184 hostesses, informers and sales advisors at the biggest event of the year, the Brussels Motor Show at Brussels Expo, through the eyes of our Chief of Planning Stephanie Devillé.

Approach

"We all have one goal: find the ambassadors that our clients deserve."

Recruit and manage 184 ambassadors, where do you start?

Great team work makes the dream work. It is the result of several months of hard work in which off course, I do not stand alone. Throughout the year, we put to work many hostesses and informers at all kinds of different fairs and events. The Brussels Motor Show, just like Batibouw at Brussels Expo, is a special project. To begin with, there is no bigger event in Belgium. We have been working on it very intensively for more than 15 years now and the key is to try to do better year by year, to build a strong long term relationship with our clients. Our entire Challenge MC team is involved from A to Z with one very specific goal: find the ambassadors that our clients deserve. 

During the preparations, I meet a lot of new candidates. My job is to interview them in person and try to match them with one of our clients. At first we need a strong recrutement campaign to attract the right candidates. Besides that, a strict administrative support is essential, just like we need to communicate very clearly with our clients and Challengers. As I said, we all need to be aligned as a team.

When exactly do you start with the preparations?

We work on it almost all year long. We meet every day potential Challengers for other jobs throughout the year and they often also qualify for the Motor Show. The most instensive period of recrutement and screening runs from the end of August until our clients start training their selected ambassadors, somewhere in the beginning of December. Obviously, we keep on recruiting until the very first day of the fair to be able to ensure our service in case of unforeseen circumstances. 

"You do not necessarely need to be a car lover but our clients do expect that you are interested in their innovative world."

What does a client expect from a hostess or informer at the fair? Every client is different and has other priorities. That is exactly what makes it very interesting. There are certainly similarities like being fluent in both Dutch and French. Every brand wants a bilingual hostess or informer as the event takes place in Brussels. A good commercial feeling and customer friendly attitude are also important for being a good brand ambassador. You do not necessarely need to be a car lover but our clients expect that you are interested in their innovative world. Experience is an advantage but not an absolute must have. Having the right personality is above all what makes you the right person in the right place.

"We also need to persuade the candidates to choose us as their agency and employer."

What is your biggest Challenge in this project?

Without a doubt being able to present the required number of right personalities to our clients within a very limited period of time. All interviews take place between September and half November. In other words, we have very little time to put together a balanced and strong team that meets the clients' expectations. On top of that, we are not the only agency looking for the right hostess, informer or sales advisor. We also need to persuade the candidates to choose us as their agency and employer. Our beautiful client portfolio is without a doubt one of our strongest assets but for example a good personal contact with the candidates is very essential for gaining their trust. Finally, if they stick with us, we need to confirm in everything we do that they've made the right choice.

And your biggest satisfaction?

A series of succesful interviews approved by the client. But in the end, it is all about the final result. When you walk around at the fair and notice that both your clients and Challengers are happy, it gives you a particular good feeling.

The next Challenge

Straight to Batibouw! But that's definitely not it. We've got many other beautiful events and projects planned, and they all deserve the ideal hostess or host.