AV Chicago

What AV Chicago does

AV Chicago, now operating under the ShowREADY brand, is a Chicago-headquartered audiovisual production and event management services firm serving clients nationwide across more than 22 US metropolitan markets. The company delivers full-service event production — spanning conventions, corporate meetings, trade shows, brand activations, commencement ceremonies, fundraisers, political events, and incentive travel — combining on-site technical execution, creative design, and strategic planning for virtual, hybrid, and in-person formats. Its customer base is horizontally diversified across corporate clients, associations, trade show organizers, marketers, event producers, non-profits, educational institutions, and political organizations, with no individual customer logos publicly disclosed.

The company's technology and product surface is organized under the ShowREADY. Collective umbrella and centers on three layers. First, a comprehensive AV equipment rental portfolio covering audio, visual/camera, lighting, projection, video displays (including high-resolution LED and outdoor LED walls), scenic, and staging equipment. Second, ShowREADY. Systems, a dedicated system integration service for designing and deploying custom AV and event technology installations. Third, ShowREADY. Connect, a hybrid event platform intended to unify in-person and remote audiences in a single event experience. Specialized technology offerings — building projection mapping, immersive environments, art and education exhibit installations, and arts/entertainment lighting — extend the portfolio into higher-value specialty production work. The ShowREADY® mark is a registered trademark.

The business model is project-based and service-led, with two primary revenue streams: usage-based AV equipment rental and professional services for end-to-end event production. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, varying by event size, duration, equipment scope, and service requirements. Go-to-market is sales-led via direct phone outreach (312-229-4100), website-driven inbound (showready.co), and an extensive industry association network spanning AVIXA, MPI, PCMA, IAEE, NACE, ILSA, ASAE, and regional Chicago/CVB partners. The company is privately held with no disclosed venture or private equity backing and operates with 11–50 employees.

Name

AV Chicago

Legal name

ShowREADY

Website

https://avchicago.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AV Chicago (operating as ShowREADY) is a Chicago-headquartered AV production and event management services firm delivering virtual, hybrid, and in-person event solutions nationwide to corporate, association, trade show, and institutional clients across 22+ US markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audio Visual Production Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Indoor and Outdoor Display Advertising (54185), Indoor and Outdoor Display Advertising (541850)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Audio-Visual (AV) Systems & Rentals (Audio, Video, Projection, LED Walls) (THAHAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hybrid/Virtual Meetings Production & AV Services (THACAFAM), Event Production & Technical Services (AV/Lighting/Staging) (MPAAAGAB), Audio-Visual Equipment Rentals (Sound, Projection, Screens) (HSACAFAF)

Keywords

• AV production services
• Event management services
• Audio visual rental
• Hybrid event platform
• Live event production

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. AV Equipment Rental: Rental of audio equipment, visual/camera equipment, lighting equipment, projection, video displays, scenic elements, and staging equipment for events
2. Event Production Services: Full-service event production including technical production, on-site management, creative design, and strategic planning for conferences, conventions, fundraisers, brand activations, and other live events

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ShowREADY. (formerly AV Chicago) provides end-to-end audio visual production services and AV equipment rentals for corporate meetings, conventions, trade shows, commencement ceremonies, fundraisers, brand activations, and political events across the United States. Offerings span the ShowREADY. Connect hybrid event platform, ShowREADY. Systems integration services, and a full equipment rental portfolio covering audio, visual/camera, lighting, projection, video displays, scenic, and staging gear. The company delivers virtual, hybrid, and in-person event solutions through a four-step client-centric process.

Product overview

ShowREADY. (formerly AV Chicago) is a Chicago-based AV production and event management services company operating nationwide. The offering is a platform-plus-services model anchored by ShowREADY. Connect (a hybrid event platform) and ShowREADY. Systems (system integration services), supported by a comprehensive AV equipment rental portfolio spanning audio, visual/camera, lighting, projection, video displays, scenic, and staging rentals. The company also delivers end-to-end event production services across distinct event types (conferences, corporate meetings, commencement ceremonies, fundraisers, brand activations, political events, trade shows) and offers specialized technology services including outdoor LED walls, high-resolution LED displays, immersive environments, art/education exhibit installations, arts/entertainment lighting, and building projection. The ShowREADY. Collective encompasses the Connect and Systems sub-brands, with the broader portfolio unified under the ShowREADY. brand identity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ShowREADY. Systems: Part of the ShowREADY. Collective portfolio of AV solutions.
• ShowREADY. Connect

