Time is the most valuable commodity

Continuing on from my previous post, we are now currently five days out from the huge event that will be Future Music Festival this year, and it has been stressful to say the least.

This has given me an insight into how large scale events work (or don't work) and how putting together these kind of events requires hundreds of companies and potentially thousands of people to have to work together, to achieve a general universal goal. Communication is key. Once communication is lost or blurred, this is where problems arise.

I never thought I would be given this amount of responsibility. I am very grateful on one hand, but have been given so much responsibility in an area where let's face it, I am no expert. In the past few weeks I have booked in food vendors, furniture, decor, hair stylists and make up artists, port-a-loos, staff for Future Music's VIP areas. All while recording every thing I have purchased or ordered as I have to stick to a strict budget. I have had to liaise with all these clients about delivery/collection, create site maps and spread sheets upon spread sheets, to make sure everyone knows what is to be done and what I have purchased/hired.

This sounds glamorous, but has in fact been the most stressful job I have ever come across as I have not had much information to go off, besides a budget. It makes it very difficult when most of the team work in other states, and you have to factor in time difference, as well as them having to organise 6 shows across Australia. Time is such an exhausted and valuable resource in the events world and it is always running out. I would in fact argue that my role, should have been a paid full time job commitment, hence the stress of trying to fit all of this work into 1-2 days a week.

Needless to say I am counting down the days until Future is upon us, as I would I am very excited to see how the whole event comes together, and I am very excited to be able to relax.

Luckily I am part of an intern team here at Mellen Events and we are all feeling the same way, which makes it all a bit more comforting. With all of the team we have agreed this is definitely an events internship and not a public relations one. Seeing as these industries often go hand in hand, we feel the experience is invaluable.

Billie Reason