What AV Equipment Do I Need For a Conference?

April 26, 2025

Audio-visual (AV) equipment and support services are a foundational element of planning corporate events and conferences. You need to know your visual displays, lighting, microphones, speakers, and staging equipment will operate properly during your event so you can focus on the content and presentation. But high-quality AV solutions aren’t just a practical necessity. With the right approach, you can use the power of advanced technology to create immersive experiences and lasting memories.

Keep reading to learn what AV equipment you need for a conference and how customized technical solutions can transform your next in-person, virtual, or hybrid corporate conference.

Factors To Consider When Choosing AV for a Conference

Type of Event

Is your conference going to be held in-person or will you have presenters or guests attending it remotely? In-person conferences require different technologies than virtual and hybrid events.

Event Size and Venue Layout

How big is your audience? Will you have multiple stages, smaller rooms for breakout sessions, or one center stage? The size and layout of your venue will help you determine what AV equipment and support you need.

Budget

AV equipment is a key component of organizing a successful conference, but there are other elements as well. Make sure you create a budget and select AV tech that offers the best return on your investment.

Audience Expectations

Are your attendees experts, investors, researchers, or curious learners? Are they established industry leaders or hungry newcomers? If you’re hosting a technical audience, you might want to consider featuring some newer trending AV technologies.

Branding 

Your brand is a crucial consideration when selecting AV equipment for a conference. Medical research symposiums and annual shareholder meetings generally require more understated branding, while high-tech trade shows benefit from flashy digital signage and high-definition displays.

Type of Content

Let your event agenda be your guide as you select AV equipment and services. Will your event include presentations, keynote speeches, panel discussions, breakout sessions, or workshops?

Interactive Elements

Audience participation is a key component of many conferences and other corporate events. From Q&A sessions to immersive AV experiences like virtual-reality demonstrations, technology can help create lasting memories and encourage active engagement.

Technical Support Needs

The AV provider you work with is just as important as the equipment you select. When choosing an AV company, look for upfront communication, pre-event and post-event services, a proven track record of successful events like yours, and a clear cancellation and refund policy.

Corporate Conference AV Technologies

Visual Displays

Visual technology is essential for a corporate conference of any scale. To determine the exact number and types of displays you’ll need for your event, consider the size of the audience, the layout of your venue, and the visuals you’ll be incorporating.

Types of visual displays include:

Audio Equipment

A corporate conference is, by definition, an exchange of information. Therefore, a high-quality sound system is necessary to ensure every presenter is heard loud and clear. It’s also important to make sure the acoustics in your meeting room are top-notch. 

Sound systems require multiple interactive technologies that work together in tandem, so your equipment should be chosen based on compatibility as well as quality.

Audio equipment you may need for a conference includes:

Collaboration and Recording Tools

Depending on your needs, you may want to utilize AV equipment to invite collaboration between your attendees – both in-person and remote. Many large-scale conferences are designed to bring together industry professionals from around the world, so live-streaming your event or having a fully virtual conference can offer accessibility and exciting opportunities.

Here are some examples of collaboration and recording technologies for conferences:

  • Online video conferencing software
  • Headphones for language translation
  • Microphone arrays (to pick up sound from multiple directions)
  • Cameras

Lighting Systems

Lighting is both a practical and artistic consideration at a corporate event. Of course, you need to make sure that your venue is well-illuminated, but lighting can also help you tell a story, set a particular mood, and even create unique décor pieces.

Conference lighting technology may include:

  • Stage lighting
  • Spotlights
  • Light gobos
  • Ambient lighting
  • Directional lighting
  • Strobe lights

Special Effects

While special effects aren’t a necessity for many corporate conferences, they can be an excellent addition to enrich the audience experience and create authentic, memorable moments.

Here are some unique special-effect technologies for a conference:

Interactive Technologies

When your audience has a chance to participate and actively engage with the content of your event, they’re more likely to remember the experience positively. Interactive technologies can help encourage networking, knowledge sharing, and audience excitement.

Interactive technologies to consider incorporating into your AV strategy include:

  • Touchscreens
  • Virtual and augmented reality
  • Live audience polls
  • Interactive whiteboards

Staging Equipment

If your conference involves high-production presentations, demonstrations, or panel discussions, then staging equipment is key. Your stage design should be constructed based on the types of presentations and the atmosphere you want to create.

Here’s some staging equipment that can help you execute a corporate conference:

  • Modular stages
  • Lifts and risers
  • Rigs
  • Podiums
  • Seating
  • Props and décor

Communicate, Collaborate, and Entertain Your Guests With Advanced AV Solutions

The proof is in the pudding when it comes to event production, corporate AV equipment, and support services. When choosing AV equipment for your next conference, you need all the individual elements to work seamlessly together and create a cohesive experience. 

Catalyst is a results-driven AV company. We provide customized solutions, high-level expertise, and integrated support. Our success depends on your success, and we’re always ready to go the extra mile to ensure your event is a hit.

Get in touch today to tell us about your AV needs and find out more about our services and offerings.

April 26, 2025

Audio-visual (AV) equipment and support services are a foundational element of planning corporate events and conferences. You need to know your visual displays, lighting, microphones, speakers, and staging equipment will operate properly during your event so you can focus on the content and presentation. But high-quality AV solutions aren’t just a practical necessity. With the right approach, you can use the power of advanced technology to create immersive experiences and lasting memories.

