Choosing the perfect conference staff is easy with our handy guide! Conference and event staffing is like most services, there are three main categories of business operations. First, there are the nuts and bolts of the operation, (insurance, compliance, etc). Next, there is the level of support involved. Do you want to manage the staff, or do you want them managed? Do you want support along the way as your program changes? Finally, and most importantly, there are the skill sets of people that are showing up to represent your brand. Since this isn't normally something staffing agencies disclose, we can help you determine staff wages with a simple calculation and understanding of local market. Read on, and in five minutes you will be an expert buyer!
Conference Staff
Basic Feature Checklist For All Agencies
Different conference staffing agencies deliver very different types of staff, but the core operations of the agency should be non-negotiable. Most agencies are compliant with most of these features, but its still good to ask to make sure.
Proper insurance Coverage
Professional & general liability, workers comp, umbrella policy & bonded. Many insurances coverages may be required by the venue you are hosting your event at as well.
Tech forward, but not an App
When technology drives staffing decisions, a glorified Craigslist ecosystem is quickly created. Tech is important, but app based staffing agencies are better suited for warehouse and manual labor roles. Make sure real people drive the agency’s workforce
Industry Focus
Staffing agencies build their rosters around particular industries. Make sure the agency you choose is focused on the staff and services you need on-site.
Robust Vetting & Background Checks
How an agency hires their field staff is important. In the Orlando conference market, backgrounds checks are rarely run on field staff. These checks are a filter against those looking to avoid them.
Program Management, Start To Finish
The second step in the buyers' decision making process is to understand how much involvement they want from their vendor. Larger programs require some level of management throughout the planning, delivery, and reconciling process post event.
Main Benefits:
Understanding Staffing Agency Bill Rates & Pay Rates
Staffing agencies all operate with similar margins. Any legitimate staffing agency has taxes, payroll, accounting, insurance, technology, etc. Conference staffing agencies mark up staff wages between 50 - 65% in order to cover their operating costs and have a bit left over. Mark ups below the 50-65% range means some layer of critical operations is being ignored.
The easiest way to understand the staff that may be coming to your conference or event, is to multiply your final billed rate by 60%, then look at the wages in your area at local stores and retailers. Note that wages on the lower end of the bill rate are often marked up much more to account for higher call-offs and no-show staff. These companies require substantial over-indexing due to their low pay.
Agency Bill Rate | Estimated Staff Pay Rate | Wage Comparison | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
$25 / hour | $13 - $15 / hour | Below starting pay for most fast food positions. Insist on background checks. | Difficult fit for any kind of event due to high 'no show' rates. |
$27 / hour | $16 to $18 / hour | Low tier wage, starting wage for PT fast food work in Florida. | State Fairs, Sporting Events |
$29 - $32 / hour | $21 to $23 / hour | Mid level retail employee. High percentage of college graduates, customer service oriented, consistent and reliable. | Best for customer facing conference roles. |
$34 - $38 / hour | $25 - $27 /hr | Brand Ambassador wage. Ideal in high profile positions. These staff stay busy, often requested by repeat clients. | Trade show booths, lead generation, product demos, etc |
About Kinetic Events Staffing
Benefits & Price Positioning
Our company positions itself as a higher end staffing option, with a competitive price point. Our conference staffing volume allows us to maintain a tier 3 staffing with low billing rates to our clients. Our staff fill an “Apple Store employee” profile.
Additionally, we provide all of the feature check boxes listed above. We are able to do this by focusing on the conference and event industry and spreading in-office operation expenses across our fifteen markets to reduce hard costs per location.
Conference & Convention Specialists
Kinetic Events Staff is an ideal fit in large and small conference settings, expos, brand ambassador programs, and any event in a high profile business setting. If staff at your conference are meant to be a reflection of your brand or customer experience, we are an ideal option. Our local experienced team, industry focus and program planning are key reasons for our continued growth and success.
Local Affiliations
Kinetic Events Staffing is an active member preferred staffing vendor of the Orlando Visitors & Conventions Bureau. Our staff and management are all local to the Orlando market.
