people eating at pop up live event

How to Staff a Pop-Up Event In Las Vegas

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“Here today, gone tomorrow…” This adage is the very essence of a pop-up event. Pop-up events are creative and fun, but their success can live and die by the quality and attitude of the people staffing them. This considered, it’s important to find the best people to work your pop-up event.

Let’s chat specifically about how to staff a pop-up event in Las Vegas.

What is a Pop-Up Event?

First, what is a pop-up event? A pop-up event is defined as a temporary event “hosted in unique venues ranging from temporary fixtures in open public spaces to unused retail space.” These events typically last anywhere from a few hours to a few days.

Because the use of short-term rentals is increasing, pop-up events now have the opportunity to grow within the events sector.

(Plus, due to the pandemic, the US, UK, and France saw a 125 percent increase in available retail space listed between June to August in 2020, according to research by Appear Here. AKA… The perfect breeding ground for more similar events!)

Examples of awesome pop-up events include:

  • This take-out only restaurant pop-up in Finland called TakeIn
  • A Nike pop-up that displayed gold-dipped Jordans during the NBA All-Star weekend in New Orleans
  • Solve’s internship interview pop-up

How to Staff a Pop-Up Event

Here are four tips on how to staff a pop-up event in Las Vegas! (Although these tips could likely apply to an event anywhere in the world; not just Sin City).

Create a Killer (and Honest!) Job Description

Crafting a job description, it’s the first step any employer takes when they have an open position to fill. When it comes to your event, your job description should be appealing and honest. Make sure to include:

  • Job title and responsibilities
  • Location (Viva Las Vegas!)
  • Any required qualifications
  • Working conditions
  • Compensation

Moreover, your job description should showcase your brand values and voice. Why? Well, the people you hire to work your pop-up event will be representing your brand—therefore, it’s important they identify with its culture from the start.

Identify Who Makes a Good Applicant

After you’ve got your job description squared away, consider who might make a good applicant. (PS: If your description is killer, chances are you’ll have a large pool of applicants to choose from!)

Here are some questions to consider when identifying a good candidate vs. maybe a not-so-good candidate:

  • Is this applicant excited about the opportunity?
  • Does this applicant align with our brand and the products we’ll be showcasing?
  • Does this applicant have any references or similar work experience?
  • And of course, is this applicant able to be in Las Vegas for the event?

Know Where to Look for Top Talent

So, where should you look to source staff for your pop-up event?

  1. Your inner circle (Think: Friends and family!)
  2. Previous employees and people you’ve hired or worked with
  3. Staffing agencies (like us, 360x Events and Promotions!)

Make Sure Your Staff Receives Proper Training

Proper training is key to successfully staffing your next pop-up event. Although training will vary depending on the specifics of each event, it might be helpful to relay the following information.

  • Your Brand Story: What is the reason behind this pop-up anyway? Why should your workers care?
  • Goals and Deliverables: What are your workers expected to accomplish? This includes explaining how you want customers to feel when they come into your pop-up. What experience do you want to provide?
  • Brand and Product Information: Your workers should be ready to answer any and all questions regarding your event, brand, and product.
  • General Housekeeping: Expectations on event cleanliness, clocking in and out, and other technicalities.
infographic for "How to Staff a Pop-Up Event in Las Vegas"

Looking For Talent to Staff Your Next Pop-Up Event?

Are you looking to staff your own pop-up? Pop-ups are a great, fun way to increase brand and product awareness while also generating excitement and buzz. Let’s get people talkin’!

At 360x, we are your one-stop-shop for talent procurement and event support. We are nationwide experts in sourcing live performers, brand ambassadors, promotional talent, actors, models, mascots, field managers, DJs, spokesmodels, Comic-Con specialists, and even influencers! Get in touch today.

three live performers smiling

Best Practices for Live Performers

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So, you’re a live performer who has booked an event—congrats! (Hopefully, you got the gig with our help at 360x Events and Promotions). Nevertheless, whether you’re new to the event scene or a performing pro, it’s always helpful to get some tips before the big day. Here, we’ll list our best practices for live performers.

Check them out below!

Pre-Show Rituals

Most every performer has some sort of pre-show ritual. Depending on your performance (maybe you’ve been hired as a costumed character, a full-blown singer or dancer, the list goes on), this might be a mixture of vocal warm-ups, reciting lines, meditation, and even stretching.

Our favorite pre-show ritual is Ryan and Sharpay’s vocal warm-up from High School Musical… It’s a classic!

Regardless of what your pre-show ritual looks like, the important thing is that it works for YOU.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration, hydration, hydration… We cannot stress this one enough. As a live performer, it’s essential to have a bottle(s) of water on hand during your performance.

This is especially true for performers donning costume characters—boy, can those get stuffy! Plus, chances are, as a live performer, you might encounter some harsh stage lighting, which won’t help your case.

In addition to plain old water, we recommend getting some extra electrolytes in with a packet of Liquid I.V. or a bottle of Pedialyte, maybe even some salt tablets.

The last thing we want is a costumed character like SpongeBob or Wonder Woman passing out from heat exhaustion!

Mistakes Happen!

Remember, every performer has made a mistake—even some of the world’s biggest stars like Ozzy Osbourne, Pink, and The Foo Fighters (their lead singer Dave Grohl fell off the stage and broke his leg during a show!)

Anyway, an important part of being a performer is knowing that mistakes are bound to happen. That’s showbusiness baby! Sometimes it might be on your end (maybe you break character or forget the words to a song or your line); or, perhaps it’s out of your control (like technical difficulties).

Whatever the case may be, don’t panic. Stay positive and keep going. Your audience will admire you all the more for it.

