The Event Manager is responsible for the creation and development of the event and for managing the event and its outcomes from start to finish. The role includes devising the event concept, planning the logistics and coordinating the technical aspects before launching the event.

Event Planning

Using the Live and Local methodology template the event manager will have all the required documentation to put on the event. Use the Event Planning Document as your master planning information hub.

Host Event

Live and Local works with and alongside larger, pre-existing festivals and events i.e. a ‘host’ event. Creating a partnership with the host event and negotiating inclusion of your event in their overall marketing and publicity allows you to option on their broader connection to the community. The host event has to be secure and be reassured that your event will not hinder or poorly reflect on their name and assurances should be given. You’re offering an enhancement at no cost to the host event.

Event budget

Whether your event is in two venues or twenty venues it is important to establish a realistic budget.

Use the Event Master Budget template to plan the events income and expenditure. Seek funding from local councils, apply for grants or approach private enterprise such as hospitality associations or individual venues. Utilise the Sponsor Agreement template to organise the events contributions from your funding groups.

Main expenditure cost for the event will be:

• Wages – Event Manager , Publicist, Curator and Production Manager
• Artist Fees
• Production equipment hire and backline hire

Pay all the outstanding invoices and receive any outstanding income to allow for the budget to be balanced.

Location & Venues

It’s best to identify an area with a small footprint that has a number of available venues – pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants. Usually one street is good so you can condense the event and build a feeling of activity throughout the event.

It’s good to have one or two venues that already host live music, you can then branch out to other venues that are in close proximity to build the event around. The event should be at no cost to the venues unless they wish to sponsor the event. The aim is to expose the venues to live music, with best practise principles and showcase live music to new and existing customers. Thus making it attractive for the venue to continue programming live music as part of their normal business.

Once you have identified and agreed with the venues to be part of the event, complete and supply them with the Venue Agreement to be signed and returned.

Engage the Team

Source, negotiate and engage the essential members of the team-

• Publicist,
• Curator
• Production Manager

Recruit and manage volunteers for the event

Determine a timeline for all members of the team to work to to deliver their areas of the event.

Liaise with Local Authorities

Council, regulatory bodies and the police all need to be informed and hopefully partnered with, to gain support for the event. As the music is being placed in existing venues there should be no disruption to the area. Live and Local aims to not change normal business practices so there is no need for road closures or event infrastructure, its aim is to be “business as usual” incorporating live music.

Liaise with Artists

Once the curator has booked the artists to perform at the event the event manager can supply them with Artist Contracts to be signed and returned.

Closer to the event, request the artists send their stage plot and inputs lists, it would be a good idea to send the Artist Stage Plot/Inputs List document, which will explain what you require from them. This will need to be provided to your production manager so he/she knows the technical requirements of each performance.

Documentation

The event manager is responsible for producing and maintaining the documentation for the event and securing any required permits or licences needed. If venues included in the event do not hold an APRA public performance licence, a temporary licence to cover the event is easily obtained. More information on APRA licences can be found by clicking here.

Issuing Venue Contracts, Artist Contracts, Artist Worksheets, Venue Worksheets and completing the Operations Manual all are tasks to be completed by the event manager when the information is available.

Post Event

Coordinate the event debrief with members of the event team to discuss the overall outcomes.

Arrange for Event Surveys to be sent out to the Artists, Venues and Event Staff/Volunteers. Issue volunteer participation certificates to all event volunteers.

Collate event report, surveys, media report and final budget and distribute to all related stakeholders.