Whether you are an experienced party planner or planning your first event, you know that an untrained or understaffed event team can ruin any event. Over the course of your event the staff will be interacting directly with guests, both one-on-one and in groups. Having the right team in place is vital to your success. If you have been tasked with hiring staff for an upcoming party or event, here are five tips to be sure that your event staff will make you proud:
Start Your Search Early
There are plenty of issues that will come up at the last minute when hosting an event in New York City. Hiring event staff shouldn’t be one of them.
Start your search for event staff early and have it squared away as far in advance of the big day as possible. This is important for two reasons:
- Quality, experienced event staff are in high demand. The best waiters, bartenders and attendants can go very quickly.
- Inevitably, some staff members will have to flake on your event. It’s better to determine who is actually going to show-up to work as early as possible.
Remember That Your Event Staff Represent Your Brand
Just because a waiter or bartender is experienced, that doesn’t mean that they are the best choice to staff your event. Your brand has its own personality and the staff at your event should reflect that. Choosing the right mix of personalities is important to the success of your event. Think of your event as if you were casting a movie. Who would you cast in each role?
Note: A huge mistake that event hosts often make is hiring staff based on attractiveness. While there is nothing wrong with hiring attractive waiters and bartenders, we have seen hosts go so far as to hire professional models rather than professional waiters. A pretty face is great until he spills dinner on your dress.
Be Honest with Your Potential Event Staff
When hiring staff, be completely honest with them from the first moment. If you know that the job you are offering is less than ideal (you can’t afford to pay them their normal rate, the job requires extra training, etc.), letting them know upfront will save both of you a headache. This may cause you to miss out on a waiter or two, but most will appreciate the honesty and respect, and will give you honesty and respect in return.
Investigate Event Staff Recommendations
If the event is coming up and you are still feeling as though you may be understaffed, one method of recruiting is to take the recommendations of other staff members that you have already hired. While this may be a more time-effective way of hiring, a recommendation from a staff member doesn’t mean that you can forgo the interview process.
While a staff member may assure you that, “You should hire this person because they’re great and hardworking.” what they’re really saying is, “My friend needs a job.” Do your own interviewing and research before hiring anyone based on a recommendation.
Hire More Event Staff Than You Think You’ll Need
If you are trying to cut costs for your event, one place never to cut back is on the hiring of event staff. An understaffed event with fail, period. Leaving guests waiting in long lines for drinks, coat checks and valet parking will put them in a bad mood no matter how spectacular the rest of your event is. Leave them waiting for food and you may as well have told them to stay home.
Another reason to over hire extra staff for an event is the knowledge that the worst can often happen: people get sick, have car trouble or simply not show up to work all the time. If a waiter shows up in no condition to work, it is always better to have the option to send them home than be under pressure to send them out onto the venue floor.
Would you like more details about hosting a Corporate Gala or Holiday Party in New York at 583 Park Avenue? We are proud to offer the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the city. CONTACT US today to find out what makes 583 Park Avenue the best event space on the upper east side. One of our event coordinators will be in touch with you shortly.