Hawthorn

What Hawthorn does

Encore is a global event technology and production company that operates as the in-house event production partner of choice for more than 2,100 premier hotel and venue partners across 21 countries. The company delivers end-to-end event services spanning event technology (audio, video, LED displays, lighting, power and internet, scenic design, and event platforms), production services (show production, equipment management, rigging, and talent management), creative services (event strategy, branding, content development), and design and fabrication (custom exhibits, 3D printing, scenic fabrication). A subsidiary brand, Hargrove, provides specialized design and fabrication services for booths, displays, stages, and experiential activations. The company also operates a self-serve Dry Hire equipment rental channel in the UK and an AI Solutions product line for event planning.

Encore serves a diversified customer base including enterprise corporations, hotels and convention centers, associations, and nonprofit organizations, producing approximately 350,000 events per year that reach about 25 million people. Customers include MongoDB, Adobe, Octopus Energy, Sheraton, the American Academy of Neurology, and Make-A-Wish, spanning technology, hospitality, energy, healthcare, and nonprofit verticals. The company employs nearly 12,000 team members globally, maintains a $500M equipment inventory, and has invested $73-74M in technology.

Encore monetizes through professional services fees for full-service event production, hardware rental revenue from dry-hire equipment leasing, and resale of industry-leading manufacturer equipment. Pricing is custom and quote-based, structured around event scope, scale, duration, and services required, typically under multi-year enterprise contracts. The business is distributed primarily through embedded in-house venue partnerships and a direct enterprise sales motion, supported by event-driven marketing at industry trade shows such as IMEX Frankfurt and IMEX America. The company is privately held, led by President and CEO Ben Erwin, and has pursued growth through both organic expansion and acquisitions, most recently acquiring Eclipse (UK) and FIRST (global brand experience agency) in 2024 alongside a new equity raise to fund its next chapter of growth.

Name

Hawthorn

Legal name

Encore

Website

https://encore-emea.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Encore is a global event technology and production company serving as the in-house partner of choice for 2,100+ premier hotel and venue partners across 21 countries. It delivers end-to-end event services — technology, production, creative, and fabrication — to enterprise, hospitality, and association clients, producing 350,000 events annually reaching 25 million people.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Production Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Event Production & AV Services (HSACADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Catering Coordination & Bar Service Management (Non-restaurant) (HSACAAAH), Event Rentals (Tents, Furniture, A/V, Decor) (HSACAAAG), Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM)

Keywords

• Event production services
• Audiovisual equipment rental
• Event technology solutions
• Tradeshow exhibit fabrication
• Venue event management

Headquarters

HQ city

Hessen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Event Production Services: Full-service event production including show production, equipment management, show management, rigging, and talent management. Revenue generated through professional services fees for planning and executing events of all sizes.
2. Dry Hire & Equipment Rental: Equipment rental services for lighting, sound, video, rigging, and staging. Customers can hire equipment for one-off events or long-term projects with inventory covering the latest technology from leading manufacturers.
3. Technology Integration Services: Technology support and tools to transform events, including audio-visual solutions, LED displays, power, internet, scenic design, and event platforms.
4. Design & Fabrication: Custom environment design, exhibit fabrication, 3D printing, and general contracting for events. Work with designers to ideate and create spaces that stand out.
5. Box Sales (Equipment Resale): Sale of high-quality equipment from industry leading manufacturers. Trusted to sell equipment for many of the industry's leading manufacturers with big dealership backup and expert team support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Hawthorn is a global event production and technology company that delivers end-to-end event services for hotels, venues, corporations, and event organizers. Its offering spans event technology (audio-visual, LED, lighting, scenic, power, internet), production management, creative strategy and branding, design and fabrication including 3D-printed scenic elements, and dry hire equipment rental. The company operates as the in-house event production partner for more than 2,100 premier hotels and venue partners worldwide, producing roughly 350,000 events annually across in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats.

Product overview

Encore is a global event technology and production company operating as a platform of integrated services. The core offerings include Event Technology (audio, video, LED, lighting, scenic, power/internet, event platforms), Production Services (show production, equipment management, rigging, talent), Creative Services (event strategy, branding, content development), Design & Fabrication (custom exhibits, 3D printing, scenic design), and Dry Hire & Theatre (equipment rental). The company specializes in event types including Meetings & Conferences, Receptions & Galas, Conventions & Tradeshows, Weddings, and Hybrid & Virtual events. Hargrove serves as a sub-brand for design and fabrication services. The portfolio is unified under a hospitality-first approach, serving as the in-house event production partner for over 2,100 premier hotel and venue partners worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hargrove: Design and fabrication services for booths, displays, stages, exhibits, and experiential activations
• Conference Systems
• FIRST
• Encore Productions

Products and services

• Event Technology

Quantifiable outcome

• 350,000 events produced annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• EclipsecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEncore acquired Eclipse, expanding its capabilities and reach in the United Kingdom. This acquisition strengthens Encore's presence and service offerings in the UK market.
• FIRST (Global Brand Experience Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEncore announced acquisition of FIRST, a leading global brand experience agency. This acquisition expands Encore's capabilities in brand experience and creative services.
• HargrovecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerHargrove is part of Encore's family of companies, specializing in design and fabrication services. Hargrove from Encore provides planning through construction of booths, displays, stages and more to unify and customize every element of events.
• Venue Partners (Hotels & Convention Centers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEncore serves as the in-house partner of choice for more than 2,100 premier hotel and venue partners worldwide, including major chains like Marriott, Sheraton, and independent luxury properties. These partnerships provide exclusive access to venue customers and seamless event integration.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• AVIXA: AVIXA is the trade association representing the professional AV industry worldwide. It is an industry body rather than a competitor but shapes standards, training, and market trends relevant to Encore's core business.

Emerging players

• Hopin: Hopin is a virtual and hybrid event platform serving enterprise and association events. It overlaps with Encore's hybrid/virtual events offering and is an emerging alternative for digital-first event production.
• Cvent: Cvent is a leading event management software platform used by corporate event planners. While not a direct AV competitor, it sits upstream in the event planning workflow and increasingly bundles virtual/hybrid event tools, representing both a partner and a potential disintermediation risk to Encore.

Direct peers

• Freeman: Freeman is the largest global brand experience and event production company, offering AV, exhibit fabrication, and event technology. It is the closest direct competitor to Encore across both corporate events and trade show production.
• GES (Global Experience Specialists): GES is a global event production and exhibition services company that competes with Encore's trade show, convention, and corporate event business, particularly for large conventions and expos.
• MCI Group: MCI Group is a global association, event, and communication management company offering event production, association management, and congress services. It directly competes with Encore for international association conferences and corporate events.
• Production Resource Group (PRG): PRG is a major global provider of production services and AV technology for live events, concerts, and corporate productions. It directly competes with Encore's production services and rental business for large-scale event clients.
• Entertainment Technology Partners (LMG): Entertainment Technology Partners owns AV and lighting companies including LMG and OSA, providing event production services to corporate and live events clients. It directly competes with Encore for AV production contracts in North America.
• PSAV (legacy brand, now part of Encore): PSAV is the historical predecessor of Encore/Hawthorn in the hotel AV partner market and is now consolidated under the Encore brand. Listed for context as the legacy player whose contracts Encore inherited.

Broad incumbents

• NEP Group: NEP Group is a global broadcast and live events services provider with overlapping capabilities in video, audio, and LED display technology for large-scale productions. While more focused on broadcast, it competes with Encore for high-end production work at major events.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/EncoreEMEA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/encoreuk
• Instagraminstagram.com/encoreemea

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries5 records

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 Hawthorn