Built for production teams, not planners with a checklist.
Planning Pod is a generalist planning suite for venues, caterers and event planners. Cadence is the Event Operations OS for the crews actually running the show — gear kits, crew certifications, logistics and live margins, with AI baked in.
- Gear kits + serial-level tracking
- Crew certifications with expiry alerts
- Live margins per event
At a glance.
| Cadence | Planning Pod | |
|---|---|---|
| Target customer | AV, touring & festival production teams | Planners, venues, caterers, generalists |
| Gear kits & serial-level tracking | Native | — |
| Crew certifications & expiry alerts | Native | — |
| Live event margins (rates + gear + costs) | Built-in | Basic budgeting |
| Run sheets, call sheets, bump-in/out | Native | Generic timeline |
| AI assistant on your data | Built-in | — |
| Agent API for external systems | Built-in | — |
| Pricing transparency | Public AUD pricing | Per-feature add-ons |
| Time to value | Days — self-serve | Weeks of configuration |
Comparison based on publicly available product information at time of writing. Planning Pod is a trademark of its respective owner; this page is not affiliated with or endorsed by Planning Pod.
Where Cadence fits better.
Production-first workflows
Run sheets, call sheets, bump-in/out, kits and movements — built for crews on the ground, not planning checklists.
Gear, crew & certifications in one view
Track gear at the serial level, dispatch crew with the right tickets, and catch expiring certs before they hit a show.
Live margins per event
Quotes, contracts, crew rates, gear hire and external costs roll into a real-time margin view — see profitability mid-show.
AI + Agent API
Ask Cadence about conflicts, gaps and status across your live data. A documented agent API lets your other tools read and write.
Where Planning Pod may fit better.
If you're a wedding planner, caterer or small venue whose core workflow is floor plans, BEOs, lead intake forms and client portals — and you don't own gear or dispatch a production crew — Planning Pod is purpose-built for that shape. Cadence isn't trying to replace a planning suite; we focus on the production side of the show.
Switching from Planning Pod.
You can import clients, events and inventory from CSV during onboarding. Most teams run a single upcoming show in Cadence in parallel for one cycle, then cut over the rest of the calendar once the team is comfortable. Our team helps with the import and the first show — at no charge.
FAQ
Is Cadence a Planning Pod alternative?
Yes — for production-led teams. Planning Pod is a generalist event-planning suite aimed at planners, venues and caterers. Cadence is built for the crews actually putting on the show — AV, lighting, touring and festival production — with gear kits, crew certifications, logistics and live event margins in one operational view.
Who is Cadence built for?
AV and lighting companies, touring production crews, festival and event operators, stage and set builders, brand activation agencies, and corporate AV teams. If your business owns gear, dispatches crew and runs shows, Cadence fits.
Does Cadence track gear and crew certifications?
Yes. Gear is tracked at the kit and serial level with conflicts and movements; crew profiles carry certifications (rigging, EWP, test & tag, working-with-children, etc.) and Cadence flags expiries before they bite a show.
Does Cadence show live event margins?
Yes. Quotes, contracts, crew rates, gear hire and external costs roll into a live margin view per event, so you see profitability while the show is still in production — not after the invoice goes out.
How long does Cadence take to set up?
Days, not months. Sign up, import clients and gear from CSV, invite your team and you're running shows the same week. Onboarding help is free.