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The freelance event world is always in motion, and this fall we’re noticing some clear shifts that are worth your attention. Whether you’re booking crews or working gigs, here are the trends shaping show site right now.
1. The Push for Local Talent
Budgets are tightening, and agencies are focusing on finding local crew to avoid flying talent to their events. For many clients and event agencies, this makes staffing more challenging because the right local talent isn’t always local. (For Tempo, though, this is a sweet spot.)
2. A Surge in Available People
We’ve seen more freelancers applying for roles than ever before. For clients, that means choice, but it also means more vetting is needed, which can be time-consuming and overwhelming for them. This is exactly where Tempo adds value, we handle the vetting so clients can focus on the bigger picture. For freelancers, it means you need to stand out with clarity. Your skills, resume, and communication style are essential to getting the gig.
3. Shifting Pace, More Last-Minute Hires
Overall, the booking pace has eased compared to past years. But here’s the curveball: There also seems to be more last-minute hires. That means schedules can shift quickly, and availability can influence which freelancers are hired. For clients, it highlights the importance of swift decision-making and effective communication.
4. Insurance & Compliance Rising
Agencies and venues are increasingly requiring general liability and even workers comp coverage for contractors. It’s becoming part of the baseline expectation, not the exception.
5. The Value of Chemistry
Even as numbers, logistics, and insurance dominate the conversation, one truth remains: a cohesive crew that communicates well helps makes a show seamless. That’s not something you find in a database or on a LinkedIn post, it comes from years of vetting and relationship-building.
At Tempo, we’re keeping an eye on these shifts because they affect both the clients and event agencies we serve, and the freelancers we support. The industry is always shifting, and keeping an eye on these changes can make the season run smoother for everyone involved.
For those booking crews, recognize that expectations and processes are changing quickly. For freelancers, the key to success is in how clearly you present your skills and how quickly and reliably you respond when opportunities come up.
Finding the right people makes all the difference! Hire a vetted event professional ready to seamlessly support your team whenever and wherever they are needed.