Summer means one thing for many of us in the industry: outdoor concerts and festivals. Long days, tight schedules, back-to-back events – your crew is constantly loading, setting up, tearing down, and getting ready to do it all again in a few days.
While every event is slightly different, the challenges are often the same. Here are 5 common issues we’ve seen crews face, and a few ways to stay one step ahead.
1. Lost or Mixed-Up Equipment
When you have multiple vendors working in the same space, it’s easy for cables, cases, and other equipment to get mixed-up during set-up or teardown.
What We’d Suggest:
Label everything. Road cases, trunks, individual cables, everything. Clear identification helps ensure your gear makes it back to your facility with you.
Case Label Product:
Custom Rewritable Case Labels These permanent, rewritable labels help crews quickly identify things contents, location, and venue. Completely customize your case label or shop our standard sizing and layouts. Shop Metal Shop Plastic |
| Cable or Barrel Labels Keep track of every cable. Self-laminating for added durability. Include your logo and include color-coding for added efficiency. Get Barrel Labels Get Cable Labels |
2. Slow Setups
Digging through unlabeled cases or searching for the right cable wastes valuable time that you, likely, don’t have.
What We’d Suggest:
If you’re not already, label equipment by category and/or what area it needs to be brought to. Use a color-coded labeling system or custom labels to quickly identify the contents of the case so you don’t even have to open it.
Case Labels Product:
Custom Equipment Label Inventory your equipment with ultra-durable polyester labels. Create a color-coded system for easy identification. Get Yours |
3. Similar Looking Gear
When every black case and trunk, wrapped cable, or power strip looks the same, time is wasted figuring out where it belongs, who it belongs to, or if it’s even needed at this particular event.
What We’d Suggest:
Large, easy-to-read, permanent labeling systems make identification instant. Even in a crowded backstage area or at a nighttime event.
Case Label Product:
Logo Label Keep track of your gear with permanent, easy to read labels, completely customizable or standard sizing available. Include as much or as little information as you’d like. Get Yours |
4. Last Minute Crew Changes
Seasonal staff and volunteers are common at outdoor festivals and summer concerts. Without a clear organizational system in place, new team members will struggle to help locate the right equipment.
What We’d Suggest:
Create a simple, consistent labeling system that everyone can understand. Clear labels reduce confusion and help your teams work more efficiently.
5. Long, Exhausting Teardowns
After a long weekend or on those late nights, everyone just wants to pack up quickly and get home. But that’s exactly when mistakes happen.
What We’d Suggest:
Have a well-organized inventory system in place. Teardowns become a breeze and you don’t have to worry about whether or not every case, cable, or piece of equipment will be accounted for before leaving the venue.
Case Label Product:
Equipment Label Inventory your equipment with ultra-durable polyester labels. Include your logo, inventory numbers, QR codes, or bar codes. Opt for a completely custom design or choose from our standard sizing and colors. Get Yours |
Make Summer a Little Bit Easier
Outdoor events can be hectic. A simple labeling system will help you streamline setup, speed up teardowns, and protect your investment all season long.
Whether you’re managing a few road cases or an entire production trailer, staying organized helps every event run a little smoother.
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