Keep reading to learn what AV equipment you need for a conference and how customized technical solutions can transform your next in-person, virtual, or hybrid corporate conference.

Factors To Consider When Choosing AV for a Conference

Type of Event

Is your conference going to be held in-person or will you have presenters or guests attending it remotely? In-person conferences require different technologies than virtual and hybrid events.

Event Size and Venue Layout

How big is your audience? Will you have multiple stages, smaller rooms for breakout sessions, or one center stage? The size and layout of your venue will help you determine what AV equipment and support you need.

Budget

AV equipment is a key component of organizing a successful conference, but there are other elements as well. Make sure you create a budget and select AV tech that offers the best return on your investment.

Audience Expectations

Are your attendees experts, investors, researchers, or curious learners? Are they established industry leaders or hungry newcomers? If you’re hosting a technical audience, you might want to consider featuring some newer trending AV technologies.

Branding 

Your brand is a crucial consideration when selecting AV equipment for a conference. Medical research symposiums and annual shareholder meetings generally require more understated branding, while high-tech trade shows benefit from flashy digital signage and high-definition displays.

Type of Content

Let your event agenda be your guide as you select AV equipment and services. Will your event include presentations, keynote speeches, panel discussions, breakout sessions, or workshops?

Interactive Elements

Audience participation is a key component of many conferences and other corporate events. From Q&A sessions to immersive AV experiences like virtual-reality demonstrations, technology can help create lasting memories and encourage active engagement.

Technical Support Needs

The AV provider you work with is just as important as the equipment you select. When choosing an AV company, look for upfront communication, pre-event and post-event services, a proven track record of successful events like yours, and a clear cancellation and refund policy.

Corporate Conference AV Technologies

Visual Displays

Visual technology is essential for a corporate conference of any scale. To determine the exact number and types of displays you’ll need for your event, consider the size of the audience, the layout of your venue, and the visuals you’ll be incorporating.

Types of visual displays include:

Audio Equipment

A corporate conference is, by definition, an exchange of information. Therefore, a high-quality sound system is necessary to ensure every presenter is heard loud and clear. It’s also important to make sure the acoustics in your meeting room are top-notch. 

Sound systems require multiple interactive technologies that work together in tandem, so your equipment should be chosen based on compatibility as well as quality.

Audio equipment you may need for a conference includes:

Collaboration and Recording Tools

Depending on your needs, you may want to utilize AV equipment to invite collaboration between your attendees – both in-person and remote. Many large-scale conferences are designed to bring together industry professionals from around the world, so live-streaming your event or having a fully virtual conference can offer accessibility and exciting opportunities.

Here are some examples of collaboration and recording technologies for conferences:

  • Online video conferencing software
  • Headphones for language translation
  • Microphone arrays (to pick up sound from multiple directions)
  • Cameras

Lighting Systems

Lighting is both a practical and artistic consideration at a corporate event. Of course, you need to make sure that your venue is well-illuminated, but lighting can also help you tell a story, set a particular mood, and even create unique décor pieces.

Conference lighting technology may include:

  • Stage lighting
  • Spotlights
  • Light gobos
  • Ambient lighting
  • Directional lighting
  • Strobe lights

Special Effects

While special effects aren’t a necessity for many corporate conferences, they can be an excellent addition to enrich the audience experience and create authentic, memorable moments.

Here are some unique special-effect technologies for a conference:

Interactive Technologies

When your audience has a chance to participate and actively engage with the content of your event, they’re more likely to remember the experience positively. Interactive technologies can help encourage networking, knowledge sharing, and audience excitement.

Interactive technologies to consider incorporating into your AV strategy include:

  • Touchscreens
  • Virtual and augmented reality
  • Live audience polls
  • Interactive whiteboards

Staging Equipment

If your conference involves high-production presentations, demonstrations, or panel discussions, then staging equipment is key. Your stage design should be constructed based on the types of presentations and the atmosphere you want to create.

Here’s some staging equipment that can help you execute a corporate conference:

  • Modular stages
  • Lifts and risers
  • Rigs
  • Podiums
  • Seating
  • Props and décor

Communicate, Collaborate, and Entertain Your Guests With Advanced AV Solutions

The proof is in the pudding when it comes to event production, corporate AV equipment, and support services. When choosing AV equipment for your next conference, you need all the individual elements to work seamlessly together and create a cohesive experience. 

Catalyst is a results-driven AV company. We provide customized solutions, high-level expertise, and integrated support. Our success depends on your success, and we’re always ready to go the extra mile to ensure your event is a hit.

Get in touch today to tell us about your AV needs and find out more about our services and offerings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should an event press release be?

Who is an event press release for?

How soon before the event should you publish a press release?

How soon after an event should you publish a post-event press release?

Ensure Your Event Exceeds Expectations With Cutting-Edge AV Production

Are you planning a shareholder meeting, conference, product launch, trade show, or other type of major event? You need to make sure the production value matches the quality of your event’s content. Working with a reliable, proven leader in audio visual event production like Catalyst ensures your event runs smoothly, exceeds the expectations of your audience, and has the impact you want.

Get in touch today to schedule a free consultation, learn more about our services, and tell us about your event.