Weak usher staff teams on Memorial Day can create dangerous bottlenecksтАФassign 2 per 150 guests to maintain safe, steady crowd flow between key event zones.
Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest times for events, requiring 30% more staff than typical occasions.
For a 300-person event, you’ll need 15-20 staff members (1 per 15-20 guests) with extra emphasis on bartenders, servers, and crowd control. Proper staffing ensures smooth operations, prevents long wait times, and maintains safety.
3 Common Memorial Day Staffing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
1. Underestimating Beverage Demand
Memorial Day events see 40-50% higher drink sales compared to regular weekends. Many planners make the mistake of using standard bartender ratios (1 per 75 guests), leading to 20-30 minute wait times and frustrated attendees.
Solution: Increase bartenders to 1 per 50 guests.
Pro Tip: Hire TIPS-certified bartenders (+5тАУ10/hour) to handle intoxicated guests efficiently.
Example: A 400-person rooftop party with only 5 bartenders can cause 45-minute bar lines. Adding 3 more reduced waits to under 10 minutes.
2. Ignoring Peak Traffic Hours
Most Memorial Day events see surges between 3 PM тАУ 7 PM, yet many planners keep static staffing levels. This leads to overwhelmed staff during rush hours and idle workers later.
Solution: The best crowd management event staff set 30% extra staff during peak times.
Pro Tip: Use usher staff who can assist at bars, food stations, or guest check-ins as needed.
Example: A corporate picnic with staggered shifts (12 staff from 1тАУ5 PM, 8 from 5тАУ9 PM) saved $800 in labor costs while maintaining service quality.
3. Overlooking Crowd Control & Safety
Large crowds, alcohol, and hot weather create risks. Many events skip dedicated security or crowd managers, leading to bottlenecks at entrances, bars, and restrooms.
Solution: Assign 1 security guard per 100 guests and 2 ushers per 150 guests for flow management.
Pro Tip: Work with a licensed staffing agency to ensure guards are trained in conflict resolution.
Example: A beachfront festival avoided a major incident by placing trained security at drink stations and exits.
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We help you to elevate your events with our highly skilled professionals. You got these three simple steps to book our service
Bonus: Cost-Saving Strategies
- Book Early (by early May) to avoid 20-30% last-minute premiums.
- Use Hybrid Roles (e.g., servers who can assist with setup/cleanup).
- Optimize Break Schedules to avoid overtime (e.g., 30-minute breaks for 8+ hour shifts).
For a detailed checklist, see our guide: Memorial Day Weekend Crowd Control Staffing.
Daniel M.
I'm Daniel M., CEO of Premier Staff. IтАЩve spent the last decade immersed in the world of event staffing and managementтАФbuilding teams, solving problems on the fly, and helping clients bring their events to life with confidence and ease. IтАЩm passionate about creating experiences that run smoothly behind the scenes so everything shines out front. Whether it's a high-profile brand activation or an intimate private event, I believe great staffing is the key to success. IтАЩm here to share what IтАЩve learned along the way and offer insights that help others navigate the fast-paced world of events.
