Event:	Boston Book Festival Share
Location:	Boston Common Hotel and Conference Center 40 Trinity Place, Boston, MA 02116
Date:	Oct 15th 2016, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Staff:	Manager: Adam Z
RSVP:	This event has already occurred

Event Description:

The Boston Book Festival, now in its eighth year, is New Englands' largest public literary event.

In 2015, upwards of 25,000 people converged on historic Copley Square to enjoy author presentations and panels from bestselling authors and thought leaders from around the world. The BBF  day-of operations are run entirely by volunteers serving in every capacity. The support of volunteers helps ensure that the BBF remains free and open to the public. Many past volunteers have commented on how friendly everyone is, and how much they enjoyed the chance to go behind the scenes at the BBF. The Boston Book Festival would love to have you join them!

The Boston Book Festival celebrates the power of words to stimulate, agitate, unite, delight, and inspire by holding year-round events culminating in an annual free festival that promotes a culture of reading and ideas and enhances the vibrancy of our city.

 

What we'll be doing:

Volunteers will act as ushers and/or ticket-takers and may also assist with check-in (for seminars) and line ordering. In all positions, the goal is to efficiently fill the room before an event begins, to answer attendees' questions, and to clear the room quickly after the event.

 

What you should know:

This event can accommodate volunteers with disabilities and is wheelchair accessible.

You will be on your feet for 4 hours. Please dress comfortably. Jeans and sneakers are fine. You will be given a Boston Book Festival t-shirt to wear. Boston Book Festival will also provide lunch following your shift. Please email the One Brick Event manager with any dietary restrictions and your t-shirt size. Thanks!

Be sure that attendees from previous events have exited the room before allowing guests to enter for the next event. Each room must be fully cleared before opening for the next session!

Greet attendees and maintain efficient entry of the room. You will be stationed either directly at the entrance to a venue or within the venue itself.

Pass out survey cards to festival attendees as they enter. Point out the white survey boxes for attendees to drop off completed surveys.

Opening the Door for Sessions: Please do not allow people to enter a room for a session until the room has been cleared. In the past, we have occasionally had issues with a few people who decide they will not move from their seats. Please politely point out that rooms are cleared after sessions. Be sure the room staff is all giving the same message.

Management of space issues: Volunteers should go through the room, especially in venues with pews, and urge people to squish. In venues with seats, ask people to move to the center of a row. Once the event begins, the doors will be closed, but you may seat late arrivals if the room is not full. Room capacity may not be exceeded, no exceptions!

After the event, please collect survey cards at the back of the venue, help clear the room as quickly as possible, and tidy up the room.

Attendees may ask to be pointed in the direction of their next event. Please be available to answer attendees' questions. If you do not know the answer, direct them to another volunteer. If they are also unsure, direct the attendee to the Info Booth in Copley Square.

Where to Meet:

Please check in by 10am at the Boston Common Hotel and Conference Center, 40 Trinity Place, 5th floor, Boston, MA 02116. Take the elevators up to the 5th floor and sign in at volunteer registration. The Boston Common Hotel is located just south of Copley Square, walking distance to the Copley and Back Bay MBTA stations. You will be greated by the One Brick Event Manager and Boston Book Festival staff. Please check in with the One Brick Event Manager.

Boston Book Festival:

The Boston Book Festival celebrates the power of words to stimulate, agitate, unite, delight, and inspire by holding year-round events culminating in an annual, free Festival that promotes a culture of reading and ideas and enhances the vibrancy of the city. Featuring more than 200 presenters and dozens of sessions for kids and adults, the Boston Book Festival boast a bustling street fair, workshops for aspiring authors, an outdoor music stage, and more! All free to the public.