The event industry is struggling with a major staff shortage. Many staff members have been working in other sectors since corona and the vacancies that have arisen as a result are far from all filled. “We really need to get people excited about the industry again.”
Once again, the sector has staff shortages, because there were too few employees last year. Rosanne Janmaat of festival organization ID&T explains the problem by the two-year closure of the branch. “You see that the people who worked for us have ended up in other places. We really have to do our best to make them enthusiastic again.”
Long lines for beer
For the first time in history, ID&T is therefore launching its own campaign. Normally the staff is arranged for them from outside, but now the company is making every effort to find people itself. Janmaat emphasizes that potential employees should realize that the festival season will continue again. “People really need to know that we’re ‘on’ again.”
Vacancies are available throughout the industry: from bar staff to medical staff. “We are looking for people in the broadest sense of the word,” explains Janmaat.
If the staff shortages persist, the festival experience may be different than before, according to Janmaat. “Think of longer waiting times for your beer. And that is of course very annoying when your favorite artist is just starting.”
Open after two years
“The last thing we want is that you can open after two years and the festival does not come about as planned”, Janmaat sighs. “Not all places have been filled yet, so we still have to work hard.”
In the worst case, the festivals will become smaller in scale. But Janmaat does not want to think about that scenario yet. “We will be able to continue the festivals normally,” she concludes.