Concrete and steel turn speech into echo. To run a clear town hall or all-hands in a warehouse or on a plant floor, spread more speakers closer to the audience instead of turning a few up loud at the stage. Add screens, clean power and a load-in plan that works around shift changes.
Central Texas has added a lot of manufacturing, data center and distribution space, from Taylor, Hutto and Georgetown in Williamson County to the SH 130 corridor in eastern Travis County and Kyle and Buda in Hays County. More companies now hold all-hands meetings right where their people work. Here is how to make those events sound and look right.
1. Spread the sound out
- Put the main speakers at the stage, aimed at the audience and away from hard walls.
- Add delay speakers partway back, timed so their sound arrives with the stage sound, not after it.
- For very long rooms, add another row of delays. Each row only covers the people near it, so it can run quieter.
The goal is speech people understand without straining, at a volume that doesn't fight the room.
2. Plan for the noise floor
Plants and warehouses run HVAC, fans, compressors and sometimes live lines during the meeting. Ask facilities what will be running at showtime. If equipment can't be shut down, the system needs more speakers closer to people, not more volume.
3. Plan for Texas heat
Many Central Texas warehouses aren't fully air conditioned, and summer afternoons regularly pass 100°F. Schedule summer all-hands in the morning when you can, add fans or spot cooling for the audience, and keep water out. Heat is hard on electronics too, so the AV crew needs shade and airflow at the mixing position.
4. Make sure people can see
- Raise the presenter on a stage or riser.
- Put the presenter on large screens on both sides of the stage.
- Add a second set of screens halfway back in long rooms.
5. Sort out power early
Industrial buildings have plenty of power, but not always where the stage goes. Confirm with facilities where the AV team can tie in, and keep audio on its own clean circuits so machinery doesn't add hum.
6. Plan for site safety
Most plants require a site safety briefing, PPE and marked walkways. Load-in has to work around forklifts and shift changes. Build this into the schedule so the crew isn't held at the gate on event day.
7. Keep the mics simple
Each presenter gets a wireless mic, with a spare ready. For Q&A, carry handheld mics to the audience instead of asking people to walk to a standing mic.
Checklist to send your facilities team
- Floor plan with the stage and audience area marked
- What equipment will be running during the meeting
- Power tie-in points near the stage and screens
- Load-in route, dock access and timing around shift changes
- Site safety and PPE requirements for the AV crew
- Expected headcount, and whether people stand or sit
- Cooling plan for summer dates
FAQ
How do you get good sound in a warehouse?
Use more speakers spread through the space, including delay speakers partway back, instead of a few loud speakers at the front. That keeps speech clear without fighting the echo.
How many people can Soundhouse ATX cover?
We scale sound systems for audiences up to 1,000 people.
Do you work outside Austin city limits?
Yes. We work across Central Texas, including Round Rock, Pflugerville, Del Valle, San Marcos and Bastrop. Ask about sites farther out.
How much does town hall AV cost?
It depends on headcount, room size and video. See our corporate AV cost guide for Austin for how pricing works.
Planning an all-hands in Central Texas? Call (512) 607-9660 or request a quote and we'll send you a full-service price.