LOGISTICS
SUMMER | SECTOR FOCUS
New products, efficiencies and
approaches are redefining event logistics
I
t’s not the most glamourous
sector of the industry,
but event logistics ¬– the
science of planning, controlling
and managing the transfer,
storage and other tangible and
intangible operations performed
in the process of event planning
and management – is vital to
the bottom line.
Jim Davey, managing director,
Redwood Event Solutions says
testing the feasibility of an event
site for either a new event, or
the expansion of an existing one
is vital to efficient and smooth
running logistics. “Through a
full feasibility study, we assess
everything from the drainage,
soil type, existing services and
the all-important hard standing
/ road networks through to
larger commercial concerns like
local demographic and travel
logistics. This in-depth analysis
means that we can give clients
a clear and practical assessment
of the proposed site – offering
solutions to any issues that the
report uncovers. At this initial
stage we can clearly outline the
site’s strengths, weaknesses
and challenges. In short if it will
work or not,” he says.
Elsewhere, better logistics
helped E2b deliver operational
support to several major brands
at The International Food Event
(IFE) 2019 following a surge in
new business. The company
was already experienced in
delivering event logistics for
many of the UK’s leading food
and beverage brands, but needed
systems in place to ensure all
the companies’ event equipment
and stock were all returned
to e2b’s extensive warehouse
facility and managed by the
team until they’re next required.
E2b has more than 95,000
sqm of warehousing space,
where it stores and maintains
marketing and promotional
materials, along with sampling
products and stock, for a whole
host of major food and beverage
brands.
E2b’s global operations
director, John Ford, says: “What
was great about the IFE event
was the number of new clients
that we were working with.
Having new kit and products
coming back to the warehouse
from two major brands
demonstrates the period of rapid
growth that we’re currently
experiencing.”
Elsewhere, brands are
innovating to improve logistical
operations with new products
Pictured: Shelby Moran
and services. Eventric’s Master
Tour is software designed to
make touring and live event
easier. It has changed the way
that Shelby Moran, Warner
Music Nashville, works with
artists & touring. “Prior to
my arrival in Nashville ticket
requests and artists schedules
were being tracked via Excel
grids and Word documents
over email. While I knew that
this was commonplace at
other labels, I had the unique
opportunity to build something
new. Master Tour was a real-
time database that could track
ticket requests, build schedules,
and house calendars. Completely
foreign two years ago, you now
can’t step into a meeting in our
building without Master Tour
being referenced or someone
pulling up the app. It has
significantly impacted the DNA
and day-to-day operations of our
company.”
The latest version of Master
Tour, MT3.0 segments the user
experience, meaning talent
doesn’t need to know when the
crew has load in, nor do the
lighting team need to worry
about the talent’s publicity
schedule. Master Tour also
allows admins to determine
who sees what, reducing repeat
entries.
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