sports event management - FIFA/CIES International University Network

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx//Getty Images SportOn top of DB Schenker’s front-endservice, the company can also provideexperts to take a more “hands-on” role inoverseeing logistics at an event.“Sometimes DB Schenker providessupervisory services and people whoact in advisory roles on the ground atthe event. We prefer that approach asit is door-to-door and lock-stop,”Clarke says.“In South Africa we had supervisoryofficers at every stadium for theConfederations Cup (2009 warm-upevent for the Fifa World Cup) and thenthe 2010 World Cup itself.“We ran a major logistics operationfrom continental Europe to South Africaas there were lots of products that werenot sourced locally. For example, thewhole catering operation, right down tothe knives and forks, was from outsidethe country.“We shifted hundreds of containersand delivered them to the venues, notjust the ports.“In total, we had more than 750 peoplein South Africa and they all underwentthe accreditation and safety trainingprocesses. Only a core number of theworkforce was already working forSchenker, so the recruitment and trainingis not something that can be done in ashort space of time.“It is important to be able to transferknowledge from event to event, but ofcourse it is not always easy to retain alot of motivated staff for different eventsaround the world.“When you go to work for an event ina new place you will begin with a youngand fresh team and will have to walkthem through everything. It is thereforeessential to plan a long way in advanceto make sure you perform on the day.”One area that Schenker does not planSPORTS EVENT MANAGEMENT 61