31/08/2026
A real update from a real month. Real jobs, real photos, real people and not a single AI-generated image in sight.
I wanted to do this month’s Dispatch a little differently.
This edition is completely AI-free. No AI-written copy, no AI-generated images, just a genuine update from us using real photos from real jobs we’ve worked on this month, along with an eclipse shot I took myself. In a world where so much content is starting to look and sound the same, I thought it would be good to keep this one simple and real.
August has been a strong month for Crew Force. We've worked with 22 clients in 36 different locations this month. We also welcomed five new clients onto the books, which is always a great sign heading into the busiest part of the year for exhibitions and winter events.
What I like about August is that it has given us a very clear picture of where the business is heading over the next few months. It has been a real mix: marquee installs, flooring, premium structures, seating installs, festivals, exhibition prep, site support and everything in between. One day we are in a field, the next we are at ExCeL, Farnborough International or inside a live project fitting out a space.
A couple of jobs worth highlighting this month were The Medicine Festival and The Big Feastival.
At The Medicine Festival, we supported with the install and derig of bell tents, and also provided toilet attendants. It was a good example of the sort of support we can offer beyond the obvious heavy-lifting side of events. Sometimes a client needs build crew, sometimes they need operational support on the ground, and quite often they need both. Being able to cover different parts of an event is a big strength for us.
We also worked at The Big Feastival this weekend, which was another great one to be involved in. Festival work always brings its own pace and pressure, and that is exactly where a reliable crew really matters. There is a lot going on, a lot of moving parts, and clients need people who can just get on with it.
Another big positive this month has been the amount of new client activity.
We started work with BES Systems Ltd, West Country Marquees Ltd, Chord Event LTD, Visions Group Partnerships Ltd and The Angels Events. It is always pleasing when new clients trust us for the first time, but what matters just as much is how we show up once we are there. August gave us some very good opportunities to make the right first impression, and I’m confident that several of those relationships will continue to grow.
One of the standout runs this month was our work with CHORD EVENT LTD, including a premium structure build at Clare College, Cambridge, where we supplied crew across four consecutive days. We also supported further premium structure work at Eastnor Castle and Burghley Horse Trials, which again shows the variety of environments we are being trusted in.
There was also plenty happening on the marquee and temporary structure side, with installs and support work at places including Battersea Park, Silverstone, Reading, Guildford, Windsor, Skipton and Northampton, as well as work at ExCeL London. That sort of spread keeps the teams moving and shows the benefit of having strong coverage across our hub network.
A big talking point for me this month has been the amount of work pointing towards exhibition season.
September is when things start to get properly busy on that side, so August has very much felt like the build-up. We have already been active in and around ExCeL London and Farnborough International, and there has been a lot of behind-the-scenes prep going into what should be a very strong autumn. On top of that, we have had continued activity around seating installs, flooring, fit-out support and the sort of practical labour that underpins exhibition and venue work.
That matters, because exhibitions are one of our major focus areas as we head into the back end of the year. A lot of effort has gone into planning for it, making sure the right people are available, and continuing to strengthen relationships with both existing and new clients. From the conversations we are having now, the signs are very positive.
Away from exhibitions, we have also been keeping one eye firmly on the festive season.
It may still only be August, but in our world Christmas planning is already well underway. I have spent a lot of time this month focused on that side of the business, and the encouraging thing is that the interest is already there. We are receiving enquiries and bookings already, which is exactly what you want to see at this stage. Whether it is festive installs, Christmas trees, lights, winter structures, seasonal labour support or event crewing, the pipeline is starting to build nicely.
Another area keeping us busy is Manchester.
Fozia has been flat out with recruitment for our new Manchester hub, which launches on 1 January 2027. This is a really exciting step for the business and an important one for our long-term growth in the North West. Just as importantly, we are already taking bookings for 2027 from the Manchester location, so if clients have work coming up from January onwards, now is the time to start the conversation rather than leave it until the diaries are packed.
August also included one of those moments that had nothing to do with work but still felt worth mentioning — the partial eclipse. The photo included in this edition was taken by me. We had over 90% coverage in the UK, and for a brief moment everything seemed to pause. It felt like a good reminder that even in the middle of a busy month, it is worth stopping and taking stock now and again.
Taken by Jack! This was the best photo I could get from my home in Surrey!
Overall, August has been a very encouraging month.
We have seen strong variety in the work, welcomed new clients, continued laying the groundwork for exhibition season, pushed ahead with festive planning, and made real progress with Manchester. Most importantly, none of it happens without the people on the ground doing the work properly, so a huge thank you goes to all of our crew and to every client who has trusted us this month.
If you need support with exhibitions, events, temporary structures, seating, staging, flooring, site labour or festive installs, we would love to hear from you.
020 3355 0513 / [email protected] / www.crewforcesolutions.com
September is filling up, festive planning is in full swing, and 2027 bookings for Manchester are now open.
Jack Kent Founder Crew Force Solutions Ltd www.crewforcesolutions.com
