The UK events industry generates more than £84 billion per year and employs over 700,000 people (Source: Eventbrite). This is a very competitive sector, therefore attracting talented professionals is critical to ensuring that your event runs flawlessly. The correct team will assist you in managing all aspects of your event, from logistics to customer service.

So, how can you ensure you hire the appropriate people? Let’s dig deeper.

Step 1: Understand Your Event’s Staffing Needs

Before you begin hiring, you should precisely describe the positions you need to fill. Each event is unique, as are the personnel requirements. Consider the type of event you’re holding, as well as the precise positions you’ll need to fill.

For example:

Corporate Events: You’ll likely need event planners, AV technicians, registration staff, and catering teams.

• Weddings: Consider hiring coordinators, photographers, florists, and banquet staff.
• Festivals & Concerts: You’ll need security personnel, stage managers, and sound engineers.
• Trade Shows & Exhibitions: Think about booth assistants, brand ambassadors, and sales teams.

Understanding your event’s specific needs can help you attract suitable personnel to match the expectations of each role.

Step 2: Use the Right Channels to Find Staff

Now that you’ve determined the positions you need to fill, it’s time to seek for qualified individuals. While you could post on generic job forums, it’s always preferable to use recruitment portals designed exclusively for the events sector.

A. Use Industry-Specific Job Platforms
For event professionals, RecruitEvents is a platform that offers full-service recruitment and job postings to help you find talent in the UK. Whether you’re looking for temporary or permanent personnel, RecruitEvents can connect you with qualified candidates around the country. Furthermore, publishing on RecruitEvents not only allows you to share your job openings with event professionals, but it also boosts your company’s visibility in the event industry., but you’ll also boost your business visibility within the event industry.

B. Leverage Event Crowd’s Training Courses
In addition to platforms like RecruitEvents, Event Crowd offers excellent opportunities to improve event professionals through its events management training courses. As one of the UK’s leading event management course providers, Event Crowd provides comprehensive training programs that educate students with the information and practical skills required to succeed in the events business. Whether you’re looking for experienced pros or someone who has recently completed their training, Event Crowd grads are well-prepared to fulfil the demands of your event.

C. Network at Industry Events
Attending industry-specific events like trade fairs, conferences, and festivals is an excellent way to meet prospective event personnel.   Face-to-face networking allows you to make direct connections with vendors, freelancers, and staffing agencies. It also allows you to assess candidates and establish contacts for future opportunities.

D. Tap into Social Media and Professional Networks
Social media channels such as LinkedIn, Facebook Groups, and Instagram are perfect for networking with event professionals. Joining event-related communities and posting job openings in them will allow you to reach a larger pool of qualified individuals.

Step 3: Look for the Right Skills and Experience

While experience is necessary, soft skills are as critical when recruiting event crew. The capacity to adapt to change and withstand pressure is essential in this fast-paced industry.

Here are some of the top soft skills to look out for:

• Communication skills: Event staff need to be able to communicate effectively with clients, vendors, and event teams.
• Problem-solving abilities: Events often come with unexpected challenges. Therefore, quick thinking is essential.
• Time management and organisation: Staying on schedule is critical for the success of any event.
• Teamwork and leadership: Events typically involve many moving parts, and a good leader knows how to delegate while keeping teams on track.

At RecruitEvents, we ensure that you connect with individuals that have the necessary skills and personal qualities to excel in the event industry.

Step 4: Conduct a Thorough Vetting Process

Once you’ve identified a few appealing individuals, it’s time to dig deeper.  Request references from past employers and evaluate their portfolio or CV. A good portfolio will provide insight into the types of events they’ve worked on as well as their degree of experience.

During the interview, go beyond the standard questions. Ask situational and role-specific questions to determine how applicants handle pressure. For example:

• Describe a situation where you had to deal with a last-minute venue change. “How did you manage it?”
• “How would you resolve a conflict between vendors at an event?”

It is also vital to examine candidates’ cultural fit. A corporate event may require more polished experts, whilst a music festival may want workers who are dynamic and adaptive. The correct cultural match will make your event feel more coherent and smoother.

Step 5: Don’t Overlook Freelancers and Temporary Staff

If you’re planning a one-time event or need extra assistance for a certain time period, hiring freelancers or temporary employees is a beneficial alternative. Freelancers offer flexibility, particularly for short-term or seasonal events, and if they perform well, you can hire them again for future events.

Temporary employees can also let you scale your team up or down depending on the size of your event, making it easier to manage your budget and staffing requirements.

Step 6: Offer Competitive Pay and Benefits

To attract the best professionals, provide a competitive remuneration package. This could involve paying beyond industry standards, granting performance-based bonuses, or providing benefits like meals, transportation reimbursements, and even lodging for employees working at remote events.

The correct remuneration plan will help you attract people who are dedicated to doing their best work without compromising on quality.

Step 7: Leverage Technology for a Smoother Hiring Process

Simplifying your recruitment process can allow you to locate the best employees swiftly and effectively. Using digital solutions for onboarding and compliance will reduce paperwork and make the hiring process more efficient for both you and your new team members.

At RecruitEvents, we offer a comprehensive recruitment solution that helps you find and hire event professionals. Our platform is designed to support the events industry, helping you find the right fit for your organisation, not just operationally but culturally. 

Final Thoughts

Hiring the appropriate people is critical for running a successful event. You can create a team that is ready to make your event a success by clearly outlining your staffing requirements, using the correct recruitment platforms, and giving competitive compensation.

Want to find the best event professionals in the UK? Join RecruitEvents today for full-service recruitment and job listings. Not only will you locate the best candidates for your events, but you will also increase your company’s visibility in the event sector. For even more possibilities, check out Event Crowd, the UK’s top source of event management training courses. Their graduates are prepared to face the challenges of the event industry, ensuring your event is in the hands of capable specialists.