The Dispatch
Guides, field notes and unfiltered opinions for the people who put on live events, and the fans who turn up.
All guides
1,023 guidesThe Economics of Running a Small Music Venue
A practical look at the financial realities of operating a small music venue in the UK, covering income streams, cost pressures…
Why Grassroots Venues Are Closing and What Can Be Done
An examination of the factors driving grassroots venue closures across the UK and the practical steps being taken to reverse the trend.
The Business Model of Music Festivals
How UK music festivals generate revenue, manage costs, and balance artistic ambition with commercial reality across a challenging operating environment.
The Economics of Food and Drink at Events
An inside look at how food and drink operations work at UK events…
How the Secondary Ticket Market Works Commercially
An examination of the commercial mechanics of the secondary ticket market in the UK, covering how resale platforms operate, where the money goes…
Guide to Cloakroom and Baggage Services at Events
A practical guide to running cloakroom and baggage services at events, covering setup, staffing, ticketing systems, security, and managing peak demand.
How to Set Up and Manage Event Registration Desks
A practical guide to setting up and managing registration desks at events, covering layout, technology, staffing, badge printing, and managing peak registration periods.
Guide to Post-Event Site Clearance and Cleanup
A practical guide to post-event site clearance and cleanup, covering litter picking, supplier load-out, ground reinstatement…
How to Create an Event Budget from Scratch
A step-by-step guide to building a realistic event budget, covering every cost category from venue hire to marketing spend, with a practical template approach.
Cash Flow Management for Event Organisers
A practical guide to managing cash flow as an event organiser, covering timing of income and expenses, payment terms…
How to Forecast Ticket Sales Accurately
Learn practical methods for predicting ticket sales, from analysing historical data to understanding sales curves and external factors that influence demand.
How to Reduce Event Costs Without Cutting Quality
Practical strategies for cutting event costs without compromising the attendee experience, from smarter supplier negotiations to more efficient production planning.
