The Full Story

The Event Director had very limited time and needed to outsource several key responsibilities to an event management company. FBM&M were able to take over a selection of administration roles in the run up to the show. Responsibilities included: trader sourcing and booking, engaging security and traffic management companies, site visits/measurement surveys and finalising entertainment schedules. Taking on these jobs from the Event Director allowed her to focus on charity fundraising opportunities associated with the show.

In the month preceding the event, FBM&M interacted with exhibitors and traders to finalise a site map. FBM&M produced and issued site and vehicle passes for all companies and volunteers expected on site and acted as the first port of call for any questions (as an example of the weight of this communication load, in a 48 hour period during the lead up to the event FBM&M answered one hundred and twenty six emails and took fifty phone calls).

During the week before the event, FBM&M marked out the site, welcomed contractors, installed an arena and a performance stage, took deliveries and greeted exhibitors. In light of a very unsettled weather forecast (the first named storm of the year was expected to arrive on the weekend of the show) daily weather meetings were held with the event director.

On the day of the event FBM&M staff directed security, welcomed traders and controlled the flow of traffic on-site, provided technical stage management for stage performers and arena acts, took telephone calls from exhibitors and rectified any problems with the event as they occurred.

Due to exemplary planning of systems and equipment, the Salisbury Summer Fair was one of only two events in the region that were able to continue safely despite the unseasonal weather forecast.