Qualities of event instructors

Event instructors need to be smart of appearance and intelligent enough to communicate ideas and concepts to the client. They also need experience of the activities they are instructing; people can tell if someone has never actually tried the event and you can't get an all round view without experiencing it first hand.

The one quality which separates an average instructor from a good one is the ability to connect with people. You have to be 'present' on the day, which may seem an odd thing to say but in reality people are often not present when they seem to be in front of you. They're thinking about the weekend or something that is more important to them.

A connected instructor is present, cares about the client and wants them to get the maximum return from their investment.

The corporate event experience

The best corporate events provide a stage on which clients can build on their history together through shared experiences. It's important not to lead participants too much and control their every action. Really the event manager needs to take a step back, because it's not about them. Clients will be laughing at 'in jokes' that the instructor won't understand, and it ruins the flow if they feel the need to be part of the team they're working with.

You may be the best instructor in the world and the event may be the most exciting and novel on offer, but the real value for the client will be the hundred of little moments between the participants.

Archery and Parkinsons Disease

I was at an event instructing archery and met someone who was suffering from Parkinsons Disease. He'd seen archery on holiday in Spain and approached the instructor only to be told that he would be unable to pull the bow.

I gave him a lower powered bow and a bit of time one on one and he did well, walking off with a great smile. I wonder why that other instructor turned him away; did he genuinely believe that he couldn't do it or could he not be bothered to give him time?

I doubt many instructors do what they do for the money. My motivation has always been giving people positive experiences and sending them away with a smile. I can't imagine why anyone would choose this career if they felt differently.

Indoor Team Building

The summer comes to an end and the weather starts to take a turn for the worse and thoughts naturally turn towards indoor team building.

There are plenty of indoor solutions, ranging from taking outdoor activities indoors where space permits through to events which are designed for indoor use. MTA kit, as shown in the picture to the left, is very useful for this.

Larger events include Stock Market Simulations, Game Shows and, of course, Murder Mysteries.