Hostess Responsibilities: What Does a Fair Hostess Do?
Hostesses can't do anything but look good? Wrong! Even if an attractive and well-groomed appearance is important, it is definitely not enough. The hostess responsibilities differ from job to job and of course they are sometimes more and sometimes less demanding – although even the minimum requirement, which is to smile for many hours, is something many people struggle with. Here you can find out about the other things fair hostesses do and what else you can expect from a hostess job!
#The Basic Job Description of a Hostess
Let’s start with the basics: What is a hostess job all about? Basically, it's about representing companies at fairs, congresses or other events. Since in many companies only very few employees are trained in how to approach foreign fair visitors casually, this sometimes requires the support of a charming, good-looking professional – i.e. hostesses. One of their basic responsibilities is to smile friendly at passing visitors, to approach them, to greet them and thereby encourage them to stop and pay attention to the respective company. As a hostess always works for a certain customer, all the other tasks that might be part of the job description depend on the customer's wishes and ideas. The most frequently required tasks, such as working at the information desk, catering and working as a model hostess or VIP hostess, are briefly summarised below.
#Information Desk & Guest Accreditation
One of the classic hostess tasks is working at the information desk. The hostess is clearly visible at the front of the stand and is the main contact for potential customers and partners. To ensure that the event staff can help every visitor as quickly and competently as possible, there is usually a briefing prior to the fair. The time you spend there is remunerated, of course. Another task that hostesses and hosts often take on is guest accreditation. Especially at events where visitors only have access with a ticket, there’s usually a guest list has to be ticked off. Even at large fairs lasting several days, visitor data is often recorded so that the company can keep track of potential customers.
#Catering as a Part of The Hostess Job
At most fairs and events there are snacks and drinks prepared for the guests. It is often the task of the hostess to ensure that all visitors are well looked after and offered something. One option is that customers serve themselves at a buffet and the hostess simply makes sure that the serving table is always clean, tidy and well filled. Another option is that the event staff themselves go from visitor to visitor with a tray to offer food and drinks directly to them. Events where catering can be one of the hostess's tasks are for example fairs, large company events or congresses.
#Special Features Of a Model Hostess
A part of the promotion business, where the appearance is very important, is the work as a model hostess. As the name suggests, model hostesses are hostesses who are particularly attractive and dressed in an appealing way – and therefore often work as models, too. Their job is to present products. Especially at large international fairs, such as Gamescom or the IAA, companies hope that the attractiveness of their event staff will rub off on their products. Since the requirements for a model hostess are particularly high, the remuneration is higher as well. While the model hostess job itself – i.e. the simple act product presentation – seems very easy, it still is a strenuous task, since one is in the limelight for many hours. Therefore, a model hostess shouldn't have a problem with being the center of attention and acting accordingly.
#Meet Celebrities as a VIP Hostess
Sometimes, special guests are expected at an event, such as politicians, celebrities or CEO's of large companies, and these are usually accompanied by their own event staff. As a VIP hostess, you are responsible for ensuring that the important visitors feel completely comfortable. Therefore, you should be empathetic, well organized and, if you are expecting international guests, also have excellent knowledge of the respective language so that the celebrities can turn to you with their concerns at any time. As far as catering is concerned, it is also your responsibility to ensure that your guest is always well looked after. Similar to model hostesses, a VIP hostess should be particularly attractive and look professional at the same time. For this reason and of course because of the special responsibility you are given, you can also count on a higher salary as a VIP hostess. And even if you are supposed to hide it during the job: The opportunity to meet celebrities is motivation enough to apply for a VIP hostess job!