The 7 most common mistakes in technical production for international events 

Organising international events and technical production at the highest standards requires more than creativity and vision — it requires flawless execution on a technical level. Even the most experienced global brands and well-established event agencies can fall into common traps that directly impact the success of their events. 

From poorly coordinated event planning to avoidable technical oversights, these mistakes can highly affect the attendee experience and damage the perception of your brand. 

Here at Novelty, we’ve spent years working in technical production for international events, and we’ve seen these mistakes firsthand. That’s why we’ve compiled this practical guide to help global decision-makers and agencies avoid critical errors and make sure that their next international event production shines from start to finish. 

Mistake 1: skipping the technical site visit 

One of the most frequent mistakes in international event planning is relying solely on floor plans, renders or venue spec sheets, and not conducting an in-person technical site inspection. While it may seem like a way to save time or budget, this visit is essential to ensure that the venue’s actual conditions match the event’s technical requirements. 

A venue might have limitations like ceiling height, restricted rigging points, insufficient electrical capacity or poor acoustics — things that only become evident when you’re on site. For large-scale setups involving complex structures, immersive lighting for events or control rooms, validating on-site access and setup logistics is non-negotiable. 

What happens when you skip this step? 

• Unpleasant surprises during setup that delay timelines

• Extra costs due to last-minute changes

• Rushed, improvised solutions that compromise quality 

Whenever possible, bring your AV production partner to the site visit. An experienced team can flag invisible risks early and propose creative solutions. At Novelty, we’ve even created a free AV inspection visit guide to help you prepare effectively. 

Mistake 2: underestimating local regulations and technical legislation 

In international events, local regulations can vary significantly — not only by country but also by city or venue. Ignoring these rules can result in delays, fines, or in the worst case, having to halt or cancel the setup. 

From structural certifications and rigging approvals to fire safety standards, permitted sound levels and electrical regulations, a solid understanding of local compliance is vital. Failing to design an AV safety plan early on may lead to last-minute redesigns or compliance issues. 

Common consequences of this oversight include:  

• Failing venue inspections

• Reworking designs or having to redo plans

• Fines or revoked permits 

Pro tip: always work with a local partner who knows the territory and has international experience. Our global presence means that we can ensure smooth compliance and stress-free planning at every location. 

Mistake 3: working with a technical team that isn’t local or has no international experience 

When producing technical audiovisual events abroad, relying on a team without relevant international experience can be a major risk. Teams unfamiliar with global standards or multicultural workflows may struggle with communication, coordination and execution. 

Producing international events demands not just technical knowledge, but also soft skills like adaptability, time management and clear communication across cultures. This is especially true when working with global brands, where quality and precision are key. 

What can go wrong? 

• Setup and execution delays

• Compatibility issues between suppliers' equipment

• Miscommunication due to language or cultural differences 

The solution: choose AV technicians with proven international experience and a collaborative attitude. At Novelty, our multilingual teams in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, the UK and the Middle East integrate with local crews and maintain technical control from start to finish. 

Mistake 4: not having redundancy in critical systems 

One of the golden rules of high-end event production is redundancy — having backup systems in place for every critical component from power supply to sound system, video, and data networks is crucial. Yet this step is often overlooked, with teams assuming “everything will run smoothly.” 

But things can go wrong — and in live events, there’s always that possibility. If you don’t have a plan B, a single failure can leave your event without power, signal or sound in a matter of seconds. The impact can be severe, from damaging brand reputation to derailing key business moments. 

Examples of poor redundancy planning include: 

• Streaming failures with no backup network

• Video source issues without mirror feeds or duplicate matrices

• Audio dropouts with no secondary sound line 

Our advice: implement redundancy for every critical system. From backup generators to mirrored AV setups, at Novelty every project is designed with operational continuity in mind so that the event goes on, no matter what. 

Mistake 5: choosing AV equipment without the proper technical criteria 

In an attempt to cut costs or prioritise aesthetics, many brands or agencies end up selecting sound equipment for events, video systems or lighting setups that aren’t right for the event’s goals or environment. This is especially common when renting locally and failing to evaluate performance or compatibility. 

An LED screen might look great in a catalogue, but if it has low brightness or resolution, it’ll let you down. The same applies to projectors, control desks or audio consoles. “Working” isn’t enough. The equipment must be the right fit for the audience, the venue, and the purpose. 

Typical issues caused by this mistake include:  

• An underwhelming visual impact

• Technical mismatches across systems

• Equipment stress or makeshift fixes 

Pro tip: prioritise performance over appearance or cost. At Novelty, our AV equipment rental stock is one of the strongest in Europe — but what really sets us apart is how we select gear algined with your space, briefing and objectives.  

Mistake 6: not defining a detailed technical schedule 

Starting an event without a clear, detailed and shared technical schedule can be a crucial mistake. In international events and technical production, where multiple teams, time zones and languages are involved, this can lead to chaos fast. 

A technical schedule isn’t just a logistics doc — it’s your go-to playbook. It aligns tasks, responsibilities and timelines. Without it, crews may show up late, work out of sequence, or end up improvising. In large-scale events involving complex rigging, lighting or stage structures, this is a major risk. 

What can go wrong? 

• Delays that turn into missed rehearsals

• Backwards assembly that requires dismantling

• Friction between teams due to poor coordination 

Proactive solution: develop a realistic technical timeline during pre-production. Share it with every supplier and confirm everyone is aligned with the latest version. 

Mistake 7: forgetting to take into account the audience experience in every technical decision 

In the race to get everything ready, it’s easy to become too focused on logistics: finishing the setup, checking the gear, syncing the systems. But when the audience experience is left out of technical decisions, the result may be flawless yet completely forgettable. 

Every technical choice — screen placement, audio coverage, event lighting, visual content — should serve the audience. If the view is blocked, the audio flat, or the message disconnected from the visuals, your event loses its impact. 

Common signs of this mistake include:  

• LED screens that aren’t clearly visible to the audience

• Content that is disconnected from the local language or culture

• Lighting that distracts rather than enhances the narrative 

Recommended outlook: every event is an experience — and every attendee should feel immersed, engaged and inspired. At Novelty, we align creativity and technology to ensure that each technical decision supports your message, brand and audience connection.  

Want to guarantee flawless technical production at your next event? 

Avoiding these 7 common mistakes in technical production for international events can be the difference between a good event and a truly memorable one. From choosing the right AV equipment to understanding local regulations and planning detailed schedules, every decision counts. 

The goal isn’t just more tech, it’s smarter tech. That’s why you need an AV partner who understands not only the tools, but the strategy, the message, and the audience impact behind them. 

Our team has been supporting agencies, global brands and decision-makers for decades — with multilingual technical teams, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a production mindset that goes beyond execution. Discover our custom audiovisual solutions and technical production services now.