FAQs

Q: What exactly is “Overlay”?

A: Overlay is the temporary infrastructure that makes big events possible. It’s the elements you don’t always notice but can’t live without. Think grandstands, fan zones, back-of-house cabins, signage, power, toilets, fencing, sponsor activations, and the pathways that connect them. It’s how you turn a blank site into a fully functioning event venue.

Q: Do you only work on major events?

A: Not at all. Yes, we’ve cut our teeth on the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, SailGP, Red Bull, and other major festivals and sporting tournaments – but we love smaller projects too. We work with brands, rights holders, and organisers on bespoke activations, hospitality programmes, and local events. Big or small, our standards don’t change: our goal is always to be Built Better.

Q: What does “Built Better” actually mean?

A: It’s our mantra. It means every project we touch is considered, intentional, and delivered to a standard that elevates the whole event. It means working under pressure without cutting corners. It means creating spaces that don’t just function, they excite. Built Better relates to our delivery, ourselves, and our relationships.

Q: If you’ve done all these huge projects, why isn’t your portfolio full of them?

A: Fair question! Until recently, we often worked as a white-label partner supporting agencies and organisers behind the scenes, or within other high-profile creative agencies.. That means we can’t badge those projects as “Xplor.” But the expertise is there, and the same people are now delivering under our own name.

Q: What makes you different from other event agencies?

A: Grit, creativity, and accountability. We’re not just here to “stick up a tent.” We design with flow, presentation, and the guest experience at the core. We also hold ourselves, and our partners, to high standards, because if one area looks bad, it reflects on the whole event. We’re not afraid to fight for standards, because high-quality delivery is what attracts high-quality partners.

Q: What types of services do you offer?

Event overlay & infrastructure (fields of play, grandstands, cabins, etc.)
Brand activations (from fan engagement to sponsor zones)
Event project management (suppliers, logistics, build & break)
Guest experience programmes (VIP journeys, curated hospitality, meet & greets)
Shoreside & public space activations (parades, harbours, high streets)

Q: Do you also help with sponsorships?

A: Yes, and it’s something we love doing. We work with both sides of the table: helping events find the right brand partners, and helping brands get the right presence at events. From spotting opportunities and negotiating deals to designing sponsor-ready activations, we make sure sponsorships feel less like a logo on a banner and more like a genuine experience.

Q: What’s partnership management, and why does it matter?

A: In short: it’s about keeping everyone honest and aligned. A big event can have dozens of tenants, vendors, and partners. If one of them drops their standards, it drags the whole site down. We act as the intermediary, making sure partners deliver what they’ve promised, activations meet a consistent standard, and the event feels joined-up. The result? A smoother event for organisers, better value for sponsors, and a far better experience for guests.

Q: Do you only work in sport?

A: Sport is in our DNA, but no, we also love music, culture, festivals, and brand experiences. The principles are the same: temporary spaces, high standards, unforgettable experiences.

Q: How temporary is temporary?

A: Our builds are designed to pop up, perform under pressure, and disappear again, leaving the site exactly as we found it (or better). Sometimes it’s a few hours, sometimes it’s a few months. The trick is making it look and feel permanent while it’s live, then packing it away as if it was never there.