Every event has a name on it. Here’s what those people said afterward.
If you’re planning an event, you have one fair question about any AV company: will they actually show up ready when it’s my name on the line? Here’s how the people who’ve booked us answer it — in their own words, with their names attached.
4.9 / 5
Across 30 Google Reviews
A+
BBB Accredited
Member
6x Consumer Choice Award Winner,
Kitchener-Waterloo
most recently 2027
Featured story — St. Mary's Hospital 100th Anniversary Gala
How a century celebration got a room to match it
The Brief
A hospital turns one hundred once. St. Mary’s marked it with a 1920s-themed gala — in a venue that, in the organizer’s own words, “has hosted a lot of events over the years.” The room was familiar. The evening couldn’t afford to be.
What we did
Full production, planned around the theme: staging, lighting, and sound designed for a live band and a full room — plus a checkered dance floor and a built entranceway that carried guests into the 1920s from the moment they arrived. And the part that doesn’t show up on an equipment list: advice. Room layout, artist recommendations, the running order of the evening.
The result, in the organizer’s words
“Straight Street transformed the venue and brought our guests back into our theme of the 1920’s. Not only did they bring the staging, lighting and sound, but they even brought a checkered dance floor!
“The sound was outstanding, they are a company that understands sound design. The bands were playing, and at no point did you have to raise your voice to speak to the person beside you.
“They are truly professionals from the beginning to the end of the process, they made the room look and sound spectacular and they were there to support me and my team throughout the entire event. I CAN NOT RECOMMEND THEM ENOUGH!”
— Nico Giorgio — St. Mary’s Hospital 100th Anniversary Gala
- A live band at full volume — and conversation at every table without a raised voice.
- One team for everything: staging, lighting, sound, dance floor, and the entrance build.
- Advice included: room set-up and artist recommendations the organizer called “second to none.”
The wall
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Corporate events & conferences
The client was extremely anxious and hesitant due to a bad experience the previous year with another company. Straight Street ROCKED IT OUT!!! Not only were they professional and accommodating (especially with last minute requests) but they also went above and beyond to assist our client with presentation changes and music requests. They did such a great job that the client immediately requested that they be a part of next year’s team again.
Pierre Valcarcel, Sr. Account Manager, MCI Group Canada — Google review
Galas & fundraisers
Consistently delivered exceptional service, attention to detail and creative solutions … made this year’s gala look stunning from the lighting, sound and video perspective.
Ashley Le Roux, Event Manager, Children’s Aid Foundation — Teddy Bear Affair Gala, Toronto
At the time, the Teddy Bear Affair was the Foundation’s largest fundraiser, having raised over $19 million for abused and neglected children — their figure, from the letter.
Festivals & outdoor events
The professionalism and expertise of the team was evident in the production, staging and sound services that you provided to the festival. They toiled under harsh heat conditions but never a complaint.
Pam Carter, President & Festival Chair, Mariposa Folk Festival
Straight Street has produced Mariposa annually since 2009 — 17 years and counting, including the record-breaking sell-out in 2026. A separate festival letter thanked the team for support during and after a storm.
Festivals & outdoor events
They saved us money, increased the quality of the entertainment elements and were the most professional and enjoyable company I’ve ever worked with.
Nancy Mayer, Entertainment Committee Chair, Central Ontario Ride for Sight
Then the largest motorcycle charity event in Canada — 10,000+ riders. After years of neighbour noise complaints, Straight Street reconfigured the speakers in advance: zero complaints over the two-day event.
Arena & ice shows
I have had so many compliments on the lights and the sound of the music (which is usually terrible in arenas). It was crystal clear!! Very professional and dependable in every aspect of my show… Thank you Keith you delivered on everything you promised.
Sonya Shewchuk, Ice Show Director — Google review
Arena & ice shows
Mike, the lighting technician, went above and beyond working with our artistic director to make each performance special, whether it was for Canadian Champion Keegan Messing or our tiny Canskate skaters. He worked with our volunteer, first-time spotlight operators. They performed like professionals.
Mark Psutka, KW Skating Club — Google review
Theatre & community
They went above and beyond to provide us with excellent equipment, services and even helped us out when some of our own equipment wasn’t performing as expected. We really appreciate their professionalism and hard work to make sure our show was a success.
Adam Kropf, community theatre group — Google review
Education & ceremonies
Extremely professional, reliable and flexible … Keith professionally managed challenges with third party vendors, and delivered a flawless event. I would not hesitate to recommend Straight Street Event Services to anyone looking to deliver a high quality large event.
Leah Murdock, Manager, Student Life, Career & Alumni Services, University of Guelph-Humber — Convocation
Education & ceremonies
Extremely professional, reliable and flexible … Keith professionally managed challenges with third party vendors, and delivered a flawless event. I would not hesitate to recommend Straight Street Event Services to anyone looking to deliver a high quality large event.
Leah Murdock, Manager, Student Life, Career & Alumni Services, University of Guelph-Humber — Convocation
The long-term relationships
For over a dozen years now, the energetic and professional team at Straight Street Event Services has consistently exceeded our expectations.
Marie Schroeder, Executive Officer, Waterloo Region Home Builders’ Association
WRHBA is still a client today — a relationship now spanning roughly two decades.
The long-term relationships
Whether it is for a meeting for 10 people or a gala for 500 people, the professionalism and quality of service and product is always consistent.
Mina Cicconi, Convention & Special Event Coordinator, IBAO
Straight Street produced the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario’s annual convention for over a decade.
The promise behind the reviews
Every one of these events ran on the same promise we’ll make to you: one all-in quote covering equipment, labour, and transportation. Constant communication through planning and show day. A direct line to your lead event staff. And if something isn’t right, we do everything within our power to make it right.
Your event could be the next one on this page.
Tell us about it — venue, audience, program, and budget — and we’ll tell you straight what it’ll take. No pressure, no surprises.
No obligation. Prefer to talk it through?
Call (519) 893-3668.
Your Event Goals. Our Expertise. That’s Straight Street.