In the world of event production, vendor selection can feel like a never-ending spreadsheet of rates, menus, and AV spec sheets in the race to the bottom line. We see it differently.
For us, choosing a vendor is about telling the right story, with the right partners, for the right people. When vendor selection is just right, your event becomes more than the sum of its parts. Your event becomes an extraordinary experience for attendees, vendors, and the team alike.
Here’s how we think about it.
We Lead with People, Not Just Product
Yes, we care about pricing, scalability, and reliability. But we also care about who we’re working with. We prioritize vendors who match our and our clients' energy and share our commitments to excellence. That means:
Vendors who collaborate like partners, not order-takers. The experience, insight, and know-how vendors bring to the table is invaluable and we trust our vendors because speak up if they have a better solution for your event.
Teams who bring creativity and flexibility to the table. Often, our partners and vendors can take the outline of an idea and fill it in beyond our wildest expectations.
People who understand how to contribute to a bigger vision, not just their piece of the puzzle.
We’ve worked with caterers, like Catering by Michaels (shoutout to Shannon Sherwood , one of our very favorite people), who’ve tweaked menus to reflect the cultural background of a client’s founder, DJ companies like Toast + Jam | Sound + Picture , who know how to think fast and keep the vibe alive, and AV crews who’ve re-rigged an entire stage the night before showtime just to improve sight lines. That’s the kind of partnership we look for and the resulting success is evident in the longevity of our client relationships.
We Prioritize Diversity & Inclusion Intentionally
We actively seek out Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-owned, woman-owned, and LGBTQ+-owned businesses. We believe representation matters not just on stage, but behind the scenes, in the kitchen, and on the production team.
That’s why we’ve partnered with local businesses like Nafsi, a Black-owned, South Side-based catering team doing phenomenal work in food equity and sustainability. It’s why we continue to expand our network to reflect the communities we serve and those our clients want to reach.
We've found when our vendor list reflects our values, our events do, too.
We Source Local
We’re a Chicago-based company, and we love to source local wherever we are, whether it’s an intimate retreat in the Midwest or a global brand activation abroad.
Here’s why:
Local vendors bring cultural relevance and a deeper connection to the venue, audience, and vibe.
It reduces environmental impact, with shorter delivery chains and smaller footprints.
It supports the community, keeping dollars with small businesses and family-run teams who are the heartbeat of any city, town, or destination.
It also just feels better. Guests can tell when the coffee comes from the roaster down the street and when the food reflects the soul of the city they’re in. That kind of detail doesn’t go unappreciated by anyone.
We Want the Vendor Experience to Feel Exceptional, Too
Our job isn’t just to deliver for our clients. It’s to create a positive experience for everyone involved in the event, vendors included.
That means:
Clear timelines
Respectful communication
Thoughtful on-site coordination
An understanding that vendors are not “extras”, they’re an essential part of the show
When vendors feel respected, prepared, and seen, they show up better, the client wins, the guests feel it, and the event just flows.
Values Are the Strategy.
Vendor selection isn’t about choosing the cheapest quote or the flashiest offering. It’s about creating a partnership ecosystem where everyone’s aligned: on quality, on values, on impact.
We vet every partner on how they contribute to the bigger picture of an event that’s meaningful, memorable, and mission-aligned.
The result? We design experiences that say something.
Check out our recent case studies or drop us a note if you’re planning your next event. We’d love to introduce you to some of our favorite humans to work with.
