What Event Managers Secretly Want from Their Part-Time Crew (We Asked 20 of Them)

Let’s be honest — if you’ve ever hired part-timers for an event, you’ve probably had this thought: “I wish they just got it without me having to micro-manage everything.” You’re not alone. At Next Door Manpower, we’ve worked with over 1,000 event managers, marketing leads, and brand teams. And while they all had different KPIs, one thing kept coming up: 🧠 They weren’t just looking for extra hands — they were looking for people who think like event professionals. So we did something simple: We asked 20 experienced event managers what they really want from their part-timers… but don’t always say out loud. Here’s what they told us — and how we train our crew to deliver exactly that.

A wooden desk by a window, with sunlight illuminating a laptop, notebook, and a decorative vase.

1. “I want them to look sharp — not like they just rolled out of bed.”

This sounds basic, but it’s a top complaint. Grooming, posture, even how a crew member stands when no one’s watching… it matters.

✅ Our Solution: Every crew member receives detailed grooming guides, and we run a pre-event checklist with visual standards. Our team knows: You’re not just representing us — you’re representing the client’s brand.

2. “If they don’t know something, I want them to ask — not guess.”

Guessing can ruin an attendee experience. And asking shows maturity, not weakness.

✅ Our Solution: We train staff to use our internal comms system (often Telegram-based) to get instant clarification from a team lead. It’s built into our training: ask, don’t assume.

3. “They should take initiative — not wait for instructions all day.”

What separates a decent crew from a dream team? Initiative. Noticing a messy display, helping a teammate, checking stock levels without being told.

✅ Our Solution: We use role-play scenarios in training that teach proactivity. And our recruitment filters for attitude, not just availability.

4. “Don’t just memorize the script — understand the product.”

For brand activations and roadshows, too many crew simply recite product lines without connecting to what they’re saying. It breaks the brand experience.

✅ Our Solution: Every activation crew gets a simplified product guide with brand tone, USPs, and FAQs — so they can speak confidently and naturally.

5. “If things go south, I want a crew lead I can trust.”

No event is perfect. Things shift. Attendees complain. And when stress hits, managers need a calm, capable crew lead on-site.

✅ Our Solution: For every activation above 3 crew, we assign an experienced team lead — someone who’s done 10+ events with us. They’re the buffer between you and the chaos.