Then at some point you’ll hear someone say the word rigging. Usually followed by a planner nodding like they totally understand what that means.
Truth is, a lot of people don’t. And that’s totally fine.
Rigging is one of those behind-the-scenes parts of an event that most attendees never notice. But if it’s done right, it makes the entire experience look incredible. Big screens floating above a stage, lighting ballroom, and speakers hanging perfectly over a crowd, that’s all rigging.
Let’s break down what event planners should actually know about rigging, why it matters, and how a solid AV team can make the whole thing way easier.
In simple terms, rigging is the process of hanging equipment safely above the floor of a venue. This is done usually from the ceiling or a structural beam.
Common things that get rigged at events include:
LED walls
Projection screens
Lighting fixtures
Line array speakers
Truss structures
Scenic elements and banners
Instead of putting everything on the ground with stands, rigging lets you suspend equipment overhead. That frees up floor space and makes everything look way cleaner.
Plus it just looks cool. And events should look cool.
Rigging is also a huge part of modern event production because AV has evolved into a big storytelling tool. Lighting, sound, and video all work together to create immersive experiences for attendees.
Rigging is one of those things you may not think about early on. But it can affect almost every part of your event design. Here’s why it’s crucial to have:
Ever been at a conference where you can’t see the screen because someone’s head is in the way? Rigging allows screens to be hung high enough to where that person’s head isn’t directly in front of you.
Screens and speakers get lifted above the audience so everyone can see and hear clearly.
Floor stands are fine, but they can easily make a room look cluttered real fast. Rigging solves that issue and keeps the floor open. Your stage design will look cleaner and guests move around easier.
Want a massive LED wall? Or a cool lighting grid above the stage? Or floating screens around a trade show floor?
Rigging allows the stage design to feel a lot more massive and epic making everything taller.
Speakers hanging above the audience distribute sound way more evenly than speakers sitting on the ground.
That means fewer dead zones and way less “what did they say?” moments.
Not all rigging setups are the same. The type depends on the venue, the equipment, and what the event needs. Here are the most common ones you’ll see.
Equipment gets hung from structural beams in the venue ceiling while attached to truss. Most convention centers and ballrooms are designed for this.
It’s clean, efficient, and it’s usually the preferred option.
This is where things start to get really fun.
Motion rigging involves equipment that can move during the show. Think screens flying in, lighting trusses raising and lowering, or scenic elements shifting mid-event.
It’s all controlled and programmed ahead of time and moves with the sounds and video of the event. This type of rigging adds a whole new level of energy and production value. It makes moments feel bigger, more dramatic, and way more memorable.
But it also requires more planning, more precision, and a very experienced team to execute safely.
When done right, though, it’s a total showstopper.
In those cases, AV teams build ground-supported structures that hold everything safely.
Rigging looks cool and all, but safety is the real priority.
You’re literally hanging hundreds or thousands of pounds of equipment over people’s heads.
So…no pressure. Professional riggers follow strict engineering standards and weight calculations to make sure everything is safe. Some things they evaluate include:
Load limits of ceiling points
Equipment weight
Distribution of weight across points
Redundant safety systems
Venue rigging regulations
Most venues also require certified riggers to handle any overhead installations.
This is one of the biggest reasons planners should work with experienced AV production teams. You don’t want someone learning rigging from a YouTube video five minutes before doors open.
You don’t need to become a rigger, because our AV team at Clarity has that covered. But knowing a few basics will help a lot when planning your event.
Rigging affects staging, lighting, video, and even room layout and if it gets planned too late, things will get complicated…fast.
Your AV company should review rigging needs during early event design.
Every venue has its own rules which may require the use of in-house riggers, permits, and even a charge per rigging point. So yes, rigging can be pretty expensive. It’s always better to check these details early on so there’re no surprises that empty your wallet later in the process.
From a budget standpoint, it’s often rigging points that are the biggest line items in production. Why?
Because it involves:
Specialized labor
Safety inspections
Heavy equipment
Rigging points
Setup time
That said, it often improves the overall event experience so much that it’s worth the investment.
This is where AV production companies really shine.
A good AV team just shows up with equipment. They help design the entire rigging plan from the start.
Your AV partner helps determine:
What should be rigged
Where equipment should hang
How it affects stage layout
They make sure everything works together visually and technically.
AV teams will tell you what should be rigged, where equipment should be hung, and how it affects the stage layout. They make sure everything works together visually and technically.
AV teams create detailed rigging plots that show exactly how everything will be installed and supported in the space. These plans include rigging points, weight loads, and equipment placement, all mapped out clearly so there’s no guesswork on-site. They also make it much easier for venues to review and approve the setup ahead of time, while ensuring everything meets safety requirements and runs smoothly on show day.
Good AV teams coordinate with venue rigging departments and production managers.
That includes:
Basically all the logistical headaches you don’t want to deal with.
On show day, riggers install everything safely and efficiently. And after the event?
They take it all down during the strike. Like a reverse magic trick.
At the end of the day, nobody wants to do all the heavy lifting and carry the responsibility of rigging hundreds of pounds of equipment. Except Clarity. Let us take care of all of that and make sure your event runs as smoothly as possible.