Choosing the Right Event Staffing Agency

The difference between a great event and a disaster often comes down to the staffing agency you choose. Here's how to evaluate your options.

Questions to Ask

• How do you recruit and vet staff?
• What's your training process?
• How do you handle no-shows and emergencies?
• Can you provide references?
• What markets do you cover?
• What's your pricing structure?

Red Flags

• No vetting process described
• Suspiciously low rates
• Can't provide references
• Unclear about backup plans
• Unresponsive during evaluation

Green Flags

• Detailed vetting and training process
• Transparent pricing
• Strong references from similar clients
• Clear backup and contingency plans
• Responsive, professional communication

The Test

Start with a small project. See how they perform before committing to larger programs. Performance on a small gig predicts performance on big ones.