Singapore’s most significant celebrations require a substantial temporary workforce to ensure seamless operations. At Corestaff, we provide staffing solutions for some of Singapore’s largest and most demanding events. This article explains our proven approach to event recruitment.
Event 1: National Day Parade and Formula 1
The Challenge
A major logistics partner required support for Singapore’s National Day Parade and the Formula 1 Grand Prix. These were critical roles supporting operations for events watched by millions of people.
The requirements:
- Duration: 1 to 2 months (late July to mid-August for NDP, late September to mid-October for F1)
- Scale: 20 to 40 personnel per event
- Location: Islandwide deployment
- Role: Logistics support for the operation equipment handling
- Shifts: Overnight shifts up to 12 hours
- Special requirements: Security clearance, physical fitness, punctuality, ability to adapt to workflow changes
The Selection Process
250 applications received, 20 to 40 placements made.
This ratio demonstrates the selectivity required for high-stakes event staffing. For every person deployed, we evaluated 50 applicants. These roles supported critical security operations where no margin for error existed.
Our screening focused on three essential criteria.
Security clearance capability
Every candidate underwent thorough background screening before consideration. Those with any concerns were immediately disqualified.
Physical fitness and stamina
Twelve-hour overnight shifts handling equipment demand considerable stamina. We assessed each candidate’s ability to maintain alertness and physical capability throughout extended periods.
Adaptability under pressure
National events operate in dynamic environments where plans frequently change. We sought candidates who could adjust quickly while maintaining composure.
The Backup Strategy
We maintained at least 5 – 10 backup personnel who were fully briefed and ready for immediate deployment. This proved essential for managing last-minute changes and unexpected situations.
Deployment Execution
Pre-event preparation:
- Comprehensive briefings covering client expectations, security protocols and event logistics
- Detailed sessions to ensure understanding of the operational environment
- Clear communication of standards and expectations
During the event:
Our consultants maintained a consistent presence throughout operations. We conducted pre-shift reminder calls and check-ins, provided on-site or off-site support at deployment locations, activated backup deployments when required, and coordinated in real time between temporary staff and operations supervisors.
The Results
Client feedback:
- Smooth deployment with zero punctuality issues
- Efficient staffing support throughout both events
- Accurate restocking and equipment handling, ensuring officer safety
- Professional conduct, maintaining security standards
Temporary staff feedback:
- Job descriptions matched actual duties
- All requirements fulfilled during deployment
- Strong collaboration with permanent staff
- Fair treatment and responsive agency support
Measurable outcomes:
- 100% attendance expectations achieved
- Zero security incidents related to staffing
- Successful completion of both multi-week deployments
- Client requested continued partnership for future events
Event 2: Festive Retail Season
The Challenge
One of Singapore’s most prominent retailers required seasonal support for the Christmas and Chinese New Year periods. They sought excellent customer service during the year’s most critical sales periods.
The requirements:
- Duration: 1 to 2 months per festive season
- Scale: 5 to 10 personnel per location
- Location: Multiple retail outlets across Singapore
- Roles: Retail assistants, cashiers, personal shoppers
- Shifts: 8-hour retail shifts
- Special requirements: Professional attitude, punctuality, physical fitness, adaptability
The Selection Challenge
From 150 applications, we selected 5 to 10 candidates with backup personnel per location. We required brand ambassadors capable of delivering premium customer experiences during Singapore’s busiest shopping periods.
Selection Criteria
Customer service excellence
We assessed candidates’ ability to remain patient and professional during peak shopping hours, particularly when queues extended and customers experienced frustration.
Retail knowledge
Strong candidates demonstrated an understanding of retail fundamentals. They could naturally suggest additional products. They managed complaints professionally. They maintained store presentation standards.
Physical stamina
Festive seasons require extended periods of standing, constant customer interaction and sustained energy throughout eight-hour shifts.
Deployment and Support
Pre-deployment preparation:
- Product knowledge briefings
- Client culture and service standards training
- Clear expectations regarding punctuality and appearance
- Emergency contact protocols
Daily operations:
- Morning reminder calls before shifts
- Regular check-ins with store supervisors
- Prompt backup deployment when required
- Real-time performance monitoring
The Results
Achievements:
- Smooth deployment across multiple locations
- Professional behaviour and adaptability from temporary staff
- Strong integration with permanent retail teams
- Positive customer feedback during peak periods
Temporary staff feedback:
- Job descriptions accurately reflected actual duties
- Fair treatment and responsive support provided
- Satisfactory collaboration with client staff
- Requirements fulfilled throughout deployment
The deployment proved successful. We also identified valuable opportunities to enhance our punctuality protocols and attitude assessment methods for future festive seasons.
Event 3: Fashion Pop-Up at Takashimaya
The Challenge
A Korean athleisure brand launched a pop-up retail space at Takashimaya in January 2025. They required brand ambassadors capable of representing their lifestyle-focused identity.
