Big events create jobs

While politicians and pundits banter about the dismal job outlook, many Las Vegans are finding that this city has an abundance of part-time work to keep them in the black.

With many special events related to the tourist industry, local companies find it beneficial to hire part-time employees to staff their temporary job needs, as do job seekers.

"It has saved my life," said John Guintuirrez, a waiter who had worked two full-time jobs while his wife took care of their children before he began supplementing his income with special event work. "By taking on a part-time job, I spend more quality time with my family, and we have the money to have fun when we spend time together, not just hang around the house."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 27.2 million Americans work part time. Workers aged 25 to 54 account for the largest number of part-time workers at 12.8 million. The number of women working part time is nearly twice that of men, with 17.5 million female workers compared with 9.7 million male part-time workers.

Locals are also realizing part-time work isn't for the college student saving for a car or a retired person looking to fill his days. There are many different reasons locals have found part-time work to be a very fulfilling job opportunity.

While at an outdoor summer event last year with his two young children in tow, Guintuirrez stumbled across his first foray into special events as a career path.

"I was juggling the kids wanting snacks to go look at stuff at the same time, the cooler, the blanket, and this guy comes over and starts making this giant kooky hat out of these thin balloons," said Guintuirrez, who has lived in Las Vegas for seven years. "It kept the kids entertained for 10 minutes, enough time for me to breathe and set up, and I tipped him $2. I felt kind of bad because that was all I could afford."

As the afternoon wore on, and the kids continued to play with their balloon hats, he watched the balloon artist go from family to family, with tips from each averaging from a few dollars to more than $10.

"He must have made $100 in the two hours I watched him," Guintuirrez said. "Then he took off his apron and enjoyed the afternoon at the park. I'm thinking, 'This guy has the perfect part-time job.' "

After a few days of research and a week of practice, Guintuirrez applied for a job with a local party company and works big events around town as a balloon artist. He works special events, restaurant openings and private parties for locals and tourists.

He recently made silver bouquets and boutonnieres for a family from Australia who had a party at a convention room for the parent's 25th wedding anniversary. The two-hour workday netted him enough for holiday savings to buy gifts for his extended family.

"I also make little wrist bracelets in the shape of ladybugs or frogs for kids. Or, for a fee, I'll make those big crazy hats for kids or adults," Guintuirrez said.

His wife now also works part time for an event planner.

"It's great because if one of us can't take a job because it doesn't work with our busy schedule, we can take the next job another day and not be worried about being fired. It's like a floating job. It makes me breathe a lot easier."

Part-time jobs offer many benefits, including a chance to learn more about an industry before leaping into a new career, padding a resume to get a leg up in a competitive industry, a flexible schedule, additional income while the economy sags as well as a fallback job opportunity if a primary job falls through.

Las Vegas Entertainment Productions regularly hires part-time job seekers for its many events around the valley. The 32-year-old company, run by Rhett Butler Marek, handles large and small parties. The company has a small team of 15 employees that handles day-to-day operations and a roster of more than 100 people it uses for special events.

"My father started Las Vegas Entertainment Productions in 1985, (and) specialized in booking live bands in the local casinos," Marek said. "We've progressed through the years, and now provide catering, party rentals and entertainment. We own what we offer and stay busy because of our great deals and unbeatable service."

Though Marek has a low employee turnover, he's in constant need of part-time employees so that he can continue to have a large stable of reliable people to work events.

"Unlike other companies in town, we handle events from start to finish," he said. "Our employees need to prepare for the design, setup, management and strike (tear-down) of the events. Most companies just set up and leave. We take the stress, so our clients can enjoy their events.

"As the weather gets nicer, we tend to have a lot more outdoor setups. Many school festivals, company picnics, conventions, weddings, nonprofit walks, galas, and the list goes on."

Las Vegas Entertainment Productions is not a staffing company, but because it does handle the events from every detail and angle, it does bring on temporary labor at a good rate.

"Some weekends we hire an additional 75 to 100 employees for setup, watching rides, cleaning up and tearing down," he said. "We have an amazing team, and work together to create unforgettable events."

While the work is temporary, having a strong work ethic makes a permanent impression.

"Be prepared for sudden changes, extended hours and hard work," he said. "The best part of working special events is that each day (and) event is so different. Some days you're working with the Secret Service for political events, and the next day you're coordinating the delivery of an elephant for a little girl's birthday party. Each day is different, sometimes hard, and sometimes too easy."

Being flexible and even-tempered is vital to being rehired, he said.

"Surprises always pop up when handling special events," Marek said. "As long as our team stays calm and handles them with a smile, 99 percent of the guests will never know a hiccup occurred."

To apply for open positions at Las Vegas Entertainment Productions, visit www.lasvegasparties.com.

"Show up on time, work hard and follow directions," Marek said. "If you follow those three simple steps, you'll have more work than you'll know what to do with."

Joanna Hurley has continually worked for two event planners since she was in college more than a decade ago. The 30-something single mother of three has relied on the flexibility of the jobs. In 2010 she moved her ailing mother into her home and spends much of her time caring for her.

"I am a big saver, so I put a lot of money away when my kids were little and I was still married," she said. "When my husband died in 2008, I had a rough year. But being able to work when I could helped me to get out of the dark days and focus on the future."

She returned to college to finish her degree in business. She hopes to open her own event business once she graduates.

"This town has a lot of opportunity for events, particularly with people coming in to town who need a party planner," she said. "It's not a big business, but it's perfect for what I need."

Working part time has continued to increase her bank account and her self-esteem.

"Sometimes I get caught up in just caring for my mom and dealing with two teenagers about to leave the house and go off to college," Hurley said. "Going out and being able to work, just a few hours a week sometimes, gives me a sense of self I didn't know I was missing. Working part time is really helpful for me monetarily and for my self-worth."