Why Do We Need Event Stewards And Marshals?

by | Aug 12, 2025 | News

Brand ambassadors at a football match directing thousands of attendees to transport links

Event marshals and stewards play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and safe operation of various types of events. Their primary responsibility is to manage the crowd and maintain order, but their importance goes beyond that.

London brand ambassadors with educational installation

They are often found at venues such as:

1. Sports Stadiums

Sports matches, tournaments, or other sporting events. They help with many aspects of sports events, such as crowd control, ticketing, seating arrangements, and ensuring the safety and security of spectators.

2. Concert Venues

Moreover, when concerts or music festivals are held, marshals and stewards assist in managing the crowd, guiding attendees, checking tickets, and ensuring that everyone follows the event rules and regulations.

3. Convention Centers

Large-scale conferences, trade shows, and exhibitions held in convention centres often require marshals and stewards to complete tasks such as directing participants, managing the flow of attendees, assisting with registration, and providing general assistance.

4. Festivals and Outdoor Events

Events such as music festivals, street parades, cultural celebrations, or outdoor markets often employ marshals and stewards to maintain crowd control, assist with parking and traffic management, and ensure the safety and enjoyment of the attendees.

Brand Ambassadors at a fun-run and marathon

5. Theatres and Performing Arts Centers

Marshals and stewards are present in theatres and performing arts venues to help with, for example, ticketing, seating, crowd management during intermissions, and assisting patrons with any inquiries or concerns.

6. Exhibition Halls and Trade Shows

Furthermore, marshals and stewards play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of exhibitions and trade shows. They assist exhibitors with booth setup, manage the flow of visitors, enforce security protocols, and provide information and assistance to attendees.

7. Marathons and Sporting Events

During marathons, triathlons, or other outdoor sporting events, marshals and stewards are responsible for course management, ensuring participant safety, and guiding the runners or athletes along the designated routes.

These are just a few examples of the venues and settings where marshals and stewards may work. The specific location and type of event will determine the specific responsibilities and tasks assigned to them.

A team of exhibition staff at a Birmingham exhibition. Working at here-to-help, registrations, set-up, and general support staff

Why We Need Event Stewards And Marshals

Event marshals and stewards are essential for large-scale events for a number of reasons. Events may be expected thousands upon thousands of guests, and, therefore, someone needs to be there to direct them, reassure them, and take control in case of an emergency. Push Promotions have listed some of the most important reasons why we need event stewards and marshals:

Racecourse VIP hosts and hostesses

Crowd Management 

One of the primary roles of event marshals and stewards is to manage the crowd. They help direct attendees, guide them to their designated areas, and ensure that everyone is following the event’s rules and regulations. By maintaining order and preventing overcrowding or chaotic situations, they therefore contribute to the overall safety and enjoyment of the event.

Safety and Security 

Moreover, event marshals and stewards are responsible for the safety and security of both the attendees and the venue. They are trained to identify potential hazards, respond to emergencies, and handle crowd control in case of incidents or evacuations. Their presence provides a visible security presence and thus helps deter misconduct or unauthorized access.

Supermarket brand ambassadors working at a food sampling event

Customer Service

Furthermore, event marshals and stewards often serve as the primary point of contact for attendees. They assist with providing information, answering questions, and guiding participants throughout the event. Their friendly and helpful demeanour contributes to a positive attendee experience and helps create a welcoming atmosphere.

Traffic and Parking Management 

In events that involve large numbers of vehicles, event marshals and stewards assist with traffic flow and parking management. They guide vehicles to designated parking areas, ensure compliance with parking regulations, and help prevent congestion or confusion. This helps minimize traffic-related issues and ensures a smooth arrival and departure process.

Conflict Resolution

Occasionally, conflicts or disputes may arise among event attendees. Event marshals and stewards are trained to handle such situations diplomatically and professionally. They can diffuse tensions, mediate disputes, and take appropriate actions to maintain a peaceful and harmonious environment.

Event manager at a marathon handing out free samples

Emergency Response

During emergencies such as medical incidents, accidents, or natural disasters, event marshals and stewards play a vital role in initiating and coordinating emergency response procedures. They can often provide first aid, facilitate communication with emergency services, and guide attendees to safety.

Compliance with Regulations

Finally, events often have specific rules and regulations that attendees must adhere to, such as restrictions on prohibited items or behaviour. Event marshals and stewards ensure compliance with these regulations, helping maintain the integrity of the event and the safety of all participants. For example, often there is a curfew on live events (to avoid disturbing neighbours), marshals ensure that people leave the venue promptly and quietly.

Overall, event marshals and stewards are crucial for the successful execution of events. Their presence helps ensure the safety, security, and smooth operation of the event while enhancing the overall experience for attendees.

Brand Ambassador distributing leaflets to students in a city centre

Push Promotions Event Stewards And Marshall Experience

Here at Push, we have over a decade of experience providing various types of promotional staff to UK events. We have over 3000 staff members on our books who have various skills and experience. For example, we have corporate event staff, product demonstrators, promotional models, character costume staff, and of course, stewards and marshals. 

All of our staff are professional, enthusiastic, and engaging. Additionally, they undergo a thorough interview and onboarding process before being selected for each shift. We have previously worked with famous household brands such as Innocent Drinks, Philips, Sony Pictures, and more. To read about these events, click here.

Get in contact with us today for more information or for a free quote.

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