The Complete AV Equipment Checklist for Your SoHo Charity Event

Hosting a charity event in SoHo means balancing intimacy with impact — your guests are donors, board members, and influential supporters who expect a polished experience. A loft on Broome Street feels different from a ballroom at Capitale, and your AV setup needs to match. This checklist from Event Rentals NYC, a KLAV Group company, walks you through every category so nothing gets missed before your big night.

Sound Equipment

Audio is the single biggest driver of perceived production value at a charity event. Speeches, auction calls, and live music all live or die by your PA.

• Line Array PA System — Need it: speeches, auction, performances. Quantity: 2 tops + 2 subs for 150-300 guests. Cost: $600-$1,200.
• Wireless Handheld Microphones — Need it: emcee, auctioneer, honoree remarks. Quantity: 4 mics. Cost: $75-$125 each.
• Wireless Lavalier Microphones — Need it: keynote speaker, panel guests. Quantity: 2 lavs. Cost: $75-$100 each.
• Stage Monitors — Need it: live band or solo performer. Quantity: 2 wedges. Cost: $100-$150 each.
• Digital Mixer with Engineer — Need it: full event duration. Quantity: 1 (16-channel minimum). Cost: $400-$700 plus $500-$800 for engineer.

Lighting

SoHo lofts have raw brick and exposed beams — lighting is what transforms the space from a daytime gallery into a black-tie evening.

• LED Uplighting — Need it: wash walls in your charity's brand color. Quantity: 16-24 fixtures. Cost: $30-$50 per fixture.
• Dance Floor Lighting — Need it: post-program celebration. Quantity: 4 moving heads + 1 hazer. Cost: $400-$700 package.
• Stage Wash Lighting — Need it: speeches and live performance. Quantity: 4-6 par cans. Cost: $200-$400.
• Ambient String Lights / Pin Spots — Need it: dinner table glow, centerpiece highlight. Quantity: 1 pin spot per table. Cost: $25-$40 each.
• Custom GOBO Logo Projection — Need it: brand the wall or dance floor with your charity's logo. Quantity: 1-2 projectors. Cost: $200-$350.

Video

Charity events run on storytelling — donor videos, sponsor reels, live auction totals. Skipping video is leaving money on the table.

• HD Projector + Screen — Need it: video appeal, sponsor logos. Quantity: 1 (10ft screen). Cost: $400-$700.
• 55" or 65" TV Displays — Need it: silent auction, donation totals, sponsor loops. Quantity: 2-4 displays. Cost: $150-$250 each.
• Confidence Monitor — Need it: speakers reading remarks. Quantity: 1. Cost: $150-$250.

DJ and Music

Whether you book a Latin DJ or a jazz trio, the booth setup matters as much as the talent.

• Pioneer DJ Controller (DDJ-FLX10 or CDJ-3000s) — Need it: full event. Quantity: 1 setup. Cost: $300-$500.
• DJ Booth Facade with LED Front — Need it: branded booth visual. Quantity: 1. Cost: $250-$400.
• Turntables (vinyl sets) — Need it: only if your DJ requests it. Quantity: 2 Technics 1200s. Cost: $200-$300.

Extras That Drive Donations

• Photo Booth with Branded Backdrop — Need it: shareable moments, sponsor exposure. Quantity: 1. Cost: $600-$1,000.
• Low-Lying Fog Machine — Need it: dance floor reveal, performance entrance. Quantity: 1. Cost: $150-$250.
• Confetti Cannons — Need it: fundraising goal hit, finale moment. Quantity: 2-4 cannons. Cost: $50-$100 each.

Book Your SoHo Charity Event Today

Event Rentals NYC, powered by KLAV Group, has produced over 1,000 events for clients including Madison Square Garden, Hillsong NYC, Facebook, and the City of New York. We deliver, set up, run, and break down — you focus on your mission.

Call 646-280-9522 or visit eventrentalsnyc.com to reserve your equipment.