A HOSTESS PACKS UP: Why the job is so much fun!

Why the job is so much fun!

IIncluding mishaps, misfortunes and breakdowns

Isabel Fiedler is one of our most versatile hostesses, who we book regularly and with great pleasure because we can always rely on her. She has completed numerous jobs - in virtually every area of event marketing. Isabel is characterised by, among other things:

• reliability
• Punctuality
• Sociability
• well-groomed appearance

Beginners can benefit greatly from her many years of experience. We therefore interviewed her and asked her how she gets good jobs, what she says to difficult customers and what failures, misfortunes and mishaps she remembers.

Isabel, when is the best time, the best age, to start as a hostess or promoter?

"I started during my A-levels, so very early on. And then I just kept going, during my training and during my job. Where else can you earn money so easily if you have the right attitude and enjoy dealing with people? And that's also independent of age at some point - because some customers want people who are good at selling, enjoy life and have brains - and aren't just young and pretty. I'm all of these things in one, of course." (Here she gives us her mischievous Isabel laugh)

Do you know anyone who doesn't enjoy it?

"The hostess job? If you have the service gene, i.e. you're emphatic, attentive and friendly, then the job is super easy. But without these qualities? Difficult!"

The sedcard decides

Do you get a lot of jobs or are the jobs distributed among the many hostesses in Germany?

"To date, I've probably completed around 550 jobs as a hostess - and I've done everything from service to back office, Trade fair and Promotion. I have the mega luxury of being able to pick and choose jobs based on my experience. I always go for foreign assignments straight away because I can then use my foreign language skills and I just really enjoy it. Especially when I can work with a reliable Agency like TRUST Promotion. Then I know that everything will work out on site.

To ensure that I am regularly requested, I update my Sedcard. The project managers at the agency need to see that I'm active, employable and, above all, versatile. And the more often I'm booked, the more enquiries come in the future - one thing leads to another."

So it works. Have you ever had an embarrassing or unpleasant experience while working as a hostess?

"Yes, of course! The classic. We had a Event in a 5* hotel. The sommelier had cancelled and I confidently stepped in. So I presented the red wine to the prince of so-and-so and somehow didn't get the cork right beforehand - well - in any case, I tipped the wine over his lap with a flourish!"

Oh dear! Also very unpleasant

for the prince!
"Yes - but hello. So for the rest of the evening I walked around with a red head - and he with red trousers, until his entourage brought him a replacement ...

For me alone, it was a Casting terribly embarrassing. I was responsible for the process and had helped the models put on their make-up again before a shoot and used the moment to disappear for a moment myself. Back in the loft with models, agents, Photographers and customers, I went back to the models, touched up my powder or brushed a strand of hair out of my face. After 15 minutes, a guy said to me that my skirt had slipped. Unfortunately, it hadn't just slipped, it was stuck halfway down my knickers."

"I do this job because I want to have fun."

At least he said something and it wasn't offensive. Have you ever been spoken to in a flippant way from the side in your job?

"It's been tried, but I didn't show them my weak side. At Bauma, a male-dominated event, one gentleman thought it would be appropriate to speak to me rudely. I then grabbed him, asked him to leave the group and told him in private that I didn't want that. This usually works very well in one-to-one conversations. I also advise my colleagues to do the same and recommend: "Silence them with charm!"

That doesn't seem to be a problem for you. What has been your most successful event so far?

"Wow, that's difficult. I'm made in such a way that I can always pull out something great or positive. The gratitude of the guests gives me a lot, or the fact that I've helped to create a good atmosphere.
The tour with Nike Outdoor in 6o stadiums was great. We spent over a week in the great outdoors with a super group in Nike outfits. The client thanked us profusely afterwards and I was really pleased with the praise. I want the client and the agency to be happy, that's why I do the job."

What are the dos and don'ts of hostesses?

Now that we have interviewed our reliable and friendly hostess, we would like to give you a brief overview of the dos and don'ts of hostesses. If you stick to these things, nothing stands in the way of a successful trade fair appearance and event.

Dos	Dont`s
Appropriate dress code	Unfriendliness towards colleagues, team leaders and visitors
Punctual appearance	Arrive poorly prepared
Compliance with specifications	Small talk with colleagues in front of customers
Thinking along is welcome	Eating, drinking, smoking in front of visitors
Ability to work in a team	Wrong clothes
Communication skills	Not well-rested and 100 per cent fit

Friendliness, punctuality and an appropriate appearance are very important. It is also necessary to always wear appropriate clothing. If hostesses do not distinguish themselves from visitors in terms of dress code, it is difficult for visitors to find a contact person.

Most clients specify the dress code for hostesses so that nothing can go wrong. It is usually a relaxed dress code in which hostesses always feel comfortable, even during a long and exhausting day at the trade fair. Depending on the event and the client, the desired Outfit made available. In another article, we have summarised the most important factors relating to the Business outfit and the casual dress summarised. There you will find suggestions and important information for hostesses.