Why Supply Chain Issues Are Still Disrupting Live Event Production — And How Crews Are Being Asked to Do More With Less

The live events industry is back in full swing — tours are breaking records, festivals are selling out, and demand for high-quality production has never been higher.
But behind the scenes, a quieter challenge is reshaping how events get delivered: global supply chain issues that refuse to go away.

Despite the post-pandemic bounce-back, production companies continue to face delays and shortages on critical gear — from LED walls and rigging systems to specialist lighting fixtures and high-end audio equipment.
Ongoing component shortages, logistics bottlenecks, and increased demand for tech-heavy productions mean that even the best-laid plans can unravel at short notice.

The Real-World Impact on Crews

For production companies and AV providers, this isn’t just a procurement problem — it’s a people problem.

With gear arriving late, swapped out, or unavailable entirely, crews on-site are increasingly expected to:

• Adapt to unfamiliar or replacement kit

• Solve technical challenges with minimal setup time

• Work with reduced inventories while maintaining production values

• Step into roles outside of their usual remit

In short, multi-skilled, adaptable crew members are now worth their weight in gold.
Gone are the days when a lighting tech could afford to say, “That’s not my department.” Today’s live events demand production teams who are flexible, solutions-focused, and able to work across disciplines when needed.

What This Means for Production Leaders

For senior production managers and technical directors, this reality is changing how they staff their events.

There’s a growing preference for:

• Freelancers with cross-discipline experience

• Technical crew who can problem-solve on the fly

• Crew chiefs and supervisors who can lead under pressure when plans shift

And for many companies, this has changed the way they work with recruitment partners. It’s no longer about just filling a role — it’s about finding people with the right mindset and adaptability.

How We’re Supporting the Industry

At Prospero Integrated we’re seeing first-hand how this shift is playing out.
We’re working with production companies who aren’t just asking for a “sound tech” or a “lighting op” — they’re asking for people who can flex, switch roles if needed, and bring experience across a range of systems and setups.

We’re focused on building talent pools of exactly these kinds of crew — professionals who thrive under pressure, bring solutions, and understand the unpredictable nature of live production.