How to Size a Generator for an Outdoor Corporate Event

Sizing a generator for a corporate event starts with a complete inventory of every device that will draw power. Tented galas, outdoor conferences, and brand activations each have distinct load profiles, and an accurate survey prevents both underpowered events and oversized, wasteful rentals.

List every load by category: lighting (LED wash lights, uplighting, chandeliers), audio (PA, DJ controller, microphones), video (projectors, LED walls, switchers), HVAC (tent heaters, spot coolers), and catering (warm plates, coffee urns, refrigeration). Note each device's running wattage and whether it has a higher startup surge.

Sum the running watts, add the largest single surge, and apply a 20–25% safety margin. A 200-guest tented gala with lighting, a small PA, catering warmers, and a few spot coolers commonly lands between 15 kW and 30 kW. Your rental provider can validate the calculation and recommend the right unit.

Always confirm clean power for AV and a dedicated circuit for catering loads, which can introduce voltage fluctuations. A correctly sized generator — not an oversized one — runs efficiently, quietly, and reliably for the full event.