Clear decisions and directions
As a
manager who controls the all staffs, demonstrators, volunteers and even the
audiences, it is very important to make a clear decision and give a clear
direction to volunteers and other staff. When a few things are not clear with
some staffs, everything can easily go long. As a person who takes in charge of
managing the whole procedure of the event, you should understand all the
circumstances each minute of the day from the very beginning till the end.
We were
supposed to set up the floor with Taekwondo mats from 10am to 11am then to
start a tech rehearsal after around 30 minutes of demonstrator’s own physical
practice. However, as I mentioned from earlier journal, we couldn’t start the
rehearsal even after 11:30am. The problem came out right away. The head coach
of the demonstrators would like to conduct a practice by themselves for about
an hour, but we should finish the final tech rehearsal with sound, lights and
video staffs by 12:30pm. We did not have enough time. At around 11:30am I had
to stop the practice and conduct the tech rehearsal but the coach did not allow
me to start tech rehearsal. Then, I had a moment that I should make a decision
whether let them practice more or start the rehearsal. I configured that we did
not have enough time to do the tech rehearsal if we waited till the end of
their practice, I pushed the coach come to the control area (in the middle of
the audience’s seat to manage the entire show), and started the rehearsal. The
coach was slightly upset when I forced him to start the rehearsal, but through the
rehearsal, we could check all the timing of sound and lights. I am sure that
the first show looked unorganized if we did not have the rehearsal. After the
successful first show with a cheerful crowd, the coach also satisfied with it. I
realised that the moment of starting the rehearsal was most crucial when I look
back the performing day retrospectively. It was the moment that reveals the clear
decision at the clear moment is very important.
Wrap up
The show
finished successfully and all demonstrators went back to Korea safely. I made a
final phone call with the Convention Centre to thank them for their kind assistance.
After finalise all the financial documents and sorting all media exposures, I
could feel that the show had done. It was a long journey from researching the
venues, signing contract, venue inspection to the actual demonstration. There
are a few urgent matters and concerns to solve out during the process, but I realise
that everything will go well if you put enough effort and time. Also, it is
very important to heartily believe the success of the event. I guess the strength
come from the strong belief makes everything successful. Comparing to the
exhibition program that I normally deal with at the office, there are many
similar and different elements between. Producing an event, attracting
audiences and running a show are the same simple procedures that both events
have, but artistic approaches of production, targeting methods for marketing
are very different. Overall, I think I have learnt different perspectives that
I definitely can apply to organize exhibition programs through managing the
Taekwondo performance. I can’t measure how much I have progressed or achieved,
but I am very sure that I have learnt a lot.
