Key takeaways:
- FOH Productions partnered with Comerica for responsive, relationship-driven banking that understands the live events business.
- Comerica structured credit lines, guided equipment financing and offered proactive, data-driven advice for long-term planning.
- The partnership positions FOH to scale with confidence in a rising-cost environment without sacrificing production quality.
Live event production is a high-stakes business. Schedules are tight, costs are volatile and the show must always go on.
FOH Productions, a Phoenix-based industry leader, has run live events for over 20 years. With nearly 70 employees and more than 15,000 successful events, FOH knows how to turn pressure-filled productions into unforgettable experiences for their clients. Their team combines deep technical expertise with industry-leading equipment to deliver flawless results. They pre-package and prep every event in advance, mapping out connectivity, setup and breakdown before arriving on site.
It’s a meticulous approach that has fueled FOH’s growth to a strong eight-figure revenue projection this year. With growth comes the need for a precise financial strategy to keep the business operating at peak performance.
In live events, precision is non-negotiable. And the same is true for the financial support behind them.
Financial needs behind the spotlight
Over the years, budgets and event volume grew. So did the complexity of managing uneven revenue cycles, financing specialized gear and staying ahead of rising costs. FOH needed financial systems as agile and precise as its production crews.
A transaction banking relationship wasn’t cutting it. And that’s exactly what FOH was getting from one of the country’s biggest banks. “We would only really hear from our banker when something went wrong or needed fixing,” said Eric Gilbert, President of FOH Productions. “We felt like a small fish in a massive ocean. There was very little sense of partnership or support.”
Without proactive support, the company was left to navigate major financial decisions — from capital investments to cashflow planning — without a trusted advisor. FOH wanted a partner who understood the rhythms of live events, could anticipate challenges before they hit and was part of the conversation long before a crisis arose.
FOH switched to Comerica in late 2023.
Without proactive banking, even the strongest operations can face avoidable financial strain.
Reactive service to proactive strategy
When FOH moved to Comerica, the difference was immediate. Instead of waiting for problems to surface, Comerica’s team made it a priority to understand the business — its revenue cycles, capital needs and the unique challenges of producing high-profile events under tight timelines.
They worked closely with FOH leadership to structure flexible lines of credit, guide equipment financing decisions and build cashflow strategies that could handle the industry’s natural peaks and valleys. Whether it was weighing the ROI of new technology or planning for multiple large-scale events in the same quarter, FOH had a sounding board that offered thoughtful, data-driven recommendations.
One example stands out: FOH’s CFO posed a complex financial question they had brought to several banks over the years. Comerica was the first to return with a detailed, well-supported answer.
“Comerica brought back the human side of banking,” said Eric Gilbert. “They treat us like a partner, not a transaction. They’ve been engaged, insightful and deeply supportive as we scale.”
Personalized guidance turned FOH’s banking relationship into a strategic asset.
A partnership built to last
In 2025, FOH is facing a challenge familiar to many businesses — knee-deep in rising costs across materials, labor, logistics and more. For a company built on delivering flawless live events, cutting corners isn’t an option. Quality is the brand.FOH’s commitment to excellence means finding ways to absorb or offset cost pressures without slowing the company’s growth. It’s where Comerica’s role as a strategic partner shines. Together, FOH and their Comerica team are exploring financing structures, cashflow strategies and investment timing that work in a tough macro environment while keeping the company on an upward trajectory.With regular check-ins and candid conversations, FOH has a banking partner that’s ensuring the business is positioned to keep delivering at its best, no matter what the economy brings.
FOH and Comerica prove that growth and quality can rise together.
Ready for a banking partner who grows with you?
Whether you’re scaling operations, navigating industry complexity or turning opportunities into action, Comerica offers the expertise and partnership to help you move forward in any market. Request a consultation from a Comerica Relationship Manager or reach out to Comerica today.