By Bruce Knittle
Sports event planners know that the success of any event often requires a team approach. Having the “right” support team in place is a key component. The following are certain guidelines a sports planner should be aware of when selecting a team:
- Place Individuals In Positions Where They Will Shine
With any of the tasks required to be filled, try finding and matching the person to the task. For example, if you are seeking an individual to be in charge of safety concerns, look for someone with similar industry experience.
I have also found that sometimes the best hires are personnel who can perform well at more than one position. This is invaluable, because if a member of your team is ill, or on vacation, there would be a seamless transition.
- Share The Vision
Every member of your team needs to be on the same page with regard to the goals of the event. From the start, these ideas and objectives should be shared openly with the team.
While recruiting potential team members, only those who will work within the group for this common goal should be considered. With every team member pulling together, the work environment is more positive, and better results follow.
When everyone is working as one, a teamwork culture is formed, which further strengthens the event.
- Look Local
Including local community members as part of an event planner’s team is usually a very good choice. The planner should have knowledge of the surrounding locale, and then reach out to community leaders for valued input. These individuals can help with the hiring of volunteers, and provide important expertise on the particular geographic area.
With the inclusion on the team of community personnel, this will help in forming mutually beneficial partnership arrangements. Members of the community will take responsibility for the event, and lend more support than even originally hoped for.
- Cover All The Bases
There are, of course, many responsibilities of a sports event planner. These may include securing permits, lodging concerns, safety requirements, transportation issues, as well as other obligations. With all these tasks, the event planner has to have his or her staff embrace these responsibilities, even if it means doubling up on certain roles.
There should not be any assignment, large or small, left unattended, and the planner needs to ensure that the team is aware of this. Staging a successful event often depends on attention to the smallest details, and if that means adding extra personnel, then that is what should be done.
In conclusion, finding the right support team should be one of the main priorities of a sports event planner. Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, once stated, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” Once the support team adheres to these wise words, the event can flourish.