Products and services

• ShowREADY. Connect
• ShowREADY. Systems
• Audio Equipment Rental
• Visual & Camera Equipment Rental
• Lighting Equipment Rental
• Projection Rental
• Video Displays Rental
• Scenic Rental
• Staging Rental
• Conference & Corporate Events Production
• Commencement Ceremonies Production
• Fundraisers & Galas Production
• Marketing & Brand Activations Production
• Political Events Production
• Trade Show Audio Visual Production
• Outdoor Video & LED Walls
• High Resolution LED Displays
• Immersive Environments
• Art & Education Exhibit Installations
• Arts & Entertainment Lighting
• Building Projection

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AVIXA (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry association membership providing credibility, networking, and industry standards alignment for AV professionals.
• MPI (Meeting Professionals International) Chicago Area ChaptercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChapter membership connecting with meeting planners and event professionals in the Chicago area.
• PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation membership for professional convention and meeting managers, providing industry recognition and networking.
• IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational association membership for exhibitions and events industry professionals.
• NACE Chicago (National Association of Catering Executives)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNACE chapter membership connecting with catering and event professionals in Chicago.
• ILSA (International Live Events Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation membership for live events industry professionals.
• ASAE (American Society of Association Executives)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembership in association executives organization for industry leadership and advocacy.
• WCA Chicago (Wisconsin Caterers Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional association membership for catering and event professionals.
• Event Production NetworkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork membership connecting with event production professionals and companies.
• Choose ChicagominorGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago tourism and convention bureau partnership for local business visibility.
• Association ForumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago-based forum for association professionals.
• Chicago NorthwestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional convention and visitors bureau partnership.
• LGBT CC (LGBT Chamber of Commerce)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLGBT business chamber membership for diversity and inclusion in business network.
• Illinois Hotels & Lodging AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState hospitality industry association for hotel and venue partnerships.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Encore Global (formerly PSAV): Encore Global is the largest AV rental, production, and event technology provider in North America, operating across hotels, venues, and corporate events. Directly comparable to AV Chicago/ShowREADY across AV equipment rental, event production, and hybrid event technology, but at significantly larger scale and with a venue-partner model.
• Freeman: Freeman is a leading AV and event production company with deep trade show and exhibition expertise. Comparable to AV Chicago on trade show AV services, brand activations, and large-scale event production, with broader scope including exposition services.
• Production Resource Group (PRG): PRG is one of the world's largest providers of entertainment and event technology solutions, including lighting, video, and rigging. Comparable to AV Chicago on AV production, lighting rental, and large-scale event technology for corporate and entertainment events.

Direct peers

• AVFX: AVFX is a Boston-based AV production and event technology company serving corporate events, associations, and trade shows along the East Coast. Comparable mid-size peer to AV Chicago on AV rental, hybrid events, and full-service event production with similar business model and target buyer.
• Swank Audio Visuals: Swank Audio Visuals is a US-based AV rental and event production company serving corporate meetings, conventions, and trade shows. Closely comparable mid-market peer to AV Chicago/ShowREADY across AV equipment rental, staging, lighting, and full-service event production.
• Meeting Tomorrow: Meeting Tomorrow is a US AV rental and event production company serving corporate meetings and events nationwide. Closely comparable to AV Chicago's AV equipment rental and corporate event production offerings with similar mid-market positioning.
• CP Communications: CP Communications is a US event production and broadcast AV company serving corporate, sports, and broadcast events. Comparable to AV Chicago on AV production, broadcast-quality video, and live event technology with similar hybrid/virtual event capabilities.
• SmartSource Rentals: SmartSource Rentals is a US national AV and technology rental company serving corporate, association, and trade show clients. Directly comparable to AV Chicago's equipment rental business (audio, visual, lighting, LED) and event technology services.
• Bluewater Event Production: Bluewater is a US event technology and AV production company providing audio, video, lighting, and staging services for corporate events, trade shows, and brand activations. Comparable mid-market peer to AV Chicago/ShowREADY on full-service AV production and event technology.

Emerging players

• Alliant Event Services: Alliant Event Services is a US-based event production company specializing in AV, staging, and technical production for trade shows and corporate events. Comparable to AV Chicago on trade show AV, staging, and mid-market event production services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/avchicago
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@showreadyco
• Facebookfacebook.com/avchicago.inc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/av-chicago-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/showready.co

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AV Chicago