Rain, Hail or Shine: The Show Must Go On!

I'm sure there are a lot of people who hear me say 'I am working for Mellen Events' (who produce shows as I have mentioned in my first blog, Summerdayze, Godskitchen, An Evening on the Green, Future Music Festival and numerous concerts), and think its all about meeting artists, knocking back a few drinks with them on the day and listening to cool music. Don't get me wrong, the job definitely has it's perks but everyone within the company works their butts off to make these events possible!


I had the opportunity to work backstage at the evening on the green event, Shade'. Mellen Events motto is Rail, Hail or Shine, the show will go on. And man did it rain!! I came here wanting to gain experience and experience is definitely what I'm getting. As the event was held at The Esplanade, the dressing rooms where all outside (in caravans). The whole day was full of placing and carrying everything into the artists rooms and making sure everything was set out perfectly for the night (whilst running through torrential rain). From the moment I stepped out my car at 6am I was drenched! The sound guys even had to stop as the lightening was coming to close to the stage. Back in the office, the Mellen team were being slammed with phone calls on whether the show will go on or will refunds be needed. Consumer Relations and keeping the public informed of what was going to happen was difficult as the weather was so unpredictable and Mellen wanted to wait as long as they could before they would cancel the show. Literally 10mins before the gates opened the rain stopped and it was the clearest, most beautiful night we could have asked for!

Having the show 'go on' was the best satisfaction for me as we all had worked so hard to get the job right. Not just on the day but previously leading up to it too. It really gave me an insight into how events don't always go to plan but providing the right contingency plans and mind set, the show will still run smoothly in the end.

It also showed me how much of a workout an event can be too! Lifting, moving and organising things the whole day and night proves you gotta have stamina in the game :)

In the end, partaking in a show is great experience and I would recommend it to anyone. The stress, the excitement and the satisfaction all come together and I am loving every moment!

Signing out :)

Ahh isn't it lovely, to have completed your report, finally be free of the stresses of the week, only to realise I still have one blog outstanding - lucky I have something to share :)

Throughout my placement at Mellen Events, I have really been exposed to the concept of integrated communications. If I have said it once, I have said it 1000 times, I truly believe in order to successfully interact with your stakeholders, specific concepts of communications must be integrated, and you may actually be working against yourself to keep everything so separated.

Advertising, marketing, PR. They are all simialiar in some ways, but before I started at Mellen Events, I didn't quite realise how far the integration of PR activities actually span. If we look at the Operations Manager, her role is to liaise with local councils and governments a lot of the time, working on those relationships and building news once for concert venues and events locations. She is also the internal communicator, who links all the either departments together, so everyone is on the same page and aware of each others roles and activities.

Then the actual event coordinators and managers, who are constantly working with stakeholders, and maintaining partnerships and sponsorships. They are also working to satisfy their largest stakeholders, event patrons. Not to mention the absolute NEED for contingency planning in every aspect of an event. They need to have a plan for when a show is cancelled, moved or postponed, erergency procedures, ways to deal with budget limitations etc. Its just so interesting to see how, what I initially thought was solely one profession and skill, can be worked into so many areas of business.

I am so glad to have learnt so much from my placement. I hope you have all enjoyed this unit as much as i have :) (especially writing the report ha ha)

Good luck with all your future endeavours and of course exams,

Mel
xx