Venue Tips Archives : Heroic Productions

How Gustavus’s Christmas Performance Fosters Student and Alumni Engagement

Posted on December 4, 2019March 25, 2022 by andrew

Here in Minnesota, where choral music traditions are mythic, we are blessed with an abundance of Christmas concert performances. And one of those cherished traditions is Christmas in Christ Chapel at Gustavus Adolphus College.

When you talk to people about Christmas in Christ Chapel, the word you hear most often is joy. Happily, there is a long-standing connection between the Heroic Productions team and Christmas in Christ Chapel, or C in CC as it is known locally. In a way, you might even say Heroic has been there from the start. Continue reading “How Gustavus’s Christmas Performance Fosters Student and Alumni Engagement”

What We Prefer In A Preferred Event Vendor

Posted on November 20, 2019April 25, 2022 by andrew

We know it’s hard to believe, but no, we at Heroic do not do everything. We have trusted cohorts, collaborators, and creative comrades—and yes, we have preferences. Our vendor standards are as high as the standards we hold for ourselves.

Often, the client selects the partners on any given project. In which case, we anxiously and hopefully scan the roster. Sometimes we’re downright giddy, and sometimes we’re not, but we always play nice with others.

Continue reading “What We Prefer In A Preferred Event Vendor”

Tour Tips: How to Take Your Corporate Events on the Road

Posted on November 19, 2019April 25, 2022 by andrew

Multi-location corporate events are more popular than ever. But that can really complicate things for event planners because corporate events that are scheduled in series should all have the same look and feel, no matter where you are. So, how can you take your show on the road and do it right?

Here are some tips using Delta Airlines’ retirement event for the 747 fleet. Continue reading “Tour Tips: How to Take Your Corporate Events on the Road”

Our Favorite Venues in Minneapolis MN

Posted on October 29, 2019April 25, 2022 by andrew

Once you’ve decided to hold an event, the first question is, “where”? Over the years, our Heroic Productions crew has worked in just about every event venue in Minneapolis. When it comes to creating a memorable event, having the right venue can make a huge difference.

Your event venue will affect what you can do from a staging and production standpoint. It will also impact other event components like attendee access, load-in time, and production costs. So naturally, some of these locations stand out above the crowd, each for their own unique or practical reasons.

With our expertise and insight, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite venues in Minneapolis.

Continue reading “Our Favorite Venues in Minneapolis MN”

Theatre Lighting Techniques for Dramatic Stage Lighting At Your Event

Posted on August 15, 2019February 12, 2024 by andrew

Camera! Action! Wait, where are the lights? We often take lighting for granted, but as an event planner, the more you know about the creative side of lighting, the more you can engage your audiences and impress them with memorable experiences.

The best way to add drama with lighting is to take a tip from the theatre. Stage lighting pros are experts at using light to evoke emotions and create a dramatic (or romantic, or we-mean-business) mood. The same goes for big music events because nothing uses more lighting to make an impact than a rock concert!

Here are some stage lighting tips and tricks we regularly use: Continue reading “Theatre Lighting Techniques for Dramatic Stage Lighting At Your Event”

Gala Tips and Takeaways from the Minnesota Star Awards

Posted on May 15, 2019March 31, 2022 by andrew

We had a unique 360-degree view of this year’s Minnesota Star Awards, the International Live Events Association’s gala to honor the top performers in our industry. Not only did we have the opportunity to present one award and win another – which was a true honor – but we also handled the entire AV production. And if you don’t think we pulled out all the stops for a ballroom full of our industry colleagues, you don’t know us very well!

It was a huge event, and working with industry insiders as both our “clients” and the “talent” only added to the pressure, yet that ultimately proved the value of some of our most trusty processes to pull it all together. Continue reading “Gala Tips and Takeaways from the Minnesota Star Awards”

7 Loading Dock Questions to Ask Your Venue

Posted on February 5, 2019March 31, 2022 by andrew

A large event requires coordination among several vendors, many of whom will need to use the loading dock to get equipment in and out of your event. Most venues have rules and restrictions for using their loading docks. As an event planner, it’s important to know those rules so you can communicate them to your vendors.

Here are some loading dock questions you should ask your venue. Do this as soon as possible because everyone (including you) will have to plan ahead to ensure loading dock activities run efficiently and safely.

