking/delivery, hidden logistics costs can be 10–15% of the total.
- Lack of insurance/H&S documentation, big compliance risk.
- “To be confirmed” lines in quotes, clarify before signing.
Case Study: Product Launch at a London Museum
A global tech brand hosted a product launch at a central London museum, a space with strict heritage restrictions, limited load-in windows, and a need for broadcast-quality streaming.
The production company delivered:
- AV & staging: LED video walls, branded scenic build, stage lighting designed to preserve the museum’s ambience.
- Hybrid streaming: Multi-camera setup feeding to an interactive platform, with redundancy encoders in case of dropouts.
- Project management: Tight rehearsal schedule, crew working around venue curfews, full health & safety compliance.
Outcome: The event hosted 500 live delegates and streamed to 2,000 online viewers with zero technical interruptions. The client reported increased media coverage and stakeholder engagement compared to prior launches.
This example illustrates what a well-chosen London event production agency can do: blend technical precision with creative and logistical expertise.
Sustainability & Accessibility
Modern event briefs require production companies to meet higher standards:
Sustainability
- Materials: Opt for scenic flats and staging built from recycled wood, fabric, or modular aluminium systems.
- Re-use: Best firms dismantle and re-stock materials, reducing landfill.
- Logistics: Local crew and low-emission transport options cut carbon impact.
- Carbon tracking: Some agencies provide post-event CO₂ reports, aligning with corporate ESG reporting.
Accessibility
- Venue design: Wheelchair access, ramps, accessible seating.
- Digital access: Captions, sign language integration in streams, screen-reader-friendly platforms.
- Audio/visual support: Hearing loops, large-print materials, descriptive audio when required.
Planners should ask every supplier to demonstrate their accessibility framework as part of the bid.
Conclusion
London has no shortage of agencies claiming to be the best. The difference lies in proof: who has the experience, the in-house AV depth, the sustainability policy, and the venue track record to deliver under pressure.
As you plan your next conference, product launch, or hybrid broadcast, focus on three things: scale, speciality, and evidence. Ask for case studies. Demand itemised quotes. Compare 2–3 suppliers side by side. That’s where the real decision clarity comes.
For event managers who need a reliable, full-service partner, AV Productions stands out with its in-house AV inventory and 25+ years of London venue experience. Get in touch today to discuss your brief and build a tailored production plan.
FAQs
What does an event production company do?
They handle the technical, creative, and logistical delivery of events, AV, set design, staging, streaming, and project management.
How much does event production cost in London?
Budgets start around £10,000 for small conferences and can exceed £100,000 for large hybrid or high-profile productions.
Can production companies handle live streaming and hybrid events?
Yes. Leading agencies now deliver broadcast-standard hybrid events with interactive platforms.
How far in advance should I book an event production company?
Ideally, 6–12 months before a major event, or at least 3 months for smaller conferences.
Do they provide insurance and H&S compliance?
Reputable London companies carry public liability insurance, risk assessments, and rigging certification. Always ask for documents.
How do I find a sustainable event production partner?
Look for providers offering landfill-free scenic builds, modular reusable sets, and carbon reporting.
What questions should I ask before signing a quote?
Ask about rehearsals, overtime rates, logistics, and streaming contingency plans.
Are in-house AV inventories better than rental partners?
Yes. In-house stock cuts costs, reduces risk, and improves reliability.
