Atlanta is home to some of the world’s best event management and event production companies. Whether you’re planning a corporate conference, a private gala, or a hybrid event, selecting the right partner is essential to delivering a seamless experience.

HTR works with many of the top event management and event production companies in Atlanta to provide the latest IT and pro AV gear. With a large array of the latest IT and AV equipment and a location in the heart of the city, many Atlanta event management companies turn to us for their short-term needs and same-day service.

It’s not uncommon for an event management agency to have last-minute requests. Day or night, rain or shine, we’re available 24/7 for just those instances.

If you need IT or AV support for your next event, check out our Atlanta AV Equipment Rental page for details on our services and same-day delivery options.

This guide breaks down the differences between event management and event production, highlights what each service provides, and lists top Atlanta companies in each category.

Top Atlanta Event Management Companies

What Event Management Companies Provide

While event planners tend to work on the event concept, event management companies are typically responsible for the details of the execution. Most event management companies offer both the planning and management aspects.

A top full-service event management company will have relatable experience to your organization’s business and the event planning skills to cover every function of your event. On our list of top Atlanta event companies that we’ve worked with, we’ve found they all share one common trait: they are passionate about creating distinctive events that tell their clients’ story while keeping budgets in check and ensuring every detail is covered.

Here are five traits we’ve found these Atlanta event production companies have:

They are good listeners
You’ll find that they listen more than they speak, as they want to know as much about your organization and event as possible.

They’ll have a timeline
They’ll share with you a planning timeline and outline what is required from you and what will happen at every step leading up to and after the event.

They’ll manage the vendors
They’ll handle the vendor negotiations, which often saves you money. On top of that, they’ll help you understand any vendor jargon you may be unfamiliar with.

They’ll have a backup
Experienced event management companies know there are countless things that can go wrong at a live event and will have contingency plans in place just in case.

They’ll have recommendations
In the event that an event management company isn’t the exact fit you need, they can assist you in finding the best event production company in Atlanta. These event production companies will help you come up with creative ideas for your event, manage the execution, handle set and strike, and oversee all logistics.

Picking the Right Event Management Company for Your Event

Unless you’re experienced in planning events, you’ll want to consider hiring an Atlanta event professional who can handle the complex and demanding task of live event planning. There is a wide range of corporate event planners in Atlanta, and finding the best fit for your specific event can be daunting.

To narrow the list, there are key factors to identify before you begin your search. Once you know what to look for, finding the right Atlanta event planning company will become much easier.

Event Size
How big is the event you’ll be hosting? If you’re hosting 100 attendees or fewer, you may just need a smaller event planner. The number of guests will help determine the venue size as well as the food and beverage budget.

Event Type: Private, Corporate, or Charity
Successful events tell a story. To figure out your story, you first need to determine what type of event you’re hosting. The three main types are private, corporate, or charity events. Once you’ve identified the type, you can choose a theme, which will help in selecting the right venue.

Industry Niche
Is your organization part of a larger vertical market or does it focus on a specific target niche? Understanding this will be helpful when creating a list of event planning companies to interview.

Top Atlanta Live Production Companies

What Event Production Companies Provide

There’s a difference between a live Atlanta event production company vs. an Atlanta event management company. While both will assist you with your event, they’ll do so in different ways. Live event production companies can help you come up with creative ideas for your event. Ultimately, it’s the live event production company that will execute the event — including the set and strike of the event and handling all logistics.

Conversely, an event management company is focused on the big picture. They handle everything from turning your rough idea into a plan to managing the execution from start to finish. Event management companies will work with you and your budget to find the venue, secure vendors, staff your event, manage scheduling, and create contingency plans just in case something unexpected happens.

So, which is best for you?
If you’re comfortable planning and managing your event and just need help with the execution, a live event production company is the right choice.
Organizations typically choose event management companies when:

• They are hosting a very large event
  
• Their internal events department is small or overextended
  
• They’re new to hosting events and need expertise to ensure a memorable outcome
  

Key Considerations for Event Production

When choosing a production company, ask questions about their capabilities:

• Do they have experience with your type of event (corporate, entertainment, nonprofit)?
  
• Can they handle technical complexity, like hybrid streaming or multi-stage setups?
  
• What equipment do they own versus rent from third parties?
  
• How do they manage on-site staff and union labor rules in Atlanta?
  
• Do they offer post-event support, such as recordings or analytics?
  

Event Venues & Matching the Right Partner

The type of venue you select will influence whether you need more management expertise, production power, or both.

Technology & Rental Support for Events

Whether you work with a production or management company—or both—you’ll likely need specialized equipment to execute your vision.

Hartford Technology Rentals offers:

• Audio-Visual Gear: Microphones, speakers, lighting, cameras, projectors.
  
• Computing & Registration Hardware: Laptops, tablets, badge printers.
  
• Hybrid Event Tech: Streaming setups, video conferencing, networking hardware.
  
• 24/7 Technical Support: Same-day service available in Atlanta.
  

How to Decide Which Company You Need

Sometimes you’ll need both an event management company and a production company, while other events may only require one.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Who will handle planning vs. execution?
  
• Does your event involve technical complexity? (e.g., live streaming or custom staging)
  
• Do you have the internal staff to manage vendors?
  
• What’s your budget, and where do you need the most expertise?
  

Get Support for Your Atlanta Event

The right partner makes all the difference in creating a smooth, memorable event.

Hartford Technology Rentals works closely with both event management and event production companies in Atlanta to provide cutting-edge technology rentals and technical support. Call 888-520-5667 or visit our contact page to speak with our team about your upcoming Atlanta event.