5 Common AV Mistakes That Can Ruin an Event (And How to Avoid Them)

Jun 25

You've secured the venue, finalised the catering, and sent out the invitations. Everything seems to be falling into place.

Then the microphone cuts out halfway through the keynote speech, or the presentation can't be seen from half the room. Or the lighting is so bright that guests spend the entire event squinting.

Suddenly, all that hard work is overshadowed by one thing: AV.

Audiovisual production is often one of the last things people think about when planning an event, but it can have one of the biggest impacts on the guest experience. Whether you're organising a conference, networking event, awards ceremony or company celebration, getting the AV right can be the difference between a seamless event and a stressful one.

Here are five common AV mistakes we see and how to avoid them.

1. Leaving AV Until the Last Minute

One of the biggest mistakes event organisers make is treating AV as an afterthought.

By the time AV suppliers are brought into the conversation, key decisions about the venue, room layout and event format have often already been made. This can lead to unnecessary costs, logistical challenges and missed opportunities to create a more engaging experience.

The earlier AV is considered in the planning process, the easier it is to ensure everything works together. It also gives your suppliers enough time to recommend solutions that suit both your venue and your budget.

2. Underestimating the Importance of Sound

Guests are surprisingly forgiving when they can't see something perfectly.

They are much less forgiving when they can't hear.

Poor sound quality can quickly lead to disengagement, particularly during presentations, panel discussions and speeches. A microphone that's too quiet, speakers that aren't positioned correctly, or equipment that isn't suited to the size of the room can make it difficult for attendees to follow what's being said.

When planning your event, always consider the size of the space, the number of guests attending and the type of content being delivered. Clear audio should never be optional, Tust us, we’ve done music festivals before so your AV will never cut out!

To read more about our experience with Av read out case study on PPI London here!

https://www.thisisgoho.com/ourwork/ppi-london

3. Forgetting About Sightlines

Just because a screen is visible from the front row doesn't mean it's visible from the back.

Large pillars, awkward room layouts, low staging and undersized screens can all affect how well guests can see presentations and speakers. If attendees are constantly stretching their necks or moving seats to get a better view, their experience suffers.

Before finalising your setup, think about the event from your guests' perspective. Every attendee should have a clear view of the key content, no matter where they are seated.

4. Overlooking Lighting

Lighting does much more than simply help people see.

It sets the tone for your event, influences the atmosphere and can completely transform a space. Bright, functional lighting may work well for daytime conferences, while networking events and evening receptions often benefit from a warmer, more inviting feel.

Lighting also plays an important role in photography and videography. If guests are taking photos, speakers are being filmed, or content is being captured for social media, the right lighting can make a huge difference.

A carefully planned lighting scheme helps create an event that feels polished, professional and memorable.

Want to see another event where we utilised lighting to make sure the event stood out? Check out what we did at Sugar Studios in the link below!

https://www.thisisgoho.com/ourwork/sugar-studios-showcase

5. Skipping the Tech Rehearsal

We've all heard stories about presentations that won't load, videos that won't play or microphones that stop working moments before someone takes the stage.

The easiest way to avoid these issues is simple: test everything beforehand.

A full technical rehearsal allows speakers, event organisers and AV teams to identify potential problems before guests arrive. Presentations can be checked, microphones tested and timings reviewed to ensure the event runs smoothly from start to finish.

It may seem like a small step, but it can save a huge amount of stress on the day itself.

Great AV Should Go Unnoticed

The best AV setup is rarely the one guests talk about afterwards.

Instead, it's the one they don't notice at all.

When sound is clear, lighting feels right and presentations run without a hitch, attendees can focus on what's really important: the content, conversations and experience you've worked so hard to create.

At Goho, we understand that successful events rely on hundreds of moving parts coming together seamlessly. That's why we work closely with trusted venues and AV partners to ensure every detail is considered from the very beginning.

Whether you're planning a conference, networking event, awards ceremony or company celebration, our team can help you create an experience that runs smoothly behind the scenes and leaves a lasting impression on your guests.

Get in touch with the Goho team today to discuss your next event by sending us a message on any of our socials or emailing hello@thisisigoho.com !

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