Dry Hire vs. Staffed Production: When to Upgrade for a Flawless Event

"Dry Hire"—collecting AV equipment and running it yourself—is a great way to save money on simple events. But as the stakes get higher, there is a clear tipping point where upgrading to a staffed production with an on-site engineer isn't just a luxury, it's a critical investment that saves you time, stress, and potentially, your event's success.

Understanding the True Cost of "Saving Money"

The price of a dry hire is tempting, but it doesn't account for the hidden "costs" of managing the technology yourself. These can include:

• Your Time: The hours you or your staff spend collecting, setting up, troubleshooting, and returning the gear.
• The Risk of Inexperience: A single incorrect cable connection can lead to audio feedback, a blank screen, or embarrassing delays.
• The Lack of a Backup Plan: If a piece of equipment fails or an unexpected issue arises, a DIY setup has no redundancy or on-site expert to solve the problem.

The goal of event AV is for the technology to be invisible. A staffed production ensures it is. A dry hire makes you the unpaid technician.

The Tipping Point: 3 Signs You Need to Upgrade

If your event meets any of these criteria, upgrading from a simple equipment rental to a fully staffed production is the smart, professional choice.

1. You Have a High-Stakes Moment

Is there a CEO keynote, an awards ceremony, a wedding speech, or a product launch? Any moment that is critical to the event's success and cannot be repeated demands the security of a professional engineer at the controls. Their job is to ensure that moment is flawless.

2. There Are Multiple Technical Elements

If your event involves more than just a simple projector and screen—for example, multiple microphones for a panel discussion, background music, presentation slides, and video playback—you have multiple potential points of failure. An engineer's role is to integrate these elements seamlessly and manage the transitions between them.

3. The Audience is Larger Than 50 People

As the room size and audience grow, so does the complexity of the acoustics and visual sightlines. A professional technician will properly place speakers to avoid feedback and ensure even coverage, and will correctly position the projector and screen for maximum visibility. These are skills that go far beyond just plugging in cables.