What an Intent to Use is
An ITU is a paid early-production/planning agreement. It can identify Jx2 as the intended production partner and define the early work that should begin before every technical line item is known.
That can be useful a year or more before an event when the client knows the event goals and likely production relationship but is still evaluating venues, schedules, room configurations, creative direction or detailed AV requirements.
What early work can be included
Production / AV
Preliminary system needs, room requirements, budget ranges and technical criteria.
Event Design
Early visual direction, stage/environment concepts and design criteria.
Pre-Production
Planning meetings, workstreams, schedules, deliverables and stakeholder coordination.
Creative
Content, graphics or experience-planning work specifically listed in the agreement.
Site Visit / Travel
Venue review, technical reconnaissance and approved travel related to early planning.
Venue / Third-Party Costs
Known or anticipated external services that need to be evaluated or coordinated early.
AV may or may not be part of the initial ITU scope
If AV services are not included in the initial ITU, the early fee or deposit applies only to the listed planning/design services. The future AV scope and its deposit/retainer are then defined separately.
If AV is included at an early level, the client may establish a preliminary total event AV budget plus the other early workstreams before the final technical package is complete.
The agreement should clearly state what portion of any early deposit or retainer is credited toward a future AV-services deposit/retainer, what portion pays for other early work, and what additional payment schedule applies.
Why start before the venue is final?
Production criteria can materially affect venue selection. Sightlines, rigging, power, internet, loading, room access and rehearsal time can influence the technical plan and budget. Early production involvement gives the client a technical perspective while there are still options.
What the ITU is not
- It is not automatically the final AV statement of work.
- It should not leave fees, credits or included work ambiguous.
- It should not imply Jx2 can bind a venue or third-party supplier unless expressly authorized.
- It should not rely on vague promises about exclusivity, cancellation or future scope.
When this model fits best
- annual meetings and leadership conferences with long planning cycles;
- events where production should help evaluate venues;
- large branded environments or custom stage/scenic work;
- recurring events where Jx2 is expected to return;
- events with preliminary budget authority but incomplete technical detail; and
- clients that need production planning to begin before procurement can issue the final SOW.
From early planning to final production
The intended path is simple: establish the early relationship, define planning criteria and preliminary budgets, advance the venue and event, then convert the matured requirements into the detailed production proposal/SOW.
For recurring programs, this can pair naturally with a Multi-Year Event Production Partnership.