Start with the jobs people need to do
Walk the route your guests will take from the street or car park to their seats. At each point, ask whether someone needs to give directions, manage a queue, control access or deal with a refusal. That list gives a supplier a clearer brief than a request for a fixed number of people.
When stewards are the better fit
At an open community event, guests may mainly need help finding the right entrance, accessible routes, seating or facilities. Give stewards a map, the running order and a named contact for anything they need to escalate.
When to request security or both teams
If your plan includes searches, refusals or protecting restricted areas, describe those duties in the security brief. The SIA guidance explains when a licence is needed. At a busy ticketed venue, stewards can direct guests before they reach the door while security handles the duties assigned to it. Agree who takes over when a routine guest question becomes an incident.
SIA guidance on event duties and licensing
What to include in your enquiry
- Venue and postcode, event date and operating hours
- Expected attendance, arrival peaks and a layout showing entrances
- Entry rules, restricted areas and who has final say on the door
