Running an event? Need a little help? Or a lot of help, even? We’ve rounded up our pick of suppliers and helpers in and around the eventing industry who can help with everything you can’t do yourself.
You’re welcome 🙂
01. Production
A production company helps you conceptualise and execute your event properly, as well as obtain all the necessary permits you will need to host the event (need we say more). Some of the many reasons to get help, rather than trying to do everything yourself, is that production companies are familiar with most venues, as well as being in the know about licenses and permits needed, while they often have great relationships with reliable and well-priced suppliers, as well as yeeeeears of experience to boot. They can avoid common industry mistakes and handle stressful, difficult situations for you, helping to ensure that your event runs smoothly and there are no embarrassing and/or expensive glitches.
Savage & Strong
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.savageandstrong.co.za
Luke Armstrong | Julia Savage
[email protected] | [email protected]
+27 072 614 3245 (Luke) | +27 72 386 1690 (Julia)
02. Waste management
Where there is an event, there are people. And where there are people, there is waste. Sigh. What you may not know is that in order for an event permit to be granted you need a waste plan and someone to deal with it for you. Getting in a waste company will sort out this plan for you, and will generally recycle as much as they can, and will give you a report on what quantities were recycled or dumped. A win for you, and our planet.
Urban Wise
Website:
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Email address:
Trash Pirates
Contact person:
Email address:
Warren Baines
[email protected]
03. Technical gear
If you are running a music event, you’ll need to hire in sound, lighting equipment, possibly even some kind of crazy rig that shoots fireworks to a crazy beat. A lot of your attendee’s experience of your event will hinge on this kinda stuff being perfect, so make sure that you have the best you can afford. The technical manager will also be able to recommend the correct setup based on your venue and attendance. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
Ultra Events
Website:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.ultraevents.co.za
[email protected]
+27 21 447 1451 / 2
Kilowatt
Website:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.kilowatt.co.za
[email protected]
+27 86 100 0363
Golden Circle
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
www.goldencircle.co.za
Lindsay Barton
[email protected]
04. Backline suppliers
If your event involves bands, you may be required to supply instruments, so unless you have a serious collection of these at home, you’ll need to call a friend. Unless you know Dave Grohl, in which case, call him.
Thundabird (Cape Town)
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SA Backline (Johannesburg)
Contact person:
Email address:
Contact number:
Gorksie Madiera
[email protected]
+27 11 3144419
05. Tents & marquees
If your event is outdoors, you’ll need to provide protection from the elements. Stretch tents are more aesthetically pleasing, and generally cheaper than PVC marquees, but aren’t as secure – so you’ll have to think about what’s more important for your event while thinking of your budget and your event-goer’s needs..
Dimensions
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
Stretch Inc.
Website:
Contact person:
www.stretchinc.co.za
Dan Meyer
Banks R & L
Website:
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Email address:
Contact number:
www.banksrl.co.za
Morne
[email protected]
+27 21 510 7011
Elite Marquees
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.marquees.co.za
Byron Gove
[email protected]
+27 21 976 3413
06. Bar infrastructure
Complete your event with a top-notch bar provided by professionals. As well as dealing with all the staff and cash ups on the day they will also be able to assist you with that much-needed liquor license application. Another massive bonus!
Battalion
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
www.battalion.co.za
Maris Van Rensburg
[email protected]
Carbon Events
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
www.carbonevents.co.za
Nick Dekker
[email protected]
07. Two-way radios
Communication on the day is vital to a well-run, and safe event. And the best way to do this without using cellphones (especialy when there is no signal) is by getting hold of a set of two-way radios (or Walkie-Talkies). They come with up to 16 separate channels on them which is useful when you are running multiple departments that each need their own clear channel for communication while still being able to contact other departments.
Procom Radio Communications
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.procomradio.co.za
Jacqui Moses-Coetzee
[email protected]
+27 21 982 4549
RadioDotComm
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.radiodotcomm.co.za
Amy
[email protected]
+27 21 706 5024
08. Toilets
Arguably one of the most important things to get right at your event. You don’t want to fall short in providing portable facilities, and have people waiting for hours in the queue. Similarly making sure your toilets are well maintained throughout the duration of your event will go a long way in ensuring the happiness of your guests.
The amount needed depends on the type of event you’re throwing, but as a general rule, you should provide a single toilet for every 75 people attending for a camp-over event (festival) and about one toilet per every 100 people attending for a shorter period event (concert).
