Client and event overview
Choosing an event staffing supplier isn't simply about finding enough people to fill a rota. Your staffing team could be welcoming thousands of attendees, managing your gates, troubleshooting ticketing problems, operating your box office or supporting visitors across your site. They're an extension of your event. So, when comparing event staffing companies, what should you actually be looking for?
1. Look Beyond the Day Rate
Cost matters. But it's worth understanding what sits behind the figure you're being quoted.
How are staff employed? What are they paid? Is holiday pay included? How are travel and expenses handled?
At Ethical Staffing, our workforce is employed through PAYE, receives holiday pay and is paid **at or above the Real Living Wage**.
For us, fair employment is a fundamental part of providing reliable event staffing services.
2. Choose Experience Relevant to Your Event
“Event staff” can mean a lot of different things.
The skills required for Ticket Scanning aren't identical to those needed for Box Office Management, Campsite Management, Accreditation or Gate Management.
Look at where a supplier has actually worked and what they've delivered.
Our teams have supported everything from Internal Traffic Management at Glastonbury and campsite operations at Silverstone to box office management at Shambala and visitor experience at Bristol Cathedral.
Relevant experience matters.
The Outcome
3. Ask How Event Staff Are Prepared A strong event staffing company shouldn't simply send people to site and hope for the best. Staff need clear arrival information, role-specific expectations, escalation procedures and knowledgeable management. The Health and Safety Executive highlights effective planning, coordination and communication as important parts of event safety. Your staffing supplier should be part of that process. 4. Consider Where Your Workforce Comes From For longer deployments and regional events, local recruitment can be incredibly valuable. It creates employment opportunities within surrounding communities, reduces unnecessary travel and can build teams with useful local knowledge. At Longleat, for example, local recruitment has been an important part of how we've built teams for repeated deployments. 5. Make Sure Your Values Align Your event staff are representing your event. If sustainability matters to your organisation, ask potential suppliers what they're doing about it. If fair employment is important, ask how their workforce is treated. We've provided dedicated Sustainability Ambassadors for events including Massive Attack x ACT 1.5, supporting recycling points and helping environmental plans work in practice. The same principle applies to accessibility, diversity, wellbeing and community impact. Finding an Event Staffing Supplier Ultimately, the right supplier needs to understand both people and operations. Look for evidence of relevant experience. Ask questions about employment practices. Understand how teams are recruited, briefed and supported. And choose an organisation you'd be comfortable having represent your event. Because great event staffing shouldn't just fill positions on a spreadsheet. It should make your operation stronger. Explore our Event Staffing Services or get in touch with our team to discuss staffing for your next event.
Services Used
Related Ethical Staffing services: Gate Managers, Ticket Scanning Staff, Event Staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this article cover?
Choosing an event staffing supplier isn't simply about finding enough people to fill a rota. Your staffing team could be welcoming thousands of attendees, managing your gates, troubleshooting ticketing problems, operating your box office or supporting visitors across your site. They're an extension of your event. So, when comparing event staffing companies, what should you actually be looking for?
1. Look Beyond the Day Rate
Cost matters. But it's worth understanding what sits behind the figure you're being quoted.
How are staff employed? What are they paid? Is holiday pay included? How are travel and expenses handled?
At Ethical Staffing, our workforce is employed through PAYE, receives holiday pay and is paid **at or above the Real Living Wage**.
For us, fair employment is a fundamental part of providing reliable event staffing services.
2. Choose Experience Relevant to Your Event
“Event staff” can mean a lot of different things.
The skills required for Ticket Scanning aren't identical to those needed for Box Office Management, Campsite Management, Accreditation or Gate Management.
Look at where a supplier has actually worked and what they've delivered.
Our teams have supported everything from Internal Traffic Management at Glastonbury and campsite operations at Silverstone to box office management at Shambala and visitor experience at Bristol Cathedral.
Relevant experience matters.
3. Ask How Event Staff Are Prepared
A strong event staffing company shouldn't simply send people to site and hope for the best.
Staff need clear arrival information, role-specific expectations, escalation procedures and knowledgeable management.
The Health and Safety Executive highlights effective planning, coordination and communication as important parts of event safety.
Your staffing supplier should be part of that process.
4. Consider Where Your Workforce Comes From
For longer deployments and regional events, local recruitment can be incredibly valuable.
It creates employment opportunities within surrounding communities, reduces unnecessary travel and can build teams with useful local knowledge.
At Longleat, for example, local recruitment has been an important part of how we've built teams for repeated deployments.
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Comparing event staffing suppliers for a real brief? Let's talk.
The useful questions are about briefing, employment and who actually turns up. If you are at that point, tell us the event and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right fit.