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How do I get help to stage my event?
There are many professionals available to help you, ranging from full-scale production houses down to individual operators and suppliers.
Your first step is to ascertain what level of assistance you require. If you only need décor, a caterer or some entertainment, you could go direct to the supplier of such.
If you require technical services such as Staging, Video, Lighting or Audio, you should look for a production company who can supply, install and, if necessary, operate the equipment. Technical equipment needs to be installed and operated correctly to ensure safety and proper service. How many times have you been at a function and strained to see or hear a speaker or performer? Invariably this happens when customers who try to save money under-specify equipment for the size of their audience or venue or they scrimp on paying for a professional operator.
Entertainment specialists will ensure that you get the right entertainment for your specific needs and that they are briefed properly to ensure you get what you are after.
If there are number of elements to be coordinated at your event you may need an Event Coordinator or Party Planner. These are generally one or two person operations and although there are a number of untried players in the industry these smaller operators can be some of the most professional and experienced in the industry.
Larger or more complex events require the services of an Event Producer or Event Production House. These companies have the resources to pull together events of any size or complexity.
How do I know if the person or company I am hiring is any good?
The event industry is still relatively new and there are a lot of new and untried players in the industry, so, the same as any other service, check their credentials. Although there are certification programs, because the Event industry is still quite new there are very few operators who have certification. So there are two main ways of checking – references and association membership.
The best reference is word of mouth – ask around and find out who your friends or colleagues have used and ask for recommendations. Ask to see references and examples of the company or person’s work.
There are a few associations event organizers and suppliers can belong to. The main one is the International Special Event Society (ISES).. Members of this organization are required to abide by a strict Code of Ethics and the society’s ethics committee can deal with complaints about ISES members.
Other organizations that cover the Event industry include – Meetings Industry Association of Australia (MIAA), the Festivals & Events Association, the Events Industry Association (WA).
You should also check that your supplier has appropriate Public Liability insurance (generally $10M +). This is in your interest, because if something goes wrong you could find yourself liable if your supplier is not adequately covered.
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