Econoloo
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.econoloo.com
Michel
[email protected]
+27 21 551 0085
Sanitech
Website:
Contact number:
www.sanitech.co.za
+27 21 386 4634
09. Furniture
For all your Décor, furniture, crockery, cutlery, glassware and miscellaneous needs for your event.
Banks R & L
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.banksrl.co.za
Morne
[email protected]
+27 21 510 7011
Rogue Events
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.rogueeventsltd.com
Jonathan
[email protected]
+27 21 448 7017
10. Wristbands
Wristbands, although they take a little longer to put on at the door, are still the best way to secure your event, and make different ticket types distinguishable at a glance. Such as under 18s, VIP’s, etc. They also come in a variety of pretty excellent colours.
Secbands
Website:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.secbands.com
[email protected]
+27 86 197 4789
11. Safety officer
Safety should be of the most utmost importance to you since your guests are trusting you to keep them safe while they enjoy your event. Once again, in order to obtain an event permit you’ll need to appoint a safety officer who’ll also be able to assist you with your event application and make sure all crews are keeping safe on site during the build and strike phases of production. Better safe than sorry.
Orion Events
Website:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.orionevent.co.za
[email protected]
+27 21 852 2359
Eco Safety Event Projects
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
www.ecosafety.co.za
Alex Watson
[email protected]
12. Medic
In order to obtain an event permit you’ll need to submit a medical plan and have registered medical professionals on-site to implement it. Bear in mind that legally you need a medic on site for the COMPLETE DURATION of build, show and strike. You don’t want to be shouting “Is there a doctor in the house?”
Medicare EMR
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
www.medicare-emr.co.za
Garth Van Zyl
[email protected]
13. Fencing
Secure your outdoor event, and create entrance chutes for your guests entering in, and passing out using perfectly placed fencing. Fencing is also very useful for locking off no-go areas, back of house areas, and restricted access areas. It’s also a confusing sport but let’s not digress.
Carryon Projects
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
www.carryonprojects.co.za
Nicolene Murray
[email protected]
Panstula
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.pantsulafencing.co.za
Miriam
[email protected]
+27 21 913 2218
14. Security
Security are your eyes and ears on the ground, as well as being the Guardians of your event – keeping you and your guests safe! In order to have your event permit application approved you will need to submit a security plan and have sufficient security on site. In terms of legislation, you need one security guard per 70 people attending your event.
Orion Events
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.orionevent.co.za
Lee Sharples
[email protected]
+27 21 852 2359
Eyethu
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.eyethuevents.co.za/contact-us
Charl Barnard
[email protected]
+27 21 910 4896
CP Security
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.cpevents.co.za
Dougy Fivaz
[email protected]
+27 21 913 6041
15. Temporary WiFi installation
Internet access is needed for your scanning devices to sync at the door, and also essential to ensure they all have the same “checked in” data and that your online guestlist is updated to all devices when people buy tickets online (if you are leaving your online sales open while the event is running).
To keep your production running with as little interruption as possible, it is essential to have access to excellent Wifi on site.
A supplier like Access Ability provides managed WiFi connections that take care of all your on site social media needs, guest WiFi access, direct marketing campaigns and much more.
Access Ability
Website:
Contact person:
Contact number:
www.accessability.co.za
Demian Hauptle
+27 71 462 6937
16. Mobile charging stations
Having mobile charging stations at your event is a great value-ad, allowing your guests to connect with the outside world, find their friends, and take loads of photos. You can even make use of them to keep your staff connected and communicating.
As a bonus, giving your guests ways to stay connected means that they'll be more likely to post on social media, making your event more visible to those who weren't able to attend.
Rapid Charge Solutions is a supplier that offers various different mobile charging station options including locker units, table & stand units, and desk & portable units.
Rapid Charge Solutions
Website:
Contact person:
Email address:
Contact number:
www.rapidcharge.co.za
Mike Dix
[email protected]
+27 82 600 9494
Roxanne, part of our Organiser Success Team, started at Quicket as the first employee in 2013, and works closely with our family of Organisers to ensure that their events are successful, and that they get the very best of the Quicket platform. She is a mother of three girls (two of which are feline) and loves to spend her free time wondering around Cape Town, and developing new recipe’s in the kitchen.