Planning a Q1 2026 SKO? Why Smart Planners Book AV Before the Holidays.
With 2025 wrapping up, the Q1 Sales Kick-Off is at the top of every company's priority list. This is your single most important event of the year—it sets the strategy, motivates the team, and builds momentum for the next 12 months.
It’s tempting to think, "I'll finalize the AV production in January."
From a strategic standpoint, this is a costly mistake. The entire event landscape—from talent to pricing—shifts dramatically after the new year.
The real deadline for securing a top-tier production partner for a Q1 event is before the holiday break. Booking now isn't "last minute"; it's the single best strategic move you can make. Here are the four key reasons why.
1. You Secure the "A-Team," Not the "B-Team"
Event production is fundamentally a service business. The most critical factor in your event's success isn't the gear; it's the senior technical director, the project manager, and the lead audio engineer running the show.
The "A-Teams" from the best production companies are the first to get booked. When you wait until January, you are competing with every other company for a rapidly shrinking pool of top-tier talent.
Booking now ensures you have an experienced, professional, and cohesive team assigned to your event—not a group of last-minute freelancers.
2. You Get Your First Choice of Gear, Not Just What's Left
Q1 is the busiest season for corporate events. Sales Kick-Offs, annual summits, and user conferences all compete for the same finite inventory.
High-demand items like large-format LED walls, sleek speaker confidence monitors, and robust wireless mic systems are reserved months in advance.
If you wait, you will be forced to make compromises. You may have to settle for a smaller projection screen instead of the LED wall you envisioned, or a less-than-ideal lighting setup. Booking now guarantees the technology that matches your vision is locked in and reserved for you.
3. You Get a Partner, Not Just a Vendor
The difference between a vendor and a partner is time.
A vendor takes your order in January and shows up on event day.
A partner starts planning with you in December.
Booking now gives you the runway for true pre-production. It allows your AV team to conduct a thorough site visit, collaborate on stage design, and build a proper Run of Show with your team. A rushed event in January means the AV team is just reacting. A planned event means they are a proactive partner, ready to make your speakers and content shine.
4. You Protect Your Budget and Your Holiday Break
Waiting until January is the most expensive decision you can make. With high demand and low supply, you will pay a premium for any quality gear and talent you can find. Rush fees and last-minute freight charges will inflate your costs. Booking now locks in your pricing and protects your budget.
Just as importantly, it gives you peace of mind.
You can go into your holiday break knowing the most critical, high-stakes part of your event is handled. You won't spend your time off worrying about it, and you won't start 2026 in a panic.
Don't Start Your Year Behind
Your Sales Kick-Off is too important to leave to a January scramble. The most successful SKOs are the ones that are planned with foresight.
At Plato Media Co., our Q1 calendar is filling rapidly. If you are planning a Q1 event, let’s have a 15-minute planning call this week. We can start reserving the team and technology you need for a successful event.
Contact us today to start planning your Q1 Sales Kick-Off.
