The Importance of Onsite Registration Management

Dec 17, 2024 | Event Registration, Expertise

onsite registration preview
onsite registration preview

The Importance of Onsite Registration Management

Dec 17, 2024 | Event Registration, Expertise

In the fast-paced world of events, onsite registration management can quickly become overwhelming without the right support. That’s where On-Site Managers (OSMs) step in. Responsible for a wide range of registration tasks—from managing teams to providing technical support—OSMs are essential in creating a seamless experience for attendees and organisers alike.

In this article, we’ll explore the importance of OSMs and how they effectively guarantee event registration success. Along the way, you’ll notice some tips and insights highlights from our seasoned team members— Vicky and Flo. With years of industry experience, they’ll share what it’s like to work as dedicated on-site Managers, ensuring every aspect of the registration process runs effortlessly.

What is an OSM at JET?

At JET, our OSMs know the events industry in and out, with many of them being part of it for decades. Their primary goal? Ensuring registration runs smoothly on-site throughout the event. Whether it’s providing support or troubleshooting issues, our OSMs are there to help with any registration requirements.

What are the responsibilities of an OSM?

As previously mentioned, ensuring smooth on-site registration is a key aspect of an OSM’s role. But what specific responsibilities does the role come with to make this happen?

“As the first point of contact for visitors, we play a crucial part in ensuring visitors have a great impression of the event before they even get scanned in, it’s important to provide a smooth and positive experience right from the start. As an OSM, this means being approachable, friendly and knowledgeable. Not only do we help visitors, delegates and exhibitors enter the event, but we also ensure all on-site staff are fully trained in the JET registration technology, meaning everything runs seamlessly on the day”

“One of the key factors in the role of an OSM is thinking on your feet. Working in events, especially on-site, means there is never a guarantee that everything will go according to plan — that’s just how it is”.

“But having the skills of being proactive and reactive to time-sensitive situations or last-minute changes of plans can make all the difference between a bad and a good event experience!

Another essential part of being an OSM is keeping visitors informed as and when needed about aspects of the event and being a general go-to for assistance on the day. To make sure the event experience is excellent, it’s important that visitors know they’ve got someone they can turn to with any questions or queries. Transparency is key and helps build a level of trust between us and the organisers we work with.”

How does JET Do Things Differently?

Personal Touch

Most event registration suppliers may provide an On-site Manager to simply oversee the technical setup of the registration on the events build-up day. While this is an essential part of preparing for the event, we believe it misses a crucial part of the job. At JET, we see the role of an OSM as customer-facing, which is why our OSMs go beyond just technical support —they deliver a comprehensive, customer-focused experience.

“It’s true — some providers opt to send an On-site Manager solely to handle the technical aspects. However, in my experience, directly engaging with the Organising teams, Exhibitors and Visitors on the day, creates a more welcoming and positive event experience. Once our event tech solution is set up and the staff are trained in the event specifics, I prioritise being approachable, friendly and making genuine connections. I always remind our teams that we are the event’s first point of contact and, as such, creating a positive start to the exhibitor’s and visitors’ day is essential. Event organisers often dedicate an entire year to planning their event so we must represent their efforts with the utmost professionalism. Building relationships is a key aspect of being an On-site Manager, not only for adding a personal touch but also for establishing trust and confidence in the seamless service that JET provide.”

Going Above and Beyond

“Going above and beyond” is a phrase our clients often use to describe our OSMs—and we couldn’t agree more! Over the years, we’ve seen countless occasions where our OSMs have gone the extra mile to help organisers and their attendees.

‘We take our registration services a step further by fully committing to the organiser’s vision for their event. Whether it’s distributing customised show guides or having branded products at registration, as OSMs we want to ensure everything looks exactly how the organiser intended it to look. We also make it easier by keeping the registration area tidy and welcoming. It’s about being flexible and accommodating to the organiser’s needs. For me, it’s doing more than what is expected and showing that we are truly invested in making their event a success”

What Are The Challenges Involved In Being An OSM?

Challenges are an inevitable part of any role in the events industry and can crop up at any time. From unforeseen situations like sudden, severe weather disrupting an outdoor event to logistical issues such as limited parking space at a venue, there’s always a chance something could go wrong. However, thanks to the quick reactions of experienced event professionals like our OSMs, these challenges can be quickly addressed and resolved, ensuring the event runs smoothly.

“As anyone who works in events knows, they can be challenging, fast-paced environments which we have to adapt to when unexpected situations arise. At JET we’re always ready to handle whatever comes our way. On one occasion, at an overseas event, there was an unexpected issue at customs. This was completely out of our control and caused a delay in the delivery of our registration equipment. With years of experience as an OSM, I’ve learned the importance of collecting all the information, in a time-critical situation, to allow me to make a comprehensive decision in the moment. In this case, we acted quickly, arranging another shipment as a contingency to ensure the client had everything they needed on time.”

Conclusion

Onsite Operations Managers or OSMs, are essential in ensuring a smooth and stress-free on-site event registration experience. At JET, our OSMs are dedicated to going above and beyond in their roles when it comes to onsite registration management. From delivering an excellent customer service experience to taking on additional tasks and helping meet specific registration needs, they ensure a seamless experience for all event attendees.

If you’d like to find out more about our onsite registration management service, get in touch with us today.

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