What should I ask my venue about rigging before an event?

The essential rigging questions for any venue:

• Is a Reflected Ceiling Plan available?
• Has the Rigging Load Criterea been defined for the venue?
• Who is the Engineer of record?
• Is a 3D CAD file available of the venue?
• Are all the roof beams Fall Protected? Is the crew trained on said fall protection? Is there a FPAP and Rescue Plan in place for the Local Crew?
• Are there any restricted areas where rigging is not permitted?
• Does the venue require a structural engineer to review the rigging plan?
• What certification, if any, does the venue require for riggers (ETCP, fall protection, etc.)?
• Is there a house rigger or technical director who must be present during load-in?

Also clarify logistics: Is there a loading dock? What is the maximum vehicle size for load-in access? Are there union labor requirements? What are the load-in and strike time windows? Getting this information early allows your rigging team to plan accurately and avoid costly day-of surprises.