Member Article

A day in the life of: R&B Group - events, production, communication

Unless we have an early event, the R&B Group day generally starts at 8.30am when the office staff arrive. Phones aren’t ringing quite so much before 9am so it’s a chance for the team to catch up over a cuppa, check messages from the night before and get ready for the day ahead.

The building comes alive at 9am when warehouse operations commence with the checking in of equipment from overnight returns from events around the country, followed by a logistics check regarding transport and staffing for the day.

During busy periods the warehouse team will probably prepare and load 3 or 4 events each day, as well as arranging delivery and collection of various local equipment hires. Most events involve some elements of scenery from our workshops so close liaison with the construction manager ensures that everything will be ready for loading when needed.

The Projects team arrive at the office between 9am and 10am depending on their schedule the day before. Out of the team of 6 it is rare for there to be more than 3 of them in the office at any time. At R&B Group our Project Managers follow an event from initial enquiry through quoting, specification and on to the final delivery. Providing a reassuring face for the client, they make sure that what has been discussed in advance is what is delivered on the day.

Our project managers are supported by a team of specialist event technicians with skills in lighting, sound, projection, video and scenery. The co-ordination of these resources is the responsibility of the Operations Director and his team who meet regularly to react to the ever changing needs of the enormous variety of events coming in to the Projects office each day. Many events are booked at very short notice these days, so our staff and systems have been fine tuned to ensure that we can always meet the demands put upon us.

Video production and multimedia graphic design staff also start work at 9am. Often we will be on site filming for a programme and editing in the suite for another simultaneously. With a keen focus on quality, we work to obtain great images and produce exciting programmes every time meaning lots of driving around the wider region and some pretty late nights in the edit suite. So too for graphic design with 3D motion screens to create for conference openers, awards shows and multimedia presentations. Naturally our graphic designers also provide an in-house service for our business development activities with the creation of literature, presentations and web-content.

Lunch is often taken at desks, although we encourage staff to take a break and many of them do pop to a local gym, take a walk along the Newcastle quayside or just chill out during their hour long break.

As the afternoon progresses, the warehouse team check that vehicles are ready for any de-rigs that may be happening overnight. Logistics staff send text message reminders to all crews about the following day. Our on-site teams gradually return to base and meetings draw to a close as the office staff begin to depart.

After 5pm, the building can still be a hive of industry with project managers working on designs and tenders for another few hours before wrapping up for the evening. It’s a good time for chatting about the events of the day, brainstorming ideas for future events, reviewing the content of the various social media channels, and generally winding down from another hectic day in the world of event production. Which just leaves the evening event teams out on site. It will be another few hours before they return and unload their vehicles, log any faulty equipment and check out for a well earned rest. It will only be a few hours before the office staff return and another day begins!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by R&B Group .