Event planning commonly covers areas such as choosing a venue, managing invitations, arranging catering, booking entertainment and coordinating suppliers.

Event production concentrates on the technical and creative environment in which the event takes place. This includes how presenters and performers will be heard, what appears on screens, how the stage is constructed, how the room is lit and how each technical cue is delivered.

The two areas frequently overlap and must work closely together. A well-planned event still needs reliable production, while a technically impressive production must fit the event schedule, venue restrictions and audience requirements.