As virtual and hybrid events have become the new norm (at least for now), many event professionals have been left to learn how to navigate the online event scene—one that requires a bit more than an iPhone camera, but rather a tech-savvy team and the right equipment to boot. Enter these five North America-based event companies offering up their event spaces and services to help fellow industry professionals that are struggling to secure the right modern tools to produce a successful (and safe!) virtual or hybrid event, or even a livestreamed corporate meeting.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at each studio available for rent.
Sound Investment A/V
Sound Investment A/V recently added virtual event and livestream studios in New York and Chicago to better support the event and entertainment industry, offering an array of solutions for virtual, live, or hybrid events, as well as simple livestreams or photo shoots.
Photo: Peter Vanek
Sound Investment's virtual event and livestream studios include multi-camera switching packages, graphics and video playback options, ISO/program recording, studio lighting, broadcast-quality audio, livestream codecs, teleprompters, and even LED wall sets for a fully customizable event. Additionally, Sound Investment's in-house production team offers assistance with various services including graphic design, content management, offsite connectivity, and social media integration.
Photo: Peter Vanek
StartWell
Toronto-based StartWell's event studio is a comfortable venue that features a bar, lounge, and presentation space. Founder and CEO Qasim Virjee says he works to bring an unforgettable experience to attendees of virtual and hybrid events, hoping to make them feel like they are sitting in the room with other people.
Photo: Qasim Virjee
While StartWell's team has the ability to produce virtual events through all platforms, including Skype, WebEx, Teams, and Zoom, their preferred event platform is Hopin, which they use to create a virtual replica of their stage. Additionally, the studio's breakout room experience gives guests one-on-one networking video conference sessions. The studio broadcasts presentations with both an on-stage and an audience point of view using high-definition cameras and equipment. Additionally, recorded media material captured during events is at no extra charge to clients and can be used for other marketing or broadcast endeavors.
Photo: Qasim Virjee
Dream Front Labs
Dream Front Labs is an event and studio production company out of Arleta, Calif. The 10-year-old business has had a heavy hand in the production of many high-level events.
Photo: Dream Front Labs
Dream Front Labs' studio features a large LED video cave to produce virtual sets, mixed reality, augmented reality, and/or XR for film and TV, corporate presentations, or music performances. Additionally, the studio has HD or 4K livestreaming capabilities for virtual and hybrid events. The studio's professionals have the ability to implement various modern technology solutions, including Disguise GX2c media servers, Stype Red Spy camera tracking, HTC Vive object tracking, Notch, Unreal Engine, Barco E2, and vMix.
Photo: Dream Front Labs
BlackOak Technical Productions
BlackOak Technical Productions—an extension of Chicago-based event design company Kehoe Designs—provides full-service design and production for meetings, conferences, galas, weddings, and parties; whether they are in-person or virtual. The studio offers services such as brainstorming workshops and media and GFX production.
Photo: Kehoe Designs
BlackOak Technical Production has implemented various techniques to carry out many virtual and hybrid events since this start of this new era. The BlackOak team has taken on all production responsibilities of the Service Club of Chicago's virtual fashion show, produced PartySlate's weekly Zoom webinars, and were the brain behind a virtual graduation ceremony.
Photo: Kehoe Designs
Lytehouse Studio
Situated in Brooklyn, N.Y., Lytehouse Studio provides event professionals the opportunity to host events in any virtual environment they please. The studio's 5,500-square-foot production facility holds a cyclorama stage that's customizable to curate the perfect background for any event. In addition, the studio's private patio and rooftop are incorporated for optimal daytime shooting.
Photo: Lytehouse Studio
Lytehouse Studio boasts ample production equipment and beyond, including luxury green rooms, 22-foot-tall ceilings, 600 amps of power, high-speed Wi-Fi, central air conditioning, wireless speakers, a kitchen, and scissor lifts.
Photo: Lytehouse Studio
