Event Staff are SO important!
There’s no point tip-toeing around it. Without staff helping you execute an event, you’re screwed!
Think of events like a supply chain for a grocery store. From farm to your dinner plate…think about how many steps are involved in that process and how many staff! Hundreds if not thousands of staff are responsible. Sure, its a much bigger scale but the same principles apply.
Now think of a large scale event like a Town Fair. There are so many moving parts and therefore jobs for people to do.
Brand, marketing, promotion
Services - Security, performers, food and beverage vendors
Infrastructure - Event hire companies, fencing, toilets, furniture
Compliance - Council docs, Liquor Licencing, insurances
Production - Performers, green rooms, riders
Accounts - Bills to pay
Sponsorship - New and existing sponsors, council/state funding grants
Logistics - Site management, registered vehicles, bump in and out
JUST TO NAME A FEW!!!
Staff is required for all of this. Sure your event company doesn’t need to hire people to set up staging or AV equipment but you need someone across this area to communicate with the Production company. The same goes for everything else listed above.
6 tips for organising an effective staff strategy:
Communication is key - Create one central means of communication with your staff who are heads of their respective teams. We recommend WhatsApp but you can also use Facebook messenger, Skype or an internal company CRM system if you have one. Each ‘team leader’ can then communicate with their respective teams after that.
Dedicate a one - two hour orientation meeting - This is for your staff, where they can understand all the moving parts of the event, learn who the key contacts are and ask questions in a public open forum where feedback is welcomed.
Qualified staff is key - Like any role, don’t settle for anyone. Hire the right people! They will save your ass one day.
Use a central management software (CRM) like ZOHO, Monday.com, Salesforce etc. Store all vital information in one central location and give everyone access.
Wrap up your event - Feedback session. Gather feedback from attendees, analyse it with your core team TOGETHER and then store the data to be used for next time.
Grit your teeth and hold on for the ride!
Events can be the best job in the world for the thrillseeker or an absolute nightmare for the wrong person. We recommend staff to help you along the way. Don’t do it all yourself…
