Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, honest answers to the questions brands and event managers ask us most often, from pricing and coverage to how we make sure your staff are ready to sell. Can’t see your question? Add it to your quote request and we’ll reply in writing.
What does it cost to hire event staff or brand ambassadors?
Our quotes are all-inclusive, so the number we give you is the number you pay. It covers recruitment and screening, briefing staff on your brand, backup cover and a photo report after each shift. GST and approved expenses such as cups, ice, product or parking are charged at cost with receipts. In-store tastings are charged at a flat rate per shift and events are charged by the hour. Send us your dates, locations and staff numbers and we’ll put a written quote together.
How do I book staff with Buzz Promotions?
It only takes a few emails. Tell us your dates, times, locations, how many staff you need and what they’ll be doing. Once you’re happy with the quote, we send a staffing agreement to sign. After that, anyone on your team can book shifts by email, and every booking is confirmed in writing.
Can we have a call before booking?
Of course. To make the call useful, send us the basics first: dates, locations, staff numbers and duties. That way we can come prepared with availability, ideas and pricing instead of spending the call on questions an email could answer.
Which parts of Australia do you cover?
We provide staff for events, expos and in-store tastings in every state and territory, with local teams in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. You deal with one agency and one contact, no matter how many cities your campaign covers.
How do you make sure staff turn up and do a good job?
Reliability is built into everything we do. Each shift is confirmed with the staff member three separate times. Every person signs an agreement covering attendance, punctuality, presentation and behaviour, and we hold them to it. We only book people with proven experience, and anyone who falls short isn’t booked again. On the day, we check in during the shift, ask for photos and send you a photo report afterwards. Our no-show guarantee is written into every staffing agreement: if someone doesn’t turn up and we can’t replace them or reschedule, you aren’t charged and we credit your next invoice. The same applies if someone leaves early without a good reason.
What kinds of events do you staff?
If your brand needs to meet people in person, we can help. That includes in-store liquor and food tastings, trade shows and consumer expos (home shows, health and wellness expos, baby expos, caravan and camping shows), beer, wine and food festivals, street teams and sampling campaigns, product launches, golf days, music festivals and corporate events.
Will the staff know my products?
Yes, and that’s what makes the difference between a chat and a sale. Send us your product information and the duties you want covered, and every staff member receives a detailed briefing before their shift covering your products, key messages, dress code, timings and on-site contact. If you’d like to train the team yourself, we can book that time too.
Can I choose the staff who work my event?
Yes. Once your staffing agreement is signed, we send you profiles of available staff with photos and experience so you can pick your team. Want the same person at every shift? Just ask and we’ll book them whenever they’re available, so your customers and store staff get to know a familiar face. If you’d like to see profiles before signing, we can share them in advance with a deposit, which comes off your final invoice when you book.
Are your tasting staff certified?
Yes. All of our liquor tasters hold a current RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) certificate for the state they work in. Staff with food handling certificates are available in major cities on request.
What do the staff wear?
Whatever suits your brand best. Send us your branded clothing and the team will wear it. Otherwise our standard uniform is smart all-black clothing with comfortable, professional shoes and a neat, polished look.
Who supplies cups, ice and product for tastings?
Our tasters come prepared with an ice bucket and opener. They can also pick up cups, ice or product on the way, and that pick-up is included in the shift rate. The items themselves are added to your invoice at cost with receipts, so you don’t have to organise deliveries. Not every store has a table available, so let us know if you need one.
How much notice do you need?
We ask for two weeks’ notice so we can line up the best possible team. Anything booked with less notice counts as last minute. We can often still help, even with under a week to go, but a last-minute fee applies and there’s less choice of staff.
Is there a minimum shift length?
Yes. In-store tastings are a set block of around four hours. Event shifts have a four-hour minimum, and some trade shows have a six-hour minimum. Tasting rates are flat, so finishing early doesn’t change the price.
How do I pay?
Payment is simple, and every invoice comes with shift reports and receipts. For in-store tasting programs, many clients pay a lump sum at the start of the year and we draw each tasting from that balance, refunding or crediting anything left over at the end. If you’d rather, we can invoice fortnightly instead. For new clients booking events, we usually ask for 50% the day before the event and the remaining 50% afterwards. We accept bank transfer (EFT), direct deposit, international wire transfer and credit card (a card fee applies). We don’t accept cheques. Your payment terms are set out in your staffing agreement.
What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule?
Cancelling or rescheduling a shift less than 7 days out is charged at 50% of the shift. Within 72 hours, the full shift is charged.