When planning an event, deciding whether to use paid staff or volunteers has its pros and cons. One big advantage of hiring paid staff is that they usually have more experience and professionalism. This can help make the event run more smoothly. Plus, since they get paid, they might be more reliable and likely to show up and do a good job.
On the downside, hiring paid staff can be pretty expensive. If the budget is limited, it might take away money from other important things for the event, like decorations or entertainment.
On the other hand, using volunteers can really save money. Many people like to help out for a good cause, which can also create a sense of community. However, volunteers might not always have the necessary skills or might not be as committed as paid staff. This can lead to things not running as smoothly as planned. Some volunteers might even not show up at all, which could create gaps and make the event less successful.
In the end, whether to choose paid staff or volunteers really depends on the event's needs, how much money is available, and how much expertise is needed to make everything go well.