Once you have closed a deal on a new event, it’s easy to think that the hard work is over. But in reality the work is just beginning. A major event takes weeks or even months of planning. That equates to countless emails, phone calls and meetings. If you are working on a new event or with a new event planner, that workload can double because they are a little unsure of their choices. This means you are holding their hand every step of the way.

When you provide great service and your company has a great reputation, customers take a lot for granted. They throw things at you at the last minute, assuming you will make it happen. Something like ordering 100 more toilets on a Friday night before a major event weekend. Or telling you to “just deliver everything at once” when you know that isn’t really possible.

Working in the event industry means you have to roll with the punches and with the many changes that will come your way. One of the most frustrating parts of a major event is the placement of the units. Each toilet is taking up expensive real estate at that event. It is a place where food or merchandise could be sold, so you have to “fight” for that real estate. On top of that, no one really wants to look at the toilets, so they are always trying to hide them and push them off to the side.

Placement of the units is huge and it can make or break an event. It’s your job to guide your customer into making the right placement choices. Here are some key pointers to remember when deciding on placement:

• Let the customer come to you with their suggestions first. They know all the other factors of the event, so they should make the initial suggestions.
• Restrooms at the entrance of an event get hit the hardest. Spread those units out so people waiting in line aren’t blocking the entrance.
• Grouping restrooms together saves time when servicing. But remember to break up those lines periodically so you can fit a hose and a service technician through. 
• Ask for a site meeting if you aren’t sure about placement. This helps you get the lay of the land. If the ground is really uneven, placement of restrooms or trailers will be difficult and you want to work that out before the delivery.
• Request maps that show the placement of the units so you can go over them with your employees. If this is a renewed event, they will have great insight from the previous year’s experience.

There really is no magic formula for restroom placement. Every event and every location will have different pitfalls that you need to look out for. A good event planner will recognize them and work through them with you. After all, it is in everyone’s best interest to make that particular event a success. 

About the author: Alexandra Townsend is co-owner of A Royal Flush, based in Philadelphia.