Did you know that 75% of people say sound is the number one factor that affects their engagement at an event?
That stat doesn’t surprise me.
You can have an amazing venue, a slick stage setup and the fanciest lighting rig in the world, but if people can’t hear properly, all of that investment goes to waste.
I’ve seen it happen too many times.
A keynote speaker steps up to the mic, the audience leans in to listen… and then.
The sound cuts out halfway through. 😅
The mic squeals with feedback. 🫣
The back of the room is straining to catch a single word. 🤯
And in seconds, the energy in the room disappears.
People stop listening, start whispering or worse, they check out completely.
Because, here’s the thing… sound isn’t just “tech in the background.” It’s the foundation that everything else is built on.
If the audience can’t hear clearly, they can’t connect with the content, no matter how good it is.
That’s why I obsess over it.
From making sure every mic is tested, to balancing the levels so a panel discussion sounds natural, to building in backups so nothing fails when it matters most.
Because when the sound is right, people don’t notice it.
They just feel like the event is professional, smooth and worth their time.
When it’s wrong, though?
It’s the only thing they’ll remember.
So tell me, what’s the worst sound experience you’ve ever had at an event?
Spearheaded by Andrew Lake, a highly experienced Audio-Visual engineer and Event Manager with over 30 years in the industry.