Continue reading “7 Loading Dock Questions to Ask Your Venue”

An AV Experience: What We Learned from Super Bowl LIVE

Posted on January 29, 2019March 31, 2022 by andrew

The opportunity to work on Super Bowl LIVE festivities doesn’t happen very often for Minnesota vendors. In fact, the last time we hosted The Big Game was in 1992, when the Washington Redskins defeated the Buffalo Bills 37–24 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. When The Big Game came to U.S. Bank Stadium last year, we were honored to have a seat at the table by being chosen as the lighting provider for all of Super Bowl LIVE 2018.

Super Bowl LIVE was hands-down the largest event we’ve participated in to date, and it challenged us in ways we’ve never experienced before. We learned a number of great lessons from our AV experience at Super Bowl LIVE that we wanted to share with others in the event production world. Before we jump into the lessons we learned, it’s important that we lay out the details of this large-scale event. Continue reading “An AV Experience: What We Learned from Super Bowl LIVE”

Event Production 101: What it Takes to Pull Off a Large Event

Posted on January 17, 2019March 31, 2022 by andrew

A lot of work goes into hosting a great event no matter what size it is, but larger events require bigger venues and more of everything. And more almost always means more complicated, especially when you’re talking about audio-visual requirements. So, what goes into AV setup for a large-scale event?

Continue reading “Event Production 101: What it Takes to Pull Off a Large Event”

Why Venue Capacity is About More Than Body Count

Posted on October 9, 2018March 31, 2022 by andrew

You’re planning an event for 500 people. You find the perfect venue that claims to comfortably seat 550. Perfect! Except you didn’t account for the stage, soundboard, sign-in table, photo booth, buffet, or bar. Oops! You quickly learn — the hard way — that venue capacity is about more than just body count.

Besides, just because the fire marshal assigns a capacity figure to a venue, doesn’t mean you want to fill it to the max. There is a lot to be said for comfort, too. Feeling crammed into a space isn’t conducive to relaxation, learning, or enjoyment. Here’s why it’s important to pay close attention to venue capacity for your event.

Continue reading “Why Venue Capacity is About More Than Body Count”

Top Factors When Choosing Corporate Event Locations

Posted on October 4, 2018March 31, 2022 by andrew

You have a large corporate event coming up and you need to find a location that works for everyone. Do you want to be close to the office for convenience or further away for a retreat feel? And just as important, if you have entertainment or a big speaker planned, how will the venue work for your show? Here are some key factors to consider when looking for an event location.

Your goals

Every event has a purpose, whether it’s training, entertainment, a major announcement, or something else. You can be creative when it comes to corporate event locations (and your attendees will probably thank you for that), but the venue you choose must be conducive to your overall goals. Remember that workarounds, whether for audio-visual or any other set-up, will cost more and may not deliver quite the experience you envision.

Continue reading “Top Factors When Choosing Corporate Event Locations”

Eco-Friendly Event Planning: 8 Ways to Host a Sustainable Event

Posted on September 27, 2018March 31, 2022 by andrew

ways to host a sustainable event Sustainable living keeps getting more and more popular with many people, whether that’s opting for reusable shopping bags, organic cotton clothes, LED light bulbs, or composting food scraps. So, it’s no surprise that making events eco-friendly is becoming more and more popular, too. Doing your part to conserve our natural resources can boost your event’s appeal and give attendees more ways to engage while they’re there.

If you’re not yet an old hand at the Three R’s – reuse, reduce, recycle – don’t worry. There are lots of easy ways to started, and every step you take makes a difference.

Continue reading “Eco-Friendly Event Planning: 8 Ways to Host a Sustainable Event”

Ask the Pros: Everything You Need to Know About Event Rigging

Posted on August 14, 2018March 31, 2022 by andrew

If you’ve ever attended a live concert, chances are you noticed the stellar light show dancing on the walls, ceiling, and over the faces of the people in the crowd. Those lights add so much visual appeal to the show and they’re crucial to illuminating the singer, but without rigging, a light show of that size couldn’t happen.

Not familiar with rigging? Here’s everything you need to know.

Continue reading “Ask the Pros: Everything You Need to Know About Event Rigging”

Audio Considerations for Your Next Event [VIDEO]

Posted on July 12, 2018October 23, 2023 by andrew

When putting together an event, audio may be one of the last things you consider. You just plug in a mic and go, right? Wrong! Audio requires careful attention to detail and forethought like so many other aspects of event planning. Let us walk you through just a few of the basics of audio.

