Using Volunteers vs. Paid Staff at an Event
Deciding whether to trust the success of your event to volunteers is a big decision. Professional meeting and event planners have the experience and knowledge to ensure that an event will be organized effectively, stay within budget and achieve the desired results. Event planners also work with various types of vendors that use professional staff to set-up and staff your event. Having trained personnel working your event can ensure the event runs smoothly, any last minute problems are dealt with effectively and a certain level of service is met.
Certainly, using paid professionals at an event when possible is ideal. However, some events will be so large that they may require the use of some volunteers as well. The key here is placing volunteers in the correct roles, and understanding that volunteers are sometimes less reliable than paid staff. It makes sense to have a paid professional overseeing volunteers and also to have back-ups in place for any last minute needs. Volunteers can be helpful in the initial planning stages of an event, as they may have knowledge of the organization’s goals and values, and can provide input on the direction of the event.
We have planned and executed numerous events with the help of dedicated volunteers and know that sometimes volunteers put boundless energy to work for a cause or goal. Based on our experience and industry knowledge, we are able to make recommendations for the best use of enthusiastic volunteers for an event, and where professional staff will have the most impact.
