What Smartstage does

Smartstage (legal entity Smartstage Ltd.) is a Las Vegas-based manufacturer and rental provider of modular event staging hardware founded in 1974 by Ian Banning. The company designs and produces portable modular stage kits (deck sizes 4'x4', 4'x8', 3'x8' with adjustable 2'–7' legs), heavy-duty revolving turntable stages ranging from 0.6m to 9m in diameter with DMX and wireless control, aluminum box and circle truss systems including a proprietary Truss Grapple midpoint connector, MOJO interlocking crowd control barriers, ADA-compliant ramps and stairs, guardrails, transport systems, and portable seating. Its products are differentiated by proprietary mechanical designs refined over five decades, in-house CAD design services, and a capital-intensive inventory base co-located in North Las Vegas approximately 15 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip and Convention Center.

The business operates a hybrid model combining Las Vegas-local rental with global equipment sales. Primary revenue is generated through quote-based rentals to brand activation teams, corporate event planners, tradeshow exhibitors, touring productions, hotels and venues, and festival and sporting event organizers, supported by professional services for setup, strike, and logistics. Pricing is project-specific rather than flat-rate, driven by event size, venue loading regulations, union compliance, custom CAD/manufacturing requirements, and service scope; standard terms require a 50% deposit with payment in full at least 72 hours before delivery. The go-to-market motion is sales-led and event-driven, centered on phone and email direct engagement, a content-rich website, case-study marketing around marquee Las Vegas conventions (CES, NAB, InfoComm, World of Concrete, SEMA), and venue partner referrals, with an EMC3 implementation partnership (2024) extending reach into enterprise corporate event programs.

The company serves enterprise clients across consumer electronics (Honda, Google, Amazon), entertainment (UFC, Metallica, Daft Punk, ASAP Rocky), beverages and CPG (Pepsi, Cheetos), technology (HP, Dell), automotive events, sports (AVP Beach Volleyball, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Formula 1 Las Vegas), and seasonal event producers. While the Las Vegas rental market is the core operational moat, Smartstage also manufactures and ships its proprietary hardware worldwide, providing a secondary global sales channel. The firm is privately held with no disclosed external investment, no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no M&A activity.

Name

Smartstage

Legal name

Smartstage Ltd.

Website

https://smartstage.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smartstage is a Las Vegas-based manufacturer and rental provider of modular event staging, heavy-duty revolving turntable stages, aluminum truss systems, and crowd control barriers serving brand activation teams, corporate event planners, tradeshow exhibitors, touring productions, and venues worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Staging Equipment Manufacturing and Rental

NAICS

Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)

akta.pro primary industry

Staging & Rigging Services (MPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Floor, Staging & Platform Rentals (HSACAFAD), Event Technical Production Management & Crew (MPAGAKAH), Staging, Scenic & Set Fabrication (Stages, Backdrops, Scenic Builds) (THAHAEAC), Event Production & Technical Services (AV/Lighting/Staging) (MPAAAGAB)

Keywords

• Modular stage rentals
• Revolving turntable stages
• Aluminum truss systems
• Crowd control barriers
• Event staging manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Vegas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Staging Equipment Rental: Primary revenue stream from renting modular stage kits, truss systems, revolving stages, crowd control barriers, and accessories to event planners, brand teams, and venues. Rental durations range from single-day to multi-day to long-term agreements. Pricing is quote-based considering event size, venue regulations, union compliance, and service requirements.
2. Equipment Sales: Smartstage designs and manufactures staging hardware for global sale. Products include portable stages, truss systems, revolving turntables, crowd barriers, and custom stage components. Sales serve clients worldwide with products shipped from their Las Vegas manufacturing operations.
3. Professional Services: Setup and strike crew management, event logistics planning, CAD design consultation, and custom staging design services. Services include delivery, installation, on-site support, and comprehensive event resource management to ensure successful event execution.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Smartstage designs, manufactures, and rents modular event staging hardware from its Las Vegas warehouse, including portable modular stage kits, heavy-duty revolving turntable stages, aluminum truss systems, ADA-compliant stairs and ramps, MOJO crowd control barriers, guardrails, transport systems, and portable seating. The company serves conventions, tradeshows, corporate events, touring productions, and festivals, providing both local Las Vegas rental and global product sales alongside in-house CAD design and professional setup/strike crew services.