5 Event Planning Tips to Create Cohesive Multi-Site Events

Posted on July 10, 2018March 31, 2022 by andrew

Hosting an event no longer means you have to be limited to one location. You can take advantage of technology to increase attendance and create a more inclusive event. And you can do it without sacrificing the sense of “being there” that sparks attendee engagement. Here are some event planning tips that will open new doors for those looking to produce meaningful, memorable programs.

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Event Staging: 11 Tips for the Best Stage Setup

Posted on June 28, 2018March 31, 2022 by andrew

If your event includes a presentation or performers, your stage should be the focal point of the room. But where should it go? The front of the room may seem obvious, but is that the best location? If people can’t comfortably see the action, your event will be a bust. These tips will help you determine the best event staging for your space.

Hint: Get your AV team involved in planning right from the beginning. That way, you can avoid overlooking vital details and get the best show on earth (or at least on your stage) for your budget.

Continue reading “Event Staging: 11 Tips for the Best Stage Setup”

Lighting Considerations for Your Next Event [VIDEO]

Posted on June 26, 2018October 23, 2023 by andrew

Lighting during an event plays a much bigger role than most people realize. When done right, lighting seamlessly creates a mood and enhances the theme of the event. But if you have never worked with lighting before, there are a few things you should know that will impact how it will affect the feel of your event. In this video, Heroic’s Jon and Steve talk through some key information to consider when choosing what type of lighting should be used at your next event.

Elicit an Encore: Backline Considerations for Live Music at Your Next Event [VIDEO]

Posted on June 12, 2018October 23, 2023 by andrew

Nothing brings an event to life better than live music. But if you have never worked with musicians before, there are a few things you should know that will impact how well the live entertainment performs during your event. From two guys who have lived the musician’s life themselves, Heroic’s Jon and Steve talk through some key information to consider when planning to include a musical performance at your next event in this video.

What Backline Do You Need?

Have you been asked by the performers to provide backline for your event, but have no idea what they are referring to? Backline means the equipment or instruments that are required to support an act at a specific venue, that the band or artist doesn’t want to bring themselves. After all, it’s likely they are hopping on a plane or bus after your event to head to their next tour stop.

Whether you are bringing in a national act, a local band, or even a DJ, they are going to have requirements spelled out in their contract on what you need to provide as the event planner. They may need anything from keyboards and a drum set to amplifiers for their bass and guitars.

Why You Should Ask

Backline is critically important to the success of a performance. There is nothing worse than having the artist show up to your event at 3 pm for a sound check and there isn’t a drum set or keyboard. As an event planner, you want to plan ahead by asking musicians what they need, to avoid any issues that may arise. Learning the language and what to ask about is the first step!

Weather Permitting: Special Considerations for Planning Outdoor Events

Posted on June 7, 2018March 31, 2022 by andrew

Festivals and other outdoor events have maximum appeal as long as the weather cooperates. But, what if it doesn’t? No matter how “reliable” the date you’ve chosen for your event, you have to be prepared for inclement weather. It can be a small annoyance, or it can cancel the whole event.

It’s hard for attendees to enjoy themselves if they’re soaking wet or roasting under a way-too-hot sun. You can put up extra tents or hand out sponsor-branded plastic ponchos or paper parasols. But what about protecting rigging and equipment? Hosting an outdoor event requires special considerations to ensure everything is secure, protected, and functional under adverse conditions.

Safety is the number one concern at outdoor events, and weather can play an unwanted role at any time. Here are some key issues to think about and prepare for: Continue reading “Weather Permitting: Special Considerations for Planning Outdoor Events”

7 Things Every Planner Should Know About Event Venue Selection

Posted on April 18, 2018March 7, 2022 by andrew

Some events call for a lovely setting, five-star food, live music, guest speakers, lights, displays and more. That requires a lot of planning. And, the larger your event is, the more planning you need. When people have to crane their necks or leave their seats to see the speaker, auctioneer, video, or band — or when sound quality is less-than-stellar — they’ll tune out instead of engaging or enjoying your event. The truth is, when everything is perfect, no one notices the details. But when it’s not, everyone is distracted. Continue reading “7 Things Every Planner Should Know About Event Venue Selection”