Straight Answers
You’re about to put your name on an event. These are the questions planners actually ask us before they do — answered plainly, so you can decide with your eyes open. If yours isn’t here, call (519) 893-3668 and ask it.
Pricing and the quote
What does a Straight Street quote include?
Everything: equipment, labour, and transportation in one all-in number. There are no hidden fees, extra costs, or surprises — the number you approve is the number you pay.
That’s not a slogan; it’s in writing, in our Comfort Warranty. When you’re ready, tell us about your event and we’ll put your number together — no obligation.
Why is your quote different from the venue's in-house AV quote
In-house AV is convenient, but you pay for that convenience. The on-site company’s rates tend to run high — partly because the venue takes a commission on what you spend — and that’s built into your quote before you ever see it. Convenient isn’t always the same as good value.
Ours is one all-in price, so you can compare like for like. We’ll even help on the venue side: bringing us in removes the hotel’s markup on equipment, though standard venue charges like rigging and power may still apply — and we’ll tell you which is which.
If you have a venue quote in front of you, send it over. We’ll tell you plainly what’s fair and what to question.
Another company quoted lower. What's the catch?
Possibly nothing — but cheaper quotes are often cheap because labour, transportation, or an operator in the room isn’t in the number yet. Compare what’s actually included, not just the total.
And if a smaller setup genuinely fits your event, we’ll be the ones to tell you. We recommend the right production for your venue, audience, program, and budget — not the most complex one.
We're a non-profit with a board watching every dollar. Can you work with our budget?
Yes. We plan the production around your priorities and your budget, and we’ll show you where each dollar goes — a quote you can defend in front of a treasurer.
We’ve supported Ontario fundraisers and community organizations for decades, from St. Mary’s Hospital’s 100th Anniversary Gala to community theatre and skating clubs. Clear sound and warm light are part of how a room gives; we treat your budget accordingly.
Working with your venue
Our venue says it has an “exclusive” in-house AV company. Can we still hire you?
In most Canadian venues, yes. “Exclusive” usually means the in-house company is the only vendor the venue holds a contract with — not the only company allowed to work in the building.
The key is to confirm it in writing before you sign the venue contract, while the venue still wants your business. Our free Venue Contract AV Checklist walks you through exactly what to confirm — eight points, with sample wording for your RFP.
What venue fees still apply if we bring you in?
Legitimate ones: rigging and power are commonly venue-controlled for liability reasons, and a fair connection fee is normal. What shouldn’t apply is an “oversight” or “concierge” fee for using an outside AV company — that’s negotiable, and we’ll help you push back on it.
Either way, you’ll know before you sign anything. No surprises is the whole point.
Can you handle a downtown Toronto venue?
Yes. We’ve produced events at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Enercare Centre, Royal York Hotel, Sheraton Centre Toronto, The International Centre, and the Toronto Congress Centre.
We plan load-ins around downtown dock rules and schedules, and we arrive early enough to set up and rehearse before your doors open.
Are you insured?
Yes — we carry liability insurance, and we provide a certificate of insurance (COI) to both you and your venue.
We also handle the venue’s technical paperwork on your behalf — rigging points, weights, and safety requirements — so that side of your event simply gets handled.
Planning and show day
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as your date firms up. Booking earlier doesn’t change our price — it gives us more time to plan around your venue, your program, and your budget, which is where most problems get prevented.
That said, we’re also built for short timelines: press conferences and media events sometimes give days, not months. If your event is close, call rather than email — (519) 893-3668.
What does working with you actually look like?
It starts with a conversation, not a quote: your venue, audience, program, and budget. Then we recommend the right production and give you one all-in number.
From there: venue coordination, a written run-of-show with every cue mapped, a rehearsal before doors, experienced operators running your show, and a follow-up afterward. One senior event designer owns your event end to end.
Who will actually be in the room on the day?
A senior event designer leads your event, with experienced operators running each position. You’ll also have a direct line to your lead event staff all day, so if anything needs attention you’re one call away, never troubleshooting alone.
Every event is designed and owned by one of our three senior event designers — in the industry since 1976, 1986, and 1996 respectively.
What happens if something fails during the event?
Our plan assumes something might. Backups for the things that can fail — spare microphones, redundant playback, a stream contingency — and a crew watching your show, not their phones.
It extends to gear that isn’t ours: one community theatre client wrote that we “even helped us out when some of our own equipment wasn’t performing as expected.” And behind all of it sits the Comfort Warranty: if something isn’t right, we do everything within our power to make it right.
We're not technical people. Is that a problem?
It’s normal — most of our clients aren’t. You’ll never be buried in technical talk or handed an equipment list to decode; we explain everything in terms of what your audience will see and hear.
You focus on your guests and your program. The technical side is our job — that’s what a production partner is for.
Events and coverage
What kinds of events do you produce?
Conferences, conventions, and corporate meetings; AGMs and town halls; galas and awards nights; charity and fundraising events; press conferences and media events; festivals and concerts; graduations and convocations; fashion shows; faith and worship services; ice shows and arena events; theatre, vocal, and dance productions; and livestreamed or hybrid versions of all of the above.
Size ranges just as widely — from a boardroom presentation to a festival main stage. The production scales; the standard doesn’t.
Do you handle livestreamed and hybrid events?
Yes — livestream, webcast, and hybrid production connecting the room with a remote audience, with broadcast-quality audio and video for the people joining from a screen.
A remote audience hears everything twice as critically, so we treat the stream as its own audience, not an afterthought.
Where do you work?
We’re based in Cambridge, Ontario, and serve Waterloo Region, the Toronto/GTA market, and Southern Ontario. Our touring background means we’ve produced shows across Canada and the U.S., and we still take on select events further afield.
Wherever your venue is, we show up ready.
Next steps
How do we get a quote, and what should we have ready?
It’s free, there’s no obligation, and you’ll hear back within one business day. Helpful to have: your venue (or shortlist), a rough audience size, the shape of your program, and a budget range if you have one.
Don’t worry if you’re missing pieces — the conversation is the point. Tell us what you know and we’ll tell you straight what it’ll take: what to watch for, what to skip, and where the budget really matters.
What exactly is the Comfort Warranty?
Our promise, in writing. Transparent budgeting with no hidden fees. Constant communication through planning and show day. A direct line to your lead event staff. Support that continues after the event.
And the last line matters most: if something isn’t right, we do everything within our power to make it right.
Still have a question?
Ask it the fastest way:
Call (519) 893-3668,
email [email protected]
...or click the button below:
Your Event Goals. Our Expertise. That’s Straight Street.