Event staffing is a major consideration for a business planning an event, whether it’s a business meeting, conference or employee appreciation event. Depending on the type of event, you should count on set-up, service and clean-up staff at the very minimum. A more elegant affair may require wait staff and bartenders as well.
Event staffing solutions don’t have to be difficult. Consider whether the purpose of your event is primarily educational, promotional or celebratory. Your event venue and number of guests further indicate what you need from event staff.
Knowing what you want is the first step in hiring:
1. conference staff
2. promotional event staffing
3. trade show staffing
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Hire a professional event staffing company
If you want everything to go off without a hitch and a minimum of headaches on your part, consider hiring a professional event planner or event staffing company. Event planners have the experience you're looking for.
I recommend: Search for event planners by state at the
Corporate Event Channel or try a
Certified Meeting Professional. Know what kinds of questions to ask an event staffing company during an interview. See recommended questions at
EventMarketer.
Check with venues about available conference staff
Event venues range from the business conference center to boat cruises. More and more business choose the nontraditional venue to bring more attention and excitement to an event. Businesses that want to show appreciation for employees or to woo clients should consider activity-oriented venues like horseback riding or barbecues. Some venues provide event staff for an added fee.
I recommend: A benefit to using venue staff is their experience with the venue. This comes in handy for trade show staffing. Find the perfect venue at
Eventective or business-friendly venues at
BusinessMeetings.
Use a catering company for event staff
If you serve food at your event, you'll likely to hire a caterer. Most caterers have access to event staff for setting up and serving food. Need a waiter to pass around hors d'oeuvres or a bartender to mix drinks? Ask your caterer if she can provide this as well.
I recommend: Check
Special Events for catering suggestions. Fill out a questionnaire at
EventCatering to get a match to a local caterer who can fulfill your needs.
Consider temporary event staffing
Another option is hiring temporary event staff through temp agencies. Don't neglect nearby college employment offices. College kids often have experience in the service industry through part-time and summer jobs.
I recommend: Plan your event staffing needs with event planning software that allows you to spell out what you need for promotional event staffing or other events.
Complete Membership & Event Manager offers tutorials for new staff to make orientation simpler.
Special Event Staffing provides temporary wait, bar and culinary staff for Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Be clear up about your business event needs. Clarify duties, hours and fees in writing so that there's no surprises.
- Consider doing a background check on an event staffing business before hiring.
The official source of Event Staffing is the Event Staffing page at Business.com
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