What is an Event Crew? Meaning and Roles

Live events all rely on one essential element to make sure they’re successful and run smoothly. Hiring a skilled event crew isn’t just a logistical necessity, it also means that behind your event there are industry professionals working on everything from building complex stages to controlling intricate light displays, ensuring your event is nothing short of flawless.

In this article, we’ll explore what an event crew means, what they do, and the different types of crew roles, looking at why having the right crew behind the scenes is important for a safe and successful event.

Event Crew Meaning

Event crew are behind-the-scenes professionals who help to build, run, and dismantle events of all sizes. They assist with almost every aspect of event setup, operation and breakdown, and cover a wide range of abilities from stagehands and steel hands, to AV technicians and plant operators. An event crew also works alongside your production crew to ensure everything runs smoothly from start to finish.

Whether you’re looking for help with a festival, a corporate event or a music concert, having a reliable and skilled event crew is the foundation of any live event.

What Does an Event Crew Do?

An event crew is responsible for key aspects of an event. Here are some of the things they specialise in:

Staging, Lighting & Sound Equipment

Our event crew holds skilled individuals who can offer their expertise on things such as erecting and disassembling staging, as well as managing intricate lighting and sound equipment. Whether you need help with a music concert in a sold out arena or a professional conference, an event crew provides the experience and precision needed to bring your event to life.

Load/Unload Kit

An event crew is responsible for unloading and loading heavy and delicate kit, whether it’s AV technology or stage parts. With plant operators on site to provide needed support in handling equipment, you can ensure that every item is moved safely and efficiently. 

Manage Crowd Barriers & Signage

Event crew can organise crowd control barriers, as well as put up and take down useful event signage. They help make your event clear, straightforward, and safe for your guests, no matter how big or small your event is.

Assist with Safety Checks & On-Site Logistics

Event crews understand that safety is the top priority of every event, and they must perform safety checks of structures, electrical equipment, and access points to ensure that your event is safe for everyone involved. 

Types of Event Crew and Their Roles

Event crews hold many individuals who specialise in certain areas of event setup, event management and event breakdown. Each team within the crew focuses on a specific area, from technical elements to building seating areas. Here are some of the key roles in an event crew:

General crew: The general crew are flexible workers who assist across multiple departments, offering support on a wide range of tasks and responsibilities.

Stagehands: The stagehands will help build staging, AV units and lighting rigging. They’re highly skilled and carry out manual work to a high standard.

Technical crew: Technical crew members are responsible for handling sound, lighting and video technology, ensuring that all these elements work together to bring your vision to life.

Plant operators: Plant operators are fully trained and qualified to operate forklifts, MEWPs and telehandlers, taking on the more physically challenging tasks with skill and care.

Riggers: Handling truss systems and overhead structures is the key responsibility of a rigger. They make sure all equipment, such as lighting, speakers, and rigging is safely secured and correctly positioned.

Backstage support: The backstage support crew help with logistical assistance and manages timings to make sure everything stays on schedule.

Why is Event Crew Important for a Smooth Event Operation?

There’s a lot to consider when planning an event, and hiring a professional and reliable event crew takes some pressure and stress off you. Working with an event crew means they handle tough tasks and responsibilities such as stage building, managing AV systems and operating heavy machinery, ultimately leading to faster venue builds, fewer delays and safer environments for everyone. 

No one appreciates the value of efficiency, safety, and high-quality work like an event crew, and they’re there to ensure your event unfolds exactly as you envision. If you’re looking for an experienced and reliable event crew to assist with your next production, reach out to us, and we’ll help make your event a success.

Skills and Qualities of a Great Event Crew Member

The best event crew combines technical and industry knowledge with practical reliability and teamwork. Key qualities of an event crew member include:

Time management

Physical fitness

Calmness under pressure

Problem-solving skills

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Skilled crew members bring reliability and professionalism to every project, turning complex plans into seamless, memorable experiences for both organisers and guests.

How to Hire the Right Event Crew

If you need to hire an event crew for your event but aren’t sure where to start, there are a few things you should look out for when selecting the right crew:

Experience

Make sure you hire a crew that has all the relevant experience to be able to crew your event successfully. At Five Star, we have over a decade of real industry experience under our belts, bringing a high level of professionalism and expertise to each job.

Certifications

While experience is important, it’s also crucial to ensure you work with an event crew that holds all the necessary qualifications. From first aid to training in manual handling, certifications and training provide not only the event crew, but also you and your guests a safe environment to enjoy the event. 

Reliability

Working with a reliable event crew is key to running a successful event. A strong, experienced and reliable crew can be the difference between a good event and a great one, so it’s essential to research and select your event crew with care.

If you’re looking for a trusted, experienced crew for your next event, speak to our team today.

Make Your Next Event a Success with the Right Crew

From the early morning load-ins to the late night pack downs, event crews bring expertise, precision, and teamwork to ensure that every detail of your event comes together. Whether you’re looking for a festival crew, a theatre crew or a corporate crew, having skilled people behind the scenes makes all the difference.

Make your event a success with a Five Star crew by simply contacting us with your requirements.

Event Crew Meaning FAQs

What is an event support crew?

Event support crew is a team of people who work behind the scenes to ensure every aspect of an event runs smoothly. They work in areas such as building stages, seating areas and booths, to handling props and executing AV components. Often offering support from the beginning to the end of an event, a good event crew provides much needed support and assistance on and around an event.

What does an event crew do?

An event crew handles many responsibilities, from helping to assemble venues and putting up signage to offering technical support and backstage assistance. They provide the production team with support and guidance on tech and logistics, and relief for physical tasks.

How early should I hire an event crew?

It’s best to book your event crew as early as possible, so as soon as you know your event dates and the venue is confirmed. However, we understand that this isn’t always possible, and things might change at the last minute, which is why we offer fast deployment with as little as 24 hours’ notice (subject to availability). If you’re in need of an event crew at short notice, reach out, and we’ll try to help with your event.