Cool Ways You Can Keep Waiting Times Down at Your Event

As Eric Cartman so clearly pointed out, there are few things more infuriating than waiting in line. Everybody does it - everybody has to do it, at some point (it’s the definition of a “necessary evil”) - but as the manager of an event, it’s your responsibility to help keep the wait times in these lines down to a something that is manageable.

So, how can you do it?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a single magic wand that you can wave in order to make the lines go down. These are your customers and your clients, after all, and they’re the people that you’re going to be relying on in order to keep your profits up. So, the best thing that you can do is to deal with the lines that you’re given and try to reduce the time spent in them.

1. Use signage to direct the crowds - One of the best things you can do at a crowded venue is to make sure that the people who are waiting aren’t pushed together, clown-car style. Use a “Do Not Pass” sign to block off excess crowds or patrons from getting into an already-stuffed area and make sure that the flow is smooth. Have clear signage that marks where vital aspects of your venue - the bathrooms or the clerks - are, so that people don’t have to stand around, wait, and wonder. You may find these portable signs stands helpful.
2. Keep customers aware of the process - Don’t allow your patrons to be confused about what they should be doing when they arrive at your location. Have your employees brief them on the process for purchasing merchandise or where they should go, or have clear and concise signage that directs them exactly to where they need to go.
3. Remove obstacles that might impede crowds - You want areas to be clean and open, with clear lines of sight for the customers to get either to the event stage or the places where they can purchase merchandise. Remove any large obstacles - artwork, unnecessary fixtures, etc. - that may end up hindering this needed flow throughout the space. Also read our guide on how to optimally manage the flow of large crowds.
4. Have patient, helpful staff - For larger events, never underestimate herd mentality, investigate bringing in  event management staff that can help out with the large crowds. If you can’t, make sure that the staff you have are buttoned-up, helpful, patient, and well-informed. It’s these personality traits that can help the people that are waiting in line remain patient and steadfast as they enter your venue.
5. Use barricades and stanchions - It’s vital to maintain order among the people waiting in line, so each of them get serviced as efficiently and quickly as possible. In order to do that, try setting up a system to keep them organized while waiting. Use barricades or stanchions to set up lines that will keep the people waiting in an efficient, organized form.

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