The requirements:
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Scale: 10 to 15 personnel
- Location: Takashimaya Shopping Centre
- Role: Brand ambassadors for fashion pop-up
- Responsibilities: Setup, retail sales, brand awareness, teardown
- Shifts: 8-hour retail shifts
- Special requirements: Brand affinity, punctuality, adaptability, physical fitness
Why Pop-Up Events Require Different Approaches
Pop-up events compress all retail challenges into extremely short timeframes. Staff must learn product lines and brand identity rapidly, establish customer rapport immediately, maintain energy throughout the setup, operation, and teardown phases, and adapt to changing layouts and inventory requirements.
The Selection Approach
From 150 applicants, we selected 10 to 15 brand ambassadors plus backup personnel. Our screening emphasised three key areas.
Brand alignment
We assessed whether candidates were naturally connected with the athleisure lifestyle. Genuine enthusiasm becomes apparent to customers immediately.
Set up and teardown capability.
Pop-up events require hands-on work, including fixture setup, display arrangement and complete breakdown at project conclusion.
Rapid learning capacity
With only 2 weeks available, gradual onboarding was not possible. We require candidates who can absorb information quickly and apply it immediately.
Deployment Process
Pre-event preparation:
- Brand immersion sessions covering product lines and brand narrative
- Visual merchandising expectations
- Customer engagement techniques set up and teardown procedures
During the event:
- Daily performance monitoring and check-ins
- Backup deployment when required
- Real-time coaching on brand representation
- Coordination between retail and setup activities
The Results
Achievements:
- Smooth deployment and setup procedures
- Positive collaboration between temporary staff and brand team
- Professional behaviour during operational hours
- Successful event completion and teardown
Continuous improvement:
The event concluded successfully. Client feedback enabled us to refine our screening process further. We now emphasise self-direction and independence, particularly important for short-term events where rapid autonomy is essential.
Universal Lessons from All Three Events
Lesson 1: The Backup System Ensures Success
Across all three events, we maintained about 25% backup personnel who were fully briefed and deployment-ready. This system proved essential in every deployment. This represents practical planning rather than pessimism, ensuring successful outcomes.
Lesson 2: Early Communication Reduces Issues
Our most effective approach involved sending deployment notifications several weeks in advance, followed by weekly reminders as dates approached, daily reminders beginning 3 days before deployment, and morning check-in calls on deployment day.
This structured reminder system significantly improved attendance and punctuality.
Lesson 3: Accurate Job Descriptions Drive Satisfaction
One consistent positive across all three events was that temporary staff reported job descriptions matched actual duties. This alignment resulted from detailed pre-deployment briefings, honest communication about challenges, realistic work environment previews and clear articulation of physical and mental demands.
When temporary staff understand expectations completely, satisfaction increases and performance improves.
Lesson 4: Cultural Fit Matters
The retail events demonstrated that candidates naturally aligned with client values performed more effectively. Customer service excellence for retail operations. Lifestyle brand affinity for the pop-up event. Even for 2-week deployments, cultural fit assessment delivers significant value.
Lesson 5: Continuous Improvement Creates Excellence
Each event provided new learning opportunities. We refined our processes after every deployment, enhanced our screening methods, improved our communication protocols, and strengthened our backup systems.
This commitment to continuous improvement makes each subsequent event more successful.
What Makes Event Staffing Successful: The Corestaff Framework
Based on these actual deployments, we have developed our proven framework.
Phase 1: Strategic Planning (4 to 6 Weeks Before)
Deep client understanding
- Detailed needs assessment beyond basic job descriptions
- Knowledge of client culture and expectations
- Identification of essential requirements
- Clarification of success metrics
Realistic requirements setting
- Physical demands assessment
- Psychological demands assessment (stress, uncertainty, pressure)
- Security or compliance requirements
- Backup ratios required
Phase 2: Rigorous Selection (2 to 3 Weeks Before)
Volume screening
- Multiple recruitment channels
- Preliminary filtering on essential requirements
- Initial availability and interest confirmation
Quality screening
- Structured interviews assessing relevant skills
- Cultural fit evaluation
- Self-direction and independence assessment
- Reference checks targeting specific competencies
Backup identification
- Maintain 25% fully briefed backup personnel
- Regular communication with backup candidates
- Ensure backup personnel remain genuinely deployment-ready
Phase 3: Thorough Preparation (1 to 2 Weeks Before)
Comprehensive briefings
- Client expectations and culture
- Detailed role responsibilities
- Event-specific protocols
- Emergency procedures and contacts
Expectation management
- Honest discussion of challenges
- Clear communication of standards
- Fair treatment commitments
- Support availability assurance
Logistics coordination
- Schedule finalisation and distribution
- Transportation arrangements when required
- Uniform or equipment distribution
- Final attendance confirmation
Phase 4: Active Deployment (During Event)
Pre-shift preparation
- Morning reminder calls
- Readiness confirmation
- Last-minute question resolution
- Backup activation when required
Real-time support
- On-site presence when appropriate
- Responsive communication channels
- Prompt problem resolution
- Performance monitoring and feedback
Continuous adjustment
- Backup deployment when necessary
- Schedule modifications as required
- Performance coaching in real time
- Client liaison and expectation management
Phase 5: Post-Event Review
Feedback collection
- Client satisfaction assessment
- Temporary staff experience evaluation
- Identification of improvement opportunities
- Documentation of successful elements
Process improvement
- Analysis of attendance patterns
- Review of backup utilisation
- Assessment of selection accuracy
- Refinement of future processes
Why Singapore Events Choose Corestaff
Proven at Scale
We have successfully deployed temporary staff for national-level events requiring security clearances, multi-location retail operations during peak seasons, high-profile brand activations and pop-ups, and logistics operations supporting major celebrations.
