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How small gestures of gratitude can transform show culture
I will never forget one of my first corporate events when I was running the deck. At the end of the show, the stage manager/show caller walked around and shook everyone’s hand, thanking the entire production team before leaving the ballroom. I thought that showed real class, and I’ve made it a habit to do the same ever since. Those few moments of gratitude can leave a lasting impression on everyone involved.
Maybe it’s been a long week with early mornings, quick turns, and coffee that barely kept up.
In live events, gratitude travels faster than any cue. It cuts through chaos, resets energy, and reminds everyone why they do this work in the first place.
At Tempo, we’ve seen it hundreds of times. The teams that show appreciation run smoother, communicate better, and build something every client wants: loyalty.
A thank you carries weight everywhere
In live events, things move fast. Calls are tight, timelines are tighter, and everyone is balancing the next cue with the last minute change that just came in. Amid that intensity, a thank you lands like a deep breath.
It’s more than courtesy. It’s tone setting.
When someone pauses to acknowledge good work, it signals calm and respect. It tells the team, “I see you, and we’re in this together.” Whether it’s in the production office, the control room, the stage, or the ballroom, appreciation creates connection across every corner of the show.
A quick “you’re doing great” during rehearsal or a nod of recognition before doors can keep everyone focused and steady. And sometimes it’s a quiet moment at the end of the night, the show caller or producer thanking the entire crew before heading out, that lingers long after the final cue.
The ripple effect is real
Gratitude spreads. When one person takes the time to say thank you, others follow. Before long, the tone of the entire team shifts: lighter, calmer, and more connected.
That’s the ripple effect. A few genuine words can lift the mood of an entire show. Gratitude doesn’t slow production down; it smooths everything out.
Gratitude builds loyalty
Freelancers remember how they’re treated long after the show wraps.
They remember who offered a quick thank you after rehearsal ran long. They remember the producer who said, “Your calm made all the difference.” They remember the teammate who sent a simple note after show day to say, “You made that look easy.”
Those gestures don’t just feel good; they build trust and loyalty. When people feel appreciated, they return. They care more. They bring their best energy to the next cue and the next show.
Gratitude costs nothing but pays off everywhere
November is a natural time to pause and say thanks, not just because it’s Thanksgiving month, but because it’s a chance to reflect on the kind of teams we build.
We’re thankful for the clients who trust us with their shows, for the freelancers who bring their best every time, and for the energy that keeps this community moving forward.
In live events, there’s always pressure, always change, and always another cue. But gratitude is the constant that keeps us steady.
A thank you today can echo all the way to next year’s call sheet.
Proud and grateful to work with the best freelancers on the planet.
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