Staffing shortages are a painful reality in the event industry, and planners like you are having to navigate that frustrating norm. Higher demand, limited budgets, and smaller teams are driving this staffing problem, but that doesn’t change the expectation to deliver flawless event experiences consistently.
Here’s the good news: You don’t need a large staff to make a big impact. All you need are smarter design strategies and the proper partners. With these factors in place, you can create something seamless and memorable anytime, regardless of the size of your team.
“According to the 2025 Events Industry Staffing Outlook by the Event Industry Council (EIC), 89% of event professionals report that staffing shortages have directly affected their ability to deliver events over the past year,” reports Premier Staff.
Let’s dig into how you can create a brilliant event experience with a leaner staff. Over the following paragraphs, we’ll demonstrate how CORT Events is the partner you need to make greatness happen.
Small teams benefit from design choices that keep events flowing smoothly. Here are some examples of design strategies that will make your event plans more efficient, regardless of the size of your team.
Streamlined guest flow: The flow of your event space matters, and while that sounds like a no-brainer, it’s easy to overlook. Layouts that have clear entrances, intuitive pathways, and natural gathering zones mean that you don’t need to rely on as many staff members to guide guests.
Multifunctional zones: Spaces that have varying uses can create logistical complexity, which means that simplicity is the mantra. If you have fewer zones that serve multiple purposes (e.g., a lounge doubling as a breakout space), then you can eliminate setup challenges that call for more hands on deck.
Self-sufficient installations: There’s something empowering about making attendees feel like they have autonomy. The event experience is even better when they feel like they’re in control of at least part of it. That’s where elements like powered seating, hydration stations, or other self-service setups come in. Not only do they make attendees feel like they have a say, but they also reduce the need for constant staff oversight.
Simple, scalable layouts: For a long time, the notion that complex layouts are cleverer and exciting has loomed large over the landscape of event planning. But the truth is that simpler is better. Modular designs adapt quickly without requiring large crews to reconfigure, which makes you light on your feet, no matter the size of your team.
For a long time, event planners have approached design and staffing as if attendees want someone to wait on them hand and foot. When staff is tight, the smartest move is to create event spaces that allow guests to take care of themselves without needing constant direction or support. The great thing about this strategy is that you can frame it as independence or the attendee. Here’s how:
Powered seating and work lounges: Since everybody is tethered to a phone or tablet, there’s a constant need for plenty of charging capabilities. Built-in charging keeps guests self-sufficient, and CORT products like the Endless Powered High Back Closed Circle w/8 Glass Round Tables, White Vinyl provide guests with powered access without having to get up and leave a comfortable lounge space.
Grab-and-go zones: Convenience is the name of the game when it comes to snacking, and you don’t have to have someone staffing a snack table. Hydration, snacks, or self-check-in reduce the need for staff support. CORT has a solution: Use the Maxim Bar, White Gloss and 30” Bar Table, Powered for food and drink areas that are easily accessible and convenient for self-service.
Clear signage and intuitive layouts: Of course, your event space will always be better if your attendees can navigate easily. Your layout matters, but signage that’s easy to understand can help guests navigate easily with fewer staff guiding traffic. CORT’s solution is the Clear Wall Divider Set, which allows for personalization and helps divide areas for clear layouts.
By designing for independence, event planners can give guests more freedom and comfort while reducing the need for hands-on staff support.
As we stated in the intro section of this article, the right partner makes all the difference in the world, especially when your team is stretched thin. With a small team, logistics, setup, and breakdown can be some of the biggest pain points. When you partner with CORT Events, you’re not just selecting a vendor; you have a true partner and lifeline.
Here are some of the key services that CORT provides:
Delivery, setup, and pickup are included in every rental price.
Turnkey service, which means that you require fewer staff hours.
Nationwide consistency and reliability.
On-trend, multifunctional products that work harder and look amazing.
Expert partnership to design stress-free layouts, including CORT’s My Space Planner, which gives you confidence in your layout, whether in a 2D or 3D rendering.
If you’re facing an event with limited teams, this kind of reliability doesn’t just help you. It’s essential.
Just because you’re staring down a staffing shortage doesn’t mean that the guest experience should suffer. If you apply the right design strategies and lean on a partner like CORT Events, you can execute flawless, aesthetically pleasing events while keeping workloads manageable.
If you’re working with a smaller team for your next event, CORT can help lighten the load with delivery, setup, and pickup included. The right partner can help you keep your eyes on the prize: a memorable guest experience.