This unit applies to staging management for any type of event. It may be relevant in any industry context, but has particular application in the cultural, community, hospitality, sporting and tourism sectors. The unit focuses on the key knowledge and skills required to manage overall event staging from an organisational and contractor management perspective. It requires the application of advanced planning, organisation and communication skills combined with a detailed knowledge of the event management process and broad understanding of individual specialist services.

A complex event comprising multiple components must involve:

need for a comprehensive and multifaceted event plan

need for a formal internal or external communications strategy

dedicated and diverse event budget

multiple administrative and operational components

a wide range of stakeholders

an event operations team.

It does not cover the high levels of technical expertise required to provide individual specialist services, including catering, technical, creative and sporting. The unit is distinct from staging specialisation units that apply to staging technicians and stage managers in the entertainment industry.

Depending on the event type and context, this role may be undertaken by a manager working within a venue or site, by an independent event manager or by a combination of both.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Analyse event staging requirements.

1.1

Analyse event staging requirements based on detailed review of all aspects of the proposed event.

1.2

Develop an accurate summary of staging requirements for each event component in consultation with key stakeholders.

1.3

Incorporate safety and risk management issues into all planning of event staging.

2

Source and negotiate staging contractors.

2.1

Identify and source appropriate contractors to provide services for the event.

2.2

Provide accurate and complete staging specifications detailing precise requirements to contractors, based on sound product and service knowledge.

2.3

Obtain complete and timely quotations for the provision of products and services.

2.4

Analyse quotations, conduct negotiations and select contractors using product and service knowledge to make informed decisions.

2.5

Confirm agreements with contractors in writing to include details and costs of all services.

3

Monitor staging contractors.

3.1

Monitor pre-event progress with staging components at regular intervals through ongoing liaison with contractors and other stakeholders.

3.2

Evaluate work completed against event requirements and time schedules, and take appropriate action to address delays or other problems to maintain event quality and integrity.

3.3

Assess the need for staging adjustments to maintain event quality and integrity and negotiate appropriate changes.

3.4

Negotiate and confirm adjustments to maintain event quality and integrity.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

communication and negotiation skills to conduct complex negotiations for the supply of products and services, and to manage staging contractors during the event management and operations process

problem solving skills to address complex issues, such as poorly-performing contractors, changing requirements and other operational constraints

literacy skills to interpret and develop complex and detailed event documentation

numeracy skills to work with budgets and detailed quotations for the supply of products and services.

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

different roles and responsibilities of organisations involved in event staging

suppliers of staging products and services and sources of information on staging services

specific risk management issues to be considered for different areas of event staging

product and service terminology, features and options, and current technology in key areas of staging, including:

catering

venue or site services and set-ups

technical services, including audiovisual, lighting, sound, rigging and special effects

entertainers

registration requirements and set-ups

physical elements, including display, furniture and temporary structures

security

media coverage

safety equipment

key inclusions for contractor briefing and specification documents.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

general knowledge of the range of staging services and related terminology to allow for informed planning and decision-making

ability to source, organise and coordinate multiple staging contractors as part of the overall event management process

management of the staging of at least one complex event.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to an event venue

access to all equipment required for the staging of an event

liaison with and involvement of multiple contractors.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

evaluation of the staging of an event managed by the candidate through attendance at the event

review of documentation used to manage staging contractors prepared by the candidate

questioning of contractors to assess the organisational skills of the candidate

case studies to assess ability to determine staging requirements for different events

oral or written questions to assess knowledge of key staging services and relevant terminology

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

Assessing employability skills

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Event staging requirements may relate to:

exhibition set-up

audiovisual

disabled and emergency access

display and decoration

furniture and temporary structures

special effects

entertainment

sound and lighting

stage design

rigging

catering and catering set-up

security.

Key stakeholders may include:

attendees, delegates, guests or participants

clients or host organisation

contractors and suppliers

sponsors

emergency services

regulatory authorities.

Contractors may include:

venues and sites

speakers and entertainers

staging and technical specialists, including pyrotechnicians, special effects, sound and lighting

display suppliers

caterers

equipment hire companies.

Staging specifications may include or relate to:

price

performance standards

timelines

technical specifications for such things as equipment

theme-related requirements

regulatory requirements.

Staging adjustments may relate to:

changes in numbers

capacity of supplier to deliver quality outcome

budgetary changes

unexpected difficulties with staging components.

Sector

Cross-Sector

Event Management

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit is packaged will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.