‘Must have skills’ for event staff

Navigating a career in the fast-paced world of events requires a versatile skill set to thrive in diverse event settings and consistently deliver quality results. For an event staffing company, like Encore Nationwide, selecting suitable staffing candidates is a process beyond just filling positions. From brand ambassadors, event managers to spokesmodels and emcee’s, each role needs a blend of skill to meet the demands of the event and contribute to its success. 

Here’s a look at the necessary skills for event staffing

Customer service

When it comes to customer service, event staff serve as the front line response to customer queries. This serves as the direct connection between the brand and customer. This is a must have skill, so a positive experience for attendees or customers is achieved. This includes being approachable, friendly, understanding customer needs and providing a quick service. The focus on customer service ensures that customers are valued and is crucial for long-term customer  retention. 

Time management

In the dynamic industry of events, where things move quickly and deadlines are tight, event staff must be quick thinkers and adept at managing their time. Effective time management skills enables staff to prioritize tasks effectively and complete work efficiently. This skill is especially crucial for roles like event managers who oversee aspects of event planning such as logistics and staffing, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks and that all operations run smoothly. Time management enhances workflow and improves productivity. 

Patience

Working in an environment where you need to serve people, means that you will have to be patient as you deal with queries, demands and large crowds. Dealing with this, sometimes simultaneously, can be nerve-wrecking and result in high levels of tensions. Responding and dealing with all kinds of demands, requires a calm and professional demeanor which allows you remain level headed and make rational decisions. After all, “patience is a virtue”.

Verbal communication

Communication skills refer to the way messages are relayed through words, whether spoken or written. Effective verbal communication allows event staff to interact confidently with clients or audiences, conveying important and relevant information in a respectful, welcoming and professional manner. Whether answering questions or giving directions, audiences feel engaged and informed. This notion can also be applied to event staffing employees, in and amongst themselves, which ensure that they have the necessary information they need to perform well, builds a positive work environment, and eliminates inefficiencies that may hinder progress.

Problem-solving

Event staff conduct customer support by identifying and efficiently resolving customer concerns in a timely manner. Whether it’s dealing with technical glitches or last minute changes, event staff must be ready to handle these challenges with ease and resourcefulness. This process helps customers feel their needs being addressed and helps improve customer loyalty.

Active listening 

Listening actively has to do with understanding the customers or audience's message, emotions and intentions. Most importantly, it is reserving your judgment and not interrupting whilst the other person is speaking. It's important to let the customer express their thoughts fully before forming a response or offering a solution. Active listening helps agents build trust and rapport with customers. When customers feel they are being listened to and their concerns are addressed, they develop a positive relationship with agents. They are also more likely to trust the company.
Attention to detail

Paying attention to detail goes beyond being accurate; it involves understanding the preferences, emotions and needs, of your customers as well. This consideration can effectively enhance the quality of service provided and strengthen your relationships with customers. Ultimately, it’s about constantly being on the lookout for any details that might make a customer have a better experience with the brand. Every interaction with the customers needs to always be better than the first. 

Negotiation

Negotiation skills involve the ability to find solutions that meet customer needs while also serving the brands interests effectively. The goal is not to prioritize winning over the party but to work together towards a satisfactory outcome that benefits both the customer and the company. By striking a balance between meeting customer needs and achieving company objectives, event staff can establish trust, achieve customer satisfaction and foster long term success for both customers and the brand. 

 Creativity

Creative thinking in customer service involves the ability of event staffing professionals to approach challenges, interactions, and problem-solving in innovative and non-traditional ways.  Positive and creative interactions can help your brand earn loyal customers who turn into repeat buyers and spread positive word of mouth, which contributes to return on investment and truly elevates the quality of product and or service rendered. Creativity is a powerful tool that elevates both the service provided and the reputation of the brand.

Conclusion

At Encore Nationwide, we understand that our event staff serve as the face for each brand they represent and are pivotal in molding the event atmosphere. They are equipped with all the necessary skills that are central for event staff to possess, ensuring that they are prepared and handle every event with professionalism and poise. If you're looking to enhance your event with a team that’s experienced and dedicated to delivering top notch results get in touch with Encore Nationwide today. Reach out now to discover how we can turn your event ideas into reality.