Quality Through Selectivity
Our application-to-placement ratios ensure only the most suitable candidates represent your brand. We evaluate 50 applicants for every placement in high-security events and 15 applicants for every retail placement.
Built-In Redundancy
Our 25% to 50% backup systems ensure adequate staffing even when unexpected situations arise.
Hands-On Support
Our consultants manage deployments from briefing to completion, not simply placing staff.
Continuous Improvement
We learn from every deployment, assess what succeeded, and refine our processes accordingly. Thus, each event becomes more efficient than the previous one.
Compliance and Quality Assurance
MOM-licensed employment agency. PDPA-compliant data practices. Structured screening and competency validation. Fair hiring practices and transparent communication.
Our Track Record
National Day Parade and F1 support:
- Zero punctuality issues across 2 months
- 100% attendance expectations achieved
- Zero security incidents
- Client requested continued partnership
Festive retail seasons:
- Successful multi-location deployments
- Strong integration with permanent teams
- Positive customer feedback throughout
- Smooth operations during peak periods
Brand activation events:
- Professional brand representation
- Successful event execution from setup to teardown
- Positive collaboration and teamwork
- Complete project delivery on schedule
Client and Staff Feedback
Clients consistently report smooth deployment processes, efficient staffing support, prompt problem resolution and strong collaboration between temporary and permanent staff.
Temporary staff consistently report that job descriptions match actual duties, they receive fair treatment and responsive support, they experience positive working relationships with clients, and their requirements are fulfilled throughout deployment.
This mutual satisfaction creates the foundation for successful events.
Planning Your Next Event?
Whether you are organising a national celebration, festive retail season or brand activation event, Corestaff delivers the scale, quality and reliability required for success.
We understand that every event presents unique requirements. We tailor our approach to your specific needs. We commit to making your event staffing seamless from start to finish.
Our Commitment
- Quality candidates: Rigorous screening ensures only the most suitable individuals represent your brand.
- Reliable deployment: Backup systems and active management prevent staffing shortfalls.
- Responsive support: Our consultants remain available whenever required.
- Continuous improvement: We learn and refine with every deployment.
- Full compliance: MOM-licensed and PDPA-compliant operations provide complete peace of mind.
Contact Us to Discuss Your Event Staffing Requirements
- Telephone: +65 6288 6866
- Email: recruit@corestaff.com.sg
- Website: www.corestaff.com.sg
- Office: 175A Bencoolen Street, Burlington Square, Singapore 189650
Begin with a 15-minute consultation. We will discuss your event timeline, requirements and how we can ensure seamless staffing from start to finish.
Industries We Serve
- Logistics and supply chain: Warehouse assistants, delivery drivers, and inventory specialists for peak periods or special operations.
- Retail and F&B: Sales associates, cashiers, brand ambassadors, service crew during festive seasons and promotional events.
- Events and hospitality: Coordinators, setup and teardown crews, guest services personnel for conferences, exhibitions and celebrations.
- Manufacturing: Production operators, quality assurance technicians and line workers during high-volume production periods.
- Construction: Site support, safety coordinators and administrative staff for project-based requirements.
- Healthcare and life sciences: Laboratory assistants, administrative support and patient care assistants during peak periods.
- Technology: IT support, helpdesk staff and project coordinators for system rollouts and implementations.
The Corestaff Difference
At Corestaff, great people create great organisations. This principle applies to temporary placements as well as permanent positions. Every candidate deserves a thorough screening, every deployment deserves comprehensive planning, and every event deserves dedicated support.
We operate in the people business, not simply the recruitment business. Our focus on quality matches, cultural fit and responsive service makes us Singapore’s trusted partner for event staffing.
From National Day Parade to festive retail seasons, from brand pop-ups to logistics operations, we have proven our ability to deliver excellence at scale.
Ready to Make Your Next Event Successful?
Contact Corestaff today. We will discuss how we can support your event with quality temporary staff who deliver results.
Your event deserves excellence. We deliver it.
Corestaff: Connecting Great People With Great Organisations
Telephone +65 6288 6866 or email recruit@corestaff.com.sg to begin planning your event staffing today.
Corestaff is a MOM-licensed recruitment agency in Singapore. We specialise in event staffing, temporary placements, and contract staffing across logistics, retail, F&B, hospitality, and other sectors. Our proven framework has supported Singapore’s largest and most demanding events.