Quality Event Lighting is Key. So Why Isn’t it an Industry Standard?

 

Live events are the cornerstone of an AV company’s repertoire. Full of multiple components including audio, visual effects, the actual content, and of course the overall flow of the show itself, every aspect deserves attention. When there are so many different factors at play simultaneously, though, the specifics and importance of the lighting for the event can be overlooked or underestimated.

Jason “Cannon Ball” Jenkins, director of operations at Elite Multimedia, jumps on the podcast to explain why lighting is the icing on the cake that can enhance or distract from a show.

Lighting can not only make a huge visual impact and create “cool” effects, but it also carries with it an emotional effect as well. The colors used in lighting can evoke a variety of different feelings in the people who are experiencing them, which is why attention to lighting is crucial when creating engaging live events.

“When you hear an audible gasp…in response to something they have just seen, you know you can communicate just through how you use light,” Jenkins said.

This means that lighting needs to be intentionally considered when creating an event. Jenkins mentioned that many young lighting designers may throw out a lot of effects and tricks, but they need to be careful to make sure the choices are appropriate and serve a purpose, especially in lighting the audience so they can become a part of the experience.

The integration of LED video and LED lighting is increasing in the AV industry as well, and with it comes an increase in the styles and quality of content. Lighting is becoming a necessary way to help convey the full effect of content, especially as consumers push Pro AV to evolve its focus on “experience.”

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Pro AV Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication. A new episode of the Pro AV Show drops every Thursday.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @ProAVMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

branding
Bonfire Branding: How Solo Stove Sparked a Customer Movement with Liz Vanzura (Episode One)
January 22, 2026

When pandemic restrictions shut down restaurants, paused travel, and compressed social lives, connection didn’t disappear; it moved closer to home. Backyards quietly emerged as important gathering spaces, offering a simple way to be together without screens, schedules, or spectacle. What began as a workaround evolved into a familiar rhythm of gathering. In that shift,…

Read More
customer movement
Bonfire Branding: How Solo Stove Sparked a Customer Movement with Liz Vanzura (Episode Three)
January 22, 2026

As audiences tune out polished ads and lean into trust, brands are being forced to rethink how they show up for the customer. Research consistently shows that consumers rate peer-created content as more credible than traditional brand messaging, and algorithmic discovery is increasingly rewarding authenticity over polish. With AI reshaping how people search and…

Read More
supply chains
Why the Best Careers Are Designed Like Resilient Supply Chains
January 22, 2026

What do supply chains and community have in common? They both deliver value—when managed with purpose. At their best, they show how intentional systems, meaningful connections, and consistent action turn effort into lasting professional growth. This week on Professional Quotient, listeners hear from Nathan Chaney, founder of Supply Chaney, whose insights bridge the mechanics…

Read More
brand
Bonfire Branding: How Solo Stove Sparked a Customer Movement with Liz Vanzura (Episode Two)
January 22, 2026

As people seek relief from constant digital noise, the backyard has quietly become a modern “third space” in everyday life. Outdoor living, fire pits, and at-home hosting continue to grow as consumers prioritize connection, ease, and experiences that feel meaningful without requiring more complexity. Brands that understand this shift aren’t just selling products—they’re offering…

Read More