In live events, everything starts with load-in.

Trucks roll. Gear moves. Crews assemble. Timelines tighten. From the first case on the dock to the moment the show goes live, success depends on coordination, trust, and precision. It’s a world where decisions are made fast, margins matter, and the people doing the work need systems that keep up. For 25 years, Mertzcrew has been built for that exact reality.

As part of Mertzcrew’s Silver Jubilee celebration, this moment isn’t about pausing to look backward. It’s about recognizing how far the industry has come, why Mertzcrew continues to matter, and how a people-powered approach to freelance talent has helped live event companies operate more efficiently, reduce risk, and scale with confidence.

When the Industry Moved Faster Than Its Systems

Twenty-five years ago, live event production was already complex, but the systems supporting freelance talent lagged behind the pace of the work.

Contracts lived in filing cabinets. Compliance was tracked manually, leaving room for errors and exposing risk. Payments were almost always late and an afterthought. Visibility into labor costs and exposure was limited at best. For companies focused on building shows and meeting impossible deadlines, these challenges were often accepted as “just the way it is.”

That disconnect created unnecessary friction and risk, especially as productions grew larger and crews expanded across multiple projects and locations.

Mertzcrew was created to challenge that assumption.

From the beginning, the goal was clear: protect companies and crews by making contracting, compliance, and payment reliable, transparent, and efficient. What started as a practical solution to organize freelance labor quickly evolved into something far more impactful as the industry itself scaled.

Built to Scale With the Industry, Not Against It

As live events grew, so did the pressure on financial and operational leaders.

More technicians.
More contractors.
More shows are running simultaneously.
More financial exposure.
Less room for error.

Mertzcrew evolved alongside those demands. Paperwork gave way to automation. Disconnected tools were replaced with integrated workflows. Guesswork was replaced with real-time visibility.

The software expanded beyond payments and insurance into a comprehensive, people-powered software solution designed specifically for live event companies managing freelance crews at scale. Each evolution was driven by one guiding belief: when companies support the people doing the work, everything runs better.

That philosophy continues to shape how Mertzcrew delivers value today:

• Efficiency gains through centralized workflows and automation
• Cost savings by reducing manual processes, errors, and administrative strain
• Risk reduction through consistent contracts, compliance visibility, and protection

For enterprise and middle-market companies, those benefits multiply as projects become more complex and crews grow larger. One system. One source of truth. Fewer surprises.

Designed for Real-World Production Environments

What sets Mertzcrew apart isn’t just what we do, it's how we build around the needs of our industry.

Every feature reflects real-world production needs. Every improvement is informed by feedback from companies and technicians actively working in the field. The result is a platform that performs under pressure, where speed, accuracy, and compliance are non-negotiable.

For live event companies, schedulers, and producers managing freelance technicians across multiple projects, the Mertzcrew software replaces fragmented processes with clarity. Scheduling, contracts, payments, and compliance live in one place, providing operational and financial teams with the confidence to move quickly without sacrificing control.

When the right system is in place, companies can scale crews without increasing administrative burden. Every contractor is properly onboarded. Every contract meets compliance standards. Every hour worked is accurately tracked. That level of visibility empowers better decision-making, from planning through execution.

Technology That Supports Smarter Decisions

As the live events industry continues to evolve, so does the technology behind Mertzcrew.

Today, we go beyond automation to deliver intelligent insights that help leaders understand labor costs, avoid risk, and plan more effectively. Financial teams gain clearer visibility into spending and exposure. Operations teams gain tools that support consistent processes across every project.

This isn’t technology for technology’s sake. Its infrastructure is designed to support live events in motion, helping companies crew smarter, protect their business, and deliver exceptional results no matter the scale or complexity of the production.

Andrew Ehler, Chief Revenue Officer at IntelliEvent, highlights Mertzcrew’s relationship with the live events industry and their partnership, "IntelliEvent and Mertzcrew partnered to integrate our software and help the marketplace streamline operations. In working with the Mertzcrew team, we quickly realized their passion for the industry is among the best we have ever encountered. Their innovative processes and intuitive tools provide immense value to our mutual customers. They have been a true partner."

After 25 years, Mertzcrew reflects deep industry experience and an ongoing commitment to innovation. Mertzcrew isn’t standing still. It’s moving forward with the industry it serves.

The People Who Power Every Show

Behind every successful event is a network of skilled technicians and dedicated crews. Technology may enable the process, but people bring shows to life.

Mertzcrew was built with those professionals in mind. As the first-ever employee of Mertzcrew, Alexia Rentz has seen the whole journey,

"As Mertzcrew’s very first employee nearly 20 years ago, I never imagined how far we’d come. In the early days, everything was manual. Paper invoices, handwritten payments, doing it the hard way. I’ve watched Mertzcrew grow into a company that embraces technology, automation, and now AI, while always keeping the human touch front and center. Through every stage of growth, what has mattered most is how this company takes care of its employees, clients, and contractors. That’s why Mertzcrew has never felt like just a job. It’s always felt like home."

For freelancers, consistency matters. Clear contracts. Predictable processes. On-time payments. When administrative friction is removed, technicians can focus on what they do best, delivering expertise and problem-solving when it matters most.

For companies, managing a growing freelance network is one of the most critical operational responsibilities they carry. Mertzcrew helps bridge the gap between people, processes, and protection, strengthening long-term relationships and building trust on every project.

That people-first approach has been central to Mertzcrew’s success for 25 years. Trust between companies and crews. Trust in the system. Trust that everything will work when timelines are tight and expectations are high.

An Anniversary That Signals Momentum

Reaching 25 years is meaningful in the live events industry. Longevity isn’t accidental; it’s earned through adaptability, service, and trust.

The live events landscape will continue to change. New technologies. New expectations. New challenges. Mertzcrew enters its 25th year not as a company looking back, but as a forward-focused partner committed to helping the industry plan better, manage freelance labor smarter, and move confidently into what’s next.

As part of this yearlong celebration, Mertzcrew will continue sharing stories, insights, and milestones that reflect both where the industry has been and where it’s going, and building on December’s 25th anniversary announcement and setting the stage for what comes next year.

Join the Next Chapter

If you’re a live event company navigating growth, complexity, and risk, Mertzcrew is built to support you. From improving efficiency and reducing exposure to creating a better experience for your crews and contractors, the right system makes all the difference.

This year marks more than an anniversary. It marks the next chapter of innovation. Contact Us to learn how Mertzcrew can support your operations today and help position your company for what’s ahead.