Items to Keep on Hand

When heading to your performance, you should always have a few essentials on hand.

  • Food (Easy snacks that are easy to transport!)
  • Ice packs (especially if you know it’s going to be a hot day)
  • First aid kit
  • Again, lots of water

A Final Word

Well, there you have it. Some of our best practices for you live performers. Interested in booking your next performance gig? Join the 360x team of talent. We’ll send you to the best events with the right support and professional team to schedule you!

people cheerings at a live event

Your Live Event Staffing Plan

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Your live event is just around the corner, which means you should be putting the finishing touches on your event staffing plan. If this is still on your “To-Do” checklist, don’t fret—there’s still time to create a last-minute staffing plan.

Use our guide to help you run a successful event using prepared talent who have the right skills, experience, and aptitude for last-minute staffing.

Recruit the Right People 

Hiring talent that is right for the job is a key element to a successful experience. Do this by partnering with an event staffing agency or a talent agency that has a seasoned list of talent to staff your event well.

At 360x Events and Promotions, we recruit live performers, actors, mascots, brand ambassadors, hosts, specialized talent, and more to staff any event—and quick.

We’re a nationwide agency that specializes in talent procurement and providing event support. In our world, “presentation is everything.” We ensure the talent you hire through us is professional and prepared so that your event runs as smoothly as possible.

Our goal is to solve your problems and simplify your life, and we have been doing this for our clients for over 20 years.

Hire the Right Number of People 

How do you know how many people to staff for an event?

Consider the following: 

  • How many people will attend the event? 
  • How long will the event last?
  • What kind of talent do I need to hire? 
  • What is my talent budget?

Our general rule of thumb is to hire more hands than you need while expecting people will not show up. For example, we send 120 bodies of talent to an event that booked 100 because we expect that a few people will not show up. That’s showbusiness, baby.

Set Clear Expectations

Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.

The talent you hire should know what is expected of them while they work the event. You can do this by providing information that guides the talent. Explain the following:  

  • What time should they arrive?
  • Where should they park?
  • Where can they leave their personal belongings?
  • Where can they pick up badges, uniforms, or any other required items?
  • Where should they be stationed?
  • How long will they be stationed?
  • What will they be doing? 
  • What should they do after their shift? 

In addition to answering these questions, you should provide:

  • A timeline of the day
  • A frequently asked questions page to help the talent prepare for any questions attendees may have
  • Any additional information relevant to your specific event

Providing your hired talent the resources to know what is clearly expected of them helps the event run efficiently. Furthermore, it also helps guests feel at ease and happier.

Setting clear expectations will help your event go as planned, eliminating the potential for the event to be confusing for anyone attending.

Know that the Show Must Go On 

Sometimes, things don’t go according to plan—and that’s okay! When your live event does finally come around, understand that some things may pop up that you weren’t prepared for. 

If that happens, remember the show must go on. Take any unexpected surprises in stride.

A last-minute staffing plan doesn’t have to be complicated, especially if you work with us at 360x Events. We procure top talent for events and are your one-stop shop for talent and event support.

Request talent today.

brand ambassador at live event

Brand Ambassador, Promotional Model, vs. Spokesmodel

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It’s the age-old question… OK, well not age-old but still a good question!

You’re hosting an event. Do you need a brand ambassador, a promotional model, or a spokesmodel? Let’s help you figure it out by defining each below.

What is a Brand Ambassador?

In short, a brand ambassador is an individual hired by a company to raise brand awareness and spread brand positivity.

What Does a Brand Ambassador DO?

The number one goal for a brand ambassador is to create a fun, memorable experience for consumers. This can be achieved both on and offline. Over the years, however, social media has become an integral part of a brand ambassador’s role.

Some roles and responsibilities that a brand ambassador might be faced with can include:

  • Engaging consumers, exciting them about the mission, and elevating the brand message
  • Sparking word-of-mouth about the brand
  • Instilling brand education
  • Donning branded uniforms or costumes to drive brand awareness
  • Conducting product demos
  • Distributing marketing materials

Interested in learning more? Read our article “What Does It Mean to be a Brand Ambassador?” for more information.

What is a Promotional Model?

A promotional model is hired by a business to draw in an audience at high-traffic live events. These individuals are experts in face-to-face marketing, also known as live marketing.

You will find promotional models working at trade shows, conventions, promotional events, corporate events, and even sporting events, concerts, and festivals!

What Does a Promotional Model DO? 

After grabbing a prospect or consumer’s attention, it is a promotional model’s job to:

  • Increase product or service awareness
  • Provide product or service information
  • Serve as an extension of the brand, and
  • Create a lasting, positive impression

What is a Spokesmodel?

Last but certainly not least, we have spokesmodels! What is a spokesmodel? Similar to a spokesperson, who is defined as “a person who speaks as the representative of a group or organization,” a spokesmodel helps reinforce the image a brand is trying to create.

By definition, a spokesmodel is “an attractive or otherwise appealing person who is hired to speak on behalf of a company or product.” This might be for print, video, magazine, or television commercials.

What Does a Spokesmodel DO?

Typically, a spokesmodel will work product demonstrations, launch parties, and other public relations events to confirm their endorsement in public.

Having a spokesmodel for your brand can help:

  • Increase brand credibility
  • Bolster awareness
  • Catch prospective attention, and even
  • Rejuvenate your brand

If you’re hosting an upcoming event and need to hire any one of the above talent, get in touch with our team at 360x Events & Promotions today!

Why? We provide the very best in live event staffing and experiential marketing for conventions, trade shows, specialty events, promotional staffing, and more. When you need quality, professional, friendly staff, 360x is your solution.