The Value of a Diverse Team
Written by: Nicolette Elia – Director of Event Services
Sit in the staff cafeteria of most international convention centres during peak season and you’ll hear a multitude of languages, a mixture of accents, and a collection of cultural gestures displaying true employee diversity.
Aside from the energy and excitement that peak season brings, it also attracts overseas travellers who descend on our city to pick up casual work during the Northern Hemisphere summer break.
Welcoming new casuals into the team who bring fresh perspectives from around the world and different industry vocations always seems to boost morale and keep energy levels high during what can be a very demanding time at our venue.
This may be because, through the eyes of our international teammates, we are reminded that our standards, work ethic and service delivery are competitive with other reputable, world-class venues.
We’re often quick to criticise ourselves for our imperfections, forever striving to meet what we believe international standards should be. Our team works relentlessly, going above and beyond for our clients in every interaction. With each event we host, we strive to achieve excellent client feedback and become the preferred venue for clients and delegates alike.
Travellers who choose to work at Te Pae Christchurch are usually young adults taking a gap year between high school and university. They are eager to fill any shift and to add value to any role, so long as they receive adequate remuneration and have fun doing it.
There’s little that beats the sound of employees enjoying their work, laughing together, cheering each other on and praising one another after a demanding shift. The sound of team members celebrating an achievement of flawless service or transforming a function room from plenary to banquet style in limited time is truly uplifting. Surpassing a client’s expectations is one of the best motivators and a reminder of why this is one of the most enjoyable, fulfilling industries to work in.
Diversity also brings different perspectives, ideas and solutions to challenges and improvements. Many travellers bring experience from other venues in different regions and enjoy sharing this with the wider team. Often, these learnings can be considered, adapted or built upon for the benefit of our venue.
A few years ago, Te Pae Christchurch welcomed an exceptionally experienced Audio Visual technician who was travelling around New Zealand, with a lengthy stopover in Christchurch. He joined the venue at a time when many AV veterans had been impacted by the pandemic and had pivoted to other industries, leaving behind a less experienced and slightly fragile AV team navigating a converged system in a newly built venue.
This was a turning point for the AV team. For several weeks before our highly valued traveller was scheduled to leave, the team were keen to persuade him to stay at Te Pae permanently. But he stuck to his departure date and the exciting adventures ahead, knowing the team would be just fine without him. And indeed they were, continuing to grow from strength to strength.
A lot can be said about the benefits of gaining international experience. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to travel overseas, whether it’s a short trip across the Tasman or as far as Europe. It is the diversity that travellers bring to the Te Pae whānau that allows our team members, both casual and permanent, to make comparisons, grow their skills and share knowledge.
International travellers may be temporary team members, but the impact they make lingers. As with our permanent and current casual team members, every person who chooses to work at Te Pae Christchurch is valued and appreciated.
“He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.”
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.
