Guest post sponsored by Great Lakes Audio Visual, written by Daniel Mandziuk
Across Shores & Islands Ohio, it’s often the shared moments that leave the deepest impression—music rising over the waterfront, lights reflecting off Lake Erie, crowds counting down to a New Year together. Behind many of those moments is Great Lakes Audio Visual (GLAV), a locally based production company that has spent years bringing sound, light, and storytelling together for events across the region.
From community festivals and waterfront concerts to corporate meetings, fundraisers, and public celebrations, GLAV provides full-service event production throughout northern Ohio. Their team supports clients with professional audio systems, dynamic lighting, video production, and staging—working closely with planners to ensure every detail supports the experience audiences see, hear, and feel. For GLAV, production is not just about equipment but about creating an atmosphere that brings people together.
One of the most visible examples of that mission is First Night Sandusky, the free New Year’s Eve arts and 
entertainment festival in downtown Sandusky. Organized and produced by Great Lakes Audio Visual, the event transforms the waterfront and city streets into a gathering place filled with live music, family activities, interactive art, and a community-wide countdown to midnight. As both producer and organizer, GLAV handles everything from stage design and lighting to sound, logistics, and technical coordination—using the same professional processes they bring to large-scale client events, but with the added purpose of giving back to the community they call home.
Beyond festivals and public events, GLAV also serves local organizations that need accessible production support without a full crew. Their equipment rental services make it easy for schools, nonprofits, venues, and small businesses to access professional microphones, speakers, projectors, lighting, and portable staging. With guidance from GLAV’s technicians, even first-time event hosts can present polished, professional productions.
GLAV’s impact also extends into permanent spaces through their design and integration services. The company designs and installs audio, video, and lighting systems for museums, houses of worship, performance venues, 
amusement parks, and themed attractions—helping create immersive environments, improve accessibility, and ensure consistent, reliable technology for daily operation. These permanent systems support everything from live theater and exhibits to public meetings and community programs.
Rounding out their services, GLAV also works directly with organizations looking to purchase equipment for long-term use, offering access to gear from hundreds of manufacturers and recommendations based on the unique needs of local venues and outdoor environments.
From New Year’s Eve celebrations on the Sandusky waterfront to performances, festivals, and installations across the region, Great Lakes Audio Visual continues to shape how Shores & Islands Ohio gathers, celebrates, and connects.
