Tonight starts another year of the world’s biggest live event. If you think your event takes a lot of work, try working at the Olympics.
I have had the privilege of working at two Olympic games. One winter and one summer. While the world sees spectacular sports competition, what goes on behind the scenes is also truly amazing. Not only do you have the local organizing committee managing but you also have: the international committee, each national committee, each sports committee, city, state, federal, every sponsor, vendor, sub-vendor, and everyone else that jumps on the Olympic bandwagon. It’s like hundreds of events all happening at the same time and place.
The planning for an event of this size doesn’t start when the city is awarded the games. It starts even years before that. If you want to host an Olympic games you have to show that you can handle the ultimate event stress. Most of your plans and logistics need to be ready to implement when you bid for the games.
If you are in live events & entertainment, I highly suggest you find an opportunity to work at an Olympics. There are always opportunities out there. The behind the scenes experience will give you a new perspective that will carry over for the rest of your career and life.
Just like you, I plan to watch many hours of the games. The winter games are even more unique because you get to see winter sports we are not exposed to here in the U.S.A. As you watch the games this year, think about what types of logistics and planning went into it. Even if you write down everything you can think of, I guarantee you still have pages to write.
Tags: behind the scenes, Olympics, planning an event, what goes into planning the Olympics
February 13, 2010 at 1:13 pm
You are so lucky, I imagine the hype and security around working in such an amazing event is mind blowing – Please keep us posted on the work !!