Product overview

Smartstage is a manufacturer and rental provider of event staging hardware based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company's product portfolio centers on modular staging systems (including portable stage kits in various sizes with variable-height configurations), complemented by a comprehensive range of accessories and support services. Key products include revolving turntable stages (0.6m to 9m diameter) designed for vehicle displays and performances, aluminum truss products (straight, circle, and specialty truss configurations), stage decks and platforms (4'x4', 4'x8', 5'x5'), adjustable stairs and ADA-compliant ramps, guardrails, crowd control barriers (MOJO Barriers), and transport systems. The offering is supported by in-house CAD design services and professional setup/strike crew management, creating an integrated turnkey solution for event staging across conventions, tradeshows, corporate events, festivals, and concerts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Modular Stage Kits Portable, reconfigurable staging platforms available in various sizes (24'x12', 40'x20', 60'x40') with variable heights (2'-7'), built from modular 4'x8', 4'x4', and 3'x8' decks with adjustable legs and non-slip Hexigrip surfaces for conventions, tradeshows, corporate events, and product launches.
• Revolving Turntable Stages Heavy-duty rotating stages ranging from 0.6 meter to 9 meter (29 feet) diameter with variable speed controls, wireless control, data slip rings, DMX control, onboard power, and load capacities exceeding 2,000 lbs, designed for vehicle displays, product reveals, and dynamic performances at conventions and live events.
• Aluminum Truss Products Standard and specialty aluminum box truss for lighting, audio rigging, and structural support, including 12", 16", and 20.5" straight box truss, circle truss in 12', 24', and 32' diameters, plus proprietary Truss Grapple mid-point connectors, wedge trusses, and truss hinges for innovative structural configurations.
• Stage Decks and Platforms Non-slip Hexigrip stage platforms available in 4'x4', 4'x8', and 5'x5' dimensions that serve as the modular building blocks for Smartstage's reconfigurable staging configurations.
• MOJO Crowd Control Barriers Heavy-duty steel interlocking crowd barriers in black or silver finishes, designed for concerts, festivals, and large-scale events, featuring non-slip bases, rounded top rails, rear steps for security personnel access, and weather-resistant indoor/outdoor construction.
• ADA-Compliant Stage Stairs and Ramps Variable-height stage stairs (2'-3', 3'-5', 4'-7') and ADA-compliant access ramps for modular stage configurations, including single-step mini ramps, variable-height ramps, and wrap-around access ramps used by clients such as Google, Amazon, and UFC.
• Transport Systems Purpose-built transport carts and dollies including Mini Big Cart for stage deck transport, all-purpose stage and deck carts, track truss carts, and truss dollies with large swivel casters for venue carpeting.
• Portable Seating Juniata portable seating solutions for events, available in custom configurations for various venue requirements.
• CAD Design Services In-house CAD drafting and design services for custom stage configurations, venue planning, and 3D visualization of staging layouts, providing ground-up optimization of staging footprint, design aesthetics, sightlines, and safety features.
• Setup and Strike Crew Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Same-day delivery available for Las Vegas events due to local warehouse
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• EMC3coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024EMC3 is a trusted implementation and consulting partner for Smartstage at corporate events. EMC3 engaged Smartstage for the HP Amplify Partner Conference, where Smartstage provided comprehensive staging solutions including the 84'x46' main stage and innovation lounge areas. This partnership demonstrates Smartstage's role as the preferred staging hardware provider for EMC3's major corporate event clients in Las Vegas.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• NEP Group: Worldwide provider of broadcast and event production services including staging, lighting, and rigging. Comparable in serving large-scale live event customers (sports, concerts, corporate), though NEP's scale and broadcast focus is far broader than Smartstage's specialty staging focus.
• GES (Global Experience Specialists): Exhibit and event services provider offering design, fabrication, and on-site services for trade shows. Overlaps with Smartstage's tradeshow exhibitor customer segment and serves the same CES/NAB show floors.
• Freeman Company: Major event and exhibit services company providing staging, design, and logistics for trade shows and conventions. Directly comparable in serving CES, NAB, and SEMA-class shows, with significantly larger scale and broader service portfolio.
• Encore Global (formerly PSAV): Large event technology and production services provider serving hotels, convention centers, and corporate events. Overlaps with Smartstage's hotel/venue customer segment and convention staging work, though Encore is far broader with AV, lighting, and digital services.
• PRG (Production Resource Group): Global broad-line live event production services company offering staging, lighting, video, and rigging at massive scale. While far larger and broader than Smartstage, PRG competes for the same mega-event staging budgets (CES, concert tours) and serves many of the same enterprise brand customers.

Direct peers

• Wenger Corporation: Manufacturer of staging, risers, and acoustical shells serving performing arts, education, and event markets. Comparable in hardware manufacturing capability, with overlapping product categories though different customer mix (more institutional/education).
• Stage Right Rentals: Event staging rental company providing modular stage systems, risers, and scenic elements to concerts, tours, and corporate events. Closely comparable in product mix and customer base to Smartstage's rental business.
• SICO Incorporated: Manufacturer of portable and modular staging systems sold globally to schools, hospitality, and event customers. Comparable to Smartstage's manufacturing side - both produce portable stage kits and riser systems, though SICO is larger and skews toward institutional buyers.
• Staging Dimensions: Direct peer specializing in modular staging rentals for live events, trade shows, and corporate productions. Competes head-to-head with Smartstage in portable stage kit, riser, and custom staging offerings for similar brand activation and event customers.

Regional players

• All Occasions Event Rental: Regional event rental company operating primarily in the US Midwest with tents, staging, and event equipment. Comparable in product categories (staging, platforms) but geographically distinct from Smartstage's Las Vegas concentration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SmartstageSales
• Facebookfacebook.com/smartstage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smartstage

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 Smartstage