For someone running an event management company, witnessing their team scrambling around a high-profile corporate gala with their appearances all over the place is a nightmare-made reality. Just imagine the whole scenario where some of them are looking disheveled, a few of them fresh enough to be approachable, and many just confused why they are there in the first place.
You don’t want the guests to think that the event team just got out of bed. Neither do you want your team to be too…sparkly.
You won’t be wrong to assume that your team’s looks and attitude can easily make or break an event.
First Impressions Form The First Step To A Successful Event
You don’t want your team to speak volumes with their appearance before they say “Welcome” to the guests. Ideally, the team should reflect your event management business’ professionalism from afar. And the two most important things guests will see from afar are looks and attitude. Your team is your business personified in such scenarios. If they look appalling, your business is going to get hit hard. The risk here is in the guests spreading the word about the “chaotic” or “disorganized” management.
So where do you even start blocking out this threat entirely?
Start With The Dress Code
Present your event staff in your brand’s signature style. You are off to a bad start if you don’t have one. People of all types gather for events. And a good majority of them expect the event team to sport a particular style of outfit that’s practical, adequately formal and just has enough style elements to it. That means boxy outfits are a no-no. If you ask me, what fits is something that speaks style in any environment and absolute versatility but still can be considered a uniform.
You already know it in your mind. Polos. To be specific, uniform polo shirts that work both indoors and outdoors.
There are polos with moisture-wicking properties that can be great for outdoor events. They come in pretty much every brand color imaginable nowadays, suiting any upscale gathering. If a cohesive look is what you are aiming for, you can get that with polos just as easily as you can with tees.
Then With The Color Code
For starters, just pick two main colors and one accent shade to match the colors of your brand. If you’d noticed before at events, black and navy are fail-safe base colors. But you might get a distinctive edge with darker colors, though it won’t always work for every environment. The team isn’t supposed to outshine the event after all.
Now…Grooming & Comfort
Rule 101: You don’t want their hair on their face. The event staff should display professionalism in every sense. Not everyone will see hair on the face as professional. The makeup shouldn’t be too strong but should still stay for long hours. And give them a few mints too.
When it comes to comfort, the first thing to consider is that the event staff will likely be on their feet for hours. These might help.
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Supportive black shoes with non-slip soles
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Compression socks
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Grooming space for quick fixes
Staying Fresh All Day
Brief your team on appearance standards during orientation. This is one of the first things you should do, so they are all aware of the expectations. It will be easier for them if you have a checklist they can reference while getting ready. Schedule short rotation breaks for staff to freshen up. Designated touch-up stations are rare these days. But they help, and they help the staff remain confident.
Once you have the checklist ready, remember not to just hand out a dress code – explain the why behind each rule. Make it matter for them too, and not just your business. Proper grooming must also involve sessions on professional body language. Guests notice if the staff are moving gracefully before and after interacting with them, because it just stands out if they don’t.
Quick Tips:
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Ask your team to make sure to press the uniform the night before
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Keep backup outfit pieces
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Do one final check at least 30 minutes before the event
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One last orientation before they hit the floor
Leadership’s Role
And that brings us to you – the manager. Obviously, you have to lead by example. Notice and praise staff who consistently nail the professional look. Create a culture where presentation excellence becomes second nature for your team.
When your team looks sharp, they feel sharp, and that energy goes right into their personality and attitude.
These tips will help elevate your event staff in more ways than one. Just add your company’s own flair into the mix. Looking good isn’t vanity – it’s strategy.