'Race Day'

Hola, It’s Race day!

I am dressed to the nines, heels, dress, headpiece, hair done, make-up on. It is all about the glamour, fashion and fast horses today. Well… at least until the band aids come out, the alcohol hits the race goers, and I get left in a track side tent, promoting memberships… to members. Anyone say  ‘ice to eskimo’s?’ 

The spring racing season launched on 15^th of October, a day where it’s all happening, however it was a somewhat anti climax for myself.

My day went a little as follows:

1.     Get up- spend hours getting dressed and ready and ensuring I adhered to strict dress codes.

2.     Arrive at the office at 10.30- pack a small amount of gift bags (due to water damage in the marquee the night before).

3.     Make my way over to meet the membership team at 11- there we sat a greeted members with a promotional bookies vouchers upon the presentation of their membership card.

4.     At 12pm was a last minute set up of the ‘Young Members’ function, where 75 people where due to arrive.

5.     At 12.30 I was placed trackside in a fenced area for ‘provisional’ members and members of Perth Racing. There it was my job for the next 4 hours to sell and promote memberships. The only problem was, 90% of the guest where either members or guest of member, with no reason to purchase.

6.     Home time 4.00pm!

This day however was not all bad, it allowed me time to reflect on the importance of public relation in a large-scale events and how small changes can make huge impacts.

Firstly the skill of time management throughout the duration of the event is quintessential. This seemingly obvious task is something that is often overlooked or dismissed throughout the duration of an event. Tools such as time-lines or order-of-events schedules are useful in management and should be readily available to all staff members involved.

Secondly the need for the correct allocation of resources to tasks. Take my experience on opening day; I could have been more useful in other areas of the event rather then placed in an area to no effect. All event staff should be utilised to ensure a smooth and effortless running of event occurs.

Lastly the need for evaluation after large-scale events is essential. Staff debriefs and feedback should be collected in order to improve areas of concern and also to highlight successful practices. This information should be adequately analysed and stored for future events